Book Review: Number One is Walking: My Life in Movies and Other Diversions by Steve Martin and Harry Bliss

Number One is Walking: My Life in the Movies and Other Diversions
by Steve Martin and Harry Bliss (Biography Martin)

Comedian/actor/musician/writer Steve Martin and cartoonist Harry Bliss team up for a second collaborative book, following their 2020 release, A Wealth of Pigeons.

 

This time, it’s even more autobiographical than it was the last time. The first 60% of the book is Steve Martin’s reminiscences about his years in the motion picture industry, where he made over 40 films before ultimately becoming disenchanted with the film-making process and walking away. This portion of the book is told through a series of cartoons of Steve and Harry taking a walk with Harry’s (talking) dog, and Steve throwing out bits and pieces of memories, which Harry then illustrates. The book is crammed with dry, wry humor and fond memories. And Harry’s artwork, while occasionally fanciful, also includes absolutely stunning recreations of many of Steve’s co-stars or the other celebrities in whose orbit he occasionally found himself.

 

The latter 40% of the book is a collection of (mostly) single-panel cartoons co-created by both Martin and Bliss — which feel very much like Bliss’ frequent contributions to the New Yorker magazine.

 

I enjoyed Number One is Walking a great deal, and constantly found myself in awe of Harry Bliss’ ability to capture the essence and personalities of so many recognizable entertainers and celebrities in a few simple brush strokes. However, as much as I enjoyed reading this, I left this book feeling like I wanted more than I was given…it feels very lightweight, especially in comparison to most celebrity biographies. On the other hand, even if each of Steve’s show biz memories is only 2-4 pages long, the artwork brings them all to life! So…it’s a bit of a mixed bag.

 

(If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try A Wealth of Pigeons by Steve Martin and Harry Bliss, or the autobiography Born Standing Up by Steve Martin, or possibly Steve’s humor book, The Ten, Make That Nine, Habits of Very Organized People. Make That Ten. The Tweets of Steve Martin.)

 

( official Harry Bliss web site ) | ( official Steve Martin web site )

 

Recommended by Scott C.
Bennett Martin Public Library — Public Service

 

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Book Review: Yes, Please by Amy Poehler (as audiobook)

Yes, Please
by Amy Poehler (Compact Disc Biography Poehler)

Amy Poehler’s life is perfectly distilled in this book comprised of short autobiographical stories. The audio book is narrated by Ms. Poehler and is a joy to listen to as she adds side notes and anecdotes not in the manuscript. It would recommend Ms. Poehler’s comedic approach to life, reflection and self-help.

[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try Bossypants by Tina Fey, or Scrappy Little Nobody by Anna Kendrick.]

[ official amysaysyesplease.com web site ] | [ Wikipedia page for Amy Poehler ]

Recommended by Cait L.
Bennett Martin Public Library

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Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea by Chelsea Handler (on CD)

Are You There, Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea
by Chelsea Handler [817 Han] 

I totally want to be friends with Chelsea Handler!!! She’s hilarious! I haven’t had a chance to see her in much of anything (she’s done stand-up, as well as a couple of different series on TV), and this is the first of her books that I’ve read. Lucky for me, I listened to the audiobook, which she read herself. It. Was. HYSTERICAL!!! She’s so snarky and clever, and she’s a bit of a lush. She’s also quite a foul-mouth, so this book is not for those with ‘delicate sensibilities.’ I would say this is probably a collection of essays, rather than an autobiography or memoir… She basically tells a few stories about life events, but she is sure to just throw in her opinions on things (e.g. the redhead she “accidentally” found herself in a relationship with, despite her disdain for redheads… or, as she calls them, “orange-heads.”)

Something I truly enjoyed about listening to this book was that it sounded as though she was merely talking to me, rather than reading something she’d written earlier. I guess that’s the sign of a master stand-up comic…being so familiar with the material that it sounds fresh each time. In that case, I’m going to be looking for anything I can find of her stand-up material and/or any of the shows she’s done.

[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try The Bedwetter: Stories of Courage, Redemption, and Pee, by Sarah Silverman, and I Can’t Make This Up: Life Lessons, by Kevin Hart.]

[ Wikipedia page for Are You There, Vodka. It’s Me, Chelsea! ] | [ official Chelsea Handler web site ]

Recommended by Tracy T.
Bennett Martin Public Library

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Mel Brooks: Make a Noise (on DVD)

Mel Brooks: Make a Noise
[DVD Biography Brooks] 

This 90-minute episode of PBS’ American Masters series is a marvelous biographical snapshot of American humorist Mel Brooks, writer for such classic TV series as Your Show of Shows and Get Smart!, and legendary director of films such as Young Frankenstein, Blazing Saddles, Spaceballs, Robin Hood: Men in Tights, Dracula: Dead and Loving It, Silent Movie, High Anxiety, Life Stinks, The Producers and The History of the World, Part I.

Brooks, and many of his friends and co-stars, sat for freewheeling interviews with the documentary’s director, who intersperses their comments with clips from throughout Brooks’ career. This is a fast-paced show, but does have its quiet moments, especially as Brooks reminisces about second wife Anne Bancroft, and his work as a producer at Brooksfilms, where most of the movies he backs are serious dramas. But, it is when he is talking about his comic successes that the show really shines. I really appreciated the interview clips with so many of Brooks’ actors that had to be culled from other/earlier sources, since many of them have passed away — actors like Marty Feldman and Madeleine Kahn.

If you’re a fan of any of Brooks’ works, from his lengthy career, you’ll enjoy this. If you’re unfamiliar with Brooks and his films, I still recommend this biographical documentary…you’ll learn about a lot of films and TV series that are well worth your time to track down!

[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try any of Mel Brooks’ films, especially The Producers, Young Frankenstein or Blazing Saddles, or the TV shows he was involved with, including Your Show of Shows, Get Smart, and When Things Were Rotten.]

[ Internet Movie Database entry for this documentary ] | [ official Mel Brooks: Make a Noise (American Masters) web site ]

Recommended by Scott C.
Bennett Martin Public Library

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Food: A Love Story by Jim Gaffigan

Food: A Love Story
by Jim Gaffigan [Biography Gaffigan]

I have long been a fan of Jim Gaffigan’s — he’s not only hilarious, but his jokes tend to be clean (i.e. I don’t have to change the channel if I’m watching him on TV and the kids come in the room) and he’s Catholic, meaning we share similar values. I think people appreciate comedians who joke about things they can relate to… I relate to Gaffigan’s humor about growing up and remaining Catholic, dealing with young children, and interactions with the general public. Most of all, however, I feel like his commentaries about food are SPOT ON! It’s as if he were somehow reading my mind! He totally articulates thoughts I’ve had and follow-up thoughts I have, almost as I’m saying them aloud in my car as I listen to him! I had considered reading this book in its print version, which is always fun if there are pictures… but when I found the audiobook on CD, I knew I had to jump at the chance to listen to Jim reading his own work. He’s not as smooth as some other professional audiobook readers, nor as when he’s delivering his routine on stage — I attributed that to the fact that he’s not a professional reader. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book and feel that I could confidently recommend it to a vast majority of people.

[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try Mr. Universe, also by Gaffigan, or Bossypants by Tina Fey.]

[ official Food: A Love Story web site ] | [ official Jim Gaffigan web site ]

Recommended by Tracy T.
Bennett Martin Public Library

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I Must Say: My Life as a Humble Comedy Legend by Martin Short (downloadable audiobook)

I Must Say: My Life as a Humble Comedy Legend
by Martin Short [Biography Short / Downloadable Audio / Compact Disc Biography Short]

Martin Short has always been one of my favorite comic actors. He throws himself into bizarre characters that really add life and texture to even the most bland productions. Many of his popular “bits” have really taken on a life of their own, particularly the Pat Sajak-obsessed Ed Grimley (from whom the title of Martin’s book originates), and the fawning and repulsive Jiminy Glick. In this very enjoyable autobiography, Short recounts his experiences growing up in Canada, pretending to be an entertainer and talk-show/variety-show host at a very young age. Short provides numerous amusing and insightful observations about the entertainment industry in both Canada and the U.S., and the many fascinating actors and comedians he’s worked with. I particularly enjoyed his tales of working on both Saturday Night Live and SCTV. For such a gifted comic actor and writer, making me laugh at the humor in his life was child’s play. However, the chapters in which he recounts his wife’s battles with ovarian cancer, to which she succumbed in 2010, are ultimately the most moving part of this showbiz memoir. I checked this out from the libraries as a downloadable audiobook, and in retrospect I must say that this is really the only way to enjoy this biography. While well written, and probably enjoyable as a printed book, the audiobook format allows for Short, who narrates, to launch into dozens of character voices, sing songs and emote. This was a truly moving and laugh-filled reading/listening experience. I can’t recommend this highly enough — one of my favorite reads in the past few years!

[ publisher’s I Must Say web page ] | [ Martin Short page on Wikipedia ]

Recommended by Scott C.
Bennett Martin Public Library

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Born Standing Up by Steve Martin

Born Standing Up
by Steve Martin [Biography Martin]

The book ranges from his youth working at Disneyland — handing out guidebooks, working in a joke shop, putting on magic shows, — then on to acting in shows at Knott's Berry Farm. During these years he also branched out, performing at a variety of clubs integrating comedy and magic. Once he got the hang of it he was hired and wrote jokes for the Smothers Brother Show and also the Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour. After performing many times for Johnny Carson he was hired to host Saturday Night Live where he was famous for being a Wild and Crazy Guy — among other things. Once that started he realized that he was getting too famous and began feeling isolated — he couldn?t go anywhere without being recognized and when he couldn't take it anymore, he quit standup completely. He got closer with his parents who health was quickly declining and began working on movies because they were less stressful. It's an excellent read, less than 200 pages, so it goes by quickly. It also has a lot of cool photos of Steve through the years. You learn a lot about his personal life which I don't want to spoil for you but I would highly recommend it. -- recommended by Carrie K. - Bennett Martin Public Library

[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try The Ten, Make that Nine, Habits of Very Organized People. Make that Ten, also by Steve Martin, which is a collection of his Tweets and some of those written by his followers.]

[Also available in book-on-cd format.]

[ official Steve Martin web site ]

 Have you seen this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?

New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide website. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month. Click the tag for the reviewer's name to see more of this reviewers recommendations!