Scan barcode
A review by tommyhousworth
The Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee Book by Jerry Seinfeld
3.0
This audiobook is an entertaining ride through the wit and insights of some of our brightest comic minds. The final two-thirds of the book provides just that, and on the front end, a behind-the-scenes look at how the "Comedians in Cars" series came together. The interviews with comedians that make up the majority of the audiobook are a lot of fun. The interviews with the production team are choppier and some are of poorer quality, likely the result of remote recordings.
The other thing to overcome is Jerry himself. There's no denying his talent or his ability to execute a creative idea. He's just not the most likable comedian. Most people already know this, and Jerry himself happily admits as much. He's a bit of a jerk, even to President Obama, who one might forgive for not being aware that Jerry was still doing stand-up. "You still giving speeches?" Jerry snaps back. It's this kind of arrogant defensiveness that makes him hard to warm up to, but it's also a strength. He only cares about the work, about the chemistry and alchemy of comedy. Anything that gets in the way of that for a devoted comedian - recreation, family, hobbies - is a perceived weakness on his part.
Jerry's job is not to be my friend, it's to make me laugh. He does that...but so do Patton Oswalt, Garry Shandling, and Tina Fey, and they all seem to have a streak of empathy that makes me appreciate their work more, not less.
Do I recommend this audiobook? Yes, especially for fans of comedy. It's a pleasure to listen to. Just be prepared for some delightful passengers...and an occasionally prickly driver.
The other thing to overcome is Jerry himself. There's no denying his talent or his ability to execute a creative idea. He's just not the most likable comedian. Most people already know this, and Jerry himself happily admits as much. He's a bit of a jerk, even to President Obama, who one might forgive for not being aware that Jerry was still doing stand-up. "You still giving speeches?" Jerry snaps back. It's this kind of arrogant defensiveness that makes him hard to warm up to, but it's also a strength. He only cares about the work, about the chemistry and alchemy of comedy. Anything that gets in the way of that for a devoted comedian - recreation, family, hobbies - is a perceived weakness on his part.
Jerry's job is not to be my friend, it's to make me laugh. He does that...but so do Patton Oswalt, Garry Shandling, and Tina Fey, and they all seem to have a streak of empathy that makes me appreciate their work more, not less.
Do I recommend this audiobook? Yes, especially for fans of comedy. It's a pleasure to listen to. Just be prepared for some delightful passengers...and an occasionally prickly driver.