Culture PickIf there’s anyone who understands what makes pop culture snap and crackle on TV, it’s Fenton Bailey. As one half of the dynamic duo behind World of Wonder (the production company that gave us RuPaul’s Drag Race, DragCon and some wonderfully subversive films and documentaries), he’s helped shape reality television trends in a truly impactful way.

ScreenAge 1

(Penguin Books)

In his new book, ScreenAge, Bailey shares his journey creating wildly popular programming and working with everyone from RuPaul to Tammy Faye Bakker. It’s a real look under the wigs so to speak, boasting behind-the-scenes tea about his fabulous universe and his work with WOW co-founder Randy Barbato. We’ve covered and worked with the pair numerous times and marveled at their ability to know what audiences want before they even know it. They’ve done so while breaking boundaries, especially for the queer community and drag (an art that is increasingly being threatened by hate and ignorance). The book’s insider account and dishy celebrity tales aren’t just a fun read, they’re an important documentation of entertainment culture’s ever-changing mores and movements.

Fenton Bailey will sign books, do a Q&A and Drag Race judge Michelle Visage will be in conversation at Book Soup, 8818 Sunset Blvd.; Tues., March 28, 7 p.m. More info here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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