NEW RELEASE
Talk Show - A. O'Connor (2011)
The Joshua Green Show, a Jeremy Kyle-type of controversial talk show, is getting top ratings for television station RTV. Joshua portrays himself as a moral family man, and he and wife Soraya live in luxury with their two toddlers and Joshua's son, Lee. Kim Davenport is the show's producer, a ruthless businesswoman who will do anything to get the show to the top of the ratings. And Brooke Radcliffe is a lowly, underappreciated researcher, whose lack of self-esteem leads her to having an affair with the boss. Guy Burton is the new director of programs at RTV. A mysterious man who rarely reveals anything about himself, he becomes entangled in all their lives, becoming a friend to Joshua and Soraya, and showing a romantic interest in Brooke. But Kim isn't convinced he is genuine. When rumours emerge of poor treatment of guests on the show, a hate campaign begins that threatens all of their careers and personal lives. But who is behind the campaign, and can it be stopped before Joshua's career and life with Soraya is torn apart? This was a riveting read that really gave an insight into the cut-throat world of television. With twists and turns throughout, this terrific page-turner was difficult to put down as I never knew what to expect next. The relationships between the characters were very well thought out and portrayed excellently. (LO)
The latest novel from A. O'Connor is set in the ruthless world of a TV talk show. The summary of Talk Show says: "The Joshua Green Show has stormed up the television ratings over the past five years, providing him and his beautiful wife Soraya with an enviable 'Hello magazine lifestyle. Joshua and the show's producer Kim Davenport have no guilt about exploiting their guests' emotions on their confessional Talk Show, the more tawdry the better. Now as a new director of programs, Guy O'Doherty, takes over at the television studio, Kim aims to bring Joshua and herself to the next level and secure them Ireland's flagship late night 'serious talk show. Soraya is blissfully happy with her husband Joshua, two toddler children and her teenage step-son Lee in their beautiful home. She can put up with her well-heeled parents disapproval of her husband and living with Lee and Joshua's troubled relationship. She sees herself as the glue holding it all together. However when a whispering campaign starts about Joshua's show it starts to unnerve them. There are accusations about guests on the show and how they are handled. The campaign gathers pace and suddenly details of Joshua's life that Soraya never knew come in to the public domain. And it dawns on Joshua that the leaks are coming from someone much close to home. Louise Keane considers herself a moral person, so she doesn't understand herself why she is having an affair with Joshua. When the new director of programs takes an interest in her, she is flattered but confused as to why. But then Guy O'Doherty seems to be taking an interest in every aspect of Joshua's life." Talk Show is out in September. Andrew O'Connor also wrote Full Circle.