Subtitled “An Unauthorized Autobiography,” this book wants you to believe it’s not a novel in disguise or the author’s delusional fantasies, or both. But how can anyone in their right mind believe that the creator of The Gong Show and The Dating Game was actually a double agent for the CIA who assassinated KGB spies while agonizing over what critics wrote about his schlocky TV shows in the newspapers. The only thing Barris doesn’t confess is what drugs he was taking all during the 70s. ( )

This is an excellent read. Though posited as an autobiography, it is as gripping and entertaining as any spy thriller. ( )

Not bad, but not great. Same opinion of the movie, too. I wish he had included more of his time as a TV show producer, maybe with more behind-the-scenes stories.

I realize this should be read as a novel, not necessarily a biography. The 'novel' portions of the book are ok, but pretty much just standard spy-fantasy. ( )