Warning: this is about to sound familiar.
I wasn’t going to pass up an opportunity to read yet another book of comedians talking about their work and their lives, even if it was longer than I wanted to commit to. The justification was that I had a few long plane rides and at least one lengthy layover, but I totally overlooked the fact that I have fallen asleep on every plane I have ever been on ever in my life, so I had to make up time by doing (admittedly) a little skimming.
I’m not sure why these books are SO long- maybe it’s just that they’re complex looks behind the scenes of comedy; maybe comedians are hard to censor; maybe they just feel like their stories deserve the maximum amount of time. Most realistically, this particular book was too long because it’s a Judd Apatow production and everything he does is just a little too long. (I’m not complaining, Trainwreck. You’re perfect and I love you and will own you on DVD.)
In any case, they are fascinating looks into the personal lives of comedians and the struggles that come along with the industry. You’ll see a lot more names you recognize than Poking A Dead Frog, with a bit more history. There were a lot of quotes that stood out to me, and anecdotes I could appreciate on a few levels.
Perhaps my favorite was the following Jerry Seinfeld quote:
“Sometimes I actually have a phobia of feeling good. I resist it because I’m not used to feeling that way.”
Something that I have always appreciated about comedians is how often and openly so many of them talk about their mental state at any given time. That’s not to say that there isn’t plenty more struggle privately and beneath the surface, but talking about it can be so humanizing and so unifying. It’s why I find comedians so fascinating- some of the greatest serious pieces I have read are also penned by people in the genre. It’s incredible to see and I am awed by the talent possessed by these individuals.
That said, I haven’t really figured out how to reconcile this: how do you keep laughing at Robin Williams’s jokes, or while reading Harris Wittels’s tweets, or any number of other comedians, when you realize the kind of pain they’ve gone through or are going through? I don’t think I’ll resolve it within the context of a book or an article, but it’s so poignant to hear this kind of thought from one of the most successful comedians of all time.
And yes- for those of you who know I won’t watch Seinfeld, it’s ironic that I appreciate a Jerry Seinfeld quote over even one from Amy Schumer. I’ve softened a bit since Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee– pretty much the live version of this kind of book.
A final interesting note: Judd Apatow has been one of the most vocal about his disappointment in the allegations against Bill Cosby and loudly speaking up in support of his accusers. He mentions that he wanted to spend most of the intro talking about Cosby but couldn’t do so in good conscience. We’ll see how this progresses, but I can certainly appreciate him standing so firm in his convictions.
Also, he’s from Syosset…
You’ll like this if: you liked Poking A Dead Frog, but also more generally if you’re into comedy and comedians and reading candid conversations with them.
Happy reading!
carlyreads 