Before Liz Lemon, before "Weekend Update," before "Sarah Palin," Tina Fey was just a young girl with a dream: a recurring stress dream that she was being chased through a local airport by her middle-school gym teacher. She also had a dream that one day she would be a comedian on TV.
She has seen both these dreams come true.
At last, Tina Fey's story can b...moreBefore Liz Lemon, before "Weekend Update," before "Sarah Palin," Tina Fey was just a young girl with a dream: a recurring stress dream that she was being chased through a local airport by her middle-school gym teacher. She also had a dream that one day she would be a comedian on TV.
She has seen both these dreams come true.
At last, Tina Fey's story can be told. From her youthful days as a vicious nerd to her tour of duty on Saturday Night Live; from her passionately halfhearted pursuit of physical beauty to her life as a mother eating things off the floor; from her one-sided college romance to her nearly fatal honeymoon -- from the beginning of this paragraph to this final sentence.
Tina Fey reveals all, and proves what we've all suspected: you're no one until someone calls you bossy.
(Includes Special, Never-Before-Solicited Opinions on Breastfeeding, Princesses, Photoshop, the Electoral Process, and Italian Rum Cake!)
I honestly cannot remember the last time I laughed this hard reading anything (only a Jonathan Tropper novel or a Dave Sedaris collection comes close). I finished the other night with wet cheeks from the tears that'd escaped my eyes. The bed had been shaking I was laughing so hard!
So what's to love about "Bossypants," besides everything? For starters, how Tina just tells it (and by "it," I mean everything from working at SNL to impersonating Sarah Palin) like it is...moreI honestly cannot remember the last time I laughed this hard reading anything (only a Jonathan Tropper novel or a Dave Sedaris collection comes close). I finished the other night with wet cheeks from the tears that'd escaped my eyes. The bed had been shaking I was laughing so hard!
So what's to love about "Bossypants," besides everything? For starters, how Tina just tells it (and by "it," I mean everything from working at SNL to impersonating Sarah Palin) like it is. She's got a fierce feminist streak in her, but it's a feminism that exhibits itself in her trademark no-bullshit kind of way. It's more or less the message of, "I will be who I want to be and I do not care if you like it". Oh, and she's quick to call other women out for being catty — while, at the same time, being the first to admit she's played that card plenty of times in her own past.
And that, perhaps, is what makes Tina Fey so gosh darn likable. She IS us, right down to admitting her faults. You have to laugh reading chapters like "Amazing, Gorgeous, Not Like That" (in which Tina breaks down what a photo shoot is REALLY like) because you think, "YES! That is exactly what I thought it'd be like!" What I loved most about this book is Tina's voice can be heard through the whole thing. That's not an easy thing for an author to do, but you feel as though Tina is reading these stories to you (fan girl I am, I still want the audio version so, you know, Tina actually CAN read these stories to me!)
Personal highlights: • The chapter on her dad, "That's Don Fey" ("How can I give [my daughter] what Don Fey gave me? The gift of anxiety. The fear of getting in trouble. The knowledge that while you are loved, you are not above the law.") • Her chapters on being very very skinny and being a little bit fat— brilliant essays on women and weight shared in a way I think only she could nail. • She has a girl crush on Amy Poehler and a work crush on Alec Baldwin (whom she gives way too much credit for the success of 30 Rock, IMO). • She refuses to hire/work for jerks and she's not above using this book to get revenge on those who've criticized women's ability to be funny (on the success of the Sarah Palin-Hilary Clinton sketch she did with Amy: "That night's show was watched by 10 million people and I guess that director at The Second City who said the audience "didn't want to see a sketch with two women" can go shit in his hat.") • She writes lines that seriously just make you bust a gut: "Do I think Photoshop is being used excessively? Yes. I saw Madonna's Louis Vutton ad and honestly, at first glance, I thought it was Gwen Stefani's baby." • The chapter on her attempt to film a scene with Oprah, play Sarah Palin for the first time on SNL and plan her daughter's 3rd Peter Pan-themed birthday party ("By the way, when Oprah Winfrey is suggesting you may have overextended yourself, you need to examine your f*cking life") • Her thoughts on parenthood and struggling to breastfeed and why she refuses to take guilt from (her words, not mine) "Teat Nazis" • And finally, a chapter that struck a chord with me in those final pages, "The Mother's Prayer For Its Daughter," because, dang it all, Tina does what so few can and it's write something that can be so beautifully poetic and LOL funny at the same time. ("First, Lord: No tattoos. May neither Chinese symbol for truth nor Winnie-the-Pooh holding the FSU logo stain her tender haunches.")
So yeah, it's brilliant. It's hilarious. JUST GO READ IT ALREADY! haha
Who said women aren't funny? A lot of people, apparently, most of them men. One of these was Christopher Hitchens, the controversial journalist who published an essay in Vanity Fair titled, quite plainly, Why Women Aren't Funny. To this and to the dozen other polemics written about the perceived humor gap between men and women, Tina Fey, in her new book called Bossypants, says, "We don't fucking care if you like it." She adds,
Unless one of these men is my boss, which none of them
...moreWho said women aren't funny? A lot of people, apparently, most of them men. One of these was Christopher Hitchens, the controversial journalist who published an essay in Vanity Fair titled, quite plainly, Why Women Aren't Funny. To this and to the dozen other polemics written about the perceived humor gap between men and women, Tina Fey, in her new book called Bossypants, says, "We don't fucking care if you like it." She adds,
Unless one of these men is my boss, which none of them is, it's irrelevant. My hat goes off to them. It is an impressively arrogant move to conclude that just because you don't like something, it is empirically not good. I don't like Chinese food, but I don't write articles trying to prove it doesn't exist.
Man, this Tina Fey person sure is funny. And she's a woman. And she's sexy. And she's her own boss. She's the creator of 30 Rock, one of the most acclaimed comedy series on television today.
30 Rock is inspired by Fey's experiences working on another comedy show, Saturday Night Live. In Bossypants, Fey relates how she went from being an awkward but intelligent girl in her hometown in Pennsylvania to writing sketches for the aforementioned comedy institution to portraying an awkward but intelligent woman in 30 Rockefeller Center.
Bossypants sustains a deftly calibrated mixture of Fey's signature self-effacing humor and her knack for intelligent storytelling that buoys an otherwise tiresome and self-important account of a celebrity's rise to fame and success. Whether she's recalling the circumstances of her first menstrual discharge ("In the spring of 1981 I achieved menarche while singing Neil Diamond’s 'Song Sung Blue' at a districtwide chorus concert."), narrating the nearly disastrous outcome of her honeymoon aboard a cruise ship (In a nod to the late David Foster Wallace, her fellow New York Times bestselling author, the section detailing the "very Poseidon Adventure" trip with her husband is called My Honeymoon, or A Supposedly Fun Thing I’ll Never Do Again Either.), or sharing tips on how to pose for magazine covers ("When you look into the lens, imagine you are looking at a dear friend, but not a friend who would laugh at you for jutting out your chin while arching your back against a fake wall."), Fey is apt to infuse her writing with adorable wit and a strong sense of understanding.
There are some wonderful Filipinos [in the cruise ship] who fold your towels in the shape of a different animal every night. It might be an elephant wearing your sunglasses, or a duck wearing your sunglasses. It's just fun. Don't overthink it.
Fey hails from a municipality in Delaware County called Upper Darby, where she grew up with her German father, Greek mother, and fellow part-German, part-Greek older brother. There she had her first brush with reality when in kindergarten a boy classmate rudely tore one of her drawings apart. "I didn’t have the language to express my feelings then," the now 40-year old Tina writes, "but my thoughts were something like 'Oh, it’s like that, motherfucker? Got it.'" Fey has since been funneling this incipient plucky attitude into every day of her life.
After studying in University of Virginia (and, among other crazy things, climbing Old Rag Mountain to impress a boy), Fey became part of The Second City, the improvisation and sketch comedy troupe in Chicago whose accomplished alumni include her close friends and SNL co-stars Amy Poehler and Rachel Dratch. The divide between men, who are funny, and women, who are supposedly less funny (if at all, as Hitchens and company would reiterate), was then made only too clear to Fey. The show-runners, she recalls, were hesitant to produce a show with an unprecedented gender-equal cast for fear that "the women wouldn't have any ideas," but in the end they moved forward with the plan. Fey was one of the three funny women in that cast.
My dream for the future is that sketch comedy shows become a gender-blind meritocracy of whoever is really the funniest. You might see four women and two men. You might see five men and a YouTube video of a kitten sneezing. Once we know we're really open to all the options, we can proceed with Whatever's the Funniest… which will probably involve farts.
As with many other luminaries from The Second City, Fey went on to work at SNL, progressively as a writer, a head writer (the first female to hold the position), and a cast member. In 2006 she left the show to develop and run her own, the highly praised but, Fey admits, low-rating 30 Rock. Aside from being its creator she is also one of the show's main actors, playing a considerably fictionalized version of herself. On top of that she is an executive producer of the show, carrying the unofficial title of "boss." Giving credit where credit is due, Fey is not one to pass up any available space between words in her book to point out that much of 30 Rock's relative success is ascribable to her co-star Alec Baldwin and her cadre of comic writers, one of whom came up with this classic line by the character Tracy Jordan, who is of course played by the actor Tracy Morgan: "Stop eating people’s old french fries, little pigeon. Have some self-respect. Don’t you know you can fly?"
Bossypants suggests that at a young age Fey already knew she could fly. It was just a matter of knowing what she wanted, persevering to get it, and maintaining her purchase on it, even as she's being belittled by chauvinistic men and beaten in the ratings game by Two and a Half Men. Fey's most demanding challenge, though, came in the person of Alice, her daughter, to whom the book's unexpectedly emotional antepenultimate section is dedicated. Its title: The Mother's Prayer for Its Daughter.
Fey ends her consistently hilarious, laugh-out-loud (really, it is) memoiristic book pondering the possibility of a second child.
Science shows that fertility and movie offers drop off steeply for women after forty.
I have one top-notch baby with whom I am in love. It's a head-over-heels "first love" kind of thing, because I pay for everything and all we do is hold hands.
When she says, "I wish I had a baby sister," I am stricken with guilt and panic. When she says, "Mommy, I need Aqua Sand," or "I only want to eat gum!" or "Wipe my butt!" I am less affected.
Three and a half stars. I think Tina Fey is awesome. I think this is a slight but solid book. Her authorial voice sounds exactly like her speaking in my head. It's sometimes funny, sometimes self-deprecating, sometimes empowering. It spends more time than one might expect on some things, and no time on others. I think she tried to skirt a line between memoir and humor essayist that is a difficult one to skirt. I think it's an easier thing to do if you're David Sedaris and nobody has specific sto...moreThree and a half stars. I think Tina Fey is awesome. I think this is a slight but solid book. Her authorial voice sounds exactly like her speaking in my head. It's sometimes funny, sometimes self-deprecating, sometimes empowering. It spends more time than one might expect on some things, and no time on others. I think she tried to skirt a line between memoir and humor essayist that is a difficult one to skirt. I think it's an easier thing to do if you're David Sedaris and nobody has specific stories that they want to hear from you. Readers trust Sedaris to talk about the aspects of his life that he wants to illuminate. Tina Fey writes as if she is obligated to spend time on certain things: her Palin impression, her scar, etc., and then she has less time to touch on other things. Mean Girls is mentioned only in passing in a chapter that had nothing to do with it. A longer and more in depth would have talked about writing her first big movie script, or acting in a movie, or working with Lindsay Lohan. I'd love to have heard more Saturday Night Live stories. Not a tell all, but just a little more depth instead of the glances we get.
Fey makes some good points about women in comedy, and about comedy in general, and about women in general, and a whole lot of other stuff. She's smart and funny, and wise enough to disguise some truths behind jokes, the way Jessica Seinfeld hides spinach in brownies. All in all, it's a solid book of anecdotes that could have been a little bit more. (less)
So yeah, I was a Tina Fey virgin. Her name meant nothing to me until this book came out. [Insert gasp of incredulity.] People say, "You know, Saturday Night Live?" To which I say, "You know, no telly in my domicile?"
No, I don't really live under a rock. I just tune out nonessential information.
Anyway, I like Tina because she's funny in the way I would be funny if I were actually capable of being funny on a regular basis.
I listened to the audio book,...moreSo yeah, I was a Tina Fey virgin. Her name meant nothing to me until this book came out. [Insert gasp of incredulity.] People say, "You know, Saturday Night Live?" To which I say, "You know, no telly in my domicile?"
No, I don't really live under a rock. I just tune out nonessential information.
Anyway, I like Tina because she's funny in the way I would be funny if I were actually capable of being funny on a regular basis.
I listened to the audio book, which is really the only way to go with this one, because face it, delivery is everything. Had I attempted the print version, I probably would have dropped it early on.
I didn't love it. Parts of it are just so-so. But I did enjoy some parts an awful lot, to the point of hysterical belly laughs.
There's a line from a song in A Chorus Line that says, "Those stage and movie people got there because they're special." If Tina Fey and her pals are any measure, those stage and movie people got there because they're NUCKING FUTZ!
Oh, and also? Tina Fey is the only person I know of who has used the words "cavernous vagina" in a sentence. Wish I'd thought of that one first.
[Let the foregoing example serve as fair warning to sensitive readers. Fey is not suitable for the easily offended.]
And by the way, when I first saw the cover of this book, I thought it was called BossyPARTS. Left me wondering which of Tina's parts were the bossy ones.(less)
NancyBelly laughs - is there anything better than a belly laugh? Don't answer that, but even if a book only promises 3 belly laughs, it's a good reason to ...moreBelly laughs - is there anything better than a belly laugh? Don't answer that, but even if a book only promises 3 belly laughs, it's a good reason to read it - if you're not easily offended.(less)
Sep 20, 2011 06:05pm
JeanetteYa know, Nancy, I've tried to read so many books that were supposed to make me laugh but never did. So I have to be very grateful for any book that ca...moreYa know, Nancy, I've tried to read so many books that were supposed to make me laugh but never did. So I have to be very grateful for any book that can deliver at least some of the humor it promises. Me, I'm not easily offended, but I do like to include warnings sometimes for those who are.(less)
Sep 20, 2011 06:26pm
I figured I would feel exactly about this book as I do about Tina Fey. 90% of the time, I think she's hilarious and smart and I want to be friends with her and I wish I'd thought to say what she said. The other 10% I'd like to tell her (because I'm friends with her) that something she just said was beneath her and I wish she hadn't said it. I was right - that's exactly how this book was. I loved it and I loved her, and I marked something about every other page that I wanted to quote or refer...moreI figured I would feel exactly about this book as I do about Tina Fey. 90% of the time, I think she's hilarious and smart and I want to be friends with her and I wish I'd thought to say what she said. The other 10% I'd like to tell her (because I'm friends with her) that something she just said was beneath her and I wish she hadn't said it. I was right - that's exactly how this book was. I loved it and I loved her, and I marked something about every other page that I wanted to quote or refer to. Now I have to figure out which I'll use for my review :)
You know the expression "the most serious things are said in jest"? Well, even in her introduction I found what I believe to be a Truth. She's saying who the book is for and what the reader will find in it: "Perhaps you're a parent and you bought this book to learn how to raise an achievement-oriented, drug-free, adult virgin. You'll find that, too. The essential ingredients, I can tell you up front, are a strong father figure, bad skin, and a child-sized colonial-lady outfit."
She's not so far off. A strong father figure is a big deal.
There are several things in this book that make me think Tina and I are soul sisters. Or at least, that we think the exact same things. After describing how her mother handled talking to her about reproduction and menstruation (about the same way as my mom; she didn't), she says about a pamphlet, "The explanatory text was followed by a lot of drawings of the human reproductive system that my brain refused to memorize. (To this day, all I know is there are between two and four openings down there and that the setup inside looks vaguely like the Texas Longhorns logo.)"
Her descriptions of women -- blonde and otherwise -- are brilliant. After an updated list of How Women Should Be (based on Beyonce and JLo), she says, "The person closest to actually achieving this look is Kim Kardashian, who, as we know, was made by Russian scientists to sabotage our athletes. Everyone else is struggling."
As someone who spends a lot of time with gay people (hello, she's in show business), her gay-related stories are sprinkled throughout the book, and ... I like them. One of her best though is close to the beginning of the book: "I guess I should also state that Karen and Sharon never hit on me in the slightest and it was never weird between any of us. Gay people don't actually try to convert people. That's Jehovah's Witnesses you're thinking of. ... If you could turn gay from being around gay people, wouldn't Kathy Griffin be Rosie O'Donnell by now?" Seriously, I wish some of my ultra-conservative friends could grasp that part. *sigh*
And in her description of her favorite "summer camp", she makes a (perhaps unintentionally) poignant statement: "With his dream of a theater program for young people, Larry Wentzler had inadvertently done an amazing thing for all these squirrels. They had a place where they belonged, and, even if it was because he didn't want to deal with their being different, he didn't treat them any differently. Which I think is a pretty successful implementation of Christianity." *another sigh*
And then I like the fact that her dad is very similar to my dad. I not only like some of her descriptions of "Don Fey", but the point she makes about him when others meet him:
My dad has visited me at work over the years, and I've noticed that powerful men react to him in a weird way. They "stand down." The first time Lorne Michaels met my dad, he said afterward, "Your father is ... impressive." They meet Don Fey and it rearranges something in their brain about me. Alec Baldwin took a long look at him and gave him a firm handshake. "This is your dad, huh?" What are they realizing? I wonder. That they'd better never mess with me, or Don Fey will yell at them? That I have high expectations for the men in my life because I have a strong father figure? [me: THAT!]
Only Colin Quinn was direct about it. "Your father doesn't fucking play games. You would never come home with a shamrock tattoo in that house."
That's Don Fey.
I have tons more things marked -- tons, including this: "You have to remember that actors are human beings. Which is hard sometimes because they look so much better than human beings."
... but I don't have time to quote anything else because this book is due at the library today and there are holds on it so I can't renew it. You'll just have to read it yourself. Really, you should.(less)
CooeeLove your review! I just finished Bossypants and the bits you included here made me have that "Yes! That!!" feeling all over again.
Feb 17, 2012 09:21pm
Antof9Thanks! Wasn't this such a good book? I'd almost read it again :)
Feb 18, 2012 03:32pm
Tina Fey's Bossypants was a disappointment. I don't know that expecting much from a comedy writer's cash-in big-font-with-pictures essay/memoir...thing...is fair, but I've been a Tina Fey fan since 30 Rock began, ready to trust her literary aspirations, and even to me this book barely scratches onto the two star plateau.
What did I expect? Well, it's probably easier to explain what I didn't expect. I wasn't counting on a sour, muddled, defensive screed against anyone who pissed off...moreTina Fey's Bossypants was a disappointment. I don't know that expecting much from a comedy writer's cash-in big-font-with-pictures essay/memoir...thing...is fair, but I've been a Tina Fey fan since 30 Rock began, ready to trust her literary aspirations, and even to me this book barely scratches onto the two star plateau.
What did I expect? Well, it's probably easier to explain what I didn't expect. I wasn't counting on a sour, muddled, defensive screed against anyone who pissed off the author in the last thirty years. I wasn't hoping for forced, obvious stories about the professional discrimination in Fey's history. I wasn't looking forward to insecure ramblings about the long hours she put into Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock. And I definitely wasn't expecting all of the above to be sugarcoated by a combination of weak, insecure meta-analysis and self-conscious “oh, I'm really not that great” coverups.
You know why Bossypants bugged me? Tina Fey has nothing for which to apologize. She's smart, she's funny, and she's talented. So I assume this book had some sort of cathartic impact and she needed to get this bile out of her system. Bossypants gets credit for three short, quality sections. First, Fey tackles the “what's that scar on your face?” question right up front and follows with some funny, interesting commentary on how she can gauge people by how they respond to the scar. Second, she answers a few critical emails/blog comments as a “question and answer” chapter. Third, she walks the reader through a detailed analysis of the whole “I look like Sarah Palin” era. I read this book quickly, over two nights, and while Bossypants is well-written, for the most part, the subject matter's dour nature left me cold, oh, 75% of the time.
Listen. I didn't pick this book up whispering, under my breath, “Make me laugh right NOW, Tina Fey! Dance, monkey, dance!” But I feel like Tina Fey wrote this book for 1) young women she's trying to inspire, and 2) all the people who hate her who will never read this book, anyway. Maybe 41 year old white guys weren't her target audience. I can live with that. I'll still watch 30 Rock, though, and not just because she's hot. I just hope next time Fey writes a better book. (less)
Tina Fey first became vaguely familiar to the American public when she began co-hosting the "Weekend Update" segment of Saturday Night Live. Though she was the first female head writer of SNL and creator and star of the award-drenched sitcom 30 Rock, it was her ability to expertly wield her passing resemblance to Sarah Palin during the 2008 presidential campaign that finally shot her to the heights of youtube fame.
Bossypants is a memoir of sorts, discussing a few choice bi...moreTina Fey first became vaguely familiar to the American public when she began co-hosting the "Weekend Update" segment of Saturday Night Live. Though she was the first female head writer of SNL and creator and star of the award-drenched sitcom 30 Rock, it was her ability to expertly wield her passing resemblance to Sarah Palin during the 2008 presidential campaign that finally shot her to the heights of youtube fame.
Bossypants is a memoir of sorts, discussing a few choice bits from her childhood, the outline of events that led her to New York and the ultimate accusation that she was "exploiting" the Palin family. It is very funny, extremely well written, and very, very fascinating.
I remember watching Fey during 2008 and wondering just how she was able to pull off doing her own show at the same time as playing Palin on SNL. In this book, she goes behind the scenes to talk about not only trying to keep things together for both of those obligations, but also having to pull off her daughter's Peter Pan-themed birthday party at the same time. Her response to Oprah telling her she might be a touch over-committed is priceless.
Though the insider's view into that time was the most interesting part of the book for me, there is plenty to delight elsewhere as well. Her sordid tale of her honeymoon cruise, observations about having been both a little bit fat and a little bit too thin, and her response to internet critics who accuse her of being an "overrated troll" are particularly rich.
Mixed in amongst the humor are also some extremely poignent observations about working as a woman in comedy and as a female boss. Fey seeks no pity as she points out the double-standards that still exist in these areas. We can only hope that she uses the second half of her life to combat them as effectively and hilariously as she has the first.(less)
Tina Fey is fabulous. I realize I am neither the first nor the last person to say this; it may ultimately prove that I am simply a member of my would-be sophisticated, confessedly neurotic generation; or it may simply reflect my narcissism that says "ah, yes, someone with glasses who admits that she spills on herself. Obviously a kindred." So, I recognize that when I rate this book of collected memoiristic (is that a word?) essays "five stars," I am not actually saying it is ...moreTina Fey is fabulous. I realize I am neither the first nor the last person to say this; it may ultimately prove that I am simply a member of my would-be sophisticated, confessedly neurotic generation; or it may simply reflect my narcissism that says "ah, yes, someone with glasses who admits that she spills on herself. Obviously a kindred." So, I recognize that when I rate this book of collected memoiristic (is that a word?) essays "five stars," I am not actually saying it is To the Lighthouse, another book I hope I've rated five stars on here because it's one of my favorite books of all time, not to mention one of the most elegant and poignant novels of the twentieth century. Bossypants is not one of the most elegant and poignant novels of the twentieth century.
But along with having tongue in cheek and ego in check, Fey is witty, confident, and healthily aware of the inflations (ego, breasts, production costs) and absurdities (reality television, Sarah Palin, tampon commercials) of show business, especially the TV business. She's generous to her peers and collaborators (her delight in Amy Poehler and praise of Alec Baldwin made me so happy), and she describes a life story that may be familiar to those of us who spent a lot of time in community theatre hanging out with gay boys growing up. Basically, I could flesh out this review by quoting her jokes, but I think that instead, you should probably run out and buy this book. It will not change your life, but it may make you crack up so much in a restaurant where you are eating alone at the bar that the manager comes over and asks what's funny (true story), or it might make a two-hour ride on NJ Transit with an enormous suitcase and a Peruvian seatmate who keeps asking you why you don't have a baby palatable (also a true story and makes the book's accomplishments really miraculous).(less)
Sure, you could read Bossypants. Provided you like all that self-deprecating "I'm Tina Fey and I am enormously successful and I am thankful for that, but at the same time I still struggle with being a working woman with a real life, because it is so weird that I am a media icon when I still really think of myself as an unpopular high school theater dweeb, and isn't life weird, like when I was seen as a major influence during the last election because I kind of look like Sarah Palin?" s...moreSure, you could read Bossypants. Provided you like all that self-deprecating "I'm Tina Fey and I am enormously successful and I am thankful for that, but at the same time I still struggle with being a working woman with a real life, because it is so weird that I am a media icon when I still really think of myself as an unpopular high school theater dweeb, and isn't life weird, like when I was seen as a major influence during the last election because I kind of look like Sarah Palin?" stuff.
Personally, Tina Fey is a little too successful for me. I don't like it. I want to read about the life of someone else in order to feel better about my own life, not to make me wish I lived in New York and did something cool for a living.
I'd rather read the autobiography of Liz Lemon. Tina Fey tries to pretend there's still a Liz Lemon inside of her, but there so totally isn't.
Liz Lemon, however, will never write a biography, because 1) she doesn't exist and 2) there is no "life sadness" section at Barnes & Noble (unless you count Romance, amirite guys?).
So instead, I've collected some of her wisdom here, touching on every aspect of life, as taken from the popular television series 30 Rock.
Dating & Marriage
[Man walks up to Liz at the bar] Gentleman: Excuse me, is this seat taken?
Liz: Really, dude? I got to move my coat? There are like four empty seats over there! Can't you just be cool?
[Man leaves] Jenna: That guy wanted to buy you a drink!
Liz: Really? But I already have a drink. Do you think he'd buy me mozzarella sticks?
Liz: I'm going to tell Drew that I'm having a little welcome to the building party for him but there is no party and then when he shows up I'll laugh and say "oh it's the wrong night" and then he'll laugh and say one glass couldn't hurt and then I will put my mouth on his mouth!
Liz: Just embrace the fact that you are lucky enough to be a happily married man. I mean, I'm actually jealous of you. You've got stability, a great marriage, devoted kids. You know what I have? A Sims family that keeps getting murdered.
Religion
Tracy: So what's your religion, Liz Lemon?
Liz: I pretty much just do whatever Oprah tells me to.
Business
Jack: Lemon, I'm impressed. You're beginning to think like a businessman.
Liz: A businesswoman.
Jack: I don't think that's a word.
Jack: The world is made by those who control their own destiny. It isn't made by those who don't do, it's made by those who do do. Which is what made me the man I am, I do do.
Liz: Yeah, you do.
Jack: Grow up, Lemon.
Finance
Jack: So what are you gonna do with your money? Put it into a 401(k)?
Liz: Yeah, I gotta get one of those.
Jack: What?! Where do you invest your money, Lemon?
Liz: I've got like twelve grand in checking.
Jack: Are you an immigrant?
Dealing with Stress
Liz: Hey, nerds! Who's got two thumbs, speaks limited French, and hasn't cried once today? This moi.
Managing Your Personal Life
Kenneth: Oh, Miss Lemon. You have several messages. Aw, let's see, that company running the bike tour in South Carolina says no singles. Uh, your credit card called they want to make sure you're the one buying cream soda in bulk.
Liz: I sure am.
Kenneth: And your landlord called and he says it's not the toilet, it's you.
Liz: That's his opinion.
Liz: I did Big Sister in college. That little girl taught me how to use tampons.
Dieting
Liz:[Singing while eating cheese] Working on my night cheese. [knock at the door] Uhh, Jack! Do you know what time it is? I was sound asleep.
Sexual Politics
Liz: No, Jack. You were just talking about how you miss office hookups. That is a double standard.
Jack: Calm down.
Liz: I won't calm down. Women are allowed to get angrier than men about double standards.
Feminism
Liz: Maybe I'm a little old-fashioned. I'm sorry I'm a real woman and not some over-sexed New York nympho like those sluts on Everybody Loves Raymond.
Fashion
Liz: For instance, Jack taught me not to wear tan slacks with a tan turtleneck. I thought it looked nice, but he, rightly, pointed out that it made me look like a giant condom.
Politics
Liz: If I can't poop in the street, why should my tax dollars pay for someone else to?
Tina Fey is funny - but we knew that. I think some of us also had the impression that she was sweet - and she is (just listen to her talk about her husband and daughter). She's also rational, thoughtful, smart and she sometimes talks like a drunken sailor who just got kicked in the balls!
This is not the hilarious book I thought it would be. It's much better than that. It's a funny, sometimes personal memoir (first period, anyone?) with a great cast of family, friends and colleagues a...moreTina Fey is funny - but we knew that. I think some of us also had the impression that she was sweet - and she is (just listen to her talk about her husband and daughter). She's also rational, thoughtful, smart and she sometimes talks like a drunken sailor who just got kicked in the balls!
This is not the hilarious book I thought it would be. It's much better than that. It's a funny, sometimes personal memoir (first period, anyone?) with a great cast of family, friends and colleagues all remembered with humour, honesty (it seems) and with a sense of justice - forgiveness where it's needed and castigation where required.
She discusses everything from her youth, through her years with Second City to her rise with SNL and her current incarnation as producer and star of 30 Rock. there is some detail for each period, too.
I'm very glad that I listened to this on audio (read by the author) because it seemed clear that she was very aware that she was recording her own book. This is a very good thing because I think it makes the audio somewhat different than the book could possibly be. You get to hear (sometimes bad but always hilarious) impressions of her colleagues, an actual tape of one particular SNL skit and her regular references to the audio itself.
DollyI enjoyed reading the book, but now that you mention it, I think the audiobook would be even better.
Jul 17, 2011 10:18am
CourtneyI've been listening to it on the bus on the way to work and I'm certain people are wondering why I'm grinning like an idiot with the occasional actual...moreI've been listening to it on the bus on the way to work and I'm certain people are wondering why I'm grinning like an idiot with the occasional actual laugh out loud ALL the way to the city. She is brilliant. And this book is thoroughly enjoyable. The way she talks about her dad is my favourite part so far. I'm half way through and I know I'll be sad when it ends.(less)
Jan 18, 2012 05:03am
I almost gave this book 5 stars, and it is damn near perfect.
Let's start with the good stuff:
- It's extremely funny. And not just "laugh out loud" funny, but "laugh *so* out loud your spouse asks you to go read in another room because you're keeping him awake." If you enjoy Tina Fey's humor, you'll really appreciate this book. It's damn funny.
- It's (unexpectedly) full of really good advice about how to be a good boss. I mean, maybe I should hav...moreI almost gave this book 5 stars, and it is damn near perfect.
Let's start with the good stuff:
- It's extremely funny. And not just "laugh out loud" funny, but "laugh *so* out loud your spouse asks you to go read in another room because you're keeping him awake." If you enjoy Tina Fey's humor, you'll really appreciate this book. It's damn funny.
- It's (unexpectedly) full of really good advice about how to be a good boss. I mean, maybe I should have gleaned that from the title but I expected it to be more of a comedic autobiography than a sincere look at how to effectively manage people. And she's got some really great thoughts in this book about how to be a leader.
- Where books by other comedians are pretty much only for laughs (see: Chelsea Handler), this book also contains some social critique. And, not in a preachy way - in a very funny way. But Fey raises some excellent questions about how women treat each other, being a working mom, dealing with institutionalized sexism, and other hilarious topics!
I found myself wanting to know a bit more about SNL, or 30 Rock, but she keeps those experiences (and her personal life) at a pretty surface level. It appears to be a very conscious choice, and one I respect; you can tell she doesn't want to be a tell-all kind of person, and she's not interested in being the sort of celebrity that rips her whole life open for all to see.
All-in-all, I loved this book and devoured it in one day (not an easy feat with two preschool-aged kids running around).
My only gripe is that it's a little hard to tell what this book is trying to be. It's part comedy, part biography and part managerial guidance/life lessons. Not that that's a bad combination - it was just a little unexpected. And, at times, felt a little jumpy.(less)
Tina Fey manages to be one of those people I simultaneously respect, admire, envy, and want to hang out with all at the same time. Her cerebral, edgy, and original humor has done for women in the field of comedy what, say, Hillary Clinton (no, not Sarah Palin, ironic as that may have been) has done for women in politics. She has made everyone re-examine their preconceptions and helped people to accept women in roles once reserved for men. As head writer of Saturday Night Live, she helped bring m...moreTina Fey manages to be one of those people I simultaneously respect, admire, envy, and want to hang out with all at the same time. Her cerebral, edgy, and original humor has done for women in the field of comedy what, say, Hillary Clinton (no, not Sarah Palin, ironic as that may have been) has done for women in politics. She has made everyone re-examine their preconceptions and helped people to accept women in roles once reserved for men. As head writer of Saturday Night Live, she helped bring more women to the forefront of sketch comedy and fought against the idea that "women aren't funny." Luckily, she had some powerful men supporting in her in this effort (Lorne Michaels, most prominently) and some really funny women for whom to write (Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Molly Shannon, for instance) or who knows how all of that groundbreaking idealism might have gone. The journey from teen summer theater to the Groundlings to SNL to "30 Rock" and a film career is wonderfully engaging and filled with her trademark clever humor and absurd self-deprecation, but I enjoyed this book the most when it offered some real insights into how the television business really works and the types of obstacles facing creative artists every day, particularly female comedians who still face an old-boy network that refuses to validate or finance their efforts. One of the more striking observations in the book comes near the end when Fey has reached the height of her success to date and is agonizing over whether or not to have a seocnd child. The time this would take from her career, she muses, would leave her "unemployable and labeled crazy in five years anyway." She goes on to state a harsh reality:
"Let me clarify. I have observed that women, at least in comedy, are labeled "crazy" after a certain age...I've known older men in comedy who can barely feed and clean themselves, and they still work. The women, though, they're all "crazy." I have a suspicion - and hear me out, 'cause this is a rough one - I have a suspicion that the definition of "crazy" in show business is a woman who keeps talking even after no one wants to fu** her anymore."
Yup. She said it. One of the many times I silently cheered "Good for you, Tina!" while reading this book.
There are a lot of funny stories, laugh out loud moments, and touching little vignettes in Tina Fey's book "Bossypants." It's a really likable, well-intentioned, and smart little read. But every now and then she gives you an insight like the one above and reminds everyone why it's so important that she's here. That's why I love Tina Fey.
(Three and a half stars, btw - which I think is a really good rating for a book I definitely recommend to Fey's fans, people who want to get into the business, and young women everywhere. Plus, the little behind-the-scenes peeks into the world of SNL and "30 Rock" were really fun for me.) (less)
In my opinion, biographies are the best possible option for audiobooks. This may come from my love of talk radio and podcasts or perhaps audio interviews in general but hearing the author talk about his/her life can be very satisfying. It can lend a quality that cannot be experienced while reading the physical book. In Tina Fey’s Bossypants, those qualities are Fey’s impressions, which are often hilarious (listen for Fey’s Alec Baldwin) as well as her natural skill for storytelling and sarcas...moreIn my opinion, biographies are the best possible option for audiobooks. This may come from my love of talk radio and podcasts or perhaps audio interviews in general but hearing the author talk about his/her life can be very satisfying. It can lend a quality that cannot be experienced while reading the physical book. In Tina Fey’s Bossypants, those qualities are Fey’s impressions, which are often hilarious (listen for Fey’s Alec Baldwin) as well as her natural skill for storytelling and sarcasm.
Her stories about growing up as the lucky daughter of the always stylish Don Fey, made me laugh out loud on more than one occasion. Her adventures in dating are both entertaining and sad at the same time. I can’t believe someone as awesome as Tina Fey ever had a hard time attracting the opposite sex.
Her opinions on sexism in the media are pretty spot on and easy to sympathize with (not that she’s looking for it). She succeeded in an industry that has an extra amount of pressure on her just for being a woman. From her days struggling to get noticed in the Second City to her feelings about a particular sketch in which fellow cast mate Amy Poheler was passed over in favor of Chris Khattan in a dress, Tina argues passionately for feminism. However, it’s not to the point of where it ever becomes overbearing. Fey has this undeniable charm and is equipped with razor sharp wit that makes everything she talks about entertaining.
A particular favorite chapter of mine is when she “answers” comments written by anonymous users on message boards and online articles. Fey cuts them to shreds – trust me, it’s awesome.
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I can’t really say why exactly. I always enjoyed Fey on Weekend Update, I loved Baby Mama and I’m a big fan of 30 Rock. Those statements alone predispose me to love the book but I was a little hesitant regardless. I think this is one of the better biographies written by someone in comedy and I highly recommend it.(less)
I love Tina Fey. But I loved her more before I read this book. Now I know she is human and capable of disappointing me. This moment was inevitable. But still a little sad.
That said, there were portions of this book that killed me. Her "Origin Story" was hilarious, especially the talk about her scar and people’s reactions to it. Also, she is a genius when it comes to discussing everyday gender fuckery. I loved her whole take on menstruation and how she thought period blood wou...moreI love Tina Fey. But I loved her more before I read this book. Now I know she is human and capable of disappointing me. This moment was inevitable. But still a little sad.
That said, there were portions of this book that killed me. Her "Origin Story" was hilarious, especially the talk about her scar and people’s reactions to it. Also, she is a genius when it comes to discussing everyday gender fuckery. I loved her whole take on menstruation and how she thought period blood would be blue because of how it's depicted in commercials. I loved her use of the term “car creepery," which refers to guys who sexually harass girls on the sidewalk from the safety of their cars. I love that she yelled, “Suck my dick!” to some random car creeper when she was thirteen. Tina Fey, you are my hero. In so many ways.
I loved the list of things that can be "wrong" with a woman’s body (fupa, cankles, muffin top, crotch biscuits), her "Remembrances of Being Very Very Skinny," and "Remembrances of Being a Little Bit Fat." I almost wish she had written an entire book about her feministy thoughts. She nails that stuff, like when she insists on calling blonde hair “yellow” when reading stories to her daughter because why should yellow hair get a special term when brown hair doesn't?
Here’s what I didn’t like - too many of her stories were boring or told from a boring angle or felt like they were included for obligatory reasons (at best) or just to take up space (at worst). The Sarah Palin discussion seemed to go on forever and didn't really tell me anything new. Most of the 30 Rock stuff was pretty dull (aside from the MVP jokes). She probably just needed a better editor. With several big chops and some precision cutting, this could have been a masterpiece. (less)
I love Tina! I love comedy! I love reading! I love laughing while reading. For me, this book wasn't as funny as I had hoped.
While I appreciated the memior I was surprised when I didn't feel it was candid enough. Maybe that was a conscious effort. There was a trauma as a child that she explains but doesn't elaborate one. Fine! I don't think she needs to give us the details, they are hers but I felt that she was approached to write a book and agreed but didn't really want to. There is...moreI love Tina! I love comedy! I love reading! I love laughing while reading. For me, this book wasn't as funny as I had hoped.
While I appreciated the memior I was surprised when I didn't feel it was candid enough. Maybe that was a conscious effort. There was a trauma as a child that she explains but doesn't elaborate one. Fine! I don't think she needs to give us the details, they are hers but I felt that she was approached to write a book and agreed but didn't really want to. There is humor, jokes, her interpretation on motherhood,womanhood, woman in the work place, and so on but I don't feel I learned anymore about her than what we already know.
I did love her chapters on photoshots and photoshop. Hysterical!
She is smart and funny, a good writer but as far as memiors go, this just didn't do it for me. Still a Tina fan and have read way more good reviews for this book, people love it which is why I call myself the Amateur reviewer. What the heck do I know?
I listened to the audio book version and it was funny and interesting for the most part. Fey describes her childhood, how she got into show business, her subsequent fame and then she jumps into her life now as a mom and working woman.
The show biz details get a bit boring and the book tends to drag around that point in the middle but it picks up when she starts talking about how her career took off when she took on the role of Sarah Palin. She's funniest when she talks about her chil...moreI listened to the audio book version and it was funny and interesting for the most part. Fey describes her childhood, how she got into show business, her subsequent fame and then she jumps into her life now as a mom and working woman.
The show biz details get a bit boring and the book tends to drag around that point in the middle but it picks up when she starts talking about how her career took off when she took on the role of Sarah Palin. She's funniest when she talks about her childhood, being a mom and the nasty email letters she sometimes received.
I think I may have preferred the printed book instead of the audiobook because at times some things didn't sound as funny spoken as they may have written especially when there's this sudden bout of coarse language that just doesn't blend all that well. The ending felt like it was missing something and that it just came out of nowhere.
As far as memoirs go though it's pretty good and easy to listen to.(less)
There’s a chapter in this book where Tina Fey is describing the hectic week that culminated with her filming scenes of 30 Rock with Oprah Winfrey, then rushing to get to the Saturday Night Live studio for her debut performance as Sarah Palin all while she was still making last minute arrangements for her daughter’s birthday party. In between takes, Tina was watching You Tube clips of Palin to work on the voice while holding her daughter and Oprah was asking with genuine concern if she’d have ti...moreThere’s a chapter in this book where Tina Fey is describing the hectic week that culminated with her filming scenes of 30 Rock with Oprah Winfrey, then rushing to get to the Saturday Night Live studio for her debut performance as Sarah Palin all while she was still making last minute arrangements for her daughter’s birthday party. In between takes, Tina was watching You Tube clips of Palin to work on the voice while holding her daughter and Oprah was asking with genuine concern if she’d have time to get to SNL and rehearse. As Tina puts it:
“By the way, when Oprah Winfrey is suggesting you may have overextended yourself, you need to examine your fucking life.”
What makes that line extra funny is that while Fey writes about the long hours and stress of doing her TV show and movies, that she went ahead and wrote a book, too. (I think that while she may have had some help that Tina did the heavy lifting here without ghost writers because it’s such a personal story with her style of humor all over it.) The book is called Bossypants because it’s mainly a tongue-in-cheek account of how she became a success and her feelings about her career.
As you’d expect, it’s extremely funny with several laugh out loud lines and stories. My favorite chapter was the description of what it’s really like to be the subject of a professional photo shoot for a magazine and how being pampered by hair and make-up professionals while everyone tells you how great you are makes it a bit disconcerting to go home and cook macaroni for your kid.
Fey has a lot of fun pointing out her own contradictions. She’s a working woman who is irritated by the double standard of being asked about a being a successful boss and mother when no one thinks twice about successful fathers, but she still feels guilty at the time she’s spent working instead of with her daughter. She’s mocks her own appearance relentlessly but is willing to put herself on magazine covers in tight dresses. She considers herself a poor actor yet stars in a TV show. She’s often insecure and shy, but refuses to be pushed around by anyone. It’s all of these elements and her willingness to mine them for laughs that make this such a funny memoir.
(less)
Except for the parts about being a talented, wealthy television writer and performer, Tina Fey basically STOLE MY LIFE! Our early years were SO similar, I found myself wincing instead of laughing as Fey recounted her childhood and awkward adolescence. Yeah, that was me - virtually invisible to boys, trying to be liked, always falling for guys who turned out to be gay... Interestingly enough, we both received disfiguring scars during our kindergarten years. True, Fey's is on her face, and min...moreExcept for the parts about being a talented, wealthy television writer and performer, Tina Fey basically STOLE MY LIFE! Our early years were SO similar, I found myself wincing instead of laughing as Fey recounted her childhood and awkward adolescence. Yeah, that was me - virtually invisible to boys, trying to be liked, always falling for guys who turned out to be gay... Interestingly enough, we both received disfiguring scars during our kindergarten years. True, Fey's is on her face, and mine, well...let's just say my career as a hand model was over before it even began.
That's pretty much where the similarities end. Fey goes on to describe her improv work at Second City, the SNL years, 30 Rock, and the unexpected popularity of her Sarah Palin impression. She also candidly discusses motherhood and offers some beauty tips - (Psst! Become famous and have professional make-up artists do everything for you.)
I didn't find anything terribly funny here, though it was an interesting read if you're curious about what goes on behind the scenes at a television show. Fey seems much more comfortable writing for others than writing about herself.
I will however, always be indebted to her for providing me with a new name for those pockets of fat at the tops of my thighs - the ones that no amount of exercise will banish. I had been calling them "Leopold and Loeb", but Fey's term - "crotch biscuits" - is much more palatable.(less)
I don’t typically read memoirs, but I absolutely love Tina Fey. She could write a religious horror novel, and I would probably read it. I’ve also always wondered; is Liz Lemon just a thinly fictionalized version of Tina Fey? It turns out that she really isn’t. What comes across more than anything in this audiobook (besides Tina Fey’s punchy yet silly sense of humor) is that she’s a confident, intelligent woman and a highly successful boss.
This book is a very nice mix of serious...moreI don’t typically read memoirs, but I absolutely love Tina Fey. She could write a religious horror novel, and I would probably read it. I’ve also always wondered; is Liz Lemon just a thinly fictionalized version of Tina Fey? It turns out that she really isn’t. What comes across more than anything in this audiobook (besides Tina Fey’s punchy yet silly sense of humor) is that she’s a confident, intelligent woman and a highly successful boss.
This book is a very nice mix of serious and humorous: Tina Fey recounts the awkward exploits of her childhood and adolescence, her first jobs, and her eventual entrance into the comedy world. There are some parts of the book that hold little interest for me – like her detailing of the rules of improvisation. But, even then she infuses the whole thing with so much witty humor and so many universal truths that I couldn’t stop laughing. She has quite a lot to say about more serious topics like the pigeon-holing of women by the entertainment industry, and the challenges of motherhood, but this book never ceases to be uproariously funny.
I listened to the audiobook, which is narrated by the author herself. I highly recommend this! She adds in so much inflection and even a few little asides just for the audiobook listeners. Plus, there’s a highly accurate Lorne Michaels impersonation (sarcasm intended). Anyone that loves Tina Fey, or dark, silly, intellectual humor should give this a try.
How better to express the passionate girl crush that I have on Tina Fey than by using this 90's pop ballad from Amy Grant, one of Liz Lemon's favorite "bands"?
(less)
Tina Fey is one of the funniest women in the comedy world. Bossypants is her venture into the comic memoir and it is a success. I highly recommend that you listen to the audio book. While the first third, largely a description of the years before she moved to New York, dragged a little bit, by the time she hit NBC she was in perfect groove. Ever wondered what it is like to be in a photo shoot? Want to know more about raising a child who has always seen her mother in the media sphere? Have you ev...moreTina Fey is one of the funniest women in the comedy world. Bossypants is her venture into the comic memoir and it is a success. I highly recommend that you listen to the audio book. While the first third, largely a description of the years before she moved to New York, dragged a little bit, by the time she hit NBC she was in perfect groove. Ever wondered what it is like to be in a photo shoot? Want to know more about raising a child who has always seen her mother in the media sphere? Have you ever wondered the correct way to put on eye cream? All this and more are included in this truly hilarious tale. Go listen to it. Now.(less)
Er, I am a thirtysomething white girl who moved to New York from Ohio, although I did an obligatory stint in Chicago first. I lean left and self-identify as a feminist. I self-support and have incredibly geeky tendencies, terrible eating habits and an addiction to NPR podcasts. I frequently think about taking up new hobbies, but usually opt to watch tv instead. I've worn glasses since elementary school and would probably rock the librarian look even if it weren't my chosen profession, just becau...moreEr, I am a thirtysomething white girl who moved to New York from Ohio, although I did an obligatory stint in Chicago first. I lean left and self-identify as a feminist. I self-support and have incredibly geeky tendencies, terrible eating habits and an addiction to NPR podcasts. I frequently think about taking up new hobbies, but usually opt to watch tv instead. I've worn glasses since elementary school and would probably rock the librarian look even if it weren't my chosen profession, just because it's classic and comfortable. Did you really think that I wouldn't love the Tina Fey book? (less)
Jenn E.I've heard that the audio version is fantastic, too, so you totally should. I'm not so great at audiobooks, since I don't drive here.
May 12, 2011 12:54pm
Meg FoleyOk, so I just saw myself in your review. That's so odd. I'm definitely picking this up.
Jul 06, 2011 07:54am
If you asked most people who Tina Fey is, most people would probably say the woman on SNL whoo played Sarah Palin during the 2008 debate. But Tina Fey has been in theater, drama, comedy for much longer than that. Here is a humorous take on her life.
After listening to "Me Talk Pretty One Day", I was a little nervous about these humor biography books. Did I not like them, was it my mood at the time of reading, o...more"There are no mistakes, only opportunities.”
If you asked most people who Tina Fey is, most people would probably say the woman on SNL whoo played Sarah Palin during the 2008 debate. But Tina Fey has been in theater, drama, comedy for much longer than that. Here is a humorous take on her life.
After listening to "Me Talk Pretty One Day", I was a little nervous about these humor biography books. Did I not like them, was it my mood at the time of reading, or was it just that one book? Hearing lots of good things about "Bossypants" made me check this book out in audio format.
I highly recommend listening to this on audiobook. Tina Fey is gifted at humor (take that "Women aren't funny"!), but what is better is hearing her tell her own jokes. I could definitely see how reading this may not have been as funny as hearing her tell her anecdotes.
Tina Fey starts out with her childhood and continues until present day. She covers her parents, being a child of the 70's and 80's, teenager woes, college days, her time in odd jobs, her time at SNL, 30 Rock, and her Sarah Palin impersonation. I was enthralled at her stories; I laughed at her jokes; I loved her positive message about women in the workforce. She had humorous takes on being a woman, she didn't resort to mud-flinging, she was classy, but still she was interesting.
Without going into specifics (and possibly destroy the humor of her stories), let's just say, Tina Fey's novel was a joy to listen to. It isn't for everyone--I don't know how very conservative Evangelical Christian Republicans might take this and I don't know how funny this is in paper form--but I definitely enjoyed this book and have plans to check out 30 Rock.(less)
Will you be my new best friend? I just finished reading your book, “Bossypants,” and realized you and I have so much in common and could be fast friends! You worked in the theater during school summer vacations--so did I! You have a scar on your face--so do I! (Although my story is far less interesting than your own.) You lived with bad haircuts until college--so did I! You love food and were boy-like looking growing up--so was I!
Will you be my new best friend? I just finished reading your book, “Bossypants,” and realized you and I have so much in common and could be fast friends! You worked in the theater during school summer vacations--so did I! You have a scar on your face--so do I! (Although my story is far less interesting than your own.) You lived with bad haircuts until college--so did I! You love food and were boy-like looking growing up--so was I!
I apologize if I offended calling you Tina right off the bat, but I feel after reading your book, we two gals are cut from the same cloth. I find as 40-something women who grew up in the 1970s, our differences are few and far between. I give you an open invitation to sit together and chit chat about growing up brunette in a world of “yellow hair,” following guys who have no interest in us, and laughing about your honeymoon on the cruise ship from hell. Oh yeah, and who was cuter, Larry Wilcox or Erik Estrada.
And I thank you for taking an anxiety-filled weekend and making me laugh so hard I cried!
So, I'm not entirely familiar with Tina Fey- I've never seen 30 Rock and I only saw her do Sarah Palin on You Tube. This is because I don't have cable, and THIS is because I'm culturally superior. Or cheap, and newfangled TVs with more than one remote freak me out so much I won't buy one.
Moving on.
I've been on a run of female-funny-people-do-books, meaning I read this one and Jenny McCarthy's book on pregnancy. This one was funny in all the ways Jenny's book was un-funny....moreSo, I'm not entirely familiar with Tina Fey- I've never seen 30 Rock and I only saw her do Sarah Palin on You Tube. This is because I don't have cable, and THIS is because I'm culturally superior. Or cheap, and newfangled TVs with more than one remote freak me out so much I won't buy one.
Moving on.
I've been on a run of female-funny-people-do-books, meaning I read this one and Jenny McCarthy's book on pregnancy. This one was funny in all the ways Jenny's book was un-funny. Tina is smart, for one thing..her sentences generally have more than three words, and most of the time *though not all the time* those three words are not "tits."
Anyway, I went in looking for a few jokes and some pithy one-liners, but what the book actually is is a disjointed, hilarious memoir/answer to her critics/examination of sexism in comedy. I think my favorite bit was when she described her no-nonsense, super bad ass father meeting and intimidating Alec Baldwin.
Also, I hear the audiobook is better because she narrates it, so. You know. Do that.(less)
I enjoyed reading Bossypants. You should know that the book is not a tell all of Tina Fey's life or a guide for women in a man's world - nor does it try to be. It is just about Tina reflecting on her life to date, acknowledging her deficits, sharing her proudest moments and doing so with a humorous condescending attitude directed, at times, at herself but mostly at the ignoramuses we all encounter everyday.
As a character, Tina Fey is kind of boring - no history of great personal tra...moreI enjoyed reading Bossypants. You should know that the book is not a tell all of Tina Fey's life or a guide for women in a man's world - nor does it try to be. It is just about Tina reflecting on her life to date, acknowledging her deficits, sharing her proudest moments and doing so with a humorous condescending attitude directed, at times, at herself but mostly at the ignoramuses we all encounter everyday.
As a character, Tina Fey is kind of boring - no history of great personal trauma, socioeconomic challenges, or mental/physical abuse (not counting the scar on her face which she explains with no great enthusiasm early on). Regardless, she has a way of drawing you in. I want to hang out with her and her friends. Despite by conscious awareness to the contrary, somehow I felt that reading further would give me the intel to make a good impression on Tina and Amy Poehler (and if I'm lucky Seth Meyers) during our hypothetical dinner date. In truth, I think our only common interest would be NYC, but I've built many friendships on that fact alone.
Remember when I mentioned that the book is not a guide for women working in a man's world? While it's not in the traditional sense, it does tackle what I think is the latest hurdle for gender relations in the U.S. - the idea that a woman should be judged on anything but her competence. I appreciate that Tina took the opportunity to broach this subject and hope that under the disarming guise of comedy we can further bring the issue to light.(less)
This book is laugh out loud funny and I know for sure because when I came home from a business trip yesterday and found my power out and the tap water undrinkable, I read the last 50 pages or so by a tiny booklight in the pitch dark while clutching a bottle of water and waiting for one more storm to knock the huge tree that dangles over my house into bed with me, and still laughed like a maniac pretty regularly
While there was a little drag in the middle of this book (oddly, the 30 Ro...moreThis book is laugh out loud funny and I know for sure because when I came home from a business trip yesterday and found my power out and the tap water undrinkable, I read the last 50 pages or so by a tiny booklight in the pitch dark while clutching a bottle of water and waiting for one more storm to knock the huge tree that dangles over my house into bed with me, and still laughed like a maniac pretty regularly
While there was a little drag in the middle of this book (oddly, the 30 Rock commentary left me mostly cold and I LOVE that show [especially Fey's Liz Lemon]), it was a really entertaining read.
Anyone looking for a self revelatory experience should look elsewhere. Ms. Fey's memoir is more reminiscent of David Sedaris. Hilarious chunks of pages that are more like bits than chapters in one overall story. Mind you, I could care less if it is more sketch comedy than autobiography. I suspect Ms. Fey does not either. As a matter of fact, I think my favorite part of the book was when she went off on men who say that they don't like the comedy women perform. The upshot being the phrase - "We don't fucking care if you like it."
The next time the power is out, I am embroidering that onto a pillow (by booklight, of course).
This book isn't so much a memoir as a collection of essays about (among other things) Fey's experiences growing up, cutting her teeth in the entertainment industry, her management style, her feminist philosophy, and her approach to parenting. Given the range of topics covered in a such a short book, it can feel a little disjointed if read in one sitting. But I wouldn't let that deter you. Just because it isn't a linear narrative doesn't mean it isn't a great read. There are an equal share of hil...moreThis book isn't so much a memoir as a collection of essays about (among other things) Fey's experiences growing up, cutting her teeth in the entertainment industry, her management style, her feminist philosophy, and her approach to parenting. Given the range of topics covered in a such a short book, it can feel a little disjointed if read in one sitting. But I wouldn't let that deter you. Just because it isn't a linear narrative doesn't mean it isn't a great read. There are an equal share of hilarious moments and words of wisdom. As a young professional woman trying to find my own niche, I was inspired by the "But we make the show" anecdote, in which Fey states that no one has to worry about being irrelevant if they're making their own opportunities. What I love about Fey (and the people she surrounds herself with) is that she's entirely herself and she doesn't care if you like it. She's clearly faced discrimination but, bully for her, she didn't let it discourage her or become bitter. She just laughed it off and kept on working toward what she wanted. I don't know about you, but that's the kind of person I want to be, and so this book was valuable to me. (less)
I rarely read other people's reviews before I write my own, but for some reason I did with this one and I wish I hadn't because I strongly disagree with some friends (Hi RA, Hi Michelle) but I don't care enough to articulate my argument in great detail. At the end of the day this book made me laugh really hard during some parts (at one point my son got exasperated with my shaking the couch cushion fits of laughter and moved to a different seat) and not at all during others. And that's about what...moreI rarely read other people's reviews before I write my own, but for some reason I did with this one and I wish I hadn't because I strongly disagree with some friends (Hi RA, Hi Michelle) but I don't care enough to articulate my argument in great detail. At the end of the day this book made me laugh really hard during some parts (at one point my son got exasperated with my shaking the couch cushion fits of laughter and moved to a different seat) and not at all during others. And that's about what I expected.
ALL THE STARS. I laughed. So hard. Cackled. My neighbors either think I had some sort of tumor in the chicken noises of my brain or I am being murdered and tickled at the same time.
God. Fucking Tina Fey. The last thing I laughed at, after the ending chapter where she talks about whether or not she wants to have a second baby... I flipped to the back jacket flap where I found her author blurb. "Tina Fey lives in Denver with her ferret, Jacoby." and then I almost swallowed my t...moreALL THE STARS. I laughed. So hard. Cackled. My neighbors either think I had some sort of tumor in the chicken noises of my brain or I am being murdered and tickled at the same time.
God. Fucking Tina Fey. The last thing I laughed at, after the ending chapter where she talks about whether or not she wants to have a second baby... I flipped to the back jacket flap where I found her author blurb. "Tina Fey lives in Denver with her ferret, Jacoby." and then I almost swallowed my tongue laughing.
It's just so funny. I hate nonfiction. I'd rather chew my arm off than read a biography. I read 1 page of this book and immediately checked it out to myself and finished it in one sitting.
Staggering work of genius. Which is to say, written by Tina Fey.(less)
My favorite line from this book: (By the way, when Oprah Winfrey is suggesting you may have overextended yourself, you need to examine your fucking life.)
Part memoir, part advice book for professional women, part show-biz expose, this was utterly enjoyable. The only thing I didn't love was the constant joking--reminded me of an old boyfriend who was hilarious, until it got frustrating being around him because he never stopped joking around.
Very quick read, and if you're a...moreMy favorite line from this book: (By the way, when Oprah Winfrey is suggesting you may have overextended yourself, you need to examine your fucking life.)
Part memoir, part advice book for professional women, part show-biz expose, this was utterly enjoyable. The only thing I didn't love was the constant joking--reminded me of an old boyfriend who was hilarious, until it got frustrating being around him because he never stopped joking around.
Very quick read, and if you're a fan of Tina Fey, worth reading. I've never much cared for autobiographies or memoirs of people I admire who are still alive, but this one doesn't take itself too seriously, but still gives a little bit of meat here and there.(less)
Elizabeth Stamatina "Tina" Fey is an American actress, comedian, writer and producer. She has received seven Emmy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, four Screen Actors Guild Awards, and four Writers Guild of America Awards. She was singled out as the performer who had the greatest impact on culture and entertainment in 2008 by the Associated Press, who gave her their AP Entertainer of th...moreElizabeth Stamatina "Tina" Fey is an American actress, comedian, writer and producer. She has received seven Emmy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, four Screen Actors Guild Awards, and four Writers Guild of America Awards. She was singled out as the performer who had the greatest impact on culture and entertainment in 2008 by the Associated Press, who gave her their AP Entertainer of the Year award.
After graduating from the University of Virginia in 1992, Fey moved to Chicago to take classes at the improvisational comedy group The Second City, where she became a featured player in 1994. Three years later, Fey became a writer for the sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live (SNL). She was promoted to the position of head writer in 1999. The following year, Fey was added to the cast of SNL. During her time there, she was co-anchor of the show's Weekend Update segment. After leaving SNL in 2006, she created the television series called 30 Rock, a situation comedy loosely based on her experiences at SNL. In the series, Fey portrays the head writer of a fictional sketch comedy series.
In 2004, Fey made her film debut as writer and co-star of the teen comedy Mean Girls. In 2008, she starred in the comedy film Baby Mama, alongside Amy Poehler. In 2009, Fey won an Emmy Award for her satirical portrayal of Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin in a guest appearance on SNL.(less)
“First, Lord: No tattoos. May neither Chinese symbol for truth nor Winnie-the-Pooh holding the FSU logo stain her tender haunches.
May she be Beautiful but not Damaged, for it’s the Damage that draws the creepy soccer coach’s eye, not the Beauty.
When the Crystal Meth is offered, May she remember the parents who cut her grapes in half And stick with Beer.
Guide her, protect her
When crossing the street, stepping onto boats, swimming in the ocean, swimming in pools, walking near pools, standing on the subway platform, crossing 86th Street, stepping off of boats, using mall restrooms, getting on and off escalators, driving on country roads while arguing, leaning on large windows, walking in parking lots, riding Ferris wheels, roller-coasters, log flumes, or anything called “Hell Drop,” “Tower of Torture,” or “The Death Spiral Rock ‘N Zero G Roll featuring Aerosmith,” and standing on any kind of balcony ever, anywhere, at any age.
Lead her away from Acting but not all the way to Finance. Something where she can make her own hours but still feel intellectually fulfilled and get outside sometimes And not have to wear high heels.
What would that be, Lord? Architecture? Midwifery? Golf course design? I’m asking You, because if I knew, I’d be doing it, Youdammit.
May she play the Drums to the fiery rhythm of her Own Heart with the sinewy strength of her Own Arms, so she need Not Lie With Drummers.
Grant her a Rough Patch from twelve to seventeen. Let her draw horses and be interested in Barbies for much too long, For childhood is short – a Tiger Flower blooming Magenta for one day – And adulthood is long and dry-humping in cars will wait.
O Lord, break the Internet forever, That she may be spared the misspelled invective of her peers And the online marketing campaign for Rape Hostel V: Girls Just Wanna Get Stabbed.
And when she one day turns on me and calls me a Bitch in front of Hollister, Give me the strength, Lord, to yank her directly into a cab in front of her friends, For I will not have that Shit. I will not have it.
And should she choose to be a Mother one day, be my eyes, Lord, that I may see her, lying on a blanket on the floor at 4:50 A.M., all-at-once exhausted, bored, and in love with the little creature whose poop is leaking up its back.
“My mother did this for me once,” she will realize as she cleans feces off her baby’s neck. “My mother did this for me.” And the delayed gratitude will wash over her as it does each generation and she will make a Mental Note to call me. And she will forget. But I’ll know, because I peeped it with Your God eyes.”
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211 people liked it
“It is an impressively arrogant move to conclude that just because you don’t like something, it is empirically not good. I don’t like Chinese food, but I don’t write articles trying to prove it doesn’t exist.”
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134 people liked it
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review of another edition
Apr 18, 2011 04:32pm
Aug 29, 2011 11:36pm