Going Off Script: How I Survived a Crazy Childhood, Cancer, and Clooney's 32 On-Screen Rejections

by Giuliana Rancic

Giuliana Rancic is best known for interviewing A-listers on the red carpet and E! News, skewering their shocking style choices on Fashion Police, and giving viewers a front row seat to her marriage and family life on her reality show, Giuliana & Bill. What fans may not know is that she learned English from Eddie Murphy, got her American citizenship so she could be a beauty queen, and used to have a bad habit of stealing cars for fun.

Giuliana bares this and so much more in her hilarious, warm, and inspiring memoir, Going Off Script. From a young age she dreamed of being a TV anchorwoman but, because of her inclination toward mischief and away from schoolwork, her path to her dream job was far from straight. After a fateful (and mortifying) encounter with the late Senator Ted Kennedy, she learned that Hollywood news was where she belonged. Thankfully for readers, this epiphany led her to a bounty of LA misadventures (featuring notables such as Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Russell Crowe) and an entertaining behind-the-scenes perspective on what our favorite celebrities are really like.

In spite of her glamorous Hollywood life, however, Giuliana could not escape some rockier times, including her battles with infertility and breast cancer. Here, for the first time, she reveals the whole truth behind her well-publicized struggles, and the highly controversial decisions she had to make. And, of course, at the heart of it all are the two loves of her life who keep her strong through everything, her husband Bill and her son, Duke.

Candid, funny, and poignant, Going Off Script is an autobiography that proves you don’t always have to follow the rules to get the life you’ve always dreamed of.

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

272 pages, Hardcover

First published April 7, 2015

About the author

Giuliana Rancic is an Italian-American television personality who immigrated to the United States with her family at age seven. She is a former anchor with E! network's E! News and still co-hosts red carpet events for the network. She is also a co-host on E!’s Fashion Police. She is married to entrepreneur and author Bill Rancic. Giuliana is a breast cancer survivor and mother to son, Edward Duke Rancic.

Reviews

[Pamela Cathcart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written, funny and poignant. Rancic took the classy route, as recent history has shown her to have been completely and unbelievably thrown under the bus by co-workers on Fashion Police. An asterisk on race will forever be added to her public resume, which is neither warranted nor has been refuted by the very hosts and executives who contrived an embarrassing scenario, and used it as an excuse to further their own agendas. Joan Rivers is rolling in her urn. Keep smiling, G.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an autobiography. I hardly watch TV, so it's no surprise that I didn't know who Giuliana was before reading this.

I appreciated her candor. She was a bit of a wildcard in her youth. She was certainly brazen. I enjoyed the telling of her story and I was glad she did her own audio narration. She obtained what she really wanted in life. I liked that she didn't sugar coat her bad decisions. It showed how far she has come and how she grew from her experiences. Sometimes those things can be good motivators in life. So 4 stars.

[Bethany Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't have enjoyed a book better if I tried! I have always thought Giuliana was so much fun when I saw her on TV doing interviews for E! and I was so jealous at the same time!
When I picked up this book to read a few days ago, I could not put it down! I literally was reading every free second I had!
From the very beginning she grads your attention and brings you into her world as a child and how she grew up in Naples, Italy. She had an insanely fun and mischievous childhood - from outlandish dreams and CRAZY pranks that she pulled!
She never really took school seriously and just wanted to get through so that she could move on to bigger and better dreams, to be a TV anchor like her idol Barbara Harrison and to be Miss USA. Not high hopes all!
When she was 6 years old her family decided to follow the American Dream and move their family to the United States. They moved to the Washington DC area.
Through many twist and very funny turns, Giuliana finally graduated high school and made her way through college as well when she realized she really needed to buckle down.
At one point in college she realized Washington D.C. new was not where she was meant to be, she was destined for Hollywood and Entertainment reporting!
Through the next several years she would date some interesting characters, she would live from day to day not knowing where her next job would be and then she landed her dream job with E!
Fashion Police came into the picture sometime down the road as well as meeting the man of her dreams, Bill Rancic!
Life couldn't get anymore perfect, marriage and babies were next on the radar! Then the unthinkable happens, through testing for IVF she finds out the most devastating news of her life! CANCER...
She is very candid about her struggles along the way and it really makes you treasure every day that you are alive and well.
She still has to live with taking medication to this day, but she is able to raise her amazing son Duke (another part of her uplifting story you will enjoy) and live the life that she wasn't sure would be possible. I see more amazing stories from her to come and can't wait to read the next one!

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was so excited to read this book and had pre-ordered it months before it's release. However I found myself skimming through to the end
I've loved watching Giuliana on E news for years and adore her on Giuliana and Bill. She always appears to be funny, easy going, and sweet. Superficial at times but that's part of her charm
In the book she comes across as condescending, spoiled, and very superficial.
The part about her years in high school when she claims she had no friends yet was out stealing cars, pulling pranks on people and beating up and stalking boyfriends was appalling.
And for someone who never tried in school and constantly pushes buttons in her career she seeks to expect a whole lot more
I also felt she used the book as a way to passive aggressively get back at people who wronged her.
It was just not an enjoyable book. Some of the tidbits and inside look at E news was funny, but she just came across as an extremely unlikable person.
But that's just my opinion!

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved Giuliana from the get go. and I loved this book. I noticed that she doesn't have a co-author listed meaning she actually wrote this book herself instead of what a lot of celebs do which is sit down down with someone, talk to them, have it recorded and then have someone with competence make it literarily acceptable. I could feel her witty charm and spunky personality in even the somber parts of this book.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining and also well written (& it appears as though Giuliana wrote it by herself, which often can't be said about celebrity autobiographies). Would recommend for any of her fans.

[Kindra Zepeda Rodriguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cracked up and would even read some out loud to my husband. They seem like an amazing family and Giuliana is a fighter. A strong woman. I enjoyed this book a lot.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just adore her. She puts a comic spin on a downright scary subject. You can't help but fall in love with her.

[Terri Durling · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been a fan of E's "Fashion Police" show for years. It satisfies my love of glamour, fashion and all things related to same. Joan Rivers may not be everyone's favorite personality but I liked her feistiness and commitment to her craft - comedy. She gave Giuliana Rancic her big break on "E" and Giuliana was forever grateful to her for she had dreamed all her life of being a TV anchorperson. She was excellent in her role as part of the foursome on "Fashion Police" and I loved her style and the glamour she brought to that show. I appreciated her honesty on and off her reality show about her marriage and her struggles with having a child and dealing with breast cancer. She is an Italian diva who has dealt with many issues and managed to keep it real and positive even in the worst of times. I admire her devotion to her family and enjoyed her book for its candour and honesty. The world of fashion and celebrity is not an easy one to travel. It is full of pretentious, narcisstic, fake snobs and Giuliana was smack dab in the middle both as a celebrity herself and having interviewed many high profile celebrities during her career. She seems to have been able to realize the important things in life despite being surrounded by the glitz and glamour. Often times a person who loves fashion is thought of as frivolous and she makes no apologies for this. Good on her.

[Colette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was going to be pure not very well-written fluff. This was a such a pleasant surprise..dishy (although Rancic kept me guessing by not giving names on a few people), funny, poignant and deep. A really good read.

I do want to add something. She's the CONSTANT victim of the "body shaming" that seems to be so popular among the trolls hiding behind their computers nowadays. As someone who has been underweight all my life it really bugs me. It's just as rude to tell someone to "eat a burger" as it is to tell someone they're FAT. Rancic has come out in the media recently explaining that it was the medications she was taking for cancer. I don't know if that's true or not..her gorging on sweets (it's in the book) set off alarm bells to me. I don't know the reason for her underweight status and I won't speculate. I just hope she's finally healthy.

[Zohra Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. This book held a lot of surprises for me as I knew nothing about Giuliana other than that she was an E! and Fashion Police host. The book held a lot of surprises, especially about Giuliana's personality and the experiences she has had. They don't necessarily match the persona she has, but knowing these things about Giuliana actually humanises her and makes you like her even more.

The only thing I didn't like about the book was that the fact each chapter didn't easily flow in terms of being in chronological order. Each chapter had a different focus, which was good but at the same time it felt like I was jumping from time period to time period. I also wish there was more on Giuliana and Bill's relationship in terms of its early development.

[Kelly_Hunsaker_reads ... · Rating 4 out of 5]

Giuliana Rancic gives herself to these pages by allowing herself to be open, real and true. She doesn't shy away from the tough topics, or hide from stories that do not always portray her in the perfect light sought by most in Hollywood. She allows herself to sometimes sound vain, sometimes shallow, and in doing so she allows the reader to like her more and respect her more. She becomes the friend whom you want to drink with on a Friday and lunch with on a Monday. She becomes the friend whom you want to hold and soothe after her horrific battles with infertility and cancer. She is likable, smart and funny. This is a first-rate memoir. I am so glad that she read it herself as I do not believe anyone else would have been believable reading her story.

[Rita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this book, and really enjoyed it. Giuliani is an entertainment host who married Bill Rancic, winner of Trump's show, The Apprentice. A good biography telling the struggles and accomplishment of life. Very, maybe too much, personal at times. That's the way she is - being very forthright and open. Naughty in high school, scoliosis, working her way into college, trying to be Miss USA, stealing away to Hollywood, working hard to get the job of her dreams, dating some not-so-nice guys, marrying the nice Midwesterner, cancer, infertility, baby, happiness. Did I mention her swearing? I've liked and followed her for sometime, so I really liked it.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

My BFF and I used to watch E! News Live every night just as Giuliana was taking over for Jules Asner and we both loved her. I've outgrown E! since then, so I was surprised by how much I liked this book. G is pretty funny when describing some really awkward and painful times from her childhood, as well as ups and downs with her career, relationships, infertility, and cancer. The last chapter, about Joan Rivers, was a tearjerker!

[Angela Mclean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having never seen any of her shows, I had only a vague idea of who Giuliana Rancic is before I read this book, but now I just adore her! She had some great stories and though she has had a lot of bumps along the way, she offers a great perspective on life, relationships, and the importance of being able to laugh at oneself.

[Elsa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read quickly during work breaks. Interesting rollercoaster of life

[Georgie Wescott · Rating 1 out of 5]

I should have known it would be a let down when I picked it from a “free books” shelf. When she referred to her scoliosis as a “different level of ugly” (because the other kids who were overweight or had thick glasses were ugly) it was the beginning of the end for me. She later talks about how important “image” is to her so I shouldn’t have been too surprised. I guess that’s Hollywood!

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I happened to see this book in a clearance bin at Safeway grocery store while I was waiting for my mother. I saw Giuliana on the cover and remembered my brother had always liked her when her show came on and would remark, "Who is that? She is hot!" I enjoyed watching her mornings segments on TV. I didn't remember what show I just remember she came on every morning and she was pretty, had personality, I was funny and often being a goofball! LOL!

I was happily surprised when I read a random section of the book... the part where she interviews Anna Nicole Smith - I found myself laughing out loud!!! This was a book that I could appreciate .. non-fiction, good story, entertaining with heart and had a great sense of humor!! I didn't buy the book then but found myself thinking about days later - I liked Giulianas' style (which reminded me of my own, LOL!) And I had to go back and buy it!!!

I enjoyed reading how things are done behind the scenes, how things were then and how they are now... hearing what was going on in Hollywood while all these different stories were coming out. I like that perspective.

I did not know that Giuliana had had breast cancer. (That's not the kind of book I wanted to read as my mother right now is fighting breast cancer and I wanted something light to get my mind off of it.) Though when I read that section I appreciated her candor and the excerpts she shared from her diary when she speaks about her trials with Breast cancer.

The end seems abrupt however I think it stops at the right point. I totally recommend this book! Although I don't recall any real mention of George Clooney aside from the photograph. I enjoyed Giuliani's voicing her story.

Happy reading!♡☆♡☆😊

[Cindy Knoke · Rating 2 out of 5]

Initially I enjoyed the author's wit and considerable ability to tell engaging funny stories about her childhood and law breaking adolescent antics, but by the time she got to her college years, and the stories were becoming part of an unchanging pattern of behavior, the hilarity starting wearing thin.
At university she apparently continued a prior pattern of not attending classes, paid someone $300 to forge a term paper, cheated on an exam by wearing a wire, and lied with impunity when caught. She is talking about a pervasive pattern of cheating in college as if it were not only a fine thing to do, but funny as well. She, in all seriousness, defends cheating in classes that were not-related to her major, journalism, and talks of her desire to go to graduate school.
Really.
She also tells tales of ongoing, severe, feloniously violent mutual partner abuse, as if it was not only funny, but okay.
I stopped reading at this point.
This book reminded me a bit of Lori Loughlin et. al., and that peculiar brand of Hollyweird non-ethics, the idea that if I can pay to cheat, it is okay.
The fact that she thinks this is funny and okay, even now as an adult and parent, is unfortunate. But, hey, if the book sells, why not, and I was dumb enough to buy it.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

About a month ago I got the news that I had a large dermoid ovarian cyst and that I had to have a c section to remove it along with my left ovary. About the same time I found out that a big inspiration of mine had just released a new book where she shares her life story, her sickness and fertility problems among other things, somehting that I can relate to to some extent. For some reason this book called out to me. I needed this book with me at the hospital so even though I had to save my money for the surgary I went and ordered Going off script and it kept me company by the hospital bed during the three days I was in there and now after being at home for two days I have had the energy to read this beutiful book.

It made me laugh, cry and even do a little soul-searching. Even though our life stories are not at all the same, Giuliana helped me focus on what´s important and to know that life goes on, we can get through hardships but also that it is okay to be afraid and think that life is unfair, you dont always have to be brave and heroic.

Thank you

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hm. I came across this memoir while looking for books related to having or caring for someone with cancer. There's more to Giuliana than I knew. Her Italian upbringing was interesting. I thought I had a temper but WHOA I have nothing on her. I also wasn't wild about her nonchalance about school, etc. And her vain reasons for not wanting chemo? Not a fan. She mentions she doesn't want to be like "those do rag women" and I read that line after visiting my bald, chemo-riddled mom who was wearing a cozy head covering on something like day 63 in the hospital. I understand she did a risk assessment and determined she didn't need chemo, but I wish she acknowledged that not everyone has a choice.

But. I loved her dreams and determination. I love the story of the anchorwoman she loved. I love how her (at times) heartbreaking journey toward motherhood led her to a timely diagnosis of breast cancer. Truly amazing.

Also: damn, Jerry O'Connell seems like quite a jerk. I cannot believe he cheated on her twice. What a loser.

[Roni Blanche · Rating 4 out of 5]

Way to go, G! Loved you on "Fashion Police" (and SO hoping you are coming back when it starts up again in August!) and now I love "Going Off Script"! I saw glimpses of your wild side on "Fashion Police," with the frequent tossing of the "F" bomb and lascivious motorboating antics, but now I read about grand theft auto . . . evading police . . . and all before you hit 20? Damn, Girl, you are one cray-cray Mama!
What a fun read, full of hilarious stories about her colorful Italian family, the lowdown on celebrity interviewing and then becoming a celebrity, and behind the scenes tidbits about Joan Rivers and "Fashion Police." I would have given it 5 stars, but there was a tad too much quest-for-fertilization information for my taste. Still, "Going Off Script" is a smartly-crafted memoir that reads like Giuliana is spilling tales from her past while you and she share a bottle of wine (or two -- she is Italian). Saluti!

[Gwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was uncertain how I would like this book and was very pleasantly surprised. Giuliana expresses herself very well and is also outspoken in regard to happenings in her life. I was able to sympathize with her in her striving to have a baby and in her battle with cancer, though I have never had to actually had to struggle with either. She was just so forth coming and honest with those struggles that the reader pulls for her all the way through. She begins at the beginning of her life and goes through the present (including her deep affection and respect for Joan Rivers) in a way that holds the reader's attention. One of the only things I felt disappointed about in the book was no picture of her wedding. I so wanted to see that dress.

I recommend this book to anyone 16 and up.

I received this book free from Goodreads First Reads.

[Cari · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve always liked GR’s outgoing almost verging on silly personality. Maybe my assumptions about her were what made me dislike this book. There were some entertaining and funny parts and I appreciated her honesty about life-threatening illness, infertility, and relationships. But it may be too honest in that she seems to gloss over many unethical and selfish decisions. Many sections demonstrate shallow, self-serving she was for most of her life. (And I find it hard to believe that changed overnight.) I think most of us can look back at our lives and realize we made bad/immature decisions, however she comes off as proud of some really horrible behavior. It also seemed to demonstrate that she’s skated by bending the rules or just getting lucky and still seems to attribute that to a good work ethic.

[JH · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book! Guiliana is such an entertaining person who has lived a fascinating life. There’s a little celebrity scoop in here (specifically about the time she seriously dated Jerry O’Connell, her friendship with Joan Rivers, and a specific incident where Ariana Grande lives up to her diva reputation!). There’s also a lot of detail about her breast cancer, and her struggles with infertility. I admire her so much for sharing her experiences. She talks a lot about wanting to share so that other women who are dealing with these issues know they aren’t alone. Even if you aren’t a huge watcher of E!, or “Guiliana and Bill”, this is still a very entertaining read. To be honest I’d only seen her on red carpets and knew vaguely that she was an E! anchor, but I love celebrity books, so this was fun for me.

[Jen D'Angelo Gürcüoğlu · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up at the dollar store. I love memoirs, and am somewhat familiar with her story. Her childhood was intriguing, and I felt she spent a lot of time telling the stories with passion. The book felt rushed after that. I did relate to her anecdotes on breast cancer, though she brushed over the difficulties. A lot of it was (expectedly) superficial but I found some parts not entirely honest and overly exaggerated. She stayed at the Mondrian for two nights when first arriving in LA with the measly budget she mentioned? Not buying it. Also, she mentioned her weight loss was partially caused by Tamoxifen - it is known for having the opposite effect. One may suspect she does have some issues with her weight that she is not willing to address. She also comes off as extremely selfish. It was an entertaining read if you want to get sucked into pop culture for a moment.

[Brooke · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't wish cancer or infertility on anyone. Giuliana has been through a lot, and she has worked her butt off to get to where she is. However, I was not a fan of Giuliana prior to reading this, and this book didn't change my mind about her. She either thinks is cool to be unhinged, shallow and pretentious, or else that is the persona she chooses to put forth. Either way, it won't win me over.

Taking the last 40% out of it (the cancer & infertility issues), Giuliana seems to think it is appropriate and cool to make fun of others, be shallow, steal and have double standards. She brags about joy-riding without a license, fighting with other women both verbally and physically, and needing to be a sample size. Based on this book, she is not a good role model for young women.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

To be honest, I did not expect much from this book. I'm happy to report that I was wrong. Rancic's recollection of her crazy family, her antics as a tern, battle with scoliosis, and her rocky climb to the top are honest and interesting. The real triumph is in the second half of the book, which she bravely recounts her battles with infertility and cancer. You can feel the terror and can't help but imagine what you yourself would do in the midst of unending turmoil, all while attempting to work four jobs. Rancic's strength, deep commitment to God, and incredible sense that somehow everything will be okay makes you root her all the way to the end. 4.5/5

[Deedra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Giuliana caught my attention once night when I found a episode of her and Bills show. I thought she was funny and a great relationship with her husband on the show and to find out in her book that I was right made me feel so happy. The stories about her growing up made me laugh out loud and crave some homemade pasta.The ugly boyfriend problems I feel is what drove her to becoming a workaholic. I get it. I bet she has one hell of a poker face, if you read this book you will find out what that means. If you did read this book you know exactly what this means. She did a great job of keeping work and not mixing her personal life together. A true working woman with a goal.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Real

I was not expecting the honesty that I read within this book. I was shocked to learn about Giuliana's real personality. She seems chipper most of the time but the book allowed the reader to know that she does get upset, angry, and depressed. Reading about her life as a wild child turned cool wife and mom was a fun and enlightening experience. Giuliana has transitioned a lot throughout her life and this book shows that Bill is her soul mate. Not only do they understand and love one another unconditionally, but he has helped her spirituality and love of God grow. I highly recommend this book.