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matthewwester's review against another edition
1.0
I hate to do it but I have to give this book one star for being such a disappointment to me. I was so excited to dive into a book that included such funny and interesting people. I figured the stories would range in focus, be funny, give new insights into the lifestyle of road tripping as a comic. After all, comedians have such unique perspectives and the best comedy is about reframing something we only thought we knew.
The stories in this book all start to sound the same. We quickly get the picture that road comics are disgusting and only care about sex and drugs. In most of the stories it felt like the author, or other comedians in the story, were trying to impress us with how 'crazy' and 'gross' they could get. I found a lot of these stories quite boring, even when the author was trying to namedrop. The most interesting stories were the handful that broke away from this pattern.
If you're interested in the comedy itself then give this book a pass. If you're interested in reading about partying on the road then you might want to give this book a try. As for me, one star.
The stories in this book all start to sound the same. We quickly get the picture that road comics are disgusting and only care about sex and drugs. In most of the stories it felt like the author, or other comedians in the story, were trying to impress us with how 'crazy' and 'gross' they could get. I found a lot of these stories quite boring, even when the author was trying to namedrop. The most interesting stories were the handful that broke away from this pattern.
If you're interested in the comedy itself then give this book a pass. If you're interested in reading about partying on the road then you might want to give this book a try. As for me, one star.
yetilibrary's review against another edition
3.0
Let me caution you: this book is NOT for everyone. This book was barely even for me. That three stars is more like a 2.5 stars.
Most of the stories here are fine. A few are utterly hilarious. A few (packed in at the end) are quite moving. And some I wish I had never read and I would like to bleach my brain. Memory repression is already in progress.
I've learned that not being a standup comedian was definitely the right life choice for me. I've learned that booking agents are lying liars. And I've learned that it is a truth universally acknowledged that any comedian who finds themselves in a lull will reach for a "bitches, amirite?" joke. Sigh.
Most of the stories here are fine. A few are utterly hilarious. A few (packed in at the end) are quite moving. And some I wish I had never read and I would like to bleach my brain. Memory repression is already in progress.
I've learned that not being a standup comedian was definitely the right life choice for me. I've learned that booking agents are lying liars. And I've learned that it is a truth universally acknowledged that any comedian who finds themselves in a lull will reach for a "bitches, amirite?" joke. Sigh.
mirage811's review against another edition
4.0
I shouldn't be surprised at the amount of misogyny in the comedy business. but whoa, this book really hits you in the face how badly women are treated by male comedians. What is up with that? Other than that, a very entertaining book.
bev_reads_mysteries's review against another edition
1.0
If I've got my show biz/standup comedy terminology down, then the title of this book ought to start I Died instead of I Killed: True Stories of the Road from America's Top Comics. Because this thing died on stage. And apparently lay there for a week or two before anybody noticed. Definitely no belly laughs here, maybe a brief flicker of a smile or two. Maybe. But overall this is not a funny book. I refuse to tag it as humor on Goodreads. It would seem that Ritch Shydner and Mark Schiff, our comic hosts for this little tour, think that four letter words and sex with waitresses, strippers, and whoever else might have been available to lonely comics on the road (and the four letter word for sex) are the funniest things their fellow comedians could tell us and a close runner up is how ineptly and/or forcefully said comedians dealt with hecklers and horrendous gigs.
I chose this book primarily because it helped me with Clue #3 in my Super Book Password Challenge. But I also sincerely thought I would enjoy it. With promises of stories from the likes of Jay Leno, Mike Myers, Jeff Foxworthy, Drew Carey, Tim Allen, Joan Rivers, and others, I expected better...and funnier. I was sorely disappointed. Not recommended. ★ is, I think, generous and I only give it one star in honor of the few funny bits--nearly all of which were by or in reference to older comedians (Bob Hope, Red Buttons, Milton Berle, Jonathan Winters....).
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
I chose this book primarily because it helped me with Clue #3 in my Super Book Password Challenge. But I also sincerely thought I would enjoy it. With promises of stories from the likes of Jay Leno, Mike Myers, Jeff Foxworthy, Drew Carey, Tim Allen, Joan Rivers, and others, I expected better...and funnier. I was sorely disappointed. Not recommended. ★ is, I think, generous and I only give it one star in honor of the few funny bits--nearly all of which were by or in reference to older comedians (Bob Hope, Red Buttons, Milton Berle, Jonathan Winters....).
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
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