Just When I Thought I'd Dropped My Last Egg: Life and Other Calamities

by Kathie Lee Gifford

Signed by the author. some rubbing & edgewear; in protective cover. some rubbing & edgewear; some yellowing; overall clean & tight. 293 pages

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

304 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Kathryn Lee Gifford (born Epstein, previously Johnson; born August 16, 1953) is an American television host, singer, songwriter, author, comedian, and actress. She is the co-host, with Hoda Kotb, of The Kathie Lee and Hoda Show, the fourth hour of NBC Today. She is best known for her 15-year run (1985–2000) on the talk show Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee, which she co-hosted with Regis Philbin. She has received 11 Daytime Emmy nominations and won her first Daytime Emmy in 2010 as part of the Today team. Gifford's first television role had been as Tom Kennedy's singer/sidekick on the syndicated version of Name That Tune, from 1974 to 1978. She also occasionally appears on the first three hours of Today and is a contributing NBC News correspondent.

Kathie Lee married Paul Johnson, a Christian composer/arranger/producer/publisher in 1976. After their divorce in 1982, she married sportscaster and former NFL player Frank Gifford in 1986. He died in 2015. Kathie Lee has released a number of studio albums and written a number of books.

For earlier works, see Kathie Epstein.

Reviews

[Mom]

This book is mixed with humor and memories from Kathie Lee Gifford's life. It was a very fun book to read.

[Terri]

This was a very quick read. I've always liked Kathie Lee from the time she sang on Name That Tune. This book is like short essays on different subjects. I liked that it was written this way, because I could put it down while on vacation. Light and funny at times.

[Ann]

Read by author, listened as a CD from the library.

[Just Janet]

What a pleasant surprise - Kathie Lee is a very good writer.

This little impulse buy at the Dollar Store was laugh-out loud funny, poigniant, unapologetically blunt and a quick read. She writes about everything, and I mean everything, the passing of her father, the tragic deaths of her beloved pets, Regis, Hoda, her feet, her breasts (aka flopbags) and the struggle with her "so-called perfect" children.

People who don't like her just want the juicy details about her husband's infidelity. To that end, she writes about that time but refuses to give details that are available in any basic internet search. She refused to add anything more to this incident other than to say that what happened between she and her husband was and is private. She acknownledged the fact that the road to true forgiveness was rough but her faith in God taught her to forgive herself, and then to forgive the father of her children and then her husband.

I enjoyed the beginning of her book more than the last few chapters which meanered a bit too much. Her advice to young ladies was priceless. I agree with another commentator, listing the lyrics to her songs was tedious.

[Debbie]

I rated this book four stars. Is it one of the best books I've ever read? No. But if you take it for what it is, it's actually quite entertaining. It doesn't pretend to be great literature and there's no compelling story. It's just little bits of this and that from the mind of Kathie Lee Gifford, who happens to be a pretty funny woman.

We get some glimpses into her life and some mentions of her Mom, husband, children, sister, and friends. But mostly it's just her observations and almost all of them made me smile. There were a few that I thought could have been left out since they were not particularly interesting, insightful, or funny, but overall I think she did a really nice job. It ranges from slapstick funny to fairly serious, and she covers it all in a style that is easy to read.

I heard her voice in every word. Which might not be a good thing for people who don't enjoy her. But it's lots of fun for people who do.

[Amy Hillis]

For some time now, I have been weak to Kathie Lee. Something about her mesmerizes me - maybe it's the long teeth or the unable-to-achieve-that-color-in-real-life hair.

I am always hoping, I suppose, that she will finally share more dish on why she hated Gelman and I'd appreciate her imparting ANYthing revealing about her sweatshop scandals and her marriage. Sadly, I didn't get any new deets on that stuff. Additionally, she was not particularly enlightening about any subject matter, and what she thought was funny, I often thought was caustic. She made one or two good points in the entire book, but they weren't memorable enough for me to be able to recall them now.

Overall, the book was written like she speaks - snarky with a smile with a splash of, "I'm-just-a-little-bit-better-than-you" thrown in for good measure. I think I'm officially over my Kathie Lee intrigue now.

[Ami Jo]

LOVED this! I started watching Kathie Lee and Hoda a few years ago, after the View turned into a soap opera and I just stopped changing the channel after the Today Show on the weekdays I'm home mornings. I love the banter they have and that it honestly feels like you're watching 2 friends.

So, just because I know Kathie Lee's been knocked around a bit, I wanted to read her book. Sure enough, lady has humor and faith that gives her strength and sees her through. She calls it like she sees it - which I find both awesome, hilarious, and inspiring. Anyone who's been pilloried as much as she has and keeps on rolling is a lady I can admire.

"And since we know we're all going to die eventually, why not spend each day laughing as much as humanly possible?"

"I've never made an enemy in my life, but if someone chooses to make you their enemy, what can you do? Nothing."

[Judy Stasiak]

I used to watch Regis and Kathie Lee, and now I catch Hoda and Kathie Lee some mornings, so when I saw this book I thought I would give it a try. The stories that she shared about life, touched me because any 40 something lady might find themselves in the same spot--any day of the week! I really liked Kathie Lee's perspective and how she can laugh with comments about the sagginess of certain parts of her body, yet make you want to cry when she talks about the declining health and eventual death of her dad. My favorite chapter comes near the end of the book, when she talks about giving a speech at a college graduation--the "words of wisdom" touched those of us who have kids in college and hope for a wonderful future for them.

[Rachel]

I really enjoyed listening to this book on audio. She sang many of the songs that she wrote and really brought it to life. There were times when I laughed and cried. It is laden with emotional content in short clips. At some points it seemed like random tangents, letters, or thoughts with lots of PS notes at the end but this writing style really made you feel like you were getting a true sense of her personal way of thinking. She expresses challenges associated with acting, struggles as a writer, mother, wife, daughter, business/brand owner, and the many other roles and hats she wears. It was nice to get to know someone in such a public light through her own words and experiences. I had no idea how successful she was until I read this book. I am impressed!

[Cnelsonquilt]

loved it so in reality a 4 1/2 star. i did not expect to like it that much. i really did not know that much about kathie lee gifford. she's a celebrity and that is not alot to recommend someone in my opinion. what do i know except too much hollywood can give everyone a bum rap. this is geared more for women and probably more for older women like myself. Devin you might not like it as much as i did. too much information on aging women. however as an aging woman i can appreciate it. the best part is her faith, loyalty, HUMOUR, and values. probably there is more but i am tired of typing and thinking.

[Lisa]

No, I'm not embarrassed to say I like Kathie Lee or that I read this book. She kept me company when I found myself a first-time mom all alone in my apartment with a newborn and no idea what I was doing. Kathie Lee had her first baby at the same time, and her stories of her parenting and her newborn kept me a bit saner and feeling not so alone. So yes, I like her and her book was completely entertaining. Read it for what it is, a fun book you can read in an afternoon, and if you're close to her age and mine there's plenty to relate to and laugh at.

[Angela]

Based on the ratings for this book, I can tell people enjoy it more when they listen to the audiobook, as I did. It's fun to hear Kathie Lee read the book, and I think it helped me understand her humor and tone better than if I'd read the paper version. I don't always agree with Kathie Lee but I admire how she puts herself out there with an opinion, and yet at the same time does not take herself too seriously. The book covers some heavy topics and some silly ones, and it all makes for a nice balance and an entertaining book.

[Kathryn]

I only picked up this book because I have had an odd fascination with Kathie Lee Gifford ever since I taught her niece 20 years ago. I have read Kathie Lee's autobiography "I Can't Believe I Said That" and I really liked it. But this book I didn't feel had much depth. Just a bunch of disconnected ramblings and lessons, some worth knowing, some not. It was "okay," and if you get it from a library (like I did), you'll be fine. But I wouldn't waste any money on this one.

[Chris]

You really have to like Kathie Lee, to enjoy this book at all. She narrates the audio version, and I have to say, she is very annoying. I used to love her, when she was with Regis, but now she is just too self-righteous. This book is about her life in antidotes. It would basically appeal to women over 50. did laugh at some parts but I think it would be better to just get the regular book, so you don't have to listen to her.

[Brenda]

Kathie Lee's book was a quick read but gave me insight, especially with regard to forgiveness and value of true friendship. This is a woman who is undeserving of all the negativity and hate she has received, as is evident in her turn-the-other-cheek mentality. Now I want to go back and read previous books she has written!

[Kristy]

Light, irreverant ramblings by the big mouth herself. I listened to an audio version read by the author (which I always prefer) and it included a little of her singing which I liked. I do think she has good intentions and clearly has lived an interesting life, but I can only barely stand it when she does her "voices"/impersonations of her children or other celebrities.

[Betsy]

It was more like a blog than a book. But, she makes some good point and tells some cute stories. I liked it. I listened to the author read it on audiobook, and her reading style sometimes got annoying. But, overall, I enjoyed it, and it make the time pass quickly when I was driving or doing dishes.

[Bridget]

This was a fun book probably because I am getting older. I thought her humor about her personal experiences was really funny. Her writing reminded me of Erma Bombeck writings that my mom (and everyone else mom's of the 1970's)read.

[Lisa Gregor]

Fun lessonettes written in Kathie Lee style (witty, satirical, semi-obnoxious but still light) and short chapters make this a good bedtime or travel book. Kathie Lee fans will enjoy, nonfans should probably skip it.

[Veronica]

I have to put the disclaimer out there that I actually really enjoy Kathie Lee...and if you really enjoy her, you'll really enjoy this book! It's pretty funny in parts and you get to see that she has a raunchier side that she can't let out much on morning TV.

Fun, easy, funny, quick read! :-)

[Mary Johnson]

I enjoyed hearing Kathie Lee Gifford read--and sing. She has a wonderful enthusiasm in the audio version. Her stories were interesting, but too often had Hallmark feel-good everything's-going-to-turn-out-all-right-no-matter-what endings that felt sometimes gratuitous.

[Bridget]

I really like Kathie Lee but this book was just some nonsense reading that I wanted to read. It was funny. There were some very funny stories of her life But like I said I wanted to read a funny book.

[Angie]

Kathie Lee is just plum HILARIOUS! I was laughing out loud (in my car, b/c I listened to the book on CD)... she has great insight into life's events, and shares it with crazy laughter! LOVED this one!

[Pam]

This was a fun book. Of course, I like Kathie Lee; there are many who don't and perhaps they wouldn't enjoy it as much. Little essays from her life and I could hear her voice the whole time. Very fast read!

[Kristen]

It was ok. Nothing to write home about.

[Dkfrancis5 Francis]

Funny, light reading. She's a ham with some truly profound insights, actually!

[Rhonda]

In Kathie Lee style, this book is funny. Very short chapters, you can pick it up, read a few chapters, put it back down. Lots of laughs.

[Mollie]

it was a cute book, easy read. she's pretty funny and has a good outlook on life.. i enjoyed it. also made me look at her in a different light. in a good way of course.

[Kay Pierce]

Just reading it because I like Kathy Lee. It is a lighthearted quick read about many facets of a woman's life.

[Maura]

listened to on cd - entertaining and sweet!