Sean Spicer has written a book. And to promote it in interview after interview, he seems willing to relive his darkest moments as White House press secretary.
"Some interviews are obviously more enjoyable than others," Mr. Spicer told The New York Times in a phone interview on Wednesday.
Mr. Spicer has his reasons to put himself out there, of course. He is developing a talk show, and his book, "The Briefing," was released by Regnery Publishing this week. On Wednesday alone, he had 33 interviews scheduled as well as an appearance at a Q. and A. session, said Kay Foley, a spokeswoman.
"I love the demand we've had to talk about the book," Mr. Spicer said.
The book tour kicked off with a round of gatherings that seemed more like fund-raisers, with tickets ranging from $250 to $1,000. The interviews have proved more grueling. Last week, Mary Louise Kelly of National Public Radio pushed Mr. Spicer on the inauguration crowd issue and on what his objective was as press secretary: to "parrot" the president's thoughts from the lectern or to correct the factual record?
He found friendlier turf on "Fox and Friends" on Monday. Ainsley Earhardt's one-on-one interview took place at his family home in Rhode Island, where she showed childhood photographs of Mr. Spicer and also talked to his mother and his wife.
But a reporter has the right to ask any question she wants, he added.
And ask she did. In another notable exchange, Ms. Maitlis mentioned the "Access Hollywood" tape, in which President Trump made vulgar comments about assaulting women.
Mr. Spicer's book, which arrived in stores on Tuesday, is currently ranked No. 178 on Amazon's best-seller list. Mr. Trump gave it a positive assessment in a tweet last month, urging his followers to buy it.
The administration is young, but the book deals are multiplying. Anthony Scaramucci, who briefly served as White House communications director, is writing a book called "The Blue Collar President," due this fall. Army Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster will publish a book in 2020 about his military career and time in the White House as national security adviser.
In Mr. Spicer's six months as press secretary, the media scrutinized — and often poked fun at — his every move. From quipping about his wardrobe to his Dippin' Dots fixation, the spotlight on Mr. Spicer briefly made him one of the most famous press secretaries in American history.
Now that Mr. Spicer's White House days are well behind him, he is also willing to confront some of his well-publicized quirks, like the chewing-gum habit that Melissa McCarthy satirized on Saturday Night Live.
Mr. Spicer has made another big lifestyle change. "I don't spend my days glued to media coverage and events the way I used to," he said.