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Is This Anything?
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The first book in twenty-five years from Jerry Seinfeld features his best work across five decades in comedy.
Since his first performance at the legendary New York nightclub “Catch a Rising Star” as a twenty-one-year-old college student in fall of 1975, Jerry Seinfeld has written his own material and saved everything. “Whenever I came up with a funny bit, whether it happene ...more
Since his first performance at the legendary New York nightclub “Catch a Rising Star” as a twenty-one-year-old college student in fall of 1975, Jerry Seinfeld has written his own material and saved everything. “Whenever I came up with a funny bit, whether it happene ...more
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Well the answer to the question in the title “Is This Anything” is YES, this is much more than anything!
The introduction by Seinfeld is a glimpse into how it all started. Jerry first watched comedy on The Ed Sullivan show and wondered, “How are they able to talk like that? I was so mystified and fascinated by them. But I never, ever imagined I could be one of them. They were like astronauts or Olympic athletes to me.”
Later in 1974 he saw the movie “Lenny” with Dustin Hoffman about the life of L ...more
The introduction by Seinfeld is a glimpse into how it all started. Jerry first watched comedy on The Ed Sullivan show and wondered, “How are they able to talk like that? I was so mystified and fascinated by them. But I never, ever imagined I could be one of them. They were like astronauts or Olympic athletes to me.”
Later in 1974 he saw the movie “Lenny” with Dustin Hoffman about the life of L ...more
This was exactly the book that I needed to read right now! When I was growing up, there was a period of time when Seinfeld was ALWAYS on the tv at my house. I remember us setting the table for dinner and eating dinner to the sounds of Jerry’s jokes and my dad laughing. Is This Anything starts off with a few pages about how Jerry got into comedy and then is literally just 440+ pages of his notes of jokes and bits from the last few decades. One of the best parts about Jerry’s comedy is the timing
...more
When comedians write new bits, they ask each other, 'Is This Anything?' Jerry Seinfeld has a long career of writing 'anythings' and compiles some of his best humor in this book. The following are examples of his work.
Monkey
My next door neighbor just got a pet monkey. Now there's a lot of different animals you can get if you want a pet. But I would say once you find yourself at the monkey level, just have a kid. You're so close. It's one more little step. When you need a pet that can roller skate ...more
Is this anything? Well no, it's a book about nothing.
But as Seinfeld has demonstrated for years, nothing can be pretty darn funny. And, ultimately, this collection of his favorite jokes gave me more than a few chuckles. The material is not new, so the older bits feel pretty stale. Getting weapons past lazy TSA agents? Some things that landed in the '80s just don't resonate anymore. As he moves along to newer material though... now we're talking... and laughing.
I listened to this on audio, whic ...more
But as Seinfeld has demonstrated for years, nothing can be pretty darn funny. And, ultimately, this collection of his favorite jokes gave me more than a few chuckles. The material is not new, so the older bits feel pretty stale. Getting weapons past lazy TSA agents? Some things that landed in the '80s just don't resonate anymore. As he moves along to newer material though... now we're talking... and laughing.
I listened to this on audio, whic ...more
With 2020 coming to a close, we all need some laughs. This one delivers. This is a collection of some of Jerry's bits spanning several decades in chronological order starting with the 70s. Honestly, those early pieces are VERY short in length and aren't that great, so the book starts off a bit slow. But as his jokes move forward in time they do get better, even though some of them didn't age well. A joke written in the 80s about the TSA not screening well isn't quite as funny to listen to now, i
...more
Well this one was a bit disappointing.....yeah it was okay and very funny. Very, very funny, in fact in places.
I even watched Jerry Seinfeld LIVE in Adelaide with my eldest daughter (Becky) and we both howled with laughter a few years ago. So am a bit of a fan.
But maybe my expectations were way different to what this audiobook offered. I must admit I didn't read the blurb as I blindly accepted the offer of a free book on Audible. I thought it was going to be a little more autobiographical. It's ...more
I even watched Jerry Seinfeld LIVE in Adelaide with my eldest daughter (Becky) and we both howled with laughter a few years ago. So am a bit of a fan.
But maybe my expectations were way different to what this audiobook offered. I must admit I didn't read the blurb as I blindly accepted the offer of a free book on Audible. I thought it was going to be a little more autobiographical. It's ...more
Loved every monologue: the sets from the 1980s and 1990s, many of which would appear in the TV series, were like Proustian madeleines. Also, reading 20 or 25 pages of this after reading a chapter or two in a tense novel was the perfect way to settle in before sleep. This is a great holiday book.
4 to 4 1/2 stars
We had some good laughs on this comedic journey...
(My hubs rated it 4 stars and I rated it a bit higher.)
***
From THE EIGHTIES
Stand by Me
I saw that movie Stand by Me.
Good movie.
But I don't remember having friends like that when I was 12 years old.
Where they put their hand on your shoulder,
"You know god has given you a special talent."
I remember a kid would put his hand on my shoulder
so he could push me off the sidewalk into the bushes.
"You know, god has given you a face for the bu ...more
We had some good laughs on this comedic journey...
(My hubs rated it 4 stars and I rated it a bit higher.)
***
From THE EIGHTIES
Stand by Me
I saw that movie Stand by Me.
Good movie.
But I don't remember having friends like that when I was 12 years old.
Where they put their hand on your shoulder,
"You know god has given you a special talent."
I remember a kid would put his hand on my shoulder
so he could push me off the sidewalk into the bushes.
"You know, god has given you a face for the bu ...more
This was a fun audiobook, although I had to take breaks from listening to it because it's a lot of the same thing. It's basically Jerry the writer reading all of the bits that Jerry the comedian has performed over the years. So it feels like a 6-hour comedy special, but without an audience, without any laughs, and without the hyper energy of a live performance. But it's still Jerry's material, and it's still funny.
My favorite parts of the book were the short essays that Jerry wrote about his lif ...more
My favorite parts of the book were the short essays that Jerry wrote about his lif ...more
This book is not what I was expecting. It is not written in normal prose. Rather, it is a verbatim compilation of selected monologues from Jerry Seinfeld's standup routines over the decades, spanning his full career.
The writing is a bit jarring at first, since this material is not meant to be read from a page: it is meant to be heard from the stage. For this reason, I think the audiobook version would be superior to the paper copy.
That being said, once I got into the groove of the writing, it wa ...more
The writing is a bit jarring at first, since this material is not meant to be read from a page: it is meant to be heard from the stage. For this reason, I think the audiobook version would be superior to the paper copy.
That being said, once I got into the groove of the writing, it wa ...more
I will confess I don’t always love Jerry Seinfeld’s stand-up. I love, love, love the TV show and have enjoyed Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. But when it comes to stand-up he’s not my favorite. I enjoyed this book but didn’t love it. And I think while I usually write long reviews, there’s not much point here. You know if Seinfeld’s stuff is for you or not.
It is worth saying, that while as many have already noted, this is collection of decades worth of bits and if you’re a fan you’ve likely he ...more
It is worth saying, that while as many have already noted, this is collection of decades worth of bits and if you’re a fan you’ve likely he ...more
3.5
If you need to escape, I recommend listening to Jerry Seinfeld read his latest book, Is this Anything, on audio. The book contains Seinfeld's stand-up bits from the 1970s to the present, interspersed with short humorous passages on his life as a stand-up comic. His routines range from hysterically funny to mildly amusing and focus on everyday life's absurdities in the US.
Six+ hours of jokes are a lot of jokes, and there is a reason that stand-up concerts, even by the top comics, rarely last ...more
If you need to escape, I recommend listening to Jerry Seinfeld read his latest book, Is this Anything, on audio. The book contains Seinfeld's stand-up bits from the 1970s to the present, interspersed with short humorous passages on his life as a stand-up comic. His routines range from hysterically funny to mildly amusing and focus on everyday life's absurdities in the US.
Six+ hours of jokes are a lot of jokes, and there is a reason that stand-up concerts, even by the top comics, rarely last ...more
Oct 06, 2020
Darla
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
autobiography-memoir,
humor
It is something, that's for sure. This new release is 480 pages packed full of classic Jerry Seinfeld, organized by decade. I find it amazing that his clean comedy bits still hit the mark -- even the stuff from the 70's. I was not a fan back then, but many of those bits were used in the series. My husband and I would record each show on our VCR back then. Now we can watch reruns on cable. I could watch the dance montage from the last show on repeat. Here's the link for you: https://www.youtube.c
...more
The answer to the question posed in the title of Jerry Seinfeld’s new book “Is This Anything?” is a resounding yes. They say laughter is the best medicine and with all the horrific things that have happened this year, we all need some of that medicine. Usually when I read a book that is advertised as comedy I experience some internal chuckles but “Is This Anything?” is one of those very rare books that made me lough out loud and call people to share some of my favorite monologue bits. While I fo
...more
Seinfeld's best material from the past five decades copy and pasted into a book. If you've watched his TV show or his stand-up specials then you've heard a lot of this before. It's still entertaining, and there were some great bits that were new to me. The audiobook is great because Seinfeld narrates it himself, so you're hearing the material as it was meant to be delivered, as if he was on stage.
...more
I love Seinfeld but this book was a snoozefest of 15 second bits and old material
Audio 5 stars by Jerry Seinfeld
Story 5 stars
Just a fun book to listen to. I love Jerry Seinfeld’s comedy. This book takes you through the beginning to the present of his career and life. Told in only the way he delivers comedy.
A fun read😂
Story 5 stars
Just a fun book to listen to. I love Jerry Seinfeld’s comedy. This book takes you through the beginning to the present of his career and life. Told in only the way he delivers comedy.
A fun read😂
1-Star - DNF @34% - I thought I might like it, but I did not
Audiobook - 06:20 Hours - Narrator: Jerry Seinfeld
Listened to: 02:09 Hours - Balance: 04:11 Hours
The title of the book is "Is This Anything?"
After tolerating 34% of Seinfeld reading his (not always funny) jokes, the answer is no. ...more
Audiobook - 06:20 Hours - Narrator: Jerry Seinfeld
Listened to: 02:09 Hours - Balance: 04:11 Hours
The title of the book is "Is This Anything?"
After tolerating 34% of Seinfeld reading his (not always funny) jokes, the answer is no. ...more
I thought this book would be a funny memoir. It turned out to be "101 jokes for people in their 60s."
The reason Seinfeld's comedy works is because of how creative it is. It is not witty, as we already know, although, it is extraordinary. He compares two completely polarised ideas and then whisks them together until they are just the right consistency. And it seems to work!
After reading this book, I think that Jerry Seinfeld is slightly less funny than he was in my head.
Comical snippets in the ...more
The reason Seinfeld's comedy works is because of how creative it is. It is not witty, as we already know, although, it is extraordinary. He compares two completely polarised ideas and then whisks them together until they are just the right consistency. And it seems to work!
After reading this book, I think that Jerry Seinfeld is slightly less funny than he was in my head.
Comical snippets in the ...more
Is This Anything? is a collection of Jerry Seinfeld's jokes, from way back in the seventies through the post-apocalyptic train wreck that is 2020.
Seinfeld was my favorite TV show for years, from when it was originally on until my dad and I watched back to back episodes on TBS and quoted most of them to my mom's chagrin. I saw the Comedian documentary film in the theater and even drove to Nashville from St. Louis to see Seinfeld on tour in the early part of this century. My brother and I used to ...more
Seinfeld was my favorite TV show for years, from when it was originally on until my dad and I watched back to back episodes on TBS and quoted most of them to my mom's chagrin. I saw the Comedian documentary film in the theater and even drove to Nashville from St. Louis to see Seinfeld on tour in the early part of this century. My brother and I used to ...more
The first book by a comedian I ever purchased as a kid was "Sein Language." I was obsessed with Jerry and his show and I wanted to be a comedian when I grew up. When I was dating my future wife, she surprised me with tickets to see Jerry perform when he was on tour back in the early 00's. (That's how I knew she was a keeper). Needless to say, I was very excited about this book. "Is This Anything?" is pretty straightforward: Jerry takes his favorite bits from the five decades he's done comedy (70
...more
Apr 02, 2021
ABookwormWithWine
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
audiobooks,
humor,
library-books,
made-me-lol,
non-fiction,
favorite-authors,
made-me-snicker
If there is one thing I love it is stand-up comedy, and ever since watching Seinfeld I have been a huge fan of Jerry's and I've been to a fair amount of his shows as well. So, when I saw he had a new book out with an audiobook that he narrates, I had to listen to it, and I was NOT disappointed. Is This Anything? is basically a compilation of his best bits across the decades and they are broken into sections accordingly. We go from the 70s through 'the teens' and while he does talk a bit about hi
...more
I was an early fan of jerry seinfeld. I saw him perform at a chicago “funny bone” or “zanies” or some such in 1986. I’ve always appreciated his brand of humor. Even though much of what’s in this book was familiar to me, it still made me laugh. And i couldn’t put it down any more than i could walk out of his standup show. I was compelled to keep reading the bits. My electronic ARC didn’t contain many pictures, just one of jerry at the beginning of each decade (‘80s-‘10s), but i hope the finished
...more
First and foremost just know that this book is a collection of Jerry's standups over his career. It's much better in audiobook format so that you can hear him telling the jokes instead of reading them in a book.
Even though the TV show Seinfeld is technically about nothing, it's still pretty funny! And so is Jerry's standups.
I feel like this book was like an express stand up show haha only the best parts one right after the other. And it's organized by subject which makes it easy to go into the ...more
Even though the TV show Seinfeld is technically about nothing, it's still pretty funny! And so is Jerry's standups.
I feel like this book was like an express stand up show haha only the best parts one right after the other. And it's organized by subject which makes it easy to go into the ...more
3.5 stars. Nice way to start the year with a few laughs. Jerry Seinfeld has kept scrap notes of his comic material for all of the 45 years of his career and the result is this book. It’s spilt into chapters of each decade - the Seventies, the Eighties, the Nineties, the Double 0’s, the Teens. I have to say I was a little surprised with the format of the book being basically his scrap notes reproduced, and they’re all double spaced, which sure pans or pads the book out to over 400 pages.
I suppose ...more
I suppose ...more
For whatever reason, I haven't picked up a book since October 2021. I'm pretty convinced that where I live, we had very strict pandemic rules and we were the last to loosen up. It's been rough. This audio was funny, sometimes laugh out loud funny...and that was exactly what I was looking for. Is there anything more to say?
...more
I have always liked Seinfeld's stand-up. This book includes most, if not all, the material from his earlier book but also has plenty of new things (including coronavirus jokes which was a surprise). Everything here did not necessarily hit for me but there were enough good bits that had me laughing out loud to make the read worthwhile.
...more
Funny
Jerry Seinfeld put together a collection of his best comedy bits.
As expected, they are generally great. My only complaint is that the book should be on audiobook.
I enjoyed this book.
Jerry Seinfeld put together a collection of his best comedy bits.
As expected, they are generally great. My only complaint is that the book should be on audiobook.
I enjoyed this book.
This is a collection of Jerry Seinfeld's material from years past. Some of this I've heard before, some I haven't. I like him. I loved his show. He seems like such an all around nice guy. I'd love to see a new show because I'd watch that.
I listened to the audio. I'm glad Jerry did his own narration of his material, but the little title introductions before each and every tiny segment was off-putting. So 3 stars. ...more
I listened to the audio. I'm glad Jerry did his own narration of his material, but the little title introductions before each and every tiny segment was off-putting. So 3 stars. ...more
The greatest observational comic of all time.
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Jerome Allen "Jerry" Seinfeld (born April 29, 1954) is an American comedian, actor and writer, whose style is often described as observational comedy. He is best known for playing a semi-fictional version of himself in the situation comedy, Seinfeld, (1989-1998), which he co-created, helped write and, in the show's final two seasons, executive produced. In his first major foray back into the media
...more
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Every December, as we wrap up our annual Goodreads Reading Challenge, we ask our incredibly well-read colleagues an incredibly tough...
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“Nobody cares about someone like me, because they don't know the frustration that you feel when you have the solution, but you do not have the problem.”
—
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“I remember thinking, “Well, but I wouldn’t have to be that funny anyway. I would just have to be funny enough to buy a loaf of Wonder bread and a jar of Skippy peanut butter a week.” I could easily survive on that.”
—
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