By Steve Martin

Steve Martin burst on the comedy scene in 1975 and by 1980 could have disappeared. This is his account of how he decided to become a stand up comedian and then go on to other things. Text from DJCline.com

His father was a failed actor with rage issues and his mother a repressed extrovert. That kind dysfunctional family drove him to work in the fantasy of Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm. Martin was always a serious student of comedy and learned from vaudeille veterans and audiences what made them laugh. The result was a cerebral slapstick that tried the patience of traditional audiences but ready-made for counter culture rebellion on the Smothers Brothers Show. Text from DJCline.com

Somewhat of a loner and contrarian, he survived by staying away from drugs and excesses of the period. His love life included the daughter of Dalton Trumbo and an assortment of troubled women. His career arc was outside of the Groundlings and Second City, resembling a personal quest rather than a group effort. His triumphant success isolated him further and he decided to stop and get a life. Text from DJCline.com

The book is a light read despite the musings on the philosophical aspects of humor. There are excerpts of classic bits but not as many as you might think. If he had written this book in his thirties instead of his sixties it would be wilder and crazier. Instead it is a kinder and gentler look from a man grateful for his good fortune. Text from DJCline.com

Recommended for a quick read at the airport. Text from DJCline.com

Copyright 2008 DJ Cline All rights reserved.

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