'Too Good to Fact Check' Is a Hilarious Look at the Absurdities of Celebrity Culture
Too Good to Fact Check: Flying the Skies with Stars, Scotch, and Scandal (Mostly Mine) by Jeremy Murphy and Sophia Paulmier has captivated readers and critics alike with its candid, often hilarious look at the absurdities of celebrity culture and media excess since its August 2024 release. The memoir, published by Post Hill Press, offers a behind-the-scenes peek into Murphy’s decade-long career as editor-in-chief of Watch! Magazine, during which he mingled with stars like Neil Patrick Harris, LL Cool J and Christine Baranski. Since its publication, the book has drawn widespread media attention and critical praise for its sharp humor and insightful commentary.
The New York Post was one of the first major outlets to feature Too Good to Fact Check, placing it on their "Required Reading" list. Famed columnist Cindy Adams called it “a dishy, guilty pleasure,” noting that Murphy pulls no punches in revealing the glamorous, and often chaotic, world of celebrity. Town & Country also highlighted Too Good to Fact Check in their "Best Books of August" list, commending its balance of outrageous celebrity tales and thoughtful reflection on the media’s role in shaping public perception. They described the memoir as both entertaining and intellectually stimulating, an insightful look at the interplay between fame and media.
Murphy’s stories are filled with laugh-out-loud moments, from recounting his ban from the King Cole Bar at the St. Regis after a bar fight to serenading Ted Koppel with the Nightline theme song after a few too many drinks. But beneath the humor, the book offers a sharp critique of the media’s role in celebrity culture. As WWD pointed out, "Murphy and Paulmier capture the absurdities of a world where fame and ego collide, delivering a sharp critique wrapped in humor."
The collaboration between Murphy and co-author Paulmier, an up-and-coming writer and actress, adds depth to the memoir. The Daily Front Row praised Paulmier’s contributions, particularly the insightful Q&A sections that she conducts with Murphy at the end of each chapter. The interviews help to fill in the gaps of Murphy’s memory and challenge his decisions, adding layers to the narrative. In the Daily interview, Murphy explained that while writing, “The celebrity anecdotes were a bit hollow; they had no heart. Sophia’s questions challenged me in a fun way, and they helped bring the stories to life.”
The book’s appeal also extends to the fashion world. Forbes highlighted Murphy’s top fashion moments in Too Good to Fact Check, emphasizing the magazine’s unique approach of taking TV stars, who were often overlooked by the glossies, and giving them the “Vanity Fair treatment” in glamorous destinations like Paris, Milan and the south of France. Bloomberg also took note of the book’s take on celebrity culture, especially how it touches on the extravagance and indulgence associated with the entertainment world. Murphy reflected on some of the glamorous shoots featured in the book, noting that Julianna Margulies at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in the south of France stood out as a particularly memorable experience.
Flaunt Magazine gave the memoir high praise, describing it as “a confessional that delves into the often surreal world of magazine publishing and celebrity culture.” They highlighted the book’s candid tone and ability to balance personal storytelling with broader cultural critique. Simply the Best magazine also weighed in, calling Too Good to Fact Check a "witty, dishy chronicle" that offers readers a backstage pass into the often absurd and glamorous world of Hollywood and entertainment media.
Particularly sentimental is Murphy’s collaboration with famed violinist Charlie Siem, who he hired to write and perform a composition as a theme for the magazine. The song, recorded in a London church in 2013, was used as the centerpiece of a multi-media marketing campaign for the publication that spanned television, online, print, OnDemand, and streaming. The project was a critical and commercial success, drawing acclaim from the New York Times, Adweek, WWD, The Daily, and other media. Said the Times marketing columnist Stuart Elliot, "The idea was so unusual, so unexpected, that it struck me as an appropriate subject for an article. I felt others in publishing, and allied fields, would be interested in seeing how they could use original, artistic content to promote their brands along with, or instead of, traditional promotions or ads."
Beyond the humor and absurdity, Too Good to Fact Check offers a deeper look at Murphy’s personal experiences. He admits to more than a few misadventures, including setting a hotel room on fire and covering up a celebrity arrest on a flight to Paris. As he shared with The Daily, “If security wasn’t called, we weren’t there.” These stories, while hilarious, also reflect the high-stakes and often chaotic world of celebrity magazine publishing.
As Too Good to Fact Check continues to garner acclaim from readers and critics alike, Murphy’s candid and humorous reflections on his time in the media spotlight are proving to be both entertaining and insightful. With its mix of celebrity gossip, personal confession, and cultural commentary, the memoir is establishing itself as one of the most talked-about books of 2024. Whether you’re drawn to the outrageous celebrity stories or the book’s sharp critique of media culture, Too Good to Fact Check delivers a compelling read that’s as thought-provoking as it is fun.