Medallion Status
True Stories from Secret Rooms
-
-
4.5 • 62 Ratings
-
-
- $7.99
-
- $7.99
Publisher Description
“[An] affecting and hilarious meditation on fame and prestige as seen through the lens of an airline loyalty program.” —The AV Club
A hilarious and honest new book in which John Hodgman, New York Times bestselling author of Vacationland, leaves vacation behind and gets back to work as a still somewhat famous person . . . and then loses his job. An uproarious read.
After spending most of his twenties pursuing a career as a literary agent, John Hodgman decided to try his own hand at writing. Following an appearance to promote one of his books on The Daily Show, he was invited to return as a contributor. This led to an unexpected and, frankly, implausible career in front of the camera that has lasted to this very day, or at least until 2016.
In these pages, Hodgman explores the strangeness of his career, speaking plainly of fame, especially at the weird, marginal level he enjoyed it. Through these stories you will learn many things that only John Hodgman knows, such as how to prepare for a nude scene with an oboe, or what it feels like to go to a Hollywood party and realize that you are not nearly as famous as the Property Brothers, or, for that matter, those two famous corgis from Instagram. And there are stories about how, when your television gig is canceled, you can console yourself with the fact that all of that travel that made your young son so sad at least left you with a prize: platinum medallion status with your airline.
Both unflinchingly funny and deeply heartfelt, Medallion Status is a thoughtful examination of status, fame, and identity--and about the way we all deal with those moments when we realize we aren't platinum status anymore and will have to get comfortable in that middle seat again.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Comedian and actor Hodgman (Vacationland) discusses being in, but mostly out, of the spotlight in a humorous essay collection that addresses topics including his television appearances and his struggles to maintain his elite airline frequent flier status after he stopped flying extensively for work. "I enjoy being seen and recognized," Hodgman writes, but "frankly it doesn't happen often these days." The author casts himself as a used-to-be-somewhat-famous person trying to figure out his place in the world. "Secret Family" relates how he overspent on a fancy Hollywood hotel, then crashed with friends: "Home is where they have to take you in," he concludes. He talks about failing to get himself invited to a Golden Globes party ("Career Advice for Children"), scoring free jeans at the Emmy Awards gifting lounge ("Nude Rider"), and attending his 20-year college reunion ("Secret Society") and seeing "all my old crumbling friends." Hodgman's best material focuses on the marketing tricks of the airline industry ("Thank You for Being Gold"), which manipulates passengers, Hodgman included, into competing for perks. "The Sky Lounge is not aspirational," Hodgman writes. "It is desperational." This funny, sometimes delightfully absurd book offers sharp meditations on status, relevance, and age, and fame or at least being fame-adjacent.
