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9th out of 97 books
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25 voters
A Bad Idea I'm About to Do: True Tales of Seriously Poor Judgment and Stunningly Awkward Adventure
Chris Gethard has often found himself in absurd, awkward situations most people would have safely avoided. Take his volunteering for the Scared Straight” program (resulting in inmates openly threatening to rape him) or his horrendously botched attempt to fulfill his childhood dream of becoming a pro wrestler. Or the time he instigated a high-speed chase with a New Jersey
...moreKindle Edition
Published
(first published January 10th 2012)
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I had high hopes for this one. And while there are some funny moments, I was disappointed by the storytelling. Sigh.
Summary: A collection of crazy stories from a top-notch comedian, told with a fascinating amount of emotions felt during the unfolding of the story and in retrospect.
I had heard of Chris Gethard and this book from a number of podcasts that he had appeared on (Bullseye with Jesse Thorn and maybe either Improv4Humans or Marc Maron's WTF?), but absolutely had to pick this up after seeing his appearances on IFC's fake game show Bunk and then finding his public access show The Chris Gethard Show. An...more
I had heard of Chris Gethard and this book from a number of podcasts that he had appeared on (Bullseye with Jesse Thorn and maybe either Improv4Humans or Marc Maron's WTF?), but absolutely had to pick this up after seeing his appearances on IFC's fake game show Bunk and then finding his public access show The Chris Gethard Show. An...more
REVIEW ALSO ON: http://www.dailyblam.com/news/2012/01......
Comedian and writer Chris Gethard has led a colored existence. This comedic look at his own life details his experiences from childhood to adulthood, with all manner of wacky adventures in between. From raising a goat for college credits to pursuing amateur wrestling, leading police on high-speed chases, and volunteering for “Scared Straight”, Gethard explores the best and worst of himself for our amusement.
A Bad Thing I'm About to Do.JP...more
Comedian and writer Chris Gethard has led a colored existence. This comedic look at his own life details his experiences from childhood to adulthood, with all manner of wacky adventures in between. From raising a goat for college credits to pursuing amateur wrestling, leading police on high-speed chases, and volunteering for “Scared Straight”, Gethard explores the best and worst of himself for our amusement.
A Bad Thing I'm About to Do.JP...more
I bought this book after seeing the author on Jimmy Fallon and finding him absolutely hilarious. Pretty quickly on I had buyer's remorse. I even tried to return it to Amazon, only to find out I was one day past the return date. So I decided I might as well go ahead and finish reading it since I wasn't going to get my money back.
The book isn't as awful as the two atar rating would imply, but I can't bring myself to say I "liked" the book. In all fairness, some of the stories were absolutely hilar...more
The book isn't as awful as the two atar rating would imply, but I can't bring myself to say I "liked" the book. In all fairness, some of the stories were absolutely hilar...more
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I had stumbled upon this book by accident, and just in the moment decided, "Why not?"
I had no idea what to expect when reading this, but I would soon learn that I'd appreciate it more than I thought I could. Perhaps it is because I have personal deep-seated issues of my own, but I feel like I could connect to Chris' feelings and experience. Though my self-loathing and depression is not as severe as is portrayed in this collection of stories, it is uplifting anyway, to see that there is possibly...more
I had no idea what to expect when reading this, but I would soon learn that I'd appreciate it more than I thought I could. Perhaps it is because I have personal deep-seated issues of my own, but I feel like I could connect to Chris' feelings and experience. Though my self-loathing and depression is not as severe as is portrayed in this collection of stories, it is uplifting anyway, to see that there is possibly...more
I went into this wondering if people would care about this book and/or enjoy it if they didn't know who Chris Gethard was. (He's an Upright Citizens Brigade star) At times - like when he volunteered to visit a nearby prison as part of his school's "scared straight" program, or when he drove to a neighboring school in the middle of the night to threaten an Internet bully in person - it didn't matter. I was laughing my ass off. The stories stood on their own. BUT THEN, when I had to read about his...more
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A great book of nonfiction autobiographical short stories that I couldn't put down. The first brief story in the introduction had me laughing out loud on the train and I didn't stop from there. I'm a slow reader and I read it in less than a week, meaning I spent an ungodly amount of time reading. Gethard writes conversationally, the way a friend might tell you a story at the end of a long night of hanging out, where the conversations get deeper and deeper as you run out of more shallow things to...more
This book was honestly one of the best books that told the story of ‘my life’. It was truly enjoyable .The experience is Chris went through in his life are so unbelievable and funny. He seriously chose some bad ideas and got himself into some crazy situations. I found myself laughing at some of the things he did or what happened to him. Other things like his problems with anxiety and panic attacks. I could relate to. I went through my many years of suffering at the hands of my out of control, an...more
I found this series of autobiographical essays by comic Chris Gethard to be somewhat hit or miss. The character he creates of himself is for the most part likeable, if greatly flawed, but I somehow was never quite able to get myself into his corner. For these sorts of self-deprecating, humorous narratives to work, you need to really be rooting for the hero. But with a few exceptions, that just wasn’t the case for me. There were however, in my opinion, a few stand-out chapters. “A Bad Idea I’m Ab...more
I thought this was going to be in the same vein as Bossypants or Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? Gethard was hosting Whiplash! at the UCB a week ago and was killing it, leading yet again to my impression that this book would be full of nonstop hilarity.
The earliest chapters about his dad, grandfather, and neighborhood crazy person, were my favorites, and made me laugh out loud. But probably I should have first listened to the segment on This American Life excerpting one of the chapters. It'...more
The earliest chapters about his dad, grandfather, and neighborhood crazy person, were my favorites, and made me laugh out loud. But probably I should have first listened to the segment on This American Life excerpting one of the chapters. It'...more
Enjoyable, quick read, mercifully without a detailed description of masturbation. Still, some penis details that made me think I have yet to read a memoir by a woman where she describes the minuta of her genitals. Maybe because the minuta is harder to see? Or gals prefer the minuta of emotions? Just something fascinating I'm thinking about.
Another detail of mental illness that is dangerously relatable and makes you want a small pull out questionnaire at the back that will let you know if you too...more
Another detail of mental illness that is dangerously relatable and makes you want a small pull out questionnaire at the back that will let you know if you too...more
today I ate fish for the second time in my entire life and power-read this book in six and a half hours. the entire time in a state of like manic shock and joy. I have never read like that for any other book, ever. I'm now obsessed with the word 'diarrhea' as a verb. I think what it comes down to is this: chris gethard is like a colonic for all of your manic depressive/self-loathing amused self-reflection- like if you're the kind of person who kind of considers herself a huge loser right now, bu...more
You will walk away from this book feeling good about being yourself. Each chapter is full of stories to make you laugh, cry, and cringe. It is a book with MANY laugh out loud moments. Chris opens up to his readers and holds nothing back. If you are expecting a joke book, this isn't it. Instead it is a genuinely funny look at one man's real, sad, and relatable life story. At times he is the victim, and at times he is the badass. Chris is an inspiration, an icon, and a superhero for all the prover...more
The Chris Gethard Show is a delight and a joy. I discovered him thanks to the How Was Your Week? podcast (mandatory listening) and The Best Show, and these rarely will steer you wrong. Pleased to see his book in our library system.
His essays are funny but also plenty dark in places. Many of his manic-depressive, social anxiety-fueled moments are cringe-inducingly relatable. The desperate attempt to buy condoms, without getting noticed by someone who would somehow know his girlfriend's dad (not s...more
His essays are funny but also plenty dark in places. Many of his manic-depressive, social anxiety-fueled moments are cringe-inducingly relatable. The desperate attempt to buy condoms, without getting noticed by someone who would somehow know his girlfriend's dad (not s...more
I picked up this book because I like The Best Show, Gethard is a frequent guest and contributor to the radio show. The book is structured with each chapter retelling an event from Gethard's life and the poor decision making he showed at the time. Later on in the book he is diagnosed with having bipolar disorder, which sheds some light on his thought process.
The reason I couldn't go for it was that Gethard's voice was a little to dude-bro for me. The book has a tone of one-upsmanship that wasn't...more
The reason I couldn't go for it was that Gethard's voice was a little to dude-bro for me. The book has a tone of one-upsmanship that wasn't...more
In all honesty, this was more like a 2.5 stars to me, and I chose to round down. Some essays were better than others. I found the colonic one funny. There was a bizarre one about a goat that I just skimmed. I found the high-speed chase kind of sad. The best description/essay in the book, in my opinion, was working at a Loews movie theater in New Jersey.
I think self-deprecation can be quite funny, but the author takes it to an extreme and when you combine it with his manic depression, it can be...more
I think self-deprecation can be quite funny, but the author takes it to an extreme and when you combine it with his manic depression, it can be...more
A most excellent book, guys. I can't remember the last time I laughed this hard while reading but it wasn't at Bossypants or Mindy Kaling's recent book. The Chris Gethard Show, shown on NYC public access TV (but can also be seen online), is also something that needs to be checked out by those who get hard over original comedy. Pete and Pete of Adventures of Pete and Pete were on it recently! You're joking, you say! Cringe mucho over the highly realistic awkward and manic (and with that - depress...more
While I was reading this book, I kept trying to decide how I felt about this comedy writer/comedian. I just couldn't put my finger on it! Then I read the essay about his short time living in California while working on a television show. His Mexican friends came up with the nickname, "Little Bitch." That's exactly what this guy is: a little bitch. There were some funny parts, but I found it to be mostly a whole lot of whining. I mean, this guy was constantly crying and on the phone with his mom....more
Mar 13, 2012
Nancy Martira
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Nancy by:
Bullseye with Jesse Thorn
This collection will not be for everyone, but if you come from a place like New Jersey, and a neighborhood where entire families live down the block from each other; if your family's preferred method of communication is yelling and occasionally flames; if you are willing and able to recount for your friends the story of each and every time you shit your pants as an adult; if you love a story about hitting bottom and surrendering for help; this book is for you. I sincerely enjoyed how often Getha...more
I started reading this because of an interview I heard with Chris Gethard on a podcast called Citizen Radio. As a New Jersey transplant I find his stories effing hysterical.
Now, I went into this book having no idea who Chris Gethard is, but I really appreciate honest, inappropriate stories so I picked up a copy. A lot of the time I either personally related to his stories, or I was like, "Oh man, that is so my boyfriend." I think it helps that he's only a few years older than I am, so my upbring...more
Now, I went into this book having no idea who Chris Gethard is, but I really appreciate honest, inappropriate stories so I picked up a copy. A lot of the time I either personally related to his stories, or I was like, "Oh man, that is so my boyfriend." I think it helps that he's only a few years older than I am, so my upbring...more
A book whose highs are so much more than its more middling portions, Gethard writes with such absolute honesty and star nakedness that it sets itself apart from all the carefully manicured memoirs that double as lectures from people who just kind of happened to find success. This one pretends to be nothing but itself. I kind of wish it went over his comedy career and decisions about doing the Chris Gethard show more, but what's here is good and I hope for a sequel soon.
I've seen Gethard at UCB and I thought he was really great. I actually bought the book when I saw one of Gethard's hilarious DIY videos where he call out "great authors of the day," for instance Chuck Klosterman, Timothy Ferriss, and Anne Frank.
Gethard is really likable, and his stories have a lot of heart. Although the stereotype that this book reinforces (the more hilarious a comedian is, the more mental problems he has -- in Gethard's case it's manic depression) is a story I've read many tim...more
Gethard is really likable, and his stories have a lot of heart. Although the stereotype that this book reinforces (the more hilarious a comedian is, the more mental problems he has -- in Gethard's case it's manic depression) is a story I've read many tim...more
Chris Gethard has had a truly interesting life. As host of the Chris Gethard Show, a public access show on MNN and a self proclaimed loser/nerd, he has pulled some absolutely bonker hijinks and lived to tell about it. "A Bad Idea..." is a great memoir of what makes him who he is. Gethard tells it like it is with heart. If you are a Gethard fan this is the holy grail. And if you are not a Gethard fan pick up the book anyway because it gets pretty weird.
consistently amusing, and frequently insightful, I really liked this book! towards the end, he starts straining a little bit for the insightful part though - the last few stories all have a little summation paragraph, basically about what he learned from the preceding experience, that mostly could've been trimmed, or had the lesson spread out back through the story, rather than just a nail-on-the-head, "here's what I learned" kinda thing.
great read though, and definitely made me feel better (or...more
great read though, and definitely made me feel better (or...more
A humble story of a manic/depressant comedy writer and his early manic (mostly) days. Stories his early childhood, high school years, about losing his virginity, going to college, getting a job and growing up, all while being completely willing to do the wrong thing at the right time. Includes a childhood friend sporting mesh shorts, a tale of the wrestling promoting, make up sex, and in general coming around to coping with his manic/depression.
I dunno. Maybe I didn't like this book because I wanted it to be a continuation of Sleepwalk with Me, which a terribly unfair thing to ask. I mean, it was funny, but it seemed a bit cynical to me. A bit depressing. I've thought of it in the past couple weeks, however, and chucked to myself while remembering some of the stories. So maybe I was just jaded. I did read it on the Amtrak, so I might have just been a sourpuss. It's a toss up.
I felt a connection to the title...but found it a little pretentious at first that this semi-famous guy (his name is Get Hard haha) thinks his life is interesting enough to write a book about. Started out a little slow and mildly entertaining but the laughs definitely picked up towards the middle. Then the goat and stories had me laughing pretty hard. As they always do. Yay poop. But overall it was
okay
.
I'm pretty fortunate that I found this book, having heard part of it on the 'This American Life' about the Nemesis. These vignettes from Gethard's life are full of raw honesty but never feel indulgent, and full of self-awareness. I feel like I can relate to him way more than I should. So maybe other people that can't relate to outsiders, nerds, and creative types wouldn't get as much as I didn't, but I'm definitely a fan of this book. Very entertaining!
Druggies, misfits, alcoholics, and social outcasts have great stories. This book, by a social outcast, is about all the wrong decisions that he has made in life so far and they are entertaining to read. If you find the following excerpts from the book enticing, you will want to read the book.
"Doing diarrhea onto another person's hands.."
and
"My goat's name is Jeffry Timmons, World's Foremost Goat"
"Doing diarrhea onto another person's hands.."
and
"My goat's name is Jeffry Timmons, World's Foremost Goat"
Pretty fun tale of growing up nerdy and awkward. His stories about New Jersey are both funny and pretty accurate, from the small amount of time I've spent there. This isn't a laugh-out-loud book, more one that stays light and enjoyable with situational humor and a lovable narrator. It occasionally rises above the comedy aspect to relay a larger lesson learned. These moments can sometimes seem out of place, but for the most part are well thought out and touching.
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PHOTO CREDIT: Zac X Wolf
Chris Gethard is an actor, comedian, and writer, who most recently starred in Comedy Central’s series Big Lake. Longtime performer at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater, he lives in Queens, New York.
More about Chris Gethard...
Chris Gethard is an actor, comedian, and writer, who most recently starred in Comedy Central’s series Big Lake. Longtime performer at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater, he lives in Queens, New York.
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“As luck would have it, I happened to have a top hat that I previously wore to my junior prom.”
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