My story with Steve Martin is rather strange.

Given my age and the fact that I didn't grow up in the US, I didn't really know much about Steve Martin as a comedian. Growing up in Paraguay, I only knew him from the movies I sometimes came across while channel surfing on cable. These movies were usually subtitled or dubbed in Spanish, often romantic comedies that were light and fun. I thought of him as the cute (yes, even at 12 I was a bit odd) guy with white hair who was quite funny.

Fast forward ten years, during which I didn't think or hear much about him. Then I ended up living with a librarian who was a Steve Martin enthusiast. I had no idea he was also a writer, let alone a VERY GOOD writer. This leads to my current obsession with his books and movies. I adored Shopgirl (both the book and the movie), The Pleasure of My Company, and An Object of Beauty. This is the first book of his I read that is more of a comedian book. I can't say I like it as much as his fiction, but he is a very smart and funny guy. It wasn't side-splittingly funny, but it was witty and charming, and it made me like him even more.

I have his memoir Born Standing Up lined up to read next. Since I followed his career in reverse order and my process is the opposite of everyone else's, I'm not sure if I'll like his earlier work as much, but at least it will fill some gaps in my knowledge of American popular culture.

And yes, at age 30, I still think he's rather cute! :)

I listened to this on CD, which was read by Steve Martin.

It's understandable that some people might have difficulties getting into this particular work. You truly need to be in the appropriate frame of mind to fully "get" Steve's unique brand of humor in this one.

The experience of hearing him read it aloud made a significant difference. In fact, I'm not entirely certain that I would have enjoyed it to the same extent if I had read it on my own.

Steve Martin's reading added an extra layer of charm and nuance to the story. His delivery brought the words to life in a way that I don't think I could have achieved by simply reading the text myself.

Overall, while it might not be everyone's cup of tea, I found the experience of listening to Steve Martin read this work to be highly enjoyable and entertaining.

This book has a rather apt title, as it is filled with a great deal of drivel. In fact, it ended up in my donation box the moment I completed reading it. I playfully told Dave that his drivel seems much purer, like Ivory soap, in comparison to this. Truly, most of the pieces in this book were not even amusing, let alone profound or funny.

Unlike the plays of Martin that I read recently, I have had this volume for years. It's a first edition, and I think I attempted to read it before but gave up after just a few essays. However, I'm glad that I finally finished it because the best piece was the last one, 'A Word from the Words'. It was witty and mostly intelligent, yet still not as good as any of the pieces in Sara Vowell's books.

I've always liked Steve Martin's screenplays and really enjoyed 'Shopgirl'. But after enduring these last two tomes, I don't think I'll pick up his latest novel, even though I've heard it's good. If it were anything like 'Mars Probe Finds Kittens' or 'Taping my Friends' or 'In Search of Willie Filipeno', I would hate it. Or if it was like 'Bad Dog', which started off promising but then went... well, 'bad', I would be completely disappointed. For now, I'll leave off reading Martin's works.

As much as I enjoy Steve Martin's movies, the short comedy sketches he writes are really very hit or miss.

Steve Martin is a highly talented and well-known figure in the entertainment industry. His movies have brought joy and laughter to countless audiences around the world. However, when it comes to his short comedy sketches, the quality seems to vary.

Some of his sketches are truly hilarious and showcase his unique sense of humor and creativity. They are filled with witty one-liners, absurd situations, and memorable characters. These sketches have the power to make you laugh out loud and leave you with a lasting impression.

On the other hand, there are also some sketches that fall flat. They may lack the necessary punchlines or fail to develop the ideas fully. These sketches can be a bit disappointing, especially when compared to the high standards set by his movies.

Despite the hit or miss nature of his short comedy sketches, Steve Martin's overall body of work is still highly regarded. His contributions to the world of comedy have been significant, and he continues to be a respected and influential figure.

Twenty-ish shorts. They're not stories in the traditional sense. Instead, they're more like monologues.

Perhaps they can be likened to intellectual standup comedy. Each of these shorts was first published in The New Yorker.

I had the pleasure of experiencing them first as an audiobook, which I highly recommend. The author reads it himself, adding an extra layer of authenticity.

The collection features satire, social comment, and absurdity. One of my absolute favorites is Bad Dog. It's told from the point of view of the dog, whose owner expects it to suppress its instincts. It's not only very funny but also surprisingly suspenseful.

Brainstorming from Schrodinger's Cat, one wonders what else could fit that pattern. Given that the author is in MENSA and has a philosophy degree, there's a wealth of material to draw from.

Philosophy also plays a significant role in The Paparazzi of Plato.

A word from the Words is told from the perspective of words themselves, while another is from the point of view of punctuation.

Side Effects is a piece that's worth memorizing to impress your friends! This collection is an absolute must-have for anyone who enjoys unique and thought-provoking writing.

I listened to this on Audible, and it was read by Steve Martin. It's truly a perfect encapsulation of Martin's absurdist humor. The collection is presented in a nice, quick read that keeps you entertained from start to finish. What's even better is that Martin reads it exactly the way he wrote it. This is in sharp contrast to some authors who read their work with such indifference that you can clearly hear it in their voice. With Steve Martin's reading, you can fully appreciate the nuances and comedic timing of his writing. It's like having him right there in the room with you, sharing his humorous stories and ideas. Overall, it's a great listen that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys Martin's unique brand of humor.

Comic. Genius. These two words seem to go hand in hand when we think of some of the greatest minds in the world of entertainment. A comic genius has the ability to make us laugh until our sides hurt, while also touching our hearts and making us think.

They have a unique perspective on the world, seeing the humor in the everyday and the absurdity in the extraordinary. Their creativity knows no bounds, as they come up with new and innovative ways to make us smile.

Whether it's through stand-up comedy, comic strips, or animated cartoons, a comic genius has the power to bring joy to millions. They can take the most mundane topics and turn them into something hilarious, or use their wit to comment on the state of the world in a way that makes us see things differently.

In conclusion, a comic genius is a rare and precious gift. They have the ability to make us forget our troubles, if only for a little while, and to remind us that there is always something to laugh about in life.

I grabbed this book from a free giveaway shelf a long time ago. Recently, a conversation with some of my students about humor writing made me finally open it up.

Out of the 23 short chapters, very few hold together as complete, start-to-finish funny pieces. However, amidst essays that don't quite work (and several that don't work at all), there are turns of phrase that made me nearly fall off my chair laughing. Martin is at his best when he's absurd and at his worst when he's trying to maintain an extended bit of satire.

Here are a few favorite examples:

I would like to apologize to my family, who have stood by me, and especially to my wife Karen. A wiser and more loyal spouse could not be found. (1)

Many very fine writers are intimidated when they have to write the way people really talk. Actually it's quite easy. Simply lower your IQ by fifty and start typing! (10)

Last week in Los Angeles, I realized that the birdbath in my garden is by Raphael. (13)

Many people are surprised to find out that the sledgehammer has only one moving part: it. (48)

In the last ten years, the sledgehammer has come into its own, finally recognized for what it is: a tool, a thing, and a heavy object. (50)

Well, those examples don't seem very funny out of context. But on the page, surrounded by more mundane lines, they did make me laugh.

Martin's persona on these pages is intentionally insensitive and offensive. And in the years since publication, even much of what wasn't intended to be insensitive and offensive has now become so. Some of the laughs come because of the cringing; other moments are just cringe, no laughs.

It was a quick read, with some laughter and some supposed-to-be-funny-but-isn't. And now the book will be returned to a free giveaway shelf.

This work is not so much a traditional book as it is a compilation of short essays.

The very first essay within it is truly remarkable and alone justifies the cost of purchasing the entire collection. I vividly recall the first time I read it, I couldn't help but keel over with laughter.

To be honest, while the remainder of the book is decent, it nowhere near reaches the lofty heights set by the opening piece.

That being stated, if you happen to be a fan of Steve Martin, there's a good chance you'll still find enjoyment in it.

I often find myself reaching for this book again just to reread that initial essay. It still has the power to make me burst into laughter.

And finally, to my dear wife, who has always stood by my side through thick and thin, I want to express my deepest sense of sorry.

Perhaps this book holds a special place in my heart not only because of its humorous content but also because of the memories and emotions it evokes within me.

Back in the 70's, Steve Martin was truly hilarious. His comedic talent shone brightly, captivating audiences with his unique brand of humor. However, like many comedians, he seemed to have lost his touch at some point.

Nowadays, he is renowned for his family friendly movies, but the truth is that these films don't really appeal to a wide audience. They lack the edge and the hilarity that made him famous in the first place.

This book is a compilation of humorous essays that he wrote during a break from making movies. While some of the essays are indeed amusing, they don't quite measure up to his works from the 70's. His earlier books were much better, filled with wit, satire, and a depth of comedic genius that is sorely missing from this collection.

It's a bit disappointing to see how his career has evolved. One can't help but怀念 the days when Steve Martin was at the top of his game, making people laugh out loud with his brilliant comedic performances and writings.

Review of Audio Book

I would highly recommend listening to this audio book rather than simply reading it. Steve Martin is an outstanding writer, and when you hear him read his own works, along with the added music and sound effects, it truly elevates the experience. This audio book is a must-listen and comes with a big recommendation from me.

It's a relatively fast listen, which is great for those who are short on time but still want to enjoy a great story. In fact, I listened to this audio book five different times, and I enjoyed it every single time. The combination of Steve Martin's engaging writing, his excellent narration, and the immersive audio elements makes it a truly wonderful piece of work.

Whether you're a fan of Steve Martin's writing or just looking for a great audio book to listen to, this one is definitely worth checking out. You won't be disappointed!

Never before was there a title more appropriate than this one.

At first, I made a mistake and thought it was an autobiography, which he actually wrote later. As a result, I was rather confused during the first few stories.

However, as I delved deeper into the book, I began to appreciate the vivid imagination and the lighthearted silliness of the stories. They were truly unique and entertaining.

Despite my enjoyment, I have to admit that I will probably forget all of them in the near future. I have just finished this book, and already the details are fading from my memory.

Nevertheless, it was a fun read while it lasted, and I'm glad I took the time to explore this collection of stories.