The Hobo Corner: Black Butler Review

Black Butler Review

Story:  9.5/ 10

Coming this Fall! Ever wonder what goes on with the life of the rich and famous? Well this isn't that kind of show. Were covering the servants of the rich and famous an in depth look on the pressures and challenges they face. Watch the drama unfold and it will be a smash hit. Only on the Fox network Watch this Fall Cleaning it up!   The life behind the scenes which keep the celebrities looking pretty!

  Guess what I lied I just made the whole thing up.  But Black Butler does have some of those elements. Oh yeah watch they'll be an advertisement for it they have made a reality show about everything but the servants or hired help.   I'm going to cover season 1 and later get to season 2 that piece of work.

It's a very unique coming of age story where the main character having to grow up fast but still being about 12 years old physically. He and his butler must overcome amazing odd and fight various things. sounds great doesn't? Well that is only a fraction of what you really get is a lot of talking, scenes making fun of Yaoi and Shonen-ai sorry fan girls not Sebastian X Ciel. Also lots of talking about cleaning and food; not the best anime to watch when hungry you'll end up with a bad case of the munchies.  This for older audiences not something you want to show a five year old unless you want to teach them about Yaoi in a disturbing way; But heck I learned about furies that way. Anyways  The action scenes are amazing as well as the ending is perfect and will leave you screaming for more.

The only down side is you may end up googling some events considering this is a borderline historical anime. So if you're not a history buff well a buff on the Victorian era you may be confused at some points. That and the incessant display and talk of food which can be annoying and a waste of time.

As far as the manga goes it does leave out some characters which leaves some of the background characters unexplained why they do and act the way they do. A benefit of the manga unlike the anime it explains and elaborates more on references used in the anime. In other words you won't be looking up as much.  The art style is unique and shines in character development , But seem lacking when it comes to action sequences.

Compared to other manga I noticed there are lots and lots of speed lines in action scenes but to me there are more speed lines then being able to see what the character is doing.  But over time it gets better there also several plot differences.  There is one arc I wish they would have included from the manga where well generalized it's the titanic except with zombies and a all out shinigami war. if this sounds up your alley go check it out is amazing.

Episode one:

Our show starts out with a young naked boy covered in feathers talking to a crow.  Oh no someone left there Hentai on oh wait never mind it switches to a young boy being woken up by a older man.  He is being told his schedule and what not when as the older man leaves. The young man suddenly hurls a sharp dart at the guy but he catches it. I thought I was cranky when I didn't get my coffee guess the Ritalin coffee hasn't taken affect yet . When the butler brushes it off like it is nothing and we find out this young man has a butler. He keeps throwing darts and splitting what looks to a farmer splitting his head open. That's right kill the Monkey D. Luffie hat wearing blonde farm guy!  The Farm guy asks why and tempted to back hand the brat he just replies cause he felt like it.

We find out the blonde guy is named Finny a gardener , there is a space case, glasses wearing red headed maid named Mey-Rin and another  blonde guy who is busy chain smoking who looks to the chef named Bard. He doesn't look like a Bard more like a Stewart or Henry he doesn't even have a Lute his name is misleading. Also an elderly Asian man named Tanka who looks like he is part of the drapery sitting there drinking tea.  The butler looking to be the head of the servants chews out the other slacker servants. The other servants scurry away like children seeing  a horrible monster.  While the butler goes on a monologue about how everything is obsessively perfect and seems to get some sick pleasure out of it all being perfect.

When it switches to the servants talking in another room talking about the butler named Sebastian on how they want to knock him  off his high horse and that there not always big screw ups.

It switches over to the young man in an office asking Sebastian to make him a snack when the butler declines he throws a chair at him. No not really but he looks like he would. We find out that the young man's name is Ciel Phantomhive and he is the head of a large manor. He reminds Sebastian who is boss and he better straighten up.

We see Sebastian interrogating the other servants on why the front lawn is now a desert which was once grassy, why all the dishes are destroy and the kitchen is on fire. The reasons being Finny the gardener got a little carried away weeding, Mey-Rin the maid had a Steve Urkel moment and pretty much broke all the dishes in the dining room. Bard's being the chef reason is because he felt like doing some extreme cooking using chainsaws and flamethrowers. So much for trying to mess Sebastian up today. After Sebastian decided to stop being rude to the other servants he tells he has a plan to fix everything in time for a fancy dinner party there having that night.

When it switches and an Italian man gets out of a carriage oh look it's Mario!! oh wait wrong Italian guy!
It shows that they decided to fox everything by doing a Japanese theme night to hide all the damages.
The servants looked relieved but Sebastian forewarns them there is still much work to be done.

While it looks like Ciel and Italian guy as playing the game of life from hot topic now includes several kinds of new horrendous ways  to die. The Italian guy starts to get a little creped out as Ciel is acting very odd. Luckily Sebastian comes to tell them dinner is ready and the Italian guys tries to politely tell Ciel he is done playing but he makes a big stink out of it. So he says he'll play the twisted board game with him after dinner some more. As they walk toward the dining hall the Italian guy mutters rude thing about  Ciel on how he is a spoiled brat; But covers himself up  that him being a child is what makes the toy company they run one of the best in the world.

During the dinner Mey-rin who glasses are broken pours wine all over the nice table cloth of course Sebastian being escaped from the circus takes it and rips it off without knocking any of the dishes off.

Later on after the dinner the Italian guys tries to wrap things up but Ciel won't have up he is set on them finishing their board game. But the Italian guy excuses himself to make a phone call when we overhear the guy is just looking for money and just wants get the hell out of there. While a mysterious dark figure watches the whole thing.

On his way back the Italian guys starts getting super paranoid and starts acting insane thinking there is something after him. As he starts running through the house screaming terrified he falls down the stairs and breaks his leg. When the servants find him and try to help he just tells them to get away he crawls away his leg twisted in every direction but the right one to find some place to hide.

When Sebastian finds him telling the man to relax and that he needs to still be served dessert. Also with a sadistic grin he insists the man gets the full Phantomhive treatment. The man crawls away hearing  footsteps coming he hides in what appears to be a large cupboard but is very wet and greasy.  He finds he is trapped in the oven and the butler doesn't do a thing. well looks like they got the idea from this manga for Sweeny Todd.

Sebastian lets the other servants know that they are going to need to clean out the oven it has gotten quiet messy now. We see that the Italian man had managed to escape somehow burnt and screaming all the way home. We are let known that Ciel did all this to punish the Italian man for trying to steal his money. that is how the first episode goes it's a bit boring but it gets better as time goes on.

Characters: 5/10
They have some great characters but a lot of them don't get the attention they deserve. I guess my biggest grip is about Sebastian he is too perfect he has no weakness and you don't see him screw up. You can't relate to him or sympathize with what he is going through.  There are some cliche's though as far as the servants go. A clumsy gun totting maid, A super strong gardener  and a pyro-maniac chef. Well the chef is a new one. They do have good villains though so you have to give them credit for that but it more worth to watch the villains than anything.

Animation: 7/10
It's very clean nice and detailed some of the scenes look hand drawn but I have seen better.

Voices: 6/10
 Some of the dub voices can be grating and want to make your ears bleed. But the person who voice Sebastian is amazing. The main two characters on the dub are great as far as the sub goes the side characters are great. The only major plus with the dub is they get the accents dead on but then again in Japanese you really can't do accents. Whatever you prefer  a strong main character then go for the dub and if you want strong side characters go for the sub.

Music: 8/10

I really liked the music both openings and endings the animation is great. the songs are well placed throughout the series very simple violin and piano accompanist to full orchestrated pieces.  Also one of the ending surprisingly is done by an American band which I found a refreshing as an American I can understand what there singing  about. Then again I don't speak Japanese which I think the fan base would kind have the same reaction Americans have to their opening and endings. They may not exactly understand what there singing but it has a great melody so it keeps them dancing and singing.

Overall:  6/10

It's a good series I just wish they didn't have so many food related things and too much talking at times. It seems something one minute their serious the next running around screaming some of the jokes at time seem inorganic to the situation that there forced. But others not bad also I wish they would have given Sebastian some more depth though and maybe how he became a demon. There are pervert situations so you might not want to have little kids watch this unless you want to teach them about Yaoi.



Re-watch value: maybe once or twice but after reading the manga the anime is mild compared to the original work. If you like this series then I recommend reading the manga it's is still ongoing and worth checking out.

Kino's Journey Review

Kino's  Journey Review

Story: 7/10
It's very well written. it has a bit of twilight zone mixed with the world of a Ray Bradbury. I do recommend this for older audiences because the younger ones won't pick up on the clever observations on society or the symbolism. The only down side is it doesn't leave you wanting to find out what happens next and when the series ends you feel like it's no big deal. unlike a really great series you want more and are sad it is ending. it is only 13 episodes long so it very short and based off a light novel.

This anime has almost a little of every genre in it except ecchi or fan service.  But each episode has somewhat of a theme relating to different genre. there are some two parters but no several episode long stories.

It is very slow paced but not in a awkward snail way just a very leisure walk way. but the actions scenes are placed not just thrown in there hap hardzardly.

Episode One:

We start off with our hero digging in the desert for buried treasure and  his trusted talking motorcycle. yes it really talks he isn't crazy. maybe he's Herbie's cousin! The Bike is complaining on how they should turn back before all they find is a rusted out motorcycle and skeleton.  he tells the bike to be quiet and decides to take a nice nap in the middle of the desert. The bike decides to start asking him about religion and philosophical questions.  he tells the bike there going to be fine. it being there first time traveling away from home. we find out the man's name is Kino.

It cuts to Kino and his bike lost on a country road. oh no did you too follow the play map on a restaurant menu and get lost too? They see the map sold to them had been accurate except for the giant canyon spanning for miles. In which suddenly the ground shakes tearing up the ground they finding why there is now a canyon where it says there is road on the map. Once Kino and Herbie or should I say Kino and Hermes. which the bike is named Hermes. they arrive at a abandoned town in the a huge country. well not abandoned it being run by machines . run! there evil! oh wait never mind wrong show!

Kino spends the night at an Inn also being an insomniac staying up all night playing cowboy and indians with his guns. no not really he just cleans them then practices drawing them.

The next morning Kino and Hermes finally find some people on the outskirts of the town. the first person they see the moment he see them he runs the opposite direction terrified. heck I would too if I saw Herbie driven by Lindsey Lohan.  Nah not really anyways; They finally track down someone well more of corner someone to tell them what is going on. Why everyone is running like they have the swine flu. The man asks if Kino can read his mind? When Kino obviously answers no he looks relieved.  strangely enough he didn't crap his pants like most people would at a English speaking bike. I mean  full conservation not GPS directions speaking. The man goes on to explain that everyone in the country can read each other thoughts due to an invention and them being very advanced in science.  they believed it would bring peace if they could understand and read a person's thoughts.  In other words it makes everyone telepathic. Until they realize now they have to be brutally honest with everyone. so it's like being in Detroit, just kidding.  It started off great but then turned to rioting and murder. which is why the town is abandoned and everyone is a shut in so they can't read each other's thoughts. The man says the country probably will soon die out due to no children being born leaving only the machines. The man begs Kino to stay but he declines and keeps on cruising down the road. That how episode one ends.

Characters: 9/10

this is where the this show really shines is Characters. but sadly not the main characters there almost as plain as cardboard and have personality as much as packing peanuts.  The side characters they met are all really interesting people that you could run across.  There all unique and have their flaws and there is no useless character placement for a one liner joke or something to that matter.

Animation: 5/10

considering this was made before high definition was pretty much in every anime there is it's not bad.  but for now days standard it is slightly below average but not horrible to look at.

Voices:  5/10

the voice acting isn't bad but not great.

dub vs. sub: the dub wins because the voice they give Hermes is really funny and sarcastic unlike the whiney  Japanese one.

Music:  1/10

They really struggle here as far as opening and endings go there forgettable. but when dramatic music is needed for a scene it is decently placed.

Overall:  6.5/10

The story and side characters are very clever as well as original. but sadly the animation and music is nothing is run through the streets yelling about how wonderful it is.

Also older audiences would get the subtle quirks and observations  vs  a younger audiences.

there isn't any re-watch value an anime you watch one and forget about.

The Hobo Corner: Sockpuppets review 2#

13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher
a book review by The Sockpuppet
No one expected Hannah Baker to kill herself, but she did, and Clay Jensen never expected to be walking the deserted streets of his town one dark night listening to the last words Hannah spoke before she did the unexpected, but that’s what happened.

Just two weeks after Hannah swallowed a bunch of pills and never woke up; a strange box shows up on Clay’s porch step. Inside are a bunch of old cassette tapes, tapes that Hannah used to record the 13 reasons why she took her life. Each person who receives the tapes is one of the reasons why. They must listen to the tapes and then pass them on to the next person on the list or else Hannah’s will make sure that not only everyone on her list hears her story but also the whole town. And she knows that no one would want what’s on those tapes to get out.

Clay doesn’t understand how he could be involved with Hannah’s decision to kill herself. What had he ever possibly done to her? He never let anyone know but, he actually cared about her But when he first hears Hannah’s voice play over the tapes he knows he has to find out.
Taking an old Walkman from his buddy’s car Clay ends up walking down the old streets of his neighborhood popping in tape after tape, pushing play over and over again, until he finally hears the sad and haunting life that was Hannah.
He learns how one person’s actions years ago created an unstoppable spiraling domino effect in Hannah’s life that led to her death.
Constantly bullied teased and ignored by everyone around her she tries to reach out and find a light to find someone who she can trust but it seems that nothing she ever does is right and noting ever goes the way that she plans.
On those haunting tapes Hannah is clever to remind everyone just how much words can hurt. How one little prank, although funny at the time, can really destroy someone. How little jokes spread out over time can break someone down until they are noting. One little thing was all it took to destroy one person’s life.

Sadly a group of teenagers found out a little too late.

 Now they are forced to endure their punishment as Hannah tells everyone on the list just what they’ve done. She tells the painful truth and she spares no details or emotions because ladies and gentlemen these are the last words they will ever hear her speak, and she made sure to go out with a bang. She made sure that her last words would count. Finally they will see her like they never did before.
They silenced Hannah and took away her voice for years but now they can’t do anything but sit and listen in horror as she tells the truth that no one wanted to hear. As she tells the secrets no one wanted to know. They may have broken her down and she may be gone but Hannah made sure she got the last laugh. She made sure that they would never mess with her again. 

Although Hannah’s decision to end her life was completely her own choice, things may have been different if the events that took place never really happened
Whether you like it or not this story will never leave you. No matter your opinion, good or bad you will not forget the story. You will talk about it and think about it. Hannah will make sure you don’t forget her. Be careful of what you say and do in this world because it might come back and haunt you one day. And you might just find that it’s too late to take back what you’ve done. There may have been a pause and rewind button on that Walkman of Clay’s but trust me there is never one on life. 

This book is slowly taking over the world. With reviews such as “this story changed my life” and “it made me want to change the world.” The story has inspired its own website and “the 13 reasons why project” and will possibly be made into a film within the next two years. If you are someone who enjoys keeping your books and would like to read possibly read this you can pick it up at a store for about 8 dollars and this story is well worth it.

The Hobo Corner: Durarara Review

Durarara!! Review

Story:   8.5/10

Episode one:

 It starts off with our main character Mikado going to be big city for the first time having never went any field trips there during school. while he freaking out in the subway station after touching a filthy bum hoping not to get fleas. Hey maybe it Chester A. Bum "begging for change" but really stealing their wallets.  After he is done freaking out we find out that he has moved there transferring to a big city high school instead of going to school in a barn. When suddenly Ellen DeGeneres pops out of nowhere but really it being his friend from grade school he is meet up with who died his hair blonde.

We find it to be Mikado's best friend Masaomi who is either full of himself or very drunk maybe both. they head outside when Mikado being a tourist asks him to Masaomi to a make out  place. well I didn't know he swung that way. not really he is just very very ignorant about the world. Also it being mostly Masaomi's idea that Mikado run away from home and go to the same high school as him. Mikado starts getting all paranoid that everyone is going to shoot and stab him it getting dark.

Masaomi reassures there not going gang beat up there are worse spooky things in the city. they run into some of Masaomi's acquaintances  that seem a bit odd.  two of them being die hard comic fans their names being Erika and Walker. the other two being very mysterious as well one named Saburo looking to be a car junkie. while the last one looking all cool or trying to be is named Kyohei. Mikado notices the obscenely huge amount of they have all of the same issue and asks Erika and Walker about it but instead gets a very cryptic answer.

As they continue to stroll along Mikado begins to question if Masaomi really who appears to be. maybe he's a magician or two midgets in an overcoat. ( err I mean little people)

The point of view shifts to a bunch of shady men talking and one meeting a young teenage girl having discussed on how they're getting paid extra for young girls. oh my god there working for pedo bear!   we find out that these two are meeting from an online suicide pact site. well at least the girl is when the man lures her to an alleyway where a white van waits, they knock her out and throw her into the van driving off. But there not alone in the alleyway a mysterious figure watches the whole scene unfold.

The point of view shifts back to Mikado and Masaomi still walking around. when Mikado puzzle at seeing a very big black Russian guy dressed as a sushi chef handing out flyers. Oh I know this joke it's the one where there in the hot air balloon and well I forgot the rest. Mikado asks him who that was when they leave. Masaomi explains that his name is Simon and that's his part time job. but he warns him that Simon is freakishly strong. Masaomi also continues to warn Mikado about which crazies to avoid.  when they see a vending machine go flying across the street. It being followed by a man psychotic screaming in which Mikado is smiling telling Masaomi to stay away from the Japanese incredible hulk like person Shizuo.

The point of view switches back to our thugs who had kidnapped a girl. When the mysterious black rider appears in front of the thugs. When a fight breaks and the thugs getting beating up by this mysterious figure. while one gets away and a chase begins to finish off that last thug who has the girl in unconscious in the back seat. When a demonic looking sea bisect horse thing comes out of the shadows of the black rider. When the thug accidently hits the black rider there is no head there but the body is moving. quick run across a bridge they can't get you there! oh wait wrong show. The now headless right manipulates the shadows cutting in the thug.

The point of view shifts again where Masaomi tells Mikado to at all costs avoid a guy named Izaya and this mysterious gang called the dollars. When Mikado bumps into some crazy screaming girl who has a bizarre scar on her neck. Masaomi drags Mikado to see the mysterious black rider. When the black rider goes by quickly.

In which that is how Episode one ends and this is a little preview of what you're getting into.

The Story is very unique and revolves around several different points of view. it has great action and hilarious moments you'll be in hysterics.  the first half of the series I couldn't stop watching it I had to finish the series.

The second half starts to revolve around some of the less interesting characters. it also goes from high speed action to episodic type feelings. it as if suddenly the anime is on horse tranquilizers and I think there trying too hard and it doesn't seem natural like in the beginning.  there is only one other downside is that you have to pay attention very closely or you'll be completely lost. it not being like some episodic anime's where you can go to the bathroom and you won't miss a thing but that isn't the case.

Characters:  9/10

the best thing that this anime does is a colorful cast of characters. it makes me wonder if they were based off real people? that is how well developed they are and not being a one line joke. or  typical stereotyped  character.

But the only sad thing is they end up picking up some of the normal characters to focus on the second half which has me bummed. Then again it could be a ploy for the manga to sell or the light novel this based off of.  If you're tired of the typical anime characters you'll find this anime a breath of fresh air.

Animation:  8.5/10

The animation is a unique style all of its own. the attention to detail is amazing even on the background characters.

but it does that grey color tone on the background characters I can get past it. the main reason being this is set in a huge city unlike XXXHolic plus there is notable details that you can tell them apart from just a copy and paste design. If they did color in all the background characters it would be like a  drunk demented Japanese version of Where's Waldo?

This anime is a must see in high definition if you can find it. if not you lose a lot of the great effect and it makes sadly look some what generic.

Voices:  9.5/ 10

The dub and sub both use a colorful cast of voice actors from newbies to seasoned veterans. also there is some minor cursing and I recommend to find a version where they aren't cutting them out like in the current airing version in the U.S.

Dub vs. Sub: 

the main sell point is that the sub in my opinion does a better job with the main characters but not so good with the supporting cast.

The dub on the other hand goes over and beyond for supporting cast while there are times where the main characters voices drive me up the wall. then again maybe it's just me but all and all either version is great to watch.

Music:  8/10

the music has a rich library from jazz to piano and other various genres.  The opening and endings are great but personal preference goes to the first opening and ending.

Overall: 9/10

this has high re-watch value and I recommend going out to buy it. I have a feeling this will end up one day being a classic along with Cowboy Bebop.  if you can get past the annoying cutting out curse words and the opening and endings being shorten due to time restraints then you have no problem.

I hope there is a season two one day. it will leave you satisfied and yet wanting more to find out what will happen to the rest of the group.

The Hobo Corner: Sockpuppets review 1#

The Replacement 
By Brenna Yovanoff

Have you ever felt like you didn’t fit in? Like you didn’t belong in your own world? Well that’s the life that Mackie Doyle lives. As long as Mackie can remember he has known that he doesn’t quite fit in with the rest of his town. And not just because of his strange allergy to metal and blood that makes his skin burn, or his inability to walk on church ground. It’s because Mackie has always know that he wasn’t exactly human.

Something is not right in Gentry. Something foul is living beneath the slag heap and is sneaking away with the towns peoples babies in the night and replacing them with demonic creatures as payment for keeping the town beautiful and prosperous.
Mackie is one of these replacements. But unlike the other replacements Mackie lived

When Mackie’s crush Tate looses her sister to one of the replacements and begins to question him about who he really is and what replaced her sister that he begins to question where he really belongs and with who ?…his human family or the creatures that gave him up to die.

But it isn’t until Mackie meets the things living under the hill that he realizes what sick and twisted creatures they really are and their horrifying plans to sacrifice Tate’s sister like they did with all the babies they stole

As Mackie starts to learn more about himself and what he is he also realizes that it is not too late to save Tate’s sister from becoming another victim. And in his attempt to save her he learns where he really belongs in this world, and who he really is.

This is one twisted story that is unlike any other supernatural entity. These things are not demons, devils or vampires they are their own sinister being that feeds off of the town and their people. Punishing them and using them as they please.

The Hobo Corner: XXXHolic Review

XXXHolic Review

*This review contains spoilers and it's an honest review. so if you want to read a fluffy kitty review you best go elsewhere*

Story:5/10

Welcome to the wonderful world of Japanese Harry Potter!  Wait a minute oh my mistake I thought this was Japan's version of Harry Potter it's just XXXHolic.

Episode one:

We start out with our protagonist Watanuki which literally translates to April Fool in Japanese. Ever since he was very young he has the ability to see and communicate with spirits. but these spirits aren't human most of the time or look a likes from a Medium reject show. but the only problem he's the only one who can see them so he looks like a mental patient escapee frequently.  So one day Watanuki is walking home from school when he is chased down and molested by a huge Pokémon reject. when Watanuki gets away from it he touches a wall and the spirit abruptly vanishes. He looks to see a strange quaint shop in the middle of a modern city. 

When he goes to check it out he is suddenly dragged on to the property and two little girls pop out. Escorting him into the stranger's shop where he sees a beautiful mysterious woman. He explains the whole story about how he got here. But the woman goes on about fate and how if you give people your real name and birthday they can be your soul's pimp; or something to that matter. 

He also introduced to the two young girl names being Maru and Maoro.  The mysterious woman introduces herself as Yuko.  She goes on about equivalent exchange and all that good stuff oh wait wrong anime. She offers Watanuki that she could get rid of the spirits that keep pestering him. 

So he accepts and the payment being he is now Yuko's bitch. Watanuki is sent on an errand to pick up a guest when he finds a Ryo-ohkie reject named Mokona.  

While Watanuki is sent out to do other various errands he runs across this girl who can see and hear spirits or so claims to.  when soon he returns back to the wish shop. Where the he tells Yuko about the girl and after some cryptic babbling from her.

 The main point being that what we wish for isn't always good or turn out the way we planned. That is pretty  much the end of episode one so that's what you're in for.

The only issue I have with the story it's a good idea and has a lot of potential but wasn't executed rightly.  It seems like the series gets ADHD frequently and I have always wonder how much would it cost for  Watanuki's wish to balance everything out?

Animation: 3/10

The animation is hit and miss throughout the series there are times when it is amazing. then there are times when it looks like they had a kindergartener  draw the scenes.

Characters: 1/10

I know Clamp fans are probably about ready to shoot me. But it irritates me that through the entire serious Watanuki is useless without Domeki. All of the characters look anorexic and so tall that they would give Jose Conseco a hard time. I do admit there are times when Yuko looks pretty but other than that I hate all the main characters.

Music: 5/10

The music is about the only thing well executed in this anime. I like the openings but the endings meh nothing to jump up and down about.

Overall: 5/10

It has potential if you can look past the crap characters then you might enjoy this anime.

The Hobo Corner: Valley of the dolls Part 3

Neely's point of view

Nelly O'Hara:  The show she is in is a major hit; She finds out at a party that Mel wants to marry her right away and doesn't want to wait until the summer to get married. A month passes, Nelly ends up signing with a big agency and for a present they give her a  grand piano. Also she takes on another show; So now she is pulling double duty. She also plans to keep on working no matter what and not end up like Helen Lawson.

 The new agency sends over to help get Neely all in shape Jillian Michaels! No not really but he's just about as crazy and rude as her. When he finally makes her lose it completely after he threatens to burn her clothes and gets her a boring new wardrobe. When she is having lunch with Mel she asks him about the new trainer and if it's just her overreacting, or is he really being a complete nut job? He just mutters things in coherently. when she finally gets a answer out of him; He's on the trainer's side saying that homosexuals most of the time are snappy dressers.

Neely show she is staring in is what puts her on the stardom rocket. She gets a movie deal as well as a record contract. Also she is moving out to California and talked Mel out of his job to be a house husband. Before it was the cool thing to do.

It's been two years and now Neely has two beautiful twin boys. Also a new husband/baby daddy named Ted. But she missed the twins Birthdays because of work and being too stoned off her ass.  Neely believes television won't change Hollywood and kill radio shows. She thinks all the people are overreacting not giving out long contracts for Movies and other entertainment any more. She also has seen Jennifer is now a huge French "Art" porn star. She remembers to have to thank Anne for Lyon's new book even though the critics said it is worse than when Stephanie Meyer decided to sell her soul and go all commercial.  Later on Neely decides to keep the buzz going and doing the Marilyn Monroe thing; Taking pills and alcohol at the same time. When suddenly she hears a loud splash in the pool in her yard. She peers in to the darkness only to see Ted cheating on her with some intern; frolicking in the pool fooling around with each other. Neely in a fit of rage pours herself a scotch and takes several more pills.

When she realizes that Ted never really pays for anything she is covering the bills, food, house, car payments and servants. Neely enraged storms downstairs and outside toward the pool. A fight ensues Neely screaming and yelling at Ted giving him a piece of her mind. She made the song Please don't leave me  By Pink. Seem like a Hannah Montana song with how she flipped out.  But it turned out to be the final straw Ted left and never came back.

Three years later Neely fought against the idea of getting a divorce with Ted. Her PR manager warned her it would look bad for her image being the cute girl next store type. So they worked out a deal in Public Ted would pretend to be her husband escorting her to movie openings and Hollywood  parties.

But now Neely being black balled in other words no studio wanted her to star in pictures being too high of a liability.  It wasn't until she won an Academy award she had enough power to finally divorce Ted's cheating ass. 

As time passes Neely starts become a diva leaving the set when she feels like it. Not showing up to the set and pulling a Charlie Sheen except with pills. A director warns her that the studios soon won't put up with her hair brained  schemes anymore. Later that evening while Neely is taking pills like candy; She feels frustrated on now how everything has to be upright and moral it's wearing thin on her with everything be all creepy perfect leave it to beaver type of movies. 

Three years later Neely can barely fit in skinny jeans anymore. She is about to have someone play the tuba when she walks and follow her around.  Neely is called in to have a meeting with Bob Barker. No not really but he looks like him. She has the meeting with the studio head who would be a Bob Barker look alike.  Neely knocked off her high horse after having thrown one too many tantrums and leaving in the middle of shooting. feeling worthless and distraught she overdoses on pills. 

Neely discovers that she is back on top with everyone kissing her feet thinking she tried to kill herself. Neely goes to work the next day only to have the director playing head games with her until she stormed off the set. Neely's replacement having been smart and is sleeping with the director. Neely gets in trouble after ditching her own television come back special; She pretty much had a nervous breakdown. Having issues dealing with Jennifer's suicide she has another breakdown; begins to try to commit suicide to join Jennifer. Only to back out at the last minute calling an EMS crew to come get her.

She awakens in a hospital room and Anne yells at her about how they wanted to take her to a funny farm. When Anne suggests the sleep cure of Neely. But what the doctors says she is too far gone for it to work on Neely. The plan gets into motion Anne takes Neely for the "sleep cure" to help Neely get her voice back.

Anne glad she not going to be there when Neely finds out she's been committed not getting a sleep cure.

 Neely tries to make a mad dash after figuring out it's a set up only to be tackled to the grown by a lady as big as Hulk Hogan.  Neely still freaking out after they brought her some food she hurled the entire tray at the nurse screaming at her. Only to try kicking out the screen in the window.

But only to be tackled again by the Hulk Hogan looking nurse. The nurses soon dragged Neely into a tub that had a straight jacket type of cover over it so she wouldn't be able to move around in it.

 When Neely being the first ever to break free from it and nearly escape until being tackled again and put in there. Neely falls asleep being sedated to awaken in the psyche ward with the most disturbed patients. while a girl fills her in that it's like school act all goody-goody and you'll be out of here in no time. Neely was soon seeing a psychiatrist who wanted to play Freudian games and what not. To her everyone seemed sane compared to the brain washed loons. But the horrifying thing is some were brain washed by using shock therapy. So Neely must now using her acting abilities to get her out of the nut house and to her partying lifestyle.  In the funny farm Neely learned that the doctors brainwash the people who were liable for them that there crazy even they really aren't. But compared to the rest of them Neely is sane as Betty White.  This where Neely's point of view ends but the other two continue Anne's ending the book. be sure to check out parts 1&2. I hope you got a good laugh out of this.

Valley of the dolls can be overdramatic but it's a good book. So I give it an 8 out 10

Ted: Neely's Second husband and baby daddy to her twin boys. he is a British actor and She met him when she was stoned out of her mind. Isn't that how Lindsey Lohan meets most of her boyfriends. But turns out he's in the closet for being a homosexual. only Neely caught him once having his way with another man. But she still stayed together with him for the twins sake. wow this must be where they got the idea for the show Teen Mom.

Mel: Neely boyfriend and soon to be first husband. Also recently got promoted to the writer of a very popular radio show. also ditched Neely to New York while she married someone else.

Anne Welles: with her connections to Allen happened to find an amazing apartment. it belonged to Allen's father's ex girlfriend who went overseas for awhile until the summer.

Jennifer North: recently turned down a movie deal claiming it wasn't good enough and wants to stick with Tony Polar.

                                                                      

Zeke Whtyes: Neely's trainer to help her dance better and sing. but he is a real hard ass driving both Anne and Jennifer nuts with his crazy rules and never giving Neely five minutes to rest.