Oh my god. I’ve only gotten through 4 minutes of this and I can honestly say I’ve never laughed harder in my life. Thank god I actually looked at the screen (sometimes I just listen). Your facial expressions in between minutes 3 and 4 are comedy gold. Thank you, sir! Belly laughs are hard to come by!
Badgering the witness, your honour! "I don't mean this to be adversarial." This was tremendously entertaining and I think he was more patient with you than you probably deserved, Steve, but I couldn't look away. For the record, I have never read a Stephen King book and it is increasingly unlikely that I ever will. Thank you to you both!
Well no one should read anything they don't want to read, of course. Even so, just as readers, I'm wondering if we all shouldn't try to sample all of literature's many flavors - that since King had such an impact, for good or ill, if a person shouldn't read him at least once. 350 million books sold is a strong influence. Even if we determine absolutely that all those books are bad, there's no way that his influence could be all bad. With so many King readers, surely more than a few have went on to become sophisticated readers. Surely a few of those have went on to be writers. A few maybe even great writers. Just my thoughts on the subject.
Great video! I really enjoyed it. I've been a Stephen King reader since he started writing. Some books I've enjoyed, some not so much. I hope we can agree to disagree.
I always appreciate your banter with Alex, even if you merely mention him in a video, or if he mentions you on his podcast. You two don’t even need to be in the same video!
This was so entertaining. The many faces of Steve was so gold. Alex’s commentary on the phases of King’s work sounds really interesting. Of course, that’s all garbage compared to Frieda’s yoga routine. She made the video once again.
I love how open-minded you are, Steve! Willing to have a half-hour conversation about an author you absolutely hate. Only a true book-lover would do that. I could see you just wanting to break in and object. I stand right between the two pillars you two represent. I recognize the general groaning of King's prose while from time to time enjoying his stories. Maybe because I fall between your two ages? I don't know.
A first. A Donoghue video I DNF. Been a subscriber since you were 27 and never done that on any video, even the comic/tech ones. So you can't stand him, his success and the fact that readers enjoy his books, yeah we get it Steve. I've read King's books, they shouldn't be on the same continent let alone the same room as more worthy literary works but for god's sake can they just be read for a bit of escapism? Not all of us want to read romances for a bit of light relief. Subbed to The Kingly Endeavors channel just to spite you, so there! I need a brew. Rant over, carry on.
A first. A comment on a Donoghue video I DNF. Surely a one-year subscriber would know the only thing Steve really “can’t stand” about King is his gosh-darn WRITING! Not the person, certainly not his success, and by god not the fact that people enjoy his work.
@@jackohara8993I think you're taking the OP's post out of the spirit it was intended. @jpd Manchester is being a little tongue-in-cheek and very good-natured.
6:39 well this is late but it was in my feed so here it goes. Why do so many 90s kids feel so familiar with Stephen King in the first place? Well, in the 90s we as kids were obsessed with spooky stuff. (Some of use still are.) Children’s horror was a big thing. TV, movies, books. It was a weird phenomenon. The bookish among us were reading and collecting Goosebumps books. King was popular with our parents in the late 70s and 80s, a time that had an adult horror fiction boom starting with The Exorcist, Rosemary’s Baby and The Other. For whatever reason, king was the most popular author of that time and genre. Even though I think there were better horror writers at the time. Nonetheless, King is what was on our parents shelves. So, King just happened to be the adult horror reads that horror obsessed bookish 90s kids snuck into their rooms at night. Purely by chance. We’re grown up now, (well sort of) and now a lot of us are keeping him in business. I personally moved on. But I get the same nostalgic vibe from his books sometimes that many people my age feel. The Dark Tower series sucks… I said it.
Cujo is the book which King doesn't remember writing. He doesn't doubt he wrote it. He just doesn't remember doing so because he was bonkers on cocaine at the time. With respect to the guest, I can't believe anyone would have Cujo as one of their favorite King books. I was infuriated when I read it. So mad that I stopped reading King completely for about three years. I disagree with Donoghue about the value of King's writing. His books are entertaining and fairly well written. They are not high brow literary works of art. They are stories that grab and hold your attention. They have interesting characters and plots. I have read King since Carrie, his first novel, was published. His writing has definitely improved over the past 40 years. Compare Carrie to Billy Summers. The improvement in writing style is obvious. But even with Carrie, King knew how to spin a good yarn . So I think King is a remarkable author. Not the deepest thinker, not the most beautiful creator of prose, but he tells a good story with memorable characters. I think King's popularity will last past his lifetime. I would even go so far to say that King is the Charles Dickens of the 20th century.
I think I read somewhere that one of the hallmarks of a good writer is that they make you forget that you are reading. King certainly has that effect on me. Very different from the experience of having to fight your way through thickets of obscurantist verbiage to unearth a nugget of meaning that only accrues value because of the hard work it has cost you. I get what you mean about King being a 20th century Dickens. I have read almost all the fiction written by both.
I still feel like there's something else about King that tweaks your nerve that you're not saying (or maybe I'm not picking up on). I've heard you talk about dozens upon dozens of authors that you think are terrible writers but freely admit to reading and giving chances to without a second thought. But King? You completely fly off the handle, and he's the only author (that I've seen, at least) triggers you to this level. I just feel like there's more to the story than "he's a terrible hack writer". This isn't meant as a slight to you, I'm just genuinely curious.
You are a scary tease but I laughed for the whole video. I agree about King although I can't understand why he is so popular. Give me Arthur Machen any day.
This dude goes from another preposterous sentence to another. Biden and King don't do it for the money! Have to close internet for today, I'm getting a headache...
This guy was a poor advocate for SK. I think it's because he was intellectually intimidated by you. Personally I think Stephen King is at least tied for first place as greatest novelist of all time. Wizard and Glass is a great novel.
I’m years late in “discovering” Steve, but he’s set my reading life on fire. I would definitely read a book about his life.
As warm and friendly as a bowl of antifreeze!
He had it coming, the punk!
Oh my god. I’ve only gotten through 4 minutes of this and I can honestly say I’ve never laughed harder in my life. Thank god I actually looked at the screen (sometimes I just listen). Your facial expressions in between minutes 3 and 4 are comedy gold. Thank you, sir! Belly laughs are hard to come by!
Thank you so much for turning a drab, chilly & wet miserable UK morning into a really fun roasting..
Badgering the witness, your honour! "I don't mean this to be adversarial."
This was tremendously entertaining and I think he was more patient with you than you probably deserved, Steve, but I couldn't look away.
For the record, I have never read a Stephen King book and it is increasingly unlikely that I ever will. Thank you to you both!
Well no one should read anything they don't want to read, of course. Even so, just as readers, I'm wondering if we all shouldn't try to sample all of literature's many flavors - that since King had such an impact, for good or ill, if a person shouldn't read him at least once. 350 million books sold is a strong influence. Even if we determine absolutely that all those books are bad, there's no way that his influence could be all bad. With so many King readers, surely more than a few have went on to become sophisticated readers. Surely a few of those have went on to be writers. A few maybe even great writers. Just my thoughts on the subject.
Made me laugh throughout! Great conversation!
This was a great discussion, very enjoyable and very interesting.
Great video! I really enjoyed it. I've been a Stephen King reader since he started writing. Some books I've enjoyed, some not so much. I hope we can agree to disagree.
I need the southern gentleman to be a recurring character because that had me rolling.
I always appreciate your banter with Alex, even if you merely mention him in a video, or if he mentions you on his podcast. You two don’t even need to be in the same video!
This is so much fun!!! 🤣😂
I can’t stop laughing at Steve’s expressions. 🤣😂
Your facial expression about five minutes in is about the funniest thing I’ve ever seen.
My face is still sore from all the GLOWERING!
This was so entertaining. The many faces of Steve was so gold. Alex’s commentary on the phases of King’s work sounds really interesting.
Of course, that’s all garbage compared to Frieda’s yoga routine. She made the video once again.
Of all the thousand of videos that you have uploaded Steve, this is my favorite
I love how open-minded you are, Steve! Willing to have a half-hour conversation about an author you absolutely hate. Only a true book-lover would do that. I could see you just wanting to break in and object. I stand right between the two pillars you two represent. I recognize the general groaning of King's prose while from time to time enjoying his stories. Maybe because I fall between your two ages? I don't know.
Fall between our two ages???? What can you POSSIBLY mean? Alex is 30; I'm well-known to be 28. So you're saying ... you're 29?
@@saintdonoghue Oh my. Color me embarrassed. I forgot …
Steve because of this you are going to get more subscribers!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
A first. A Donoghue video I DNF. Been a subscriber since you were 27 and never done that on any video, even the comic/tech ones. So you can't stand him, his success and the fact that readers enjoy his books, yeah we get it Steve. I've read King's books, they shouldn't be on the same continent let alone the same room as more worthy literary works but for god's sake can they just be read for a bit of escapism? Not all of us want to read romances for a bit of light relief.
Subbed to The Kingly Endeavors channel just to spite you, so there! I need a brew. Rant over, carry on.
A first. A comment on a Donoghue video I DNF. Surely a one-year subscriber would know the only thing Steve really “can’t stand” about King is his gosh-darn WRITING! Not the person, certainly not his success, and by god not the fact that people enjoy his work.
@@jackohara8993I think you're taking the OP's post out of the spirit it was intended. @jpd Manchester is being a little tongue-in-cheek and very good-natured.
@@mdavidmullins oh dear - I’m sorry! I retract my stupid response!
6:39 well this is late but it was in my feed so here it goes. Why do so many 90s kids feel so familiar with Stephen King in the first place? Well, in the 90s we as kids were obsessed with spooky stuff. (Some of use still are.) Children’s horror was a big thing. TV, movies, books. It was a weird phenomenon. The bookish among us were reading and collecting Goosebumps books. King was popular with our parents in the late 70s and 80s, a time that had an adult horror fiction boom starting with The Exorcist, Rosemary’s Baby and The Other. For whatever reason, king was the most popular author of that time and genre. Even though I think there were better horror writers at the time. Nonetheless, King is what was on our parents shelves. So, King just happened to be the adult horror reads that horror obsessed bookish 90s kids snuck into their rooms at night. Purely by chance. We’re grown up now, (well sort of) and now a lot of us are keeping him in business. I personally moved on. But I get the same nostalgic vibe from his books sometimes that many people my age feel. The Dark Tower series sucks… I said it.
I feel for poor Alex....
Cujo is the book which King doesn't remember writing. He doesn't doubt he wrote it. He just doesn't remember doing so because he was bonkers on cocaine at the time. With respect to the guest, I can't believe anyone would have Cujo as one of their favorite King books. I was infuriated when I read it. So mad that I stopped reading King completely for about three years. I disagree with Donoghue about the value of King's writing. His books are entertaining and fairly well written. They are not high brow literary works of art. They are stories that grab and hold your attention. They have interesting characters and plots. I have read King since Carrie, his first novel, was published. His writing has definitely improved over the past 40 years. Compare Carrie to Billy Summers. The improvement in writing style is obvious. But even with Carrie, King knew how to spin a good yarn . So I think King is a remarkable author. Not the deepest thinker, not the most beautiful creator of prose, but he tells a good story with memorable characters. I think King's popularity will last past his lifetime. I would even go so far to say that King is the Charles Dickens of the 20th century.
I think I read somewhere that one of the hallmarks of a good writer is that they make you forget that you are reading. King certainly has that effect on me. Very different from the experience of having to fight your way through thickets of obscurantist verbiage to unearth a nugget of meaning that only accrues value because of the hard work it has cost you. I get what you mean about King being a 20th century Dickens. I have read almost all the fiction written by both.
I still feel like there's something else about King that tweaks your nerve that you're not saying (or maybe I'm not picking up on). I've heard you talk about dozens upon dozens of authors that you think are terrible writers but freely admit to reading and giving chances to without a second thought. But King? You completely fly off the handle, and he's the only author (that I've seen, at least) triggers you to this level. I just feel like there's more to the story than "he's a terrible hack writer". This isn't meant as a slight to you, I'm just genuinely curious.
I think Cormac McCarthy would fit, even James Joyce, in Steve's fly off the handle completely dismissing level. Sally Rooney is another one.
I think it’s just because he’s so popular.
Gee, i have no idea either why a stern critic dete$t$ the tra$hy pro$aic work$ of that little-known author. It'$ a my$tery.
You are a scary tease but I laughed for the whole video. I agree about King although I can't understand why he is so popular. Give me Arthur Machen any day.
This dude goes from another preposterous sentence to another. Biden and King don't do it for the money! Have to close internet for today, I'm getting a headache...
This guy was a poor advocate for SK. I think it's because he was intellectually intimidated by you. Personally I think Stephen King is at least tied for first place as greatest novelist of all time. Wizard and Glass is a great novel.
Who is he tied with?
whaat lol