WIL WHEATON dot NET: 1.5

Wil is there any way that you can see what goes to print in these magazines before they go to print? That is really terrible how they put you and the book down, especially when they clearly did not read it! This is the new style of "journalism" where fact-checking is obsolete and opinion matters. Sad. Just sad. Sorry to hear mainstream has farked you over again.

That sucks

that sucks will, just know that there are more people out there with more valid opinions.

Wil you must write a scathing letter to the editor of Entertainment Weakly. You rock, that "hack" sucks! enough said
hang in there

I'm sorry that happened. That really sucks. I haven't read JAG yet (it's on my list) but from everything I've read about it so far, I haven't found anyone except this guy that hasn't liked it. Unfortunatley its in print. But fortunately there are lots and lots of people that could give a rat's ass what that guy says, and will like the book anyway.

I'm ordering my copy of the book next week... take that Entertainment Weekly :o)

Fuck Entertainment WEAKly. I'm reading JAG as we speak (just got it yesterday), and it is most certainly NOT well represented in that "nugget of wisdom" (sic)...

Letter writing crusade, anyone?

Time for 50,000 WWDN fans to send their thoughts to the editor of Entertainment Weekly.

I'll make sure anyone I know with a subscription does not renew.

I really dislike irresponsible journalists.

letters@ew.com

Let's get writing people.

I totally respect someone's opinion, even (especially) when we don't agree.

But what is so profoundly upsetting about this is that it's so misleading and mean. It's not opinion. It's invective.

If this person had just said, "You know what? I didn't like this. Don't waste your time." I would have shrugged it off. You can't please everyone, and that's okay.

But to abuse his or her power as a journalist to take such a cruel low-blow at me is just contemptible, especially because it misrepresents me, and the content of my book.

Wil,

Their site sucks too. I went there to try and write to them and complain. I could not get to anything even help or contact pages without being a "registered user". Gotta love TimeWarnerAOL or whatever the heck they are called now.

Don't sweat it, Wil. "Teen Actor grows up to be talented, entertaining person" doesn't sell, especially not to the readers of Entertainment Weekly.

Thanks Tom, I will write them a nice little letter at that address.

"to: letters@ew.com

I was very disappointed to read the blurb in your magazine regarding Wil Wheaton's "Just a Geek." The reviewer obviously did not read the entire book or chose to ignore all but the first chapter. Mr. Wheaton's book delves not only into the loss of fame, but about growing experiences that everyone has, about unconventional families, about coming to peace with your life and the path it has taken. I would highly suggest that your magazine assign someone to actually read this wonderful story and give it a proper review.

Sincerely,
Tom O'Brien
Amherst, MA"

Looosers!!! I hate entertainment "news." think about it this way. if the most important thing we as americans have to worry about is, "star A broke up with star b!" then we have some serous issues. Wil, dont listen to those idiots. just wait until some time in the future when you star in some movie next to brad pitt. then they will love you. i dont think your book was whiney at all. i thought it was honest, funny, and... uhh.. i dont know something else good.

I freely admit to having a subscription to EW.

Over the past year I've noticed a distinct down turn in the quality of the mag and was considering not renewing my subscription.

Reading this just put the nail in that coffin.

EW will not be receiving anymore of my money and if I get a phone call asking why I'm not renewing I'll tell them why.

Don't let it bother you Wil. Easier said than done but in the long run you know the truth as do many of your readers.

Wow... I guess it only continues to show that what they consider entertainment must have that "edgy" feel (sorry, I read JAG and that still sticks out to me). So the only way to make the book announcement edgy was to misrepresent it. I used to think that EW was the more journalistic of mags... now I see it as nothing more than the others with titles like "Elvis' spleen found in Genesis Spacecraft". Just another junk mag.

Since we are posting letters, here's mine:

To the staff at EW,

You were very irresponsible and unfair in printing your "blurb" on Wil Wheaton's new book. Wil is a decent guy who is brave enough to express his feelings and share his stories in a public forum. He is a good actor and is working toward becoming a great writer. There is a big difference between an honest negative review and a nasty personal dig at someone. Your "blurb" clearly represents the latter and shows that you did not even read the whole book. I used to love your magazine, but have grown less and less impressed over the years. I will not be renewing my subscription and will tell my friends not to
buy your magazine.

S. Turner
Ottawa, Canada

You and I both know you are not to read your own press. The worst thing that could happen is if you actually start to believe, or to put any energy into even thinking about what has been written about you. Did they spell your name right? Did they mention the title of the book? If yes, then yeah! Please, promise me you will never waste another moment even pondering that kind of B.S. The press is there for just one reason and one reason only... to serve themselves. They obviously though that bashing on you would be more interesting to their readers than an honest review. Wil, it's the weekly. Who gives a fuck? Let's keep things in perspective. I know you have actually had GOOD experiences with the media lately. Count your lucky stars they are even writing about you at all. Right? If I am way off base, you may give me a genital cuffing. But my opinion is... live your life, enjoy your friends and family, do what you have a passion for, and stop reading tripe like that. Would you have read that particular mag if you were not given mention. No. So don't let it ruin your day. Or week. There will be someone else to bag on next week. Remember, this is one person's opinion, and if that's the way they feel, then maybe you'll have a bunch of people jump to your defense. I always want to see a movie that has been dogged in the reviews. If a film gets too much good press, it disinterests me. I guess I will always root for the underdog. You are not, however. You are a survivor, a success, and a great guy. Keep up the good work. We'll all be watching.

-KC

It looks to me like one of the "I hate Wesley Crusher" types who can't tell the difference between the actor and the part. Like the blue haired old ladies who meet soap stars and call them by the character name.

He might as well have written "fills 260 pages endlessly lamenting, "I used to be on a spaceship when I was a kid."

Pardon my French, but what an asshole!

Not that it's anyway near the same scale and 'prestige' but the editor of my University's magazine gave it a great review (with a little coaxing from me of course!)

EW is filled with morons who don't have opinions of their own. This is seen constantly as they pan a movie, only to later revise their opinions later if something catches in the maw of pop culture they pander to.

This mag has been arriving in my mailbox every week for several years now. I don't know how it's renewing. I should look into that...

It's obvious to me that the person who wrote that is smoking crack. I just made that ass-umption based on his small paragraph. I might have tried to flesh out my analysis a little more, but seeing as he didn't really read your book, and made a little ass-umption of his own, he deserves nothing more.

Maybe you didn't tip that writer well when he was a putz waiter at Chez Nowhere??? Or did you dump one of their interns after a date or something?

I wouldn't sweat it. Most readers can tell when a magazine has a vendetta for a movie star They do the same thing to that Samantha the Teenage Witch girl. Or they post "cellulite" on Tori Spelling. (um, can you say photoshop)

*whispers ... jealous*

I hate reviewers for these magazines. Hack is the perfect word for them. They NEVER like anything I like, and they suck up to the same stars in movie reviews. I think they like to get their names listed on movie posters or something. I always want to call them up and yell, "IT'S SOOOOO NOT ABOUT YOU!!"

Anyway, cheers to you WW.

Screw 'em, Wil. I was so happy the day your book arrived, I hopped into bed and stayed there all day to read it cover to cover. And LOVED it! Now the spousal critter is reading it, and he's digging it, too. EW is nothing worth bothering with.

Hey Wil,

Don't let the assholes get you down. It's not like EW is a reputable mag to begin with. Go kiss your wife and feel better.

Hugs,
Val

Man, that's crap. Find one of their e-mails so we can all express our disgust...

P.S.
Just ponder on this for a minute: the initials of entertainment weakly...EW. This may appear childishly obvious but the connotations of 'eewwwww!' puts a little smile on my face, someone obviously didn't think that one through

Screw them. Keep up the good work. And, who cares what they think?

Dude, give it up. It's clear you're just not as cool as Britn- uh, Christin- um, Jessic-

HEY! Which no-talent sex bomb are we pimping this week as the second coming? Uh huh? Really?

Like I was saying, not as cool as Hillary Duff.

Sincerely,

Entertainment Weekly

It's time to start insisting on seeing copy first. I've never gotten the impression from reading your blog that you were one of *those* child actors. You have an obvious fondness for it. Who wouldn't. I mean how cool is it to be part of the Roddenberry empire? And it *is* Entertainment Weekly. Isn't that a tabloid rag?

Hey, Wil, you and I know that you actually CUT OUT a lot of, um, bemoaning your fate that used to be there. It's a stronger book for it. That EW guy probably put off reading the book until an hour before his deadline, and didn't have time to do more than read the first chapter and skim the rest . . . and I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt there.

The shame is that the magazine is often entertaining, but I'll never subscribe because of crap like this. (No matter how many times the nice people at Suncoast try to offer me four free issues.) Keith's right -- this reviewer probably hasn't been laid in a decade and is taking it out on you.

I will buy your book. Don't let that supermarket tabloid get you down.

It's probably some of those crazy leftover Wesley haters. (Always reminds me of the alt.wesley.die.die.die card.) Like somebody else said - never read your own press. Screw 'em!

Wil, Entertainment Weekly is a pitiful excuse for a magazine. I let my subscription lapse ages ago, and I haven't missed it a whit. Don't waste your time and energy on these hacks.

Dude,

I'm sure not all the "I HATE YOU WESLEY CRUSHER!" crowd only live in their moms' basements and attend ST cons. I'm sure some of 'em even write for magazines.

Don't take it too hard. The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about...or something.

It's obvious he didn't read the book all the way through, or if he did he chose to misrepresent it intentionally. RTFB!

You wait. At some point in your career, for some successful project you will be working on, EW will request an interview with you and kiss your ass to get it. You have until then to prepare your highly amusing response.

I haven't got the book yet (the book store is out they had to order more) but I am looking forward to.
I use to love Entertainment Weekly
but it is getting a little out there.

Hopefully one day I will get to start my own magazine and do the artists and actors justice.
If you will let me I will make your next book a main story....
Keep writing!!!

Oh, that is fucked up.

Yeah, the media people can be cruel. I do read Entertainment Weekly occasionally, though admittedly, I never read anything about your Web site. I don't always agree with the journalists, either (especially David Browne, who gave Christina Aguilera's Spanish-language album a C).

When someone doesn't like a certain person or Web site or book or whatever, it's usually because they don't understand the person/Web site/book. People don't like what they can't understand. That's how my dad explained it to me once.

It sucks, but unfortunately, that's the way it is in this crazy, mixed-up world of ours. I had to learn that the hard way back in high school.

Don't worry... I know one journalist (actually, a future journalist) who likes your Web site and your movies and would probably like your book if she read it (which she will, that's a promise): me!

And you also have millions of people who support you, so who cares what the media people think? You know what I'm saying? Don't worry about it- we got your back.

-Vanessa Nichole

Wil,

EW is just a rag that reliies on photos for eye candy to make up for their total lack of content. I got it for free the first year it was out, as a trial thing, and didn't find it useful enough to renew.

I mean, it isn't even absorbant like newspaper, so it's no use for lining my catbox.

Man. EW isn't a magazine. It's a tabloid POS. Just remember that that hack is working for EW and you're working for yourself. The fact that the EW rag has any public influence whatesoever sickens me. Blurg. This is why I never want to be in the public eye... i'd be too hellbent on revenge for stuff like this. I'd have that guys info in a matter of minutes, and make it my mission to scar his name... without it being tracable to me of course.

Bah. Who needs EW anyhow.

Entertainment Weekly started sending me their magazine out of the blue and then charged my credit card even though I never signed up for it in the first place. Now I hate them even more!

I agree with Keith in that press is press, and at least your name is out there in this fluffy magazine that may reach an audience that was previously unaware of your writing. :) I'm willing to bet that most people unaware of the book will think -"Wil Wheaton? I remember him! He has a book? Neat!" and go look you up on the internet, and after reading your very engaging blog, go out and buy a copy despite what the "journalist" wrote.

If anyone is actually put off from buying the book by the little blurb, (and/or actually bases their reading choices off of EW), then they probably wouldn't have liked it anyways. :)

That guy is still an asshat though. I get EW for some reason (it just started showing up one day) and after reading a copy I just assumed that it was a half-truth filled tabloid like the Enquirer, but with glossier paper. I would be horrified to learn that anyone actually believes what's printed in it.

Hey Wil,
I know it hurts. The old saying "sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me" is totally untrue. However, I hope you also know this: all of us are hurting with you and we want to help alleviate the pain. I just want you to remember some of the good that's come out of JAG, WWDN, and DB. I distinctly remember you putting up a post about someone daughter who was undergoing surgery. Even though none of us knew the guy, we all sent mojo his way and his daughter was fine. I also think of the two marathons you've done. I have a sneaking suspicion that you've positively influenced more people than you realize. I hope this and the other comments help make your day. Now go and spend it with that awsome family of yours!

Know what ... last time EW got ANYTHING right in a review was half past never. I read ... a lot ... it is my passion. Know what? I have read wonderful books their reviewers hated and HORRIBLE books they cooed over. Someone got their journalism degree from the back of a cereal box. I got mine at a great school with standards ... wait ... that would be why I don't actually work in the media. Sorry, I forgot. Screwed again by morals!

Don't take it personally. Mom always tells me opinions are like assholes - and usually spouted by them. Have a great weekend and remember - the people who read your book have a higher IQ than the people who read EW.

Wil,

Sympathies, bro.

The press sure can be cruel.

In a Mother Jones article about Cyberthon (a 24 hour art/geekfest around online/vr stuff), where the author/editor described me as "conformed to the stereotype of a hacker; paunchy, unkempt, with pocked-marked skin..." What that description was meant to imply about the event is still beyond me.

I'm sure you've had much worse.

Randy
[First time poster, long time reader. :-)]

that's why i haven't read ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY for years...it's a shallow, hateful, house organ for the pap of hollywood...i know it hurts...but if you're gonna get panned...it's better to get panned in a piece of shit rag like ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY...i guess they consider going out of their way to hurt someone entertaining...i consider it to be a lame expression of the intellectual void that the magazine springs from.

Definately shoulda went with your gut instinct on that one Wil. They burned you before and they will continue to do so as long as you keep letting them. Fsck 'em I say. That's one little rediculous piece of crap blurb out of how many reviews? Don't sweat it. YOU know what your book is all about, and so do at least 50,000 monkeys scattered all over the world.

And one question I have for you, is why do you insist on calling yourself a "former" celebrity? Okay, so you don't do as much acting now as you used to. But hey, you are an INTERNET CELEBRITY. So you don't spend much of your life in front of the camera, sucking up to lameass producers just to be lucky if you get five seconds of dialogue in 10 seconds of frame...so what? You are still well known, probably more popular in many ways than anyone else that was on Trek, and I would be pretty damned honored to have you over for a cold Guiness and a major Geek-out session over computers and technology! =D To hell with that advert-bloated lameass Hollywood suck-up piece of crap waste of paper that calls itself Entertainment Weekly and all those schmucks out there employed by it.

I haven't read your book, but most definitely will. Don't let it get you down, you are better than that. And just remember, if EW comes a callin' again, tell them to go fuck themselves.

I should add that I just recently finished Just a Geek, and I found it to be the best work of nonfiction I've read in a long while. That self-serving review in EW showed that the review didn't read the book. There's so much more to JaG than just that. Yes, it's a theme, and a central conflict you had with yourself, but it was so much more, it was your story, the story of "one of us".

I wouldn't expect a mainstream Hollywood publication to "get" anything in geek culture anyway. Which is sad and funny, because we're the ones with the buying power these days in the entertainment world.

Just look at the biggest movie money makers out there... all geek franchise material, between science fiction, fantasy, and comic books all dominating the big screen.

Panning your book just shows how uncool and out of touch EW really is. Like anyone really cares about J-Lo's latest "real life" soap opera or any of that other crap.

You rock, Wil, and I think even a bad review will just get the word out to get people to check out your site and see you as a real human being who can really lay it all out on the table.

Take care,

Chris

Hi Mr. Wheaton!

First of all, don't take it too bad. As someone who is a writer (of source code, of fictitious stories, essays and technical documentation), I can tell that usually thoughtful criticism that one receives from people one is close to and made a bond with, hurts much less bad than criticism (especially somewhat irrational, but not entirely) of people who are less close or even complete strangers. The important thing to realize is that it doesn't matter in the long run, as you don't care too much about these people to begin with. While I haven't read the book yet, I'm sure that you'll receive a good amount of recognition for it, if it is indeed of good quality.

The largest public deprecation I've experienced can be found here:

http://discuss.fogcreek.com/joelonsoftware/default.asp?cmd=show&ixPost=110136&ixReplies=71

I made the original post, and you can read some pretty mean flames by other people there. I was shocked for quite a long time as a result, but I suppose I'll now try to keep such personal ramblings off forums like that.

I really enjoy your site and your blog, BTW.

Stay cool,

Shlomi Fish

Aw crap, only "Entertainment Weekly" was supposed to be in Italics, but now the whole freakin' paragraph is in Italics. Does anyone know how to write just one word in Italics? (You guys probably think I have an I.Q. of 3 now LOL.)

Okay, this is my last post for the week. Wil, once again, you're the best, and we're all behind you. Ciao!

-Vanessa Nichole

I read "Entertainment Weekly" for the info about what's in production, what's new, etc., but completely avoid the reviews which, mercifully, tend to be shoved towards the back. Their reviews are always sensationalistic and oversimplistic, and it's no new thing for their reviewers to get facts wrong. It's annoying that they would trash your book like that, but I think most of EW's readers take their reviews with a big ol' grain of salt. So at least there's that.

Four things are apparent from this douche-bag's comment.
1. He (it is definitely a he) loves his precious commas so much...my preeeeciousssss.
2. He is a "Wesley(tm) is a dork and I don't like him, therefore, it is obvious that Wil is a tool like his character" Neanderthal.
3. This person has never read more than 10 pages of a book before.
4. They were so desperate for "Whiner of the Week", and since no one would recognize the author's name they had to result to digging up an easy target (most hated character by virgin fanboys of all time).

Keep your head up Wil, no-name shit-cock here has never created anything more impressive than a 2 line, 100-comma sentence before. Besides, you have all of your monkeys, and we could all rock this dudes Kasbah if you asked us to!

People who read EW do not have the thoughtful intelligence to read JAG.

Well, at least they're talking about you.

I spit on entertainment weekly. Actually, I don't think I've ever read that pulp. And perhaps now I never will.

Dude, I seriously hope that they've made your 'Go to hell and fscking die' list in terms of giving interviews/permission to do anything related do you.

Hi Mr. Wheaton!

First of all, don't take it too bad. As someone who is a writer (of source code, of fictitious stories, essays and technical documentation), I can tell that usually thoughtful criticism that one receives from people one is close to and made a bond with, hurts much less bad than criticism (especially somewhat irrational, but not entirely) of people who are less close or even complete strangers. The important thing to realize is that it doesn't matter in the long run, as you don't care too much about these people to begin with. While I haven't read the book yet, I'm sure that you'll receive a good amount of recognition for it, if it is indeed of good quality.

The largest public deprecation I've experienced can be found here:

http://discuss.fogcreek.com/joelonsoftware/default.asp?cmd=show&ixPost=110136&ixReplies=71

I made the original post, and you can read some pretty mean flames by other people there. I was shocked for quite a long time as a result, but I suppose I'll now try to keep such personal ramblings off forums like that.

I really enjoy your site and your blog, BTW.

Stay cool,

Shlomi Fish

I suspect weekly is going to be getting a piece of alot of people's minds very soon.

It's all been said Wil, you know that B.S. like that only makes them look bad.

Screw them!

Luckily, the majority of EW readers don't read it for book reviews. I think the net effect of this stupid little blurb is going to be nil.

I've been a subscriber to Entertainment Weekly for years (about as along as they've been in print), and aside from them being Buffy and Amazing Race fans, I have to say that I disagree with them on most of their opinions.

I think I feel a letter to the editor coming on....who's with me?

Don't sweat it Wil.

EW is a sensationalist magazine. What the critique is attacking isn't your book, writing style or the way you opine but your intended audience. EW needs to relate to it's audience, to emulate their taste. JAG obviously got hot enough to be noticed and could not be ignored but EW doesn't feel it's something their readers would enjoy or understand. So they put it down without reading more than a shred of it.

I'm no expert but I'd bet it's something that happens very often.

It's terrible journalism but I think few would disagree that most magazines, especially about the entertainment industry, have nothing to do with journalism or information.

Nat out.

Here's a scan of the actual thing.

Fuckers.

I mean... geez. A guy can't even write an honest book anymore without someone trying to act like some of the stupid fuckheads you have written about.

I recently discovered that reading fashion/gossip/celebrity magazines was only making me feel out of style, out of touch, out of money, and out of the loop - thus I cancelled all but geeky, science mags like National Geographic and Smithsonian. (OK, I still get Vanity Fair but only because they are so gleefully anti-Bush in a time when most media outlets repudiate the public's notion of a liberal press by compensating too far to the right.) So, nyah nyah nyah nyah, I'm out of that horrid cycle! You should all come join me because it's really nice to be reading things which don't make me feel like I'm worthless without a man and 10 pounds too heavy. This reminds me how lucky I am to have rid myself of this social obsession. How "ew" passes itself off as morally superior to Star and Nat'l Enquirer is beyond me.

I will write and complain to EW as well, because it is simply bad journalism to write an uninformed review. But you should also keep in mind that Entertainment Weekly has turned into a rag like Star and National Enquirer anyway. Who in their right mind would go to Entertainment Weekly for a review of the next book to read? Until the New York Times gives you a bad review, ignore the uninformed and ignorant.

i'm glad i let my subscription run out this past summer.... it would have been a sad day to actually get that in my mailbox.

my letter to EW letters@ew.com, is away.

keep on truckin, wil,
and more poker stories, damnit!

-dr.nik-
sponng.com

I just wrote EW. This is the sad state of journalism and her decline. A "journalist" reported the other day about a herd of sharks. A HERD! It's a shiver or a school of sharks not a farking HERD. I know that is nothing compared to this slip-shod attitude towards Wil's book, but it starts small and grows to what we saw here with the "journalist" only skimming and not reading the entire book. If Wil is whining, WHINE ON WIL. (which he is clearly not but......damn EW.)

The EW comments are not even worth your time. Anyone that would put stock in a review of a book out of that rag is not someone who would understand the development of a story anyway. What a bunch of clowns.

That sucks, man. I wouldn't use an EW to wipe myself anyway. haha.

Check out my website if you're lookin for some free music from a fellow geek.

Wil,
That's terrible! You don't deserve to have things like that said about you. I can't stand the way "journalists" are acting these days. I hope you get the apology you're owed.

Just invite them to invoke the Cheney Doctrine, Wil. I thought it was a great book. C'mon out Chicago way and I'll happily wait in line to have you sign it for me.

Entertainment Weekly is a rag that I stopped taking seriously in the early '90s. Their "reviews" and articles belie an adherance to some sort of agenda. My guess is that they are shilling for their corporate masters and that anything not produced by said corporations either gets a few stars less than it otherwise might or it doesn't get covered at all.

Bastards.

So some Britney-listening, J-Lo worshiping, flavor-of-the-minute-chasing, fourth rate hack didn't like the book eh? Just remember Wil, he's only mad 'cause there weren't any pictures to color...

*Angry-crappy-EWww-hack: "Oh no, not #$%^ words, now I have to try READING again!"*

Holy $h!7 that makes me mad ;o).

I bought your book a few weeks ago. I read it. I really enjoyed it. It helped put some of my own puzzle peices together.

I'm sure that a good review, or at least a favourable comment about it would see JAG in its next printing ... but honestly. Anyone who could say such a thing about someones honest self-expression is a fecking tr0ll.

I'm sure you'll get a ton of support from your fans not to take this personally. I can only offer my praise and this quote ...

"I will eviscerate you in fiction, every pimple, every character flaw. I was naked for a day. You will be naked for eternity."

-Geoffery Chaucer, A Knight's Tale

All the best to you!
m

Because they hosed me on a subscription problem, I no longer subscribe or even read the magazine. But if I did subscribe, I would cancel it on your behalf.

Buncha doofuses.

Oh, forgot to say this, Wil. If this is in the issue with the Fall TV Preview and if it's any consolation to you, that issue is so poorly laid out, that I am having a hard time getting through it. Not to mention that I never even saw this blurb. I am going to have to go down and open it again to check if it's there.

For whatever it's worth, most folks probably won't even find it!

And I just sent off my letter to the editor in between these two posts!

That POS EW is getting a piece of my mind. That's just horrible.

Please don't let your manager talk you into believing any crap from that "magazine" ever again.

I gave my Mom a copy of JAG, by the way. She's really been looking forward to reading it, having enjoyed DB muchly.

Don't let the turkeys get you down... they're not worth it.

But thanks for letting us know that EW is a bunch of lying inconsiderate sensationalist braying judgemental turds. I'll remember that in future.

Hmf. Jerks. I just finished reading it, maybe I should write them a correction. :P

That's awful. I'm sorry. I think you should write them an editorial letter and tell them to f... off. (Sorry, you should probably put it in better language than that. I'm just in a not-so-good mood right now, so reading something like this validates my feelings.)

For the record, I'm in the midst of reading Just A Geek and I think it's great. Normally I'd speed read through a book like this, but I want to remember everything I've read once I'm done so I'm purposefully taking my time. Thank you for being so honest.

And on second thought, I think I'll write them a letter myself, as a FORMER Entertainment Weekly subscriber.

Nicole

That really does bite Wil! I stumbled across your Blog a few months ago and have been checking in every now and again to see what you are up to. I have not read your book but I am sure that there is a good reason for mentioning your past in order to build the story upon. Anyway, my wife and I are big fans and still catch TNG whenever possible. You should be proud of what you have accomplished! Those bone heads @ Entertainment Weekly need to get their heads outta the !@#$%'s (you know what I mean) Don't let this get you down and keep on Bloggin', I think you have your shit together!

f**k them! Those little bits are always stupid. I've stopped reading it.

Hmm... Well, there's the precedent of Elton John, Wil: in the '80's the editor of the SUN hated him and printed a huge spate of nasty articles, ending with a lawsuit and public apology. But alas, the only libel law I know of is British. Does EW publish over here?

One of the many reasons why I cancelled my EW (how appropriate) subscription years ago. Their idea of a "review" is to whine and bitch about 10% of the book/movie/etc. being reviewed and ignoring the rest.

Morons.

Hey Wil. My mother has worked for numerous magazines and tells me horrible stories of how the staff purposely uses quotes out of context to make a person look bad. Don't take it personally! It's done just to make their writing seem more interesting. And besides, I happen to think your book is incredible.

I'm glad that I've never paid a cent to EW. Those that have actually read your book love it. The lessons you've learned and written about on your site and in your books tell you exactly what to do. Forget about their worthless commentary and have fun with your friends and family this weekend. Rest assured that anyone who has read any of your work knows the real truth.

Journalists in general suck. I've been misrepresented countless times by tech journalists, and I can only imagine that to be an entertainment journalist's target is far worse.

Perhaps it's that you have escaped from the eye of EW, and likewise, from their power. It is true you used to be an actor when you were a kid. Then you grew up. You no longer have a career that a spiteful EW reporter can make or break with some yellow blurbs.

You're beyond their reach, and that angers them. You shouldn't let it hurt. They write for EW because they can't write for anything else, and nor can they act, and this leads to bitterness.

I think we should bombard them with letters to the editor...I know mine is on its way

Sorry. You definitely don't deserve that. The book was good. I've already written them a little note. I'm kind of hurt too. Like I've got bad taste? Not with books my friend. Maybe purses, but not with books.

Morons.

As long as we're sending notes to EW, can we conspire on something else too? Anyone on the east coast want to conspire to get a book signing/visit this way?

Big hug from the east coast.

Morons.

Just for that, I'm going to walk right down the street and buy Just a Geek right now.

We heart you, Wil!

So, let me get this straight, because it's kind of funny if you think about it, Wil writes a book, in which he does do a bit whining to be sure, gets tagged "whiner of the week" and then creates a blog entry whining about it?

C'mon! Am I the only one that sees the humor in this? If I didn't know better, I would think Wil made this entry to be funny.

in case anyone missed the address above...(i did) write complaints to letters@ew.com

Evendtally the people a Entertaiment Weekly don't know a nice guy when the have one. Because you were a child actor and didn't have a complete melt down the tend to ditch you. Unless you go out and have a complete melt down the will always be harsh to you which is their problem not all Child Stars Screw up their lives. But they will only give postive reviews when you have Screwed up your life. So Next time they want to help you or give you a review just blow them off!!

After reading this and the EWwww comments. I am gonna do the responsible thing and buy your books and read them for myself.

I enjoy your blogs and look forward to reading your book tomorrow morning.

Okay, I'm certainly not the first to comment, and this may have previously come up (not a big fan of reading all that), but what that assclown wrote seems to be pushing the wonderful world of libel. Seriously, talk to a lawyer. Break out the big guns.

My letter to EW:

"Try reading a whole book before you've developed an opinion about it. If you had done so with Wil Wheaton's Just A Geek, you would have found it to be a honest, witty and heartfelt read. Instead, you based your review on, what, the first chapter?

Shame on you, EW.

Gale G.
Central California"

Wil, I know it hurts, but just remember that they're a bunch of tabliod hacks. I've read your book cover-to-cover and I think it's brilliant. :)

I don't care what they say, I can't wait to read it!

This is pretty low, but what can you expect? To call anyone writing for Entertainment Weekly a journalist is a stretch. Maybe the reporter did write a nice announcement but the editor "spiced it up" knowing that a cruel joke at your expense would go over well with the typical EW reader. Anyway, EW is what it is and there's not much anyone can do about it. Take consolation in the thought that there is a special place reserved for the editor and reporter in the eighth circle. :-)

Don't read EW... and looks like this is just another reason to continue that trend :)

wil, Those guys are idiots as usual. Truth is hardly (if ever) represented. I read your book and loved it.

Entertainment Weekly,

The reviewer of Wil Wheaton's "Just a Geek" either did not read the entire book or chose to ignore everything except the first chapter. The book is about more than just the loss of fame it is about growing up, making a family and learning to love your life.

That doesn't mean Wheaton's book is good -- just that it is not as narrowly focused as your review would lead a reader to believe.

-- Austin Mayor

EW? Isn't that the magazine that they practically beg me to take a free subscription of every time I go to Best Buy? Seriously, we're talking "Stuff Magazine" level journalism quality here.

So does this mean that Rick Berman is working for Entertainment Weekly now?? BERMAN YOU BASTARD!!!!!!

Seriously that is way uncool Wil.. I guess people will do anything to help their bottom line which is selling books.. It's sad they have to hurt an individual to do that.

Jason

So does this mean that Rick Berman is working for Entertainment Weekly now?? BERMAN YOU BASTARD!!!!!!

Seriously that is way uncool Wil.. I guess people will do anything to help their bottom line which is selling books.. It's sad they have to hurt an individual to do that.

Jason

Someone wrote that they actually subscribe to EW and that they've noticed a downturn in its quality...

I'm sorry but EW magazine has been crappy as hell for years... decades even. I had a subscription way back in '87 or so and it sucked balls then and from the looks of it things haven't changed.

I wouldn't mind EW or its pathetic little writer with the snarky remark Wil. In fact, were I in your place, I might find it to be an off-hand compliment.

So-called celebrity mags like EW *ONLY* report on those people who are in some spotlight and getting noticed for it. I guess you must be getting noticed if EW found the time to rag on you.

These "people" who write stuff like this are the real sad ones. I don't know that it's any particular vendetta but just a jealousy that comes from someone who holds a job not much different than a tabloid writer. They get no respect and they envy that you, Mr. Wheaton ...do.

So, like is often the case with those who envy... they seek to tear down others who they see as being better than them. 'Why the hell does HE deserve a book deal with O'Reilly he was just some punk kid off TNG?' they'll say and so they spew forth such venom and it goes to print.

So much for journalistic integrity but then it's wrong imo to even consider such people journalists... they are not. More like bottom-feeders who will never make more of their lives or careers than they already have.

You present a prime source for them to envy simply because you didn't fall into the child actor trap that has taken down so many others. You survived and not only that you have thrived *AND* gosh darnit people like you. I'm sure it just confounds the hell out of many who would look down their nose at you because to them... it just should not be. You just should not be... the success that you are.

I know it may not help to say not to think of it ...no one likes getting that type of crap thrown at them, I know. While it may be biased (heh and it is) you're an awesome dude! Former TNG alum/present day author or even if those things didn't exist... the person you are still remains.

I think that's what gets thru to people... not just the celebrity or the once celebrity but the man. The "every" man as I've heard you refer to yourself that some of most everyone can connect with. That's what matters.

This sort EW crap will come and it will go but what you've done here and what you continue to do will live on for years to come. I hope you don't forget that Wil... not even for a moment:)

~James Chicago (tho some people call me Ravdoss ;)

Stop listening to critics, both positive and negative, and look at the sales. That tells its own story.

Please don't get discouraged. You're very big inspiration to me.

"Dear Sirs:

I am writing in regards to your recent "Whiner of the Week" on page 83, Wil Wheaton.

I found the "blurb", as it is too short to merit the title of "article" to be uninformed and deliberately cruel. It is obvious after reading that the author did not bother to actually read the book that inspired this tid-bit of vitriol.

I, however, have read both of Mr. Wheaton's books cover to cover. While he discussed his departure from the "Star Trek" franchise, it was not the full scope of either book. Instead, Wil has matured into another Gen-Xer - we who find ourselves at, or approaching 30 and dealing with the life changes that result. I found neither of his works narcissistic or whining. Instead, I saw a sense of poignancy, of regret, of worry, fear... all issues that my generation now has to deal with.

Instead, I saw the blurb as a malicious assault by someone who did not even have the bravery to include his/her name with the attack. Shame on them for writing something without bothering to research it first and shame on you for printing it."

Also, Wil.... I'm adding my review from Amazon for DB.. some "good vibes" to offset the nasty ones.

"I found out about this book, Dancing Barefoot, and the next book, Just a Geek, from Wil's website, which I found surfing one day. After cruising through the blogs on the site, I was instantly hooked. I joined his forum almost immediately (hence the Monkey in the title... *waves* Hi Guys!!!) and was pulled into that as quickly as the books. The fans that surround him are as funny, as open, as "real" as the man himself.

Wil's writing is engaging (yes, I know, bad pun), witty, honest, and at times, bitterly poignant. Though it's hard to relate to the life of an actor and the ups and downs that go with it, Wil found a way to draw people in to his life and to explain those pains, pangs and associated temporary joys in such a way that I ended up spending most of my time nodding and muttering, "been there, Wil, I know that feeling".

I found myself sucked into the stories - weeping with him over Aunt Val, watching the kids play in the front yard and stepping into the Time Warp of youth, sitting at a booth in the surreal surroundings of Vegas and even more surreal moments known as a Star Trek Con. In a way, it became less a book and more a conversation with someone I grew up with, a mirror to look at my own life in a different perspective.

The stories aren't about anything *that* exciting, and you won't hear a lot of great "on set" gossip from the TNG days, but they are a peek into what it's like to be a Gen Xer - stuck between childhood and adult responsibility, watching our beloved relatives pass, our children grow up, worrying about bills and relationships, looking back at what we've accomplished (or not accomplished), the self-doubt, and finally, that settling in to realize that we actually *like* the person that's looking back from the mirror.

Granted, a lot, if not all of the material can be found on the website if you look hard enough, but it's cool to have it in a bound form. I was willing to pay the $$ just for that. (The drawings were fun too!)

It's a fast read. I think I sat down and finished DB in about an hour. I couldn't put it down.

Say what you will about Wes Crusher, but this Wil Wheaton kid can WRITE!

Wil,

It's funny, I was just thinking how nice it must be to have so many people who care about you and really respect you as a person before I pulled up your website today. I don't understand why anyone or any magazine would have such a vendetta against you. What you're trying to do is make the world a better place by sharing your experiences and beliefs. I know I'm just one voice of many people who really respect you. But that's the point, there are tons of people in the WWdN posey that will defend you and your actions/opinions. So I know it hurts when people are disrespectful and ignorant, but let them validate their pathetic lives by picking on others. We're smart enough to form our own opinions of you and your work.

That person wholly sucks. What a shmuck.

I agree with kathryn; if you could get a copy faxed over of what would be printed, or even record any conversation where you give permission for a mention/review, before it gets out, then if the bastard publication tries to be shady you can whip out the dated fax/tape and wave it at the editor, a lawyer, or even at another publication (like a EW competitor who might get a kick out of doing a blurb on how evil and stupid EW is.)

I know it's a lofty plan, doomed to failure in such a fast-talking industry as the US media, but an idealist can dream...

I loved your book, and giggled out loud, often. It was very well written, and I finished almost all of it in one go.

btw I found your blog link on Margaret Cho's site, and that made both of you a lot cooler :]

Why am I not surprised? EW has got to be one of the most moronic industry mags ever. If anything, the blurb makes me more likely to get your book, because their track record regarding civility and journalistic responsibility is abhorrent! I'm still blown away by the fact that they still think the Emmerich and Devlin Godzilla film was superior to its Japanese forebares.
Don't worry, true literates are your fans!

It really burns me up when people review books without reading them. It's not just Entertainment Weekly either. I have a sinking suspicion that Tim Russert doesn't read anyone's book past page 35.

Wil
That infuriates me.
letters@ew.com
Get writing people!
Ryan