The First Assistant a Continuing Tale From Behind the Hollywood Curtain

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· 5,227 ratings · 128 reviews

Start your review of The First Assistant: A Continuing Tale from Behind the Hollywood Curtain

This book I read years ago
It was one of the first books I picked up and started reading
Then my reading addiction went on from there

Nov 16, 2017 Christi Evans rated it really liked it

Easy chic lit read. I read "The Second Assistant" first so I was familiar with the story line/characters. I like "Lizzie" (main character) and could relate to some of her inner dialogue ... found myself rooting for her, feeling empathy towards her or just liking the fact that she stayed true to herself.
Don't take it too seriously & just enjoy the story Easy chic lit read. I read "The Second Assistant" first so I was familiar with the story line/characters. I like "Lizzie" (main character) and could relate to some of her inner dialogue ... found myself rooting for her, feeling empathy towards her or just liking the fact that she stayed true to herself.
Don't take it too seriously & just enjoy the story ...more

This follow-up to "The Second Assistant," obviously planned as a pair, continues the adventures of the somewhat naive Lizzie Miller in Hollywood. Having ended the first volume promoted to First Assistant, she faces a series of disasters that see her dispatched to Thailand as the chaperone of a wild, 19 year-old mega-star named Emerald; fired from her job due to blackmail by (it turns out) the hideous and unscrupulous new Second Assistant Amber; and ultimately makes her comeback, wins an Oscar, i This follow-up to "The Second Assistant," obviously planned as a pair, continues the adventures of the somewhat naive Lizzie Miller in Hollywood. Having ended the first volume promoted to First Assistant, she faces a series of disasters that see her dispatched to Thailand as the chaperone of a wild, 19 year-old mega-star named Emerald; fired from her job due to blackmail by (it turns out) the hideous and unscrupulous new Second Assistant Amber; and ultimately makes her comeback, wins an Oscar, is offered a prestigious new job, and regains her boyfriend Luke. It's all wrapped up nicely, mostly.

There are a few strands of ribbon flapping loosely around the package. A plot point about the Danish mafia, itself pretty improbable, is dropped in and abandoned; I kept waiting for the bad guys to return but they never did. On Oscar night Lizzie walks away with her statuette, but in fact winners are given a stand-in that's snatched away backstage; they get the real one a few weeks later. It's never quite completely clear just how Amber pulled off her plot against Lizzie, nor why a talent agency would keep a file of embarrassing photos of their clients rather than destroying them -- or if they had to keep them, why they weren't transferred to the lawyers.

Altogether "The First Assistant" has the slightly strained feel that burdens so many Hollywood sequels, which have to be just a tad (or more) outrageous than the original. Lizzie's voice didn't always seem right, either, and she seems to have learned very little from her experiences as a second assistant.

Still, it's fun, and as some other reviews here have observed, Emerald's a very appealing character in her sluttiness, arrogance, and self-centeredness. Lizzie could have done fine by just staying as her assistant! But she's destined for bigger and better things, it seems. We may wish her luck and say our good-byes.

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Apr 27, 2019 Michelle rated it really liked it

This is not a genre that I typically read - but it was given to me and I figured I'd give it a shot. I was surprised with how much i liked it - it was almost a guilty pleasure - it was the reality tv of books. Enough drama and action to keep
The reader engaged. I enjoyed it so much that I want to check out other books by this author.

Um it's fine… it's a bit cringe. Seems like it was rushed.
I found many characters so forgettable that but the time they were mentioned again in the third act I had to figure out who they were
Many of the characters are not believable and just seem like sensational caricatures.
It feels icky

A fun, mindless read. Very much in the guilty pleasure realm!

Enjoyed this even without having read the first book in the series. Some moments which don't age well, like a mention of Harvey Weinstein, but overall really enjoyed it. Enjoyed this even without having read the first book in the series. Some moments which don't age well, like a mention of Harvey Weinstein, but overall really enjoyed it. ...more

Jul 22, 2019 Carly rated it it was amazing

Really enjoyed this one. Reminded me a bit.

It would have helped if I had read the title more closely before I started reading this book. On hindsight it's fairly obvious that there is another book that I should have read prior to starting this one, but I got my numbers confused and figured the FIRST ASSISTANT was the FIRST BOOK. oops.

I was expecting some brilliant "devil wears prada" moments in this book. The scheming second assistant ticks those boxes. Snooty English accent and air of superiority? check!

The main issue that I had with

I was expecting some brilliant "devil wears prada" moments in this book. The scheming second assistant ticks those boxes. Snooty English accent and air of superiority? check!

The main issue that I had with this book was Lizzie. She was equal parts stupid and laissez faire ambivalence, and then had the cheek to complain about "oh why does this happen to me?" Honey, if you live your life like a hot mess then you need to freaking pick up the pieces and get on with it. Show some balls!

I loved Emerald. She was the most realistic character in the book, and the Vietnam vignettes as well as the airport fiasco were particularly on point. These chapters just gelled with what I would imagine a Hollywood starlet to act like, but unlike stupid, dimwitted Lizzie, Emerald is true to herself with more perception than you would usually imagine a teen star as owning and has the "little girl lost" vibe working in her favour so that instead of rolling your eyes and thinking "how typical, what a diva" you understand and feel for her when she realises that however stupid Lizzie may be, she's perhaps the one real person in her life.

The various men that Lizzie comes across in the story are all described as screamingly attractive and in love with Lizzie. I can't picture up an image of Lizzie in my mind, because I don't know if I skipped over descriptions of her appearance or what, but her personality (or lack thereof) makes me wonder if this is entirely realistic.

The one character that really rubs me the wrong way her her frenemy, Justin, Julian? Jason? I can't remember his name but he was so completely morally corrupt that in the end I continued hoping that he would screw Lizzie over and leave her with nothing because if she was that blind to his evil methods, she deserved to suffer her own idiocies.

Overall, there's a lot to complain about, and as such it took me a while to read because I was just continuously feeling annoyed with many of the characters that I just couldn't stand to read another page. Unfortunately it didn't deliver the wittiness that I was expecting from such an expose into the Hollywood machine.

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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. How I Came To Read This Book: My sister picked up The Second Assistant (the prequel to this one) and I needed a book to complete my Chapters order for free shipping.

How I Came To Read This Book: My sister picked up The Second Assistant (the prequel to this one) and I needed a book to complete my Chapters order for free shipping.

The Plot: Note that this review contains spoilers if you haven't read the Second Assistant. The story is about Lizzie Miller, who has taken over her friend Lara's job after Lara shacked up with their crazy boss Scott. That doesn't mean things are peachy keen for Lizzie - she's still a bit of a financial mess, her new second assistant is a conniving Briton, and her relationship with Hollywood good guy Luke Lloyd is in jeopardy. To top it off, Scott trades Lizzie for the use of a budding starlet's fancy car - sending Lizzie packing to Thailand to be Emerald Everhart's personal assistant and playmate. The book doesn't have a ton of formulaic plot to it - like the first book, it basically just follows Lizzie's somewhat fantastical escapades in Hollywood as she figures out what she wants and how to get it.

The Good or Bad: I was surprised that I liked Lizzie, or at least reading another book about her, as much as I did. I didn't think too much of the Second Assistant, but I quite enjoyed this book more than I had anticipated. Lizzie is an interesting character because, although the book is by no means a moral compass, it definitely explores the lines between right and wrong and more importantly, acceptability. The book tries to be funny and wacky and often takes a turn for the bizarre instead, but in general it's entertaining enough to keep you reading.

Anything Memorable?: I read this book a fair bit at work over the last week and found myself commiserating with the more bitchwork oriented tasks Lizzie has to complete - as I also have had my share of those to deal with.

Bottom Line: A surprisingly solid follow-up to the Second Assistant, although neither belongs in the Chick Lit Hall of Fame.

50 Book Challenge?: Book #31 in 2008

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Sep 19, 2008 Emily rated it really liked it

Lizzie is back. She is not Scott's second assistant any more. She is the first assistant now with more responsibility. She has hired herself a new Second Assistant, Amber. Lara her friend, and Scott's Former First Assistant, is married to Scott and they have a son. Plus, Lizzie is having trouble with her relationship is Luke. Lizzie realizes she has more to figure out in Hollywood. First, she can't trust Amber, then Scott trades Lizzie for a car so that she can go be a personal assistant to Emer Lizzie is back. She is not Scott's second assistant any more. She is the first assistant now with more responsibility. She has hired herself a new Second Assistant, Amber. Lara her friend, and Scott's Former First Assistant, is married to Scott and they have a son. Plus, Lizzie is having trouble with her relationship is Luke. Lizzie realizes she has more to figure out in Hollywood. First, she can't trust Amber, then Scott trades Lizzie for a car so that she can go be a personal assistant to Emerald, a rising teen start that is known for testing those around her.

Lizzie works as she tries to keep her footing, figure out what she wants, and is still fiercely loyal to her friends even when those around her are doing things that she questions.

This was an extension of The Second Assistant taking place just a few months after the last one stopped. I like being able to open it and picking up my friends where I had essentially left them in the characters. It kind of like going on vacation or out of town for a few months and catching up with friends. I did some how Lizzie had grown some between the two books and kept growing through this plot.

There were moments where I was frustrated by the decisions that Lizzie was making. But, they did help with her growing. There were moments in the plot where I was frustrated by blocks that were put there for Lizzie or choices she made that you knew were going to be problems. Then they were wrapped up and just feel into place, not making Lizzie work like she had in the past that frustrated me.

Overall, when I finished this book I felt like friends I had learned were leaving me. But, I did think the ending felt a little convenient and forced. I would recommend both of these books, but read both of them close together not, just one on their own.

See all of my reviews

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Aug 30, 2008 Kourtney rated it it was ok

Combine one part Hollywood Car Wash, one part Devil Wears Prada, and 2 parts Hollywood blackmail mixed with the Oscars and you have yourself the First Assistant.

This book wasn't as good of a read as The Second Assistant, and that for me was disappointing because I really enjoyed the first book. For me it felt as though things just happened too easily for this naive character of Lizzie. Once again here is a character who sticks her head in the sand (instead of filing she burned papers so she could play Sudoku? She was shoving bills in drawers and went on a spending spree? Shopaholic series anyone?) and by sticking her head in the sand things just happen for her if she sheds a few tears? Here was the chance to make a character take control of her life and show the world she would not buckle, but instead she runs off to Thailand to be a teenager's assistant.

And thank goodness for that plot point because the one redeeming quality of this book was the character of Emerald. Too bad Lizzie didn't stay in Thailand because the book would have been salvaged with her more in the front line.

My one wish - have a spinoff book of Emerald's life! Then I can redeem this book by thinking of it as the book that introduced me to Emerald.

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Jul 22, 2011 Rebecca rated it liked it

I read the first book like a million years ago and totally forgot what had happened. And this book didn't really remind me as I forgot how it ended. Same old girl-y trash. Girl is still working at some agency despite having a hot producer boyfriend. For some reason (it's always "some reason") she thinks he is sleeping with his ex-girlfriend, but of course, doesn't let him explain himself before she convinces herself the are broken up. Ugh, something new PLEASE! Stuff happens that is lame and she I read the first book like a million years ago and totally forgot what had happened. And this book didn't really remind me as I forgot how it ended. Same old girl-y trash. Girl is still working at some agency despite having a hot producer boyfriend. For some reason (it's always "some reason") she thinks he is sleeping with his ex-girlfriend, but of course, doesn't let him explain himself before she convinces herself the are broken up. Ugh, something new PLEASE! Stuff happens that is lame and she ends up sleeping with like her best friend whose movie she helped make in the last book (that part I remember) but like they don't really like each other too much so it goes nowhere. The Girl and the Producer end up together in the end, when they finally TALK and like the best friends movie comes out of nowhere to win the academy award for best picture, so she gets a statue because she is titled as a producer even though she wasn't paid. Yeah, because shit like that happens all the time. Lame. For some reason, I have a copy of the Second Assistant on my bookshelf, but after reading this book, makes me NOT want to go back and reread that. Blah.

Grade: C-

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Dec 27, 2011 Jess rated it liked it

Having not read the first book, The Second Assistant: A Tale from the Bottom of the Hollywood Ladder, I was unfamiliar with a lot of the back story, although Naylor and Hare do a fairly good job of filling this in as unobtrusively as possible. I do think, however, that knowing the happenings of the first book - specifically the background and process for the film Lizzie produces - would make the ending of this one slightly less unbelievable.

This aside (and it's really more my fault for not havin

This aside (and it's really more my fault for not having read it - or rather my library's fault for not bloody stocking it), this is a fun read. Lizzie is a quite likeable character and her antics are amusing enough to keep you engaged. Plus it's really, really fun picking all the real-life Hollywood gossip embedded in it. It was a light, fun way to pass a summer weekend - and it's better than a lot of the other fluff I've read recently (on the scale of dust bunny to ethically farmed angora, this is probably polyester teddy bear fur).

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I enjoyed the sequel to this Hollywood drama more than the first book, but I wonder if it's more because I listened to the book rather than the first one, I read. The narration was really well done...kind of similar to The Devil Wears Prada with the main character having that blase-don't-really-care-for-all-this entertainment drama tone of voice. It was nice that the story truly continued where the first book left off and came back full circle to end the stories of the interwintining lives of Li I enjoyed the sequel to this Hollywood drama more than the first book, but I wonder if it's more because I listened to the book rather than the first one, I read. The narration was really well done...kind of similar to The Devil Wears Prada with the main character having that blase-don't-really-care-for-all-this entertainment drama tone of voice. It was nice that the story truly continued where the first book left off and came back full circle to end the stories of the interwintining lives of Lizzie, Jason, "Sex Addicts in Love", Lara and Scott and some new characters that made for more fun too. I'd definitely recommend checking out the audio version of this book and look forward to checking out some of Clare Naylor's other books (I learned on the back of the disc that Mimi hare was more on this book as a consultant to the drama behind the scenes of a Hollywood life and probably why these are the only two books they corroborated on). ...more

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. First Assistant Lizzie Miller is back in this dull sequel to The Second Assistant.

I found this book difficult to finish because it was so predictable. As soon as the possibility of Lizzie acting as Emerald's assistant in Thailand was raised, you knew it was going to happen eventually. Just like you knew that even though Luke and Lizzie broke up, they would be back together by the end of the book. The bit with the Danish thugs was just strange, and the arranged marriage of Emerald and Jizzy just

First Assistant Lizzie Miller is back in this dull sequel to The Second Assistant.

There are a few funny bits, but they are few and far between. I expected this to be equally as good as The Second Assistant, but it doesn't even come close. I won't be buying the inevitable sequel to this book.

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The First Assistant is the sequel to The Second Assistant. Although TSA was a cute summer read, it was not strong enough to support a continuation and thus this book suffered. When it comes to mindless fun reads, there is a certain level of predictability that is to be expected, and quite frankly, welcomed. It's one of the joys of reading them. You don't have to be fully committed and you never have to reread paragraphs because you happened to be only half paying attention to it in the first pla The First Assistant is the sequel to The Second Assistant. Although TSA was a cute summer read, it was not strong enough to support a continuation and thus this book suffered. When it comes to mindless fun reads, there is a certain level of predictability that is to be expected, and quite frankly, welcomed. It's one of the joys of reading them. You don't have to be fully committed and you never have to reread paragraphs because you happened to be only half paying attention to it in the first place. This book, however, takes it to a whole new level. Don't get me wrong .. this book isn't bad but it does tend to be a bit tedious. I was just simply bored with it. If you are looking for an easy read a la The Starter Wife then stick with The Second Assistant .. but stop there. There's simply no point reading this one. ...more

I enjoyed this book just as much as the first one, The Second Assistant: A Tale from the Bottom of the Hollywood Ladder. They are both "fluff" books, so they are great when you need a light book. Apparently a lot of people compare these books to The Devil Wears Prada, but I personally enjoyed these books much more than I did The Devil Wears Prada. If you enjoy fluffy, light chick lit and stories of Hollywood, then give these books a shot. Just keep in mind that the titles are backward - the Seco I enjoyed this book just as much as the first one, The Second Assistant: A Tale from the Bottom of the Hollywood Ladder. They are both "fluff" books, so they are great when you need a light book. Apparently a lot of people compare these books to The Devil Wears Prada, but I personally enjoyed these books much more than I did The Devil Wears Prada. If you enjoy fluffy, light chick lit and stories of Hollywood, then give these books a shot. Just keep in mind that the titles are backward - the Second Assistant is the first book, and the First Assistant is the second book. ...more

I would say this is a nice light read for a vacation. If you have an interest in Hollywood it is really great as well. It goes into the inner workings of producers and directors and all the other behind the scenes people. I mean not anyone real, the characters are all fictional, but the women who wrote this did have experience in the business, so I pretty much took their word for it. The actual story I thought was rather weak, but it had a wealth of other things to appreciate, other than the Hol I would say this is a nice light read for a vacation. If you have an interest in Hollywood it is really great as well. It goes into the inner workings of producers and directors and all the other behind the scenes people. I mean not anyone real, the characters are all fictional, but the women who wrote this did have experience in the business, so I pretty much took their word for it. The actual story I thought was rather weak, but it had a wealth of other things to appreciate, other than the Hollywood aspect this book has a fabuluos sense of humor and had me laughing loud enough to annoy the neighbors. ...more

Jun 09, 2007 stephanie rated it really liked it

surprisingly better than the first book, this one doesn't have such a crappy ending. also, emerald cracks me up. it's more indicting of hollywood than the first book, i felt, but because lizzie has become part of that world by now, it's not so annoying. and part of me totally loves lizzie. though i think lara's the best thing in the book. anyway, worth the read, especially since it's super on sale at every book outlet at the moment because it hasn't come out in paperback yet and they can't sell surprisingly better than the first book, this one doesn't have such a crappy ending. also, emerald cracks me up. it's more indicting of hollywood than the first book, i felt, but because lizzie has become part of that world by now, it's not so annoying. and part of me totally loves lizzie. though i think lara's the best thing in the book. anyway, worth the read, especially since it's super on sale at every book outlet at the moment because it hasn't come out in paperback yet and they can't sell the hardbacks.

easy and fun.

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Fun, silly Hollywood gossip/satire chick-lit book. The heroine is not as useless or as annoying as in most of these books, and it was fun to try to pick out which famous person the author was referring to in the different scenes. The Emerald character (sort of a Lindsay Lohan) was really funny. The ending was too happy and predictable and sort of took the book down a few notches in my estimation - almost to a romance book status. If you like Bridget Jones' Diary and wish you were working in the Fun, silly Hollywood gossip/satire chick-lit book. The heroine is not as useless or as annoying as in most of these books, and it was fun to try to pick out which famous person the author was referring to in the different scenes. The Emerald character (sort of a Lindsay Lohan) was really funny. The ending was too happy and predictable and sort of took the book down a few notches in my estimation - almost to a romance book status. If you like Bridget Jones' Diary and wish you were working in the Hollywood film industry, you'll enjoy this book. ...more

May 28, 2010 Rachel rated it liked it

I picked this one up from the dollar store, and I can see why. It wasn't fabulously written, and a lot of the so-called tribulations that the main character 'suffered' I found difficult to relate to. They seemed so trivial to me, and I really didn't feel like I understood what was really going on. I was, however, very satisfied when it was over. Maybe I needed to read the first book to really get this one, and because I'd like to think that's the case, I'll say that's why I wouldn't really recom I picked this one up from the dollar store, and I can see why. It wasn't fabulously written, and a lot of the so-called tribulations that the main character 'suffered' I found difficult to relate to. They seemed so trivial to me, and I really didn't feel like I understood what was really going on. I was, however, very satisfied when it was over. Maybe I needed to read the first book to really get this one, and because I'd like to think that's the case, I'll say that's why I wouldn't really recommend it, but I liked it. ...more

Clare Naylor and Mimi Hare have come together to create a great chick-lit read set in the glamorous world of the Red Carpet, where not everything is as beautiful and glittering as it appears. Lizzie comes across many pitfalls and roadblocks on her journey, that are met with enough humour to balance out the rubbish luck she seems to be experiencing, but in true, chick-lit fashion everything seems to fall into place for her. It was an okay book, a generic chick-lit read but I did enjoy it and it k Clare Naylor and Mimi Hare have come together to create a great chick-lit read set in the glamorous world of the Red Carpet, where not everything is as beautiful and glittering as it appears. Lizzie comes across many pitfalls and roadblocks on her journey, that are met with enough humour to balance out the rubbish luck she seems to be experiencing, but in true, chick-lit fashion everything seems to fall into place for her. It was an okay book, a generic chick-lit read but I did enjoy it and it kept me turning the pages. ...more

Mar 20, 2009 Amanda rated it liked it

Of course I like this book - so snarky and I am such a big sucker for sequels / series. I am still trying to figure out where the author actually worked.

I think it's fascinating to get a glimpse of the real life craziness that is Hollywood. I visited there once and loved every minute of it. Of course I could never actually live there - I think I am about 100 lbs heavier than the law would allow :-)

Of course I like this book - so snarky and I am such a big sucker for sequels / series. I am still trying to figure out where the author actually worked.

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Mar 01, 2012 Moon rated it really liked it

I let way too much time pass between reading "The Second Assistant" and "The First Assistant." I enjoyed reading about Lizzie Miller and her further travels in "Holly-weird" and it was just as funny and dazzling as the first book. Lizzie went through some crazy things in this book and I like how she emerged relatively unscathed and stronger for it. I don't think there's another book about her continuing journey in Hollywood, but it would be nice if there was! I let way too much time pass between reading "The Second Assistant" and "The First Assistant." I enjoyed reading about Lizzie Miller and her further travels in "Holly-weird" and it was just as funny and dazzling as the first book. Lizzie went through some crazy things in this book and I like how she emerged relatively unscathed and stronger for it. I don't think there's another book about her continuing journey in Hollywood, but it would be nice if there was! ...more

Sep 22, 2008 Kathleen rated it really liked it

I don't really remember much about the first book, but this one, the sequel, was really entertaining. Great easy ready. It's funny to read about a small fraction of "hollywood" from the inside. From arranged marriages with wierd religions that sound entirely too much like Tom Cruise, to all the drama of the Oscars, this book definitely kept me interested. I don't really remember much about the first book, but this one, the sequel, was really entertaining. Great easy ready. It's funny to read about a small fraction of "hollywood" from the inside. From arranged marriages with wierd religions that sound entirely too much like Tom Cruise, to all the drama of the Oscars, this book definitely kept me interested. ...more

I only chose to read this book as it was on the clearance rack at Barnes and Noble. It became my entertainment on my ski trip to Whistler. More entertaining than I anticipated. I love the main character and went back to B& N to buy The Second Assistant. Too bad I read the second first. Light, laughable fluff that adequately entertains.

May 27, 2009 Naomi Jade rated it really liked it

I took this book on my holiday to Egypt and i think it's the perfect easy going summer read for any girl with ambitions, having read the second assistant which I also enjoyed I picked this book up from amazon and couldn't put it down it's so easy to follow the characters are fantastic and their are quite a few plot twists. I took this book on my holiday to Egypt and i think it's the perfect easy going summer read for any girl with ambitions, having read the second assistant which I also enjoyed I picked this book up from amazon and couldn't put it down it's so easy to follow the characters are fantastic and their are quite a few plot twists. ...more

Jul 14, 2009 Erika rated it liked it

Well, this book was far better than the first. I guess the duo writers got their writing class on. The heroin was much more realistic and we didn't break up the beginning of the book with many short stories in the first few chapters. All-in-all I recommend the series (because in my book, you can't read one without the other). Well, this book was far better than the first. I guess the duo writers got their writing class on. The heroin was much more realistic and we didn't break up the beginning of the book with many short stories in the first few chapters. All-in-all I recommend the series (because in my book, you can't read one without the other). ...more

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The First Assistant a Continuing Tale From Behind the Hollywood Curtain

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