Jennette McCurdy's Memoir

[Anonymous]

Jennette McCurdy ("Sam" from Nickelodeon's iCarly and Sam & Cat) has a memoir coming out next week called "I'm Glad My Mom Died." Vanity Fair and Entertainment Weekly have posted two different excerpts:

https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/08/this-phony-bizarre-sphere-jennette-mccurdys-shocking-final-days-at-nickelodeon/amp
https://ew.com/books/jennette-mccurdy-im-glad-my-mom-died-exclusive-excerpt/

I preordered the book and am looking forward to reading it. She has previously been vocal about the abuse she suffered from her mother, hatred of child stardom, and battle with disordered eating. "The Creator" from the excerpt is almost certainly Dan Schneider (creator of several hit Nickelodeon shows) who has been the subject of rumors of pedophilia and abusing his child stars for years, though with no direct allegations. Maybe this will lead to him finally being exposed.

[Anonymous]

I read the write up of the book in the NYT. Sounds like an interesting book. Can’t believe everything she’s been through. Kudos to her to be brave enough to tell her story, especially when other relatives (siblings, dad) are still living.

[Anonymous]

I added it to my holds at the library. I really am interested in memoirs with these themes so I am looking forward to reading it. Sounds like she's been through hell.

[Anonymous]

I couldn’t stand my own abusive Mother as well - yet I find the title of her memoir very offensive.

[Anonymous]

I read a great review for her book, too! I’m too old to appreciate who she was but it sounds like it’s still a good read.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I couldn’t stand my own abusive Mother as well - yet I find the title of her memoir very offensive.

My mother suffered from early onset Alzheimer’s disease and the last months of her life were so horrible for her. I was very close to her and loved her dearly but definitely said “I’m glad my mom died” when her suffering ended.

That phrase can mean a lot of things for a lot of reasons.

[Anonymous]

I believe her about Dan Schneider.

My aunt did the makeup on his show What I Like About You. She reported him for his behavior towards two different young women on set and nothing happened because the women it happened to were over age 18 and the studio said a report needed to come from them not a witness.

I wouldn't be surprised if Amanda Bynes is the way she is because she worked with Dan Schneider for so many years.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, Nickelodeon and Disney are AWFUL to child actors. There's a lot of twisted crap going on there. Including how they encourage the parents to treat the kids. My DD worked for CBS (Viacom) as a child for years, and was cared for wonderfully. So many people asked why I didn't take her to a child-based network and I couldn't articulate why but knew I was right not to.

Mayim Bialik had JM on her podcast months and months ago; it was really interesting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAYML6NSyPA

[Anonymous]

I listened to the recap on the Celebrity Memoir Book Club podcast. Never thought I would buy this book, but I'm sort of obsessed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I couldn’t stand my own abusive Mother as well - yet I find the title of her memoir very offensive.

My mother suffered from early onset Alzheimer’s disease and the last months of her life were so horrible for her. I was very close to her and loved her dearly but definitely said “I’m glad my mom died” when her suffering ended.

That phrase can mean a lot of things for a lot of reasons.

I understand what you’re saying and I’m really sorry for what your mother went through. If you read the excerpts, you will see that this is not that type of story and they did not have the loving relationship that you had with your mother. The title is a shocker but it sounds like Jeannette is doing well now.

[Anonymous]

We’re not supposed to think or say these thoughts: I’m glad X is dead, but for some of us, it rings true. I completely understand the relief when someone who abused you for a lifetime dies. The peace is palpable.

In my case, the mean monster, verbally abusive parent who went on drunken tirades and rages was first silenced by dementia then was rendered into a silent, angry person who was locked in.

[Anonymous]

18:05 and awkward post-death. Casual acquaintances were well-meaning and said kind things about how I must miss my parent, that they surely were such a nice person to have raised me, how proud parent must have been, etc.

None of those things were true so I just said said thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I couldn’t stand my own abusive Mother as well - yet I find the title of her memoir very offensive.

+1 Sounds like her therapist did a poor job, as well. Going to therapy and coming out with little to no empathy for one's mother is a failure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:18:05 and awkward post-death. Casual acquaintances were well-meaning and said kind things about how I must miss my parent, that they surely were such a nice person to have raised me, how proud parent must have been, etc.

None of those things were true so I just said said thanks.

Then how did you turn out to be such a nice person?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I listened to the recap on the Celebrity Memoir Book Club podcast. Never thought I would buy this book, but I'm sort of obsessed.

Why am I just hearing of this?! Thanks for the tip, PP!