The Tragic Clowns: An Analysis of the Short Lives of John Belushi, Lenny Bruce, and Chris Farley. Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Very well crafted work here. The author provides a great deal of compelling evidence to suggest how early Lifestyle patterns influence faulty thinking later on in life. Beyond the technical aspects of this technique, this book takes great pain to identify the struggles each of these men underwent to set things right in their lives, while still falling victim to their deeply habituated behavior. I never fully considered how common these compensatory behaviors are in comedians, and this book definitely holds a light up to this phenomenon.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Tragic Clowns: An Analysis of the Short Lives of John Belushi, Lenny Bruce, and Chris Farley.

This book provides a psychological profile of John Belushi, Lenny Bruce, and Chris Farley, and attempts to examine the pathos that exists in the inner worlds of comedians.

Click here for more information about The Tragic Clowns: An Analysis of the Short Lives of John Belushi, Lenny Bruce, and Chris Farley.

Read More...

It's Always Something: Twentieth Anniversary Edition Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This twentieth anniversary edition proves the timelessness of Gilda's story. Her courage and humor shine through in her writing, and they are just as apt in their dealings with illness and life as they were in 1989. Just like her characters on Saturday Night Live, Gilda seems to be at once vulnerable yet incredibly strong. This comes from her ability to be utterly honest about her fears and flaws during her life and her experiences with cancer.
I can read this book over and over again. Whenever I want a sort of pep-talk for life, I turn to Gilda. Whether you loved her on SNL, are living with cancer, or just want to read an amazing story about one of the funniest and brave women of our time, Gilda's book will not disappoint. This new edition also has an interesting introduction by one of Gilda's friends and former SNL writer Alan Zweibel, and and afterword by Gilda's cancer mentor Joanna Bull. Bull includes a helpful resource guide for those living with cancer and a nice overview of Gilda's Club, the network of cancer support groups set up in memory of Gilda.

Click Here to see more reviews about: It's Always Something: Twentieth Anniversary Edition

To honor the twentieth anniversary of beloved comedienne Gilda Radner's death from ovarian cancer comes a commemo- rative edition of her memoir, It's Always Something—featuring a newly updated resource guide for people living with cancer and a tribute by Radner's former colleagues at Saturday Night Live.Asa cast member on the original Saturday Night Live, Gilda Radner created a compelling character named "Roseann Rosannadanna" who habitually ended herroutine with the line, "It's always something," which was her father's favorite expression about life. Radner chose the catch- phrase she made famous as the title to her brave, funny, and painfully honest memoir: the story of her struggle against cancer and her determination to continue laughing. Gilda's Club, a network of affiliate clubhouses that seeks to provide a social and emotional support community to people living with cancer, was founded in Radner's memory in 1991. The name of the organization comes from a remark Gilda once made, that cancer gave her "membership to an elite club I'd rather not belong to." In partnership with Gilda's Club, It's Always Something includes valuable information for all whose lives have been touched by cancer and reminds us of the important place laughter has in healing.Told as only Gilda Radner could tell it, It's Always Something is the inspiring story of a courageous, funny woman fighting to enjoy life no matter what the circumstances. She died in 1989. Gilda's Club is distinguished by its unique philosophy and pro- gram, "cancer support for the whole family, the whole time." Learn more about Gilda's Club at GildasClub.org.

Click here for more information about It's Always Something: Twentieth Anniversary Edition

Read More...

Live From New York: An Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live, as Told By Its Stars, Writers and Guests Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This book feels like a reunion of old friends, telling their stories at a dinner party that you are fortunate ewnough to overhear.
There is so much history in the years of SNL that there is an anecdote for every fan, but this book recognizes Loren Michaels as being the true genius behind the creation and development of the show. He's not universally loved by the cast (but also not nearly as despised as Chevy Chase, who seems to beeveryone's favorite whipping boy), but his genius is acknowledged by one and all.
A lot of favorite skits and characters are discussed, as well as some legendary battles with censors, advertisers and network executives. The mix of radical comedy with revenue concious TV executives makes for fascinating reading.
The chapters dealing with the deaths of cast members and behind the scene staff members are incredibly poignant, especially Belushi's and Chris Farley's, bit of whom were known to be dancing with trouble.
This book also goes a long way to humanizing Chris Rock, who emerges as one of the most thoughtful and career minded members of all SNL casts. His intelligence shines through in his tales of making it by way of the show.
There is a great story on almost every page of this book, and having grown up with this show, it made the memories all the more pleasant.
This is a great Christmas present for any 30-50 year old who has spent their Saturday night in front of a TV.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Live From New York: An Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live, as Told By Its Stars, Writers and Guests

Click here for more information about Live From New York: An Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live, as Told By Its Stars, Writers and Guests

Read More...