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How I Slept My Way to the Middle: Secrets and Stories from Stage, Screen, and Interwebs
by
Kevin Pollak
One of Comedy Central’s Top 100 Stand-Up Comedians of All Time, award-winning dramatic actor, and an internet pioneer, Kevin Pollak has done it all for thirty years and is ready to spill the beans. Best known for performances in A Few Good Men and The Usual Suspects, he shares never-before-heard stories of film legends like De Niro, Hanks, Howard, Lemon, Loren, Lucas, Mart...more
Hardcover, 272 pages
Published
November 6th 2012
by Lyons Press
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Pollak writes a somewhat interesting autobiography in an annoying way. While it is filled with all sorts of stories about his career and the famous people he worked with (some would call it "name dropping"), the writing style is frustrating. He jumps back and forth in time, writes too many asides that could have easily been written into the stories, and has no sense of narrative. Ironic coming from a stand-up comedian who supposedly spent his career honing humorous stories. He also has some majo...more
Kevin Pollak's Kevin Pollak's Chat Show podcast is a treat as Kevin Pollak interviews celebrities in a freewheeling 2 or 3 hour chat about show business and their career. What makes Pollak's show so appealing is his enthusiasm for the business, his love of both the comedy and acting craft, and his seemingly endless enthusiasm to know more about others. What shines through behind Pollak's smart ass exterior is a genuinely nice guy who seems to be in awe of the fact that he gets to do something he...more
I saw Kevin Pollak plugging his book on the Craig Ferguson show. So, I thought I'd give it a try. It's actually really good. Turns out he grew up in San Jose. I grew up in the Silicon Valley too. So I was instantly hooked since I could understand local references.
But his stories go one better. He talks about working with Robert De Niro, Johnny Carson, Steve Martin, and Jack Nicholson, just to name a few. The book is filled with hilarious stories of what silly things actors do in their trailers...more
But his stories go one better. He talks about working with Robert De Niro, Johnny Carson, Steve Martin, and Jack Nicholson, just to name a few. The book is filled with hilarious stories of what silly things actors do in their trailers...more
4.5
I took a break from some more serious stuff (Mailer and Robert Penn Warren) because due to stressful circumstances, I just haven't been in the mood to read anything. I'm glad I picked this and Andy Cohen's Most Talkative up at the library.
I usually couldn't care less about "celebrity tell-alls" and honestly care little of Pollak's work as an actor or comedian, but this is a funny, funny book. Short, honest, candid (about lots of celebs). I enjoyed it, out of my normal zone, but it was exactl...more
I took a break from some more serious stuff (Mailer and Robert Penn Warren) because due to stressful circumstances, I just haven't been in the mood to read anything. I'm glad I picked this and Andy Cohen's Most Talkative up at the library.
I usually couldn't care less about "celebrity tell-alls" and honestly care little of Pollak's work as an actor or comedian, but this is a funny, funny book. Short, honest, candid (about lots of celebs). I enjoyed it, out of my normal zone, but it was exactl...more
After reading the advance reader copy, I wanted to encourage others who enjoy memoirs or who are flat out fans of Kevin's, to get this book when it releases later this year. He has recycled some of his best bits from televised comedy specials but there are many more stories from his stand-up & film career that is new. He also recounts his emerging online chat show. The book has a quick pace and he writes EXACTLY like he performs.
When I started reading this book I had a hard time putting it down. It got my attention from the beginning and wouldn't let go. Kevin has a great ability to tell stories, and that along with his gift of comedy and guts, made him the success he is today. This is a brief look into how he made it happen in such a funny way! If only I thought of this first...
A solid memoir that deals primarily with his acting career. Refreshingly focused, Pollak deals out great anecdotes on working with some of the greats (Johnny Carson, De Niro, Tom Cruise, and many more), while refusing to detour into his personal life. No teary-eyed tales about divorces and screaming matches in the rain here.
This was on a display table at the library, and I picked it up as I waited in line to check out other materials. I found this to be a quick, easy read, more short vignettes than a memoir per se. I've seen and liked Kevin Pollak in several movies, and after reading this, I'm interested in checking out his TV show/podcast.
I enjoyed reading this book. Kevin Pollak has written a very funny book about his rise in the showbiz world , yes some name dropping is done but nothing that will damage reputations.
if you do get the chance to get the audiobook , it is read by Mr. Pollak himself and he does the voices too. So check it out.
if you do get the chance to get the audiobook , it is read by Mr. Pollak himself and he does the voices too. So check it out.
I am seriously so excited to have won this giveaway as I'm a huge fan of Kevin Pollak. Thank you for giving me the opportunity and as soon as I receive the book in the mail and read it I will be sure to edit this into one proper review. Thanks again.
I love books by comedians, even more, books by comedians that can do voices and even more ones in which the comedians read the book in audio format and do the celebrity voices of all the people they write about. This is one of those books.
Kevin Pollak is hilarious. I enjoyed the audiobook version of this and don't think reading it would have done it justice. Kevin does some amazing impressions and has some really funny stories. Definitely a good listen...
Kevin Pollak's book is amazing. He is a master storyteller who imbues each tale with genuineness and humor. The stories he tells are from his point of view but he never gets in the way of the reader seeing what he saw. Amazing talent. Great book.
Funny book by Kevin Pollack, who started out as a comedian and almost got typecast as a heavy in dramas. Lots of name dropping (in an adorable way) and dish on co-stars on set. I liked it.
A lot of fun, if slightly inconsequential. Interesting inside stories about "A Few Good Men" and "The Usual Suspects." Enough to make you seek out some Kevin Pollak movies to see what else he's done.
Some great Hollywood stories. Pollak is one of my favorite comedians, and does some of the best impressions in the game. The fact that he's also been in some amazing movies and worked with some of the most famous screen stars lends to a fascinating read.
I actually listened to this book on Audible. I loved it, I think it made it so much better being able to hear him actually read the story & being able to hear his impressions.
This book completely surprised me. I didn't know much about Kevin Pollak before but his stories are laugh-out-loud funny and he's dished some great dirt about very famous actors. It's a quick read that I highly recommend.
There are some funny stories in the book, however it is mostly Kevin Pollak name dropping and being in awe of all the Hollywood stars that he has worked with.
This book should absolutely not be read in print! Hearing Kevin read the audiobook himself gives you all those great impressions he's famous for.
Kevin Pollak is delightful and this is just confirmation of that. This is full of funny anecdotes from his career, as well as quotes from some of the hilarious people he's worked with. I definitely recommend this book for celebrity/movie buffs like myself.
As funny and charming as you'd expect. He is just gossipy enough to pull you in, and discreet enough to keep working in Hollywood.
a really good book, very funny and if your into comedy and want to pursue it, this book has some great advice.
Really funny book....potty talk spoiler....about Hollywood and a man losing his hair.
My secret shame is inside Hollywood stories and he is a master storyteller.
This was a fun read that is filled with stories of Hollywood. I found myself laughing on more than one occasion. It also gave me a list of movies I now want to watch as well as comedy specials from Kevin Pollak. I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys a memoir every now and then. I give it three stars because it's not something that would have me running to the closest book store to pick up, but was still worth the read.
Very funny. Always been a purist and said I wouldn't listen to an audio book. But with this one it wouldn't have been nearly as enjoyable if I hadn't "heard" the book.
Of the two comic memoirs I have read (Steve Martin's Born Standing Up) this certainly ranks in the top two.
See my review at http://www.jesterjournal.com/PollakBo...
Pollak's got a knack for retelling tales. Although I don't feel like I learned much about him from this book, it's chock-full of great yarns from his years of hobnobbing and acting in films with celebrities more famous than him. Worth reading if only to find out what Walter Matthau said to Sophia Loren just before the first reading of "Grumpier Old Men."
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