Posted on 03/06/2006 12:59:10 PM PST by shining_city
Many of Hollywood's brightest stars received an unexpected surprise in their Oscar party gift bags last night -- an advance copy of a children’s book that parodies celebrity activists.
Bestselling author Katharine DeBrecht's new book “Help! Mom! Hollywood's in My Hamper” (Kids Ahead; hardcover; ISBN 0976726912) hits stores nationwide on Tuesday, but scores of Academy Award honorees past and present were given a sneak peek at the sure-to-be-controversial book on Sunday. The illustrated book features satirical look-a-likes resembling outspoken celebrities including Barbra Streisand, Sean Penn, Madonna, Britney Spears, Ben Affleck, and Tom Cruise. It tells the story of Janie and Sam, two girls who were happy just being kids until Hollywood stars pop out of their hamper to tell them how to behave and to sell them expensive trinkets.
The books were included in gift bags handed out to celebrities at a black tie gala in Beverly Hills following the awards show at the Kodak Theater. Organizers expected some 200 celebrities -- including dozens of current and previous Oscar nominees -- to attend the event, making it one of Tinseltown's biggest award night parties.
“Know-it-all liberal celebrities are never at a loss for telling people how to live, what to buy, and how to vote,” says author DeBrecht, a captain of South Carolina's “Security Moms for Bush” and a mother of three. “Children need to understand that just because these people show up on television and in the movies doesn't mean they know what's best for the rest of America.”
DeBrecht’s latest book is the highly anticipated sequel to her surprise hit from last fall titled “Help! Mom! There Are Liberals Under My Bed” (Kids Ahead; hardcover; ISBN 0976726904). That book soared to #1 on Barnes & Noble's website but drew fiery criticism for its portrayal of Hillary Clinton and Ted Kennedy as cartoon villains who tax and regulate a lemonade stand.
None of the celebrities attending the post-Oscar gala had commented on their reaction to “Help! Mom! Hollywood's in My Hamper” at the time of this writing.
Celebrity “gifting” -- handing out free products to stars attending awards shows -- has become a major business in recent years. Published reports indicate that the official Oscar gift bag handed out at the Academy Awards generally contains over $100,000 worth of electronics, cosmetics, and gift certificates. The suggested retail price for the latest “Help Mom” book, by contrast, is just $15.95.
“Since I don't think that I'll ever receive an invitation to the Academy Awards, I'm thrilled that my book was handed out at a major Oscar party,” laughs DeBrecht. “With Hollywood choosing to ignore family-friendly movies and instead honor films about gay cowboys, sympathetic terrorists, and -- of course -- McCarthyism, I doubt that I'll be asked walk down the red carpet with a copy of 'Help Mom' anytime soon.”
About Kids Ahead: Kids Ahead is an imprint of Los Angeles-based World Ahead Publishing, the West Coast's leading publisher of conservative books. Visit http://www.helpmombooks.com to learn more.
Contact Information: To interview author Katharine DeBrecht, contact Special Guests at (630) 848-0750.
ROFLMAO
Of course, no "Help! Mom!" book would be complete without a pants-suit clad Hillary stirring up trouble. This time she joins her Hollywood pals to tell children what to do and decide what's best for families.
This is absolutely great!
Did they get "Team America" last year?
I wish they could have thrown in "State of Fear" too.
She'll probably write this:
"Hoo put dis stoopid book en my bag! I not gonnuh wreed it!"
LOL...And they have to declare the gifts for tax purposes!
"State of Fear" wouldn't go over too well - to many pages with words in tiny letters. Hollywood celebrities need small words in big fonts with colorful pictures.
I sense a book burning in the near future.
I still think she ought to write "Help! Mom! There's an intern under my desk!"
Probably sell well in the "Blue States".
Love it.
Good! Maybe they will start to take a look at themselves and realize how the rest of America sees them, not just their butt kissing PR rep and agent.
Assuming that she could.... read it, that is.
Moooom...Tom Cruise won't get out of the closet!
Perfect.
How did DeBrecht get her book chosen? This must have been a mistake.
"...generally contains over $100,000 worth of electronics, cosmetics, and gift certificates."
hope they are paying taxes on their gift bags
I doubt that I'll be asked walk down the red carpet with a copy of 'Help Mom' anytime soon.”
And because of that...aren't you blessed???
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