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44th out of 94 books
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15 voters
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I'm Chevy Chase . . . and You're Not
Chevy Chase is a much-loved Hollywood star. His success as a writer and actor on Saturday Night Live in the 1970s made him a household name, butbehind the fame lay a childhood riddled with abuse. But his remarkable strength and determination helped him rise above it and find his talent as an actor, writer, comedian, and musician. Best known for his role in the National Lam...more
Hardcover, 256 pages
Published
April 1st 2007
by Virgin Books
(first published March 6th 2007)
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All the things I learned about Chevy Chase were very interesting, but I haven't read anything so poorly-written that actually got published in a while. The author has no objectivity and consistently fawns over Chase. This is expected in an authorized biography, but it was nauseating. Chase never made a mistake, if he made a bad movie it was always as a "favor", things on set were only bad when Chevy didn't trust his instincts. That might be true, but puh-leeze. The lack of humility (Ch...more
Chase candidly reveals the hell that was his childhood with an abusive mother and ineffective father. His journey is a compelling one, not new by all means, but a study in overcoming tough beginnings to eventual peace of mind.
I grew up watching Chevy Chase, Steve Martin and Richard Pryor. All these comedians have created that one classic movie favorite. Chevy's was National Lampoon's Family Vacation. Chevy started out having an abusive childhood growing up by his mom and father(s). His mother battled mental problems and didn't know how to disciplined her kids properly without being abusive to them. By the trauma Chevy dealt with growing up, I am surprised he didn't grow up getting more involved into drugs and alcohol...more
Clare Bear
marked it as to-read
Some funny Fletch quotes:
Gail Stanwyck: What are you doing here?
Fletch: I ordered some lunch.
Gail Stanwyck: You ordered it here?
Fletch: Well, I knew this is where my mouth would be.
Alan Stanwyck: You'll be wearing rubber gloves. Do you own rubber gloves?
Fletch: I rent 'em. I have a lease with an option to buy.
KKK Leader: Folks ain't home. Cross won't burn. Hell, it ain't like it used to be.
Doorman: Name?
Fletch:...more
Gail Stanwyck: What are you doing here?
Fletch: I ordered some lunch.
Gail Stanwyck: You ordered it here?
Fletch: Well, I knew this is where my mouth would be.
Alan Stanwyck: You'll be wearing rubber gloves. Do you own rubber gloves?
Fletch: I rent 'em. I have a lease with an option to buy.
KKK Leader: Folks ain't home. Cross won't burn. Hell, it ain't like it used to be.
Doorman: Name?
Fletch:...more
Frederick
rated it
Recommends it for:
Those interested in stories of survivors
Shelves:
biography,
chevy-chase
I've only read the first few chapters of this authorized biography, but, inasmuch as it is authorized, this is Chevy Chase's announcement that he was seriously abused as a child. The opening pages are harrowing. It has been said often that comedians have very sad lives, but Chevy Chase must have tremendous reserves of inner strength to have survived the physical and psychological savagery inflicted upon him in his childhood.
A lot of people will ignore this book because they'll think it's j...more
A lot of people will ignore this book because they'll think it's j...more
The writing was somewhat unorthodox which isn't in itself a bad thing but made for a somewhat disjointed read. That said, Chevy's story is an interesting one regardless of the structure of Fruchter's presentation. Ultimately, I like the subject matter more than I liked the book and that hasn't changed.
I was surprised that I did not like this biography. The fault was not with Chevy Chase, but with the biographer, Rena Fruchter. The writing was disorganized and repeated itself. I was also expecting more to be said about Chevy Chase's depression and his recovery, but there were only a few sentences written about it. It was also a little out of date, mentioning nothing about his work on Community. I liked the information about Chevy and his experiences, but the writing was a real obstacle in the ...more
Booo, I am a Chevy Chase fan and in this book he comes across as hugely ego-tistical and arrogant.
An interesting look at an interesting character. If you weren't a fan before, you may be after reading this book.
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Didn't really reveal on the juicy stuff I was hoping for from him. It was very G rated.
I've heard that Chevy Chase could be a real asshole. I read in "Live from New York" about some of his behavior when he was there to host, so I was appalled. They say this was before he went into rehab, whatever. "I'm Chevy Chase and You're Not" was written by a serious fan who doesn't really say anything bad about Chase. She delves into his abusive childhood and skims over bad things he may have done. Better than if Goldman had written it, but not 'the truth, the whole t...more
I enjoyed learning more about Chevy Chase's life but really didn't like the way the author wrote the book. I give it a 3 for the content alone.
Just couldn't get into a book about a child being thrown into the basement and beaten by his crazy mother and then, the child turned out to be Chevy Chase who is a wounded little boy in an adult's body. Get over it was my first thought.
I loved this book. Chevy is so much more complex than I ever would have thought. If you're into bios, read this book. It's fabulous.
I loved Chevy in the 1980s. While Chevy participate with this biography it felt cold and distant and avoided the things that most readers would have like for it to engage. It did delve into the demize of a brillant career, but falls short recognizing the stellar heights of the career of a man whose talent faded before it should have.
I've learned that I fall into the category of "I'll ssee any movie this man appears in because I loved Fletch" but it has been fascinating to learn more about his past. Just a little personal indulgence. I don't recommend it if you've never been to Wally World while they're closed.
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As was previously stated, a fawning, "it's not Chevy's fault", "everyone is jealous of Chevy" bio. Very poorly written as well. Skip this book.
I finished this book in a few nights. I really enjoyed it. Insight to his past; childhood, early movies, why he left SNL... Some funny stuff, some sad abusive stuff. I've always loved Chevy Chase, and this book gave me no reason to change my mind.
Ugh. What a downer. Let me give you a snyopsis--everything you would get from this book, without the pain. Chevy Chase had a sucko life. It's surprising that he's so funny. The end.
I love Chevy Chase. Sad to hear he had such a horrible childhood with his abusive and crazy mother. I am glad he overcame the terrible upbringing to become the star he is.
I read it cover to cover in one sitting, which I never do. Sure, I had to give it to Brad the next day as a birthday present but...I really liked it.
Interesting for die hard Chevy fans (which I'm sure means only me), however it's written so badly it's hard to read a points.
Thought it would be interesting. The author did an awful job, every chapter was very redundant she could have done him more justice.
I liked reading about Chevy Chase, but I did not care for the author's writing style.
Interesting subject, but awkward and irritating writing.
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