E! True Hollywood Story (1996– )

The E! Trure Hollywood Story is one of those programs you can love a few episodes of and equally hate a few episodes of...but no matter what, you're going to tune in ...eventually.

I am one of the viewers that watch the episodes that intrigue me for the moment: whether it is about the "flavor of the month" star or about an older, famous entertainer; this one hour (or two hours depending) of interviews, pictures and some biographical information captures your attention. But there are some things you will have to take with a grain of salt.

For one, this show isn't as deeply researched and well made as the Arts and Entertainment (A&E) series "Biography". The E! True Hollywood Story does carry more sensationalism and does tend to jump on a story about a celebrity that is currently on the "radar screen". It does have a tabloid feel about it, but it does carry interesting perspectives as well.

I was pretty much hooked on this program up until 1998 when they put together a program on the late Phil Hartman. Years prior to his death, I had met him and seen he and his wife in Los Angeles and in New York on different entertainment industry occasions. I watched E!'s program because I could not understand what happened to what I assumed were 'two nice folks". The E! Ture Hollywood Story followed format by getting 'friends' who said they knew the two to make comments. Then a few days later, I was watching CNN and heard Jon Lovitz speak about his friend ....and this show. One of Mr. Lovitz's comment pertained to the "folks who claim they knew" his friend. Mr. Lovitz was almost in tears when he mentioned that some folks who 'claim to be someones friend', really aren't especially when they appear on 'shows like the E! True Hollywood Story'. That effected me, and made me look at the program more deeply. And I must admit, after that Phil Hartman program, the E! True Hollywood Story's format changed a bit. I don't know if it was because of that or because the E! True Hollywood Story wanted to get more into "what happened to..." popular TV series actors in ensembles formats.

Regardless, this is an entertaining program that will attract you based on the subject matter of the showing. For example, I am quite sure they have done tons of the 'Michael Jackson' and 'Paris Hilton' True Hollywood Story because those folks seem to be in the news every other week and there is always something new, different and entertainment titillating news-y about them.

But that is why you will tune in and watch.