Book excerpt: "Never Mind the Happy" by Marc Shaiman

February 28, 2026

TL;DR

Marc Shaiman's memoir 'Never Mind the Happy' recounts his career in show business.
Shaiman was set to perform his Oscar-nominated song 'The Place Where Lost Things Go' at the 91st Academy Awards with Bette Midler.
The Oscars producers initially decided to only perform two of the five nominated songs, excluding Shaiman's.
Shaiman actively campaigned to have all nominated songs performed, appealing to Disney Studios chairman and later reaching out to Bradley Cooper and Kevin Feige.
Cooper and Feige, whose films had the two selected songs, intervened, resulting in all five songs being performed.
Shaiman ultimately performed his song at the Oscars.

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