Alan Sepinwall – författare

The complete critical companion to AMC’s Emmy- and Golden Globe–nominated series Better Call Saul from the author of Breaking Bad 101 and The Sopranos Sessions"If you love Better Call Saul this book will be a great pal to hang out with while you muse upon it; if you like Better Call Saul then I think this book might make you love it!” —Bob Odenkirk (Saul Goodman)Named one of the most anticipated books of the year by the AV ClubTimed to the 10th anniversary of the first season, this ultimate companion book serves as a guide to the series’ greatness and place in pop-culture history as fans kick off celebratory rewatches and new fans discover the series for the first time.Saul Goodman v. Jimmy McGill: The Better Call Saul Critical Companion collects chief TV critic at Rolling Stone Alan Sepinwall’s critical essays on every episode of the Emmy- and Golden Globe–nominated series. Sepinwall covered Better Call Saul from start to finish, and conducted exhaustive interviews with creator Vince Gilligan and stars Bob Odenkirk and Rhea Seahorn, reproduced here alongside new interviews with series cocreator Peter Gould.​Across six critically acclaimed seasons, Better Call Saul surprised audiences and subverted Breaking Bad fans’ expectations for what a prequel/sequel series could be. Bob Odenkirk reprised his role as the morally compromised defensive attorney and revealed the tragic and inevitable downfall of Jimmy McGill, a small-time con artist with big dreams and even bigger schemes. Audiences were introduced to now iconic characters, including Rhea Seahorn’s Kim and Michael McKean’s Chuck, as well as villains like Tony Dalton’s Lalo, who rivaled Breaking Bad’s most sinister creations.

“A fascinating peek behind the making of a megahit, and a delightful bit of nostalgia for those of us who remember life before streaming TV.” —Town & CountryWelcome to the O.C., b*tch: it’s the definitive oral history of beloved TV show The O.C., from the show’s creators, featuring interviews with the cast and crew, providing a behind-the-scenes look into how the show was made, the ups and downs over its four seasons, and its legacy today. On August 5th, 2003, Ryan Atwood found himself a long way from his home in Chino—he was in The O.C., an exclusive suburb full of beautiful girls, wealthy bullies, corrupt real-estate tycoons, and a new family helmed by his public defender, Sandy Cohen. Ryan soon warms up to his nerdy, indie band-loving new best friend Seth, and quickly falls for Marissa, the stunning girl next door who has secrets of her own. Completing the group is Summer, Seth’s dream girl and Marissa’s loyal—and fearless—best friend. Together, the friends fall in and out of love, support each other amidst family strife, and capture the hearts of audiences across the country.Just in time for the show’s twentieth anniversary, The O.C.’s creator Josh Schwartz and executive producer Stephanie Savage are ready to dive into how the show was made, the ups and downs over its four seasons, and its legacy today. With Rolling Stone’s chief TV critic and bestselling author Alan Sepinwall conducting interviews with the key cast members, writers, and producers who were there when it all happened, Welcome to the O.C. will offer the definitive inside look at the beloved show—a nostalgic delight for audiences who watched when it aired, and a rich companion to viewers currently discovering the show while it streams on HBO Max and Hulu.The O.C. paved the way for a new generation of iconic teen soaps, launched the careers of young stars, and even gave us the gift of Chrismukkah. Now, it’s time to go back where we started from and experience it all over again. Includes exclusive interviews with: Ben McKenzie * Mischa Barton * Adam Brody * Rachel Bilson * Peter Gallagher * Kelly Rowan * Melinda Clarke * Tate Donovan * Chris Carmack * Autumn Reeser * Willa Holland * Samaire Armstrong * Alan Dale * Colin Hanks * Amanda Righetti * Navi Rawat * Shannon Lucio * Michael Cassidy * McG * Imogen Heap * Alex Greenwald * Ben Gibbard * Paul Scheer * Doug Liman * and many more! This comprehensive oral history goes beyond the screen to reveal the full story:Unfiltered Cast and Crew Interviews: Hear directly from Ben McKenzie, Mischa Barton, Adam Brody, Rachel Bilson, and creators Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage as they share candid memories of overnight fame, on-set dynamics, and the moments that defined their careers.Behind-the-Scenes Secrets: Discover the real stories behind the casting shake-ups, creator clashes with the network, and the creative decisions that shaped all four seasons of the iconic show.Anatomy of a Pop Culture Phenomenon: Trace the show’s journey from a risky idea to a global sensation that influenced music, fashion, and an entire generation of television.A 20th Anniversary Celebration: Packed with nostalgic details, this is the definitive companion for original fans and new viewers, commemorating two decades of Chrismukkah, Captain Oats, and California dreams.

Welcome to the O.C., b*tch: its the definitive oral history of beloved TV show The O.C., from the shows creators, featuring interviews with the cast and crew and never-before-seen photos, providing a behind-the-scenes look into how the show was made, the ups and downs over its four seasons, and its legacy today.

AMC’s Breaking Bad is among the most beloved, critically acclaimed American television series of our time. Created by Vince Gilligan, the series charts the transformation of high school science teacher Walter White (played by Bryan Cranston) into a cold, calculating meth kingpin. Breaking Bad 101 collects esteemed critic Alan Sepinwall’s (Uproxx) popular Breaking Bad recaps in book form, featuring new, exclusive essays and completely revised and updated commentary—as well as insights from and interviews with the creative masterminds behind Breaking Bad. The ultimate critical companion for one of the greatest television dramas of all time, Breaking Bad 101 offers fans Sepinwall’s smart, funny, and incisive analysis of the psychology and filmmaking craft behind each episode and celebrates the series’ unique place in pop-culture history.

On January 10, 1999, a mobster walked into a psychiatrist’s office and changed TV history. By shattering preconceptions about the kinds of stories the medium should tell, The Sopranoslaunched our current age of prestige television, paving the way for such giants as Mad Men, The Wire, Breaking Bad, and Game of Thrones. As TV critics for Tony Soprano’s hometown paper, New Jersey’s The Star-Ledger, Alan Sepinwall and Matt Zoller Seitz were among the first to write about the series before it became a cultural phenomenon. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the show’s debut, Sepinwall and Seitz have reunited to produce The Sopranos Sessions, a collection of recaps, conversations, and critical essays covering every episode. Featuring a series of new long-form interviews with series creator David Chase, as well as selections from the authors’ archival writing on the series, The Sopranos Sessions explores the show’s artistry, themes, and legacy, examining its portrayal of Italian Americans, its graphic depictions of violence, and its deep connections to other cinematic and television classics.

On January 10, 1999, a mobster walked into a psychiatrist’s office and changed TV history. By shattering preconceptions about the kinds of stories the medium should tell, The Sopranos launched our current age of prestige television, paving the way for such giants as Mad Men, The Wire, Breaking Bad, and Game of Thrones. As TV critics for Tony Soprano’s hometown paper, New Jersey’s The Star-Ledger, Alan Sepinwall and Matt Zoller Seitz were among the first to write about the series before it became a cultural phenomenon. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the show’s debut, Sepinwall and Seitz have reunited to produce The Sopranos Sessions, a collection of recaps, conversations, and critical essays covering every episode. Featuring a series of new long-form interviews with series creator David Chase, as well as selections from the authors’ archival writing on the series, The Sopranos Sessions explores the show’s artistry, themes, and legacy, examining its portrayal of Italian Americans, its graphic depictions of violence, and its deep connections to other cinematic and television classics.

An insightful exploration of television’s greatest series, examining its stories, characters, and lasting impact—from West Baltimore’s streets to the powerhouse performances of Dominic West, Idris Elba, and Michael B. JordanAll in the Game: The Complete Critical Companion to The Wire celebrates one of television’s most influential and acclaimed series, offering a deep exploration of a show that reshaped what TV could be. Set in West Baltimore, The Wire examines ineffective politicians, toxic policing, vanishing labor markets, poverty-stricken neighborhoods, and systemic racism through a richly layered, character-driven narrative. Across five seasons, the series brought these institutional failures to life through an iconic ensemble cast, including Idris Elba, Dominic West, and a young Michael B. Jordan. From West Baltimore’s cracked stoops and tight row houses to courthouse benches, union docks, jail cells, City Hall offices, and the basement where a group of unconventional detectives wiretap their way into the drug trade, The Wire builds a sweeping portrait of an American city—inviting audiences far removed from these systems into its world, while depicting its characters with depth and unsentimental honesty. Consistently ranked among the greatest television achievements of all time, The Wire remains as urgent and resonant today as ever.All in the Game: The Complete Critical Companion to The Wire provides:Season-by-season analysisThematic essaysClose readings of the characters and systems that define the show’s unmatched scope and ambitionA new interview with series creator David Simon

In The Revolution Was Televised, celebrated TV critic Alan Sepinwall chronicles the remarkable transformation of the small screen over the past fifteen years. Focusing on twelve innovative television dramas that changed the medium and the culture at large forever, including The Sopranos, Oz, The Wire, Deadwood, The Shield, Lost, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, 24, Battlestar Galactica, Friday Night Lights, Mad Men, and Breaking Bad, Sepinwall weaves his trademark incisive criticism with highly entertaining reporting about the real-life characters and conflicts behind the scenes. Drawing on interviews with writers David Chase, David Simon, David Milch, Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse, and Vince Gilligan, among others, along with the network executives responsible for green-lighting these fresh shows, The Revolution Was Televisedis the story of how a new golden age was born, one that's as rich with drama and thrills as the very shows themselves.

A phenomenal account, newly updated, of how twelve innovative television dramas transformed the medium and the culture at large, featuring Sepinwall’s take on the finales of Mad Men and Breaking Bad.In The Revolution Was Televised, celebrated TV critic Alan Sepinwall chronicles the remarkable transformation of the small screen over the past fifteen years. Focusing on twelve innovative television dramas that changed the medium and the culture at large forever, including The Sopranos, Oz, The Wire, Deadwood, The Shield, Lost, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, 24, Battlestar Galactica, Friday Night Lights, Mad Men, and Breaking Bad, Sepinwall weaves his trademark incisive criticism with highly entertaining reporting about the real-life characters and conflicts behind the scenes. Drawing on interviews with writers David Chase, David Simon, David Milch, Joel Surnow and Howard Gordon, Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse, and Vince Gilligan, among others, along with the network executives responsible for green-lighting these groundbreaking shows, The Revolution Was Televised is the story of a new golden age in TV, one that’s as rich with drama and thrills as the very shows themselves.

"The Sopranos is the one [show] that made the world realize something special was happening on television. It rewrote the rules and made TV a better, happier place for thinking viewers, even as it was telling the story of a bunch of stubborn, ignorant, miserable excuses for human beings" (From All Due Respect…The Sopranos Changes Everything).In this chapter from the critically acclaimed book The Revolution Was Televised, Alan Sepinwall explores why The Sopranos was critical to ushering in a new golden age in television. Drawing on a new interview with creator David Chase, Sepinwall weaves fascinating behind-the-scenes details about the show with his trademark incisive criticism—including his theory on the controversial series finale.

From the updated edition of The Revolution Was Televised, Alan Sepinwall’s analysis of Breaking Bad and Mad Men, featuring new commentary and insights on the complete series and controversial finales.

In seiner ersten Therapiestunde mit Dr. Melfi erklärt Tony Soprano: "Es ist gut, von Anfang an bei etwas dabei zu sein. Dafür war ich zu spät, ich weiß. Doch jetzt habe ich manchmal das Gefühl, dass ich erst am Ende dazukam. Dass alles schon vorbei ist." In seinem brillanten ersten Buch beschreibt Alan Sepinwall, dass es eben jener Satz Tonys ist, der nicht das Ende markiert, sondern den Aufbruch zu etwas völlig Neuem, bis dato in der Medienlandschaft Unbekanntem. Sepinwall wurde durch sein Blog "What''s Alan Watching?" zu einem der bekanntesten Blogger Amerikas. Als vielleicht bester Chronist der revolutionierten Fernsehlandschaft begleitet und erklärt er die Umwälzungen, die durch großartige, tief in die Verwerfungen der Postmoderne gestürzte Serien wie "The Sopranos", "Lost", "Mad Men", "24", "Breaking Bad", "The Wire" oder "Deadwood" entstanden sind. Gerade von der New York Times als eines der besten Bücher 2012 ausgezeichnet, ist dieses Buch eine geistreiche und kluge Kulturgeschichte. Zwölf Seriendramen der letzten 15 Jahre verhandelt Sepinwall. Er erklärt, wie die Künstler hinter diesen revolutionären Sagas die Zeit, den ihnen gegebenen Raum und die Vertrautheit des Fernsehens genutzt haben, um eben dort die Grenzen des Erzählens zu verschieben - und wie sie gleichzeitig die komplexen philosophischen Ansätze hinter ihren Werken sichtbar machen.