Hey Mom: Stories for My Mother, But You Can Read Them Too

by Louie Anderson

With wry wit and poignant humor, Louie Anderson, New York Times bestselling author and Emmy Award–winning comedian currently starring in Zach Galifianakis’s Baskets, shares his journey of turning life’s challenges into joy, as well as plenty of wisdom he’s still discovering from his late mother.

Louie Anderson has channeled his beloved mom in his stand-up routine for decades, but she died before seeing him reach his greatest heights, culminating in his breakout TV role as Christine Baskets, the mesmerizing character inspired by his mom, Ora Zella Anderson. This book is Louie’s way of catching her up on his triumphs, disappointments, and continuing challenges. There is heartache, but also great hope. There are also—given Louie’s inimitable voice—laugh-out-loud stories and observations on life’s absurdities, the kind only he could make.

“I started out writing these letters to my mom, but a few friends said I should write a book. I said okay because next to ‘we’ll see,’ ‘okay’ is as non-committal as you can get. But somehow I stuck with it. I hope you like it. I hope that after you read it, you’ll write or call your own mom—and dad, sister, brother, cousin, nephew. Or have lunch with them. Or breakfast. It doesn’t have to be lunch. But do it now. Don’t wait like I did.” —Louie

April 2015 --
It's about time --
Gone but never forgotten --
Tenth child --
Premiere --
Birthday girl --
Training day --
Silent dancing --
You and me --
Daily prayer --
The hair twirlers --
Finding Ora --
One thing I really miss --
Each parent got a book --
Life sucks without bread --
Louie Anderson is dead --
No family feud --
That's somebody's baby --
If there are cheeseheads in Bucharest, blame me --
Who, me? --
I am Christine --
My first lady --
Thank you, brother --
Truth ranger --
New Year's Eve! (minus the booze) --
2016 --
Yes, man --
Podcasts and home --
That was your baby, Mom --
A moment I think I wish I hadn't missed followed by one I'm so happy I didn't --
Life is funny --
Comedian? Movie star? Leader of the free world? --
Make your date --
Sweet Lisa --
Big shot --
Stranger things --
Stand-up people --
Nominee --
You gave away a child, or two --
Midwesterners --
70% disabled, pending 100% --
Penguin costume time --
I don't have to smile like I'm happy for someone else! --
Note to Thomas Wolfe: You never actually leave home --
My TV family --
Big & beautiful --
Older --
Full moon --
Life is a performance, old chum --
Seduce, exploit, abandon --
2017 --
Jesus calling --
What are we waiting for? --
I miss them all --
Fat camp --
My world --
Family peace --
Hat day --
Doing what we shouldn't, not doing what we should --
Big underwear --
When it rains it pours --
12-step --
Fellowship --
It's your faults, Mom --
Writers need deadlines --
This book is not about you, Dad, except when it is --
Reunion --
Season 3 --
The sorrow sparrow --
Defending champ --
The day you dies --
To everyone who is a Mom or had a mom

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor, Memoir, Biography, Audiobook, Biography Memoir, Autobiography

288 pages, Hardcover

First published April 3, 2018

About the author

Louie Perry Anderson (1953-2022) is an American stand-up comedian, actor and television host. Anderson created the cartoon series Life with Louie, has written three books, and was the initial host of the second revival of the game show Family Feud, from 1999 to 2002.

Growing up in St. Paul, Minnesota, Louie Anderson was the second-youngest of 11 children in his family. He went to Johnson Senior High.

Reviews

[Alex Bear · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first thought when getting this book from the library: “This will be such a random book to tell my friends I read when Baskets comes up again.”

My thought after I read the first couple of chapters: “ I sure love Christine Baskets, but this book isn’t landing for me. I just might not be a Louie fan outside of the show.”

About half way through, after making it through yet another simple and intimate section about how addiction, mental health issues, and complex family love affects everyone: “Stop. Fucking. Crying. Alex… This was supposed to be an arbitrary musing you brought up in conversation!”

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty heartfelt book from Louie. Essentially you get his life story, but told in a very unique way. Lesson: If you've got questions for your parents (or whoever else), ask them while they're still around to answer. Sounds like a dumb thing to say, but most people think they have all the time in the world for that kind of thing. We don't.

[Ellen Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great surprise!!!

I checked out the audio book from our library thinking
this was going to be a 'ha-ha' 'that's funny' book.

Instead I listened to a heart-felt, loving, questioning,
memory-filled dialogue read by Louie himself.

I listened as a mother who has also lost a mother.
So many feelings on so many levels.
A read/listen I can recommend to everyone.

[Cathy O'Neal · Rating 2 out of 5]

I adore the quirky mom character Louie Anderson plays on Baskets, Christine Baskets, long-suffering mom of two sets of twin boys (one set biological, one adopted, both sets totally disrespectful to her). Mr. Anderson had said early on that Christine is him impersonating his own mother, Ora Zell Anderson. I've been working on some intense theater the last few weeks and have three more weeks to go, so I have been listening to humorists and comedians to offset the bad stuff (like gun violence and school shooters). Hey Mom has its moments, but I was disappointed. It's not nearly as funny as I wanted it to be. The entire book is one long love letter from Mr. Anderson to his departed mom, and that's sweet. I can only hope my son would want to do something similar in my memory. There are some interesting tidbits about Mr. Anderson and his career leading up to Baskets and his emotional, fraught family life as the 10th of 11 children.

[Sherry · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had never heard of his series, Christine Baskets, so much of this book was lost on me. It was autobiographical, which I enjoyed, but didn’t really care for the format of letters to his Mom. Though It was quite evident he loved her dearly, and his father was extremely abusive. I’m glad I borrowed this one from the library.

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This took me by surprise—incredibly touching.

[Amy Bea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Louie Anderson has a way of writing as if he is speaking directly to you (and his Mom). He is funny, clever and insightful. I feel like I know Louie!

[SerenaBeReading · Rating 3 out of 5]

I obviously didn't read the summary for this before I picked up the audio book and listened to it. Wow. So I'm one of many that grew up loving Life With Louie for the few years it aired and remember Louie Anderson all over the tv as a kid telling his family jokes. While this had it's funny moments I felt myself getting real sad. Louie's mother died in the 90s and the book reads like him reading letters to her. He talks about how he misses her, how he wished he had been nicer, and all of the other siblings that passed on. Louie is the second to last child in a family of I believe 11 kids (GOOD GAWD) Many of his siblings have since passed on, including his baby brother and there are only a few left. On the last disc which is probably the last chapter in the print book he talks about the day his mother died. That was hard to listen to. You definitely never get over the death of your mom and it is like a piece of you is gone, been through it and knew exactly what he was talking about. Ok it wasn't all depressing, Louie did tell some funny jokes throughout the book. I like when he talked about being on Johnny Carson and being one of the first invited to Joan Rivers show. I have never seen the show Baskets where he plays a mom and got inspiration for the role from his own mom but I will start watching soon. Definitely don't read or listen to this if you're feeling down.

[Ron Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes the saddest people of all are the clowns. I could feel the heartbreak of loneliness in his letters. I'm sad that he was never able to fully embrace his sexuality. He should be in a hot tub in Palm Springs right now giggling with a houseboy.

[TL *Humaning the Best She Can* · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Overdrive app *

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really cute, funny, and thoughtful. Louie Anderson seems like just the sweetest person. A wonderful tribute to his beloved mother who inspired my favorite TV character of all time, Christine Baskets. Inspired to be a bit kinder to myself and others because of this book.

[Scottsdale Public Library]

In 2016, comedian Louie Anderson won an Emmy for playing mother Christine Baskets in the FX series, Baskets. In his acting for Christine, he played the part as his mother, Ora Zella Anderson, would have.

In this book, Anderson writes three years’ worth of letters to his mother (who had passed in 1990) from 2015 through 2017. His letters are just conversations with his mother as he talks about some of the general day-to-day happenings in his life. Some parts are reminiscences of growing up, and some are filled with questions for his mom. You learn a lot about Louie Anderson’s life but also his family’s. In his letters, he is brutally honest with regrets, lessons learned, and how to be a better person.

Most importantly, Louie has a message for all of us: “Everyone should tell the people they love that they love them, at all times, because you never know.” Simple advice, but one that many of us neglect to do. I highly recommend this book, but first, tell your family you love them. That would make Louie happy. – Sara H.

[Dotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love, Louie Anderson! Was watching “Baskets” on FX where Louie is playing a mom to actor Zack Galifianakis’ character. The show is real hoot and Louie steals the show.

I’ve enjoyed Louie’s stand up comedy career since the 70’s,80’s even when he was host on “Family Feud”. Behind the laughter there was always a vulnerability, a sadness, which is attributed to his family’s hard life. Some of the chapters in the book will make you teary eyed, some will make you laugh out loud.

I’d like to read his other books.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall I enjoyed this book, although he tended toward repetitive and preachy at times. However, a lot of his sentiments I agreed with, and since I listened to it, and I'm a fan of Christine on Baskets, it was a fun experience to feel like Christine was reading this book to me. There were a few sad and poignant parts, particularly around the death of Tommy. Overall, it's not a literally masterpiece, but it was a nice story to listen to.

[Denise Summers]

Funny. Poignant. Heartfelt. Sad. Entertaining. I enjoyed him talking to his mom (who has passed away) and remembering childhood, adulthood and telling her about life after she passed. Very touching and fun to listen to. It was easy to relate to him talking to his mother. Asking her questions he should have asked when she was alive and telling her funny tales from the present. Honoring her and chastising her. This is just what we do when our mothers pass.

[Dawn Livingston · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not finish around page 65. Reading him continually talk about his mother became tedious, depressing and made me think of when my mother passes and how much I will miss her. I don't want to think of that.

However, give the book a chance, you may find it inspiring, or touching. I could just be going through a Grinch phase.

[Felicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5-5
Really touching and listening after his death makes it heavier. I hope Louie gets to see his mom and his other siblings on the other side. Left me appreciating the small things and those good human connections

[Jeanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

It wasn't bad. There were a few gems and delights, but it was mostly drivel. Did not finish.

[Sactobarb · Rating 5 out of 5]

One minute I was laughing out loud, the next I had tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat. A great read!

[Norma Novak · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book alot. Very honest about the damage parents can cause.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Hey Mom
Author: Louie Anderson
Read by: Louie Anderson
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Length: Approximately 6 hours and 1 minute
Source: Review Copy from Simon & Schuster. Thank-you!

I heard Louie Anderson talking about his new book on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and it made me really want to read it. I jumped at the chance to be able to review the audiobook.

I was expecting a funny memoir about Louie and his mother, but what I found instead is a touching collection of letters where Louie ponders on his family life. He thinks about things he wishes he would have done differently or questions he could have asked while his mother was still alive. He had a hard childhood as one of eleven children with an alcoholic and verbally abusive father. He and his mother both found solace through food. He channels his mothers’ persona for his latest television role.

I’ll admit that I know of Louie Anderson, but I haven’t watched most of the programs he’s been on. One item I didn’t like about the book is that it was written while he was filming and receiving awards for his new show, Baskets. I haven’t seen this show and while this audiobook made me want to watch it, it also felt sometimes like a giant ad for Baskets.

I really enjoyed this book and was really touched by the honest thoughts that Anderson had about his family. It was relatable – families are complicated. I liked that Louie Anderson narrated the audiobook. It was perfect.

Favorite Quotes:
“Sadly, no one in our family ever said, "I love you." Do you realize that? The truth is, I think we were all frightened of saying it, since the obvious reply would've been. "Well, if this is love, what is hate like?”

Overall, Hey Mom was a touching look at complicated family life filled with Louie Anderson’s trademark humor.

This review was first posted on my blog at: https://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2018...

[Mike Kowis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have always been a fan of funnyman Louie Anderson and was sad to hear of his passing earlier this year. Hey Mom: stories for my mother, but you can read them too is touching and shows what a caring and sympathetic son Louie was. I think he stood out as a comedian b/c his material was always clean and his audiences could easily relate to his jokes about family.

I definitely enjoyed this touching book, but it was not quite as good as another one that he wrote entitled Dear Dad: Letters from an Adult Child. While both of these books are moving, the Dear Dad book gives more details about Louie's (rough) childhood and how he got into comedy/show biz. NOTE: neither of these books was particularly humorous, so I don't recommend them to anyone looking for a bunch of laughs. For that, I'd suggest watching re-runs of his comedy specials or popular TV shows (Baskets, Life with Louie, etc.). Louie was one-of-a-kind comedian/comedic actor and will be missed by many.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started out writing these letters to my mom, but a few friends said I should write a book. I said ‘okay’ because next to ‘we’ll see,’ ‘okay’ is as non-committal as you can get. But somehow, I stuck with it. I hope you like it. I hope that after you read it, you’ll write or call your own mom—and dad, sister, brother, cousin, nephew. Or have lunch with them. Or breakfast. It doesn’t have to be lunch. But do it now. Don’t wait like I did.” —Louie
ღ✻✻ღ

Very touching. It was heartwarming to see how Louie respected and loved his mother. She has been gone for over 25 years, and the feelings are still very new and emotional.

[James Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I know Louie from his role in Baskets, his character is so realistic and likable. I found that his book had bits of comedy, but it was like the types of jokes that a friend throws in during a conversation, it felt real. I honestly thought that it tells more about Louie as a person. Having the author read the audiobook is also a huge plus. I hope he writes more books!

[Theresa Hildebrand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars because it is Louie. For years my family has been quoting his routines. Then I got a little older, a little wiser...a little brother. This was a tough book to read because of Louie's honesty when it comes to talking about the aging of his family & the sadness that comes from losing parents & siblings. It's something that I can identify with ~ but he also has a way of mixing in his own coping mechanisms & his storytelling to lighten the mood. He just seems like such a genuine guy ~ thanks Louie for sharing your stories with us as they have brought us many a laugh. Oh No !! The Sweet Potatoes !!!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anderson's kindness and love for his mother and family shines through in this book. I was on the edge of tears for many of his stories. Grateful for this opportunity to learn more of the inner work and inspiration that went into and came out of his legendary performance as Christine in Baskets.

[Sandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a diary-like collection of letters Anderson writes to his deceased mother. It's a sweet, heartwarming, and occasionally sad account of his life with his parents and siblings. I enjoyed it.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did this on audiobook early last year and loved it. I laughed and cried a few times. So sweet.
Highly recommend the audiobook because he does so many impressions of his mother and family.

[Katie Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really treasure the experience of listening to Louie read this one. What a special book.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seeing him on Colbert, talking about this book, made me curious to read it. More of a memoir in the form of letters to his beloved mother, now portrayed in the character Christine Baskets (haven't yet seen the show, but now I want to.) What an incredibly tragic life he has led, though he is never self-pitying. Instead he turned his pain into a gift to share with the masses. Going to do a lot more catching up on his career, and other books, now.