Bossypants
Ratings609
Average rating3.8
I actually found this book rather boring and not as funny as I had hoped. I kind of wish I had read the other people who voted this 3 stars before reading the book/purchasing (although, I imagine that wouldn't have stopped me).
Hilarious. But you knew that, because it's Tina Fey, and she's amazing. Beyond that, it's an interesting look at her life growing up, and her experiences as a female comic coming up through Second City, SNL, and 30 Rock. Well written, touching, and very interesting if you're a comedy fan.
Terribly funny. Also, terribly interesting. And Tina Fey is a very bright and thoughtful woman - her insights into women in television, and “showbiz” in general. Never have I laughed so hard about sexism. I adore this woman even more after reading her book. I'd love another.
I think maybe my expectations were too high? I mean, this was funny of course, but I was expecting it to be like... hysterical. I guess. IDK. Also I think by the time I actually got my hands on the book, I'd already read the best bits on the internet.
But still, funny and a lot of great points about feminism and comedy, etc. Hurrah!
Funny memoir that reads like a series of articles in The New Yorker. Oh wait, I did read a few of these as articles in The New Yorker! Still enjoyable, and a nice companion to Caitlin Moran's memoir that I just finished.
I listened to this audiobook form, and I definitely think it's the way to go. There are certain little nuggets that Tina puts in the audio version, and I really dig listening to authors read their memoirs, anyway.
While the book was engaging and had its moments, I was a little let down. The problem was, I wanted a real memoir, and this is really more of a collection of essays. It's interesting and entertaining, but it's not the life story and reflection I was hoping for. And, I probably should have realized this, since Tina's still IN her career, and those types of memoirs don't happen until the celebrity's fame has died down. She talked about key aspects that people want to know about: SNL, 30 Rock, impersonating Sarah Palin - but they were more anecdotal than reflective.
She did mention at times about the sexism that she faced (and still faces) and how she paved the way for women in the industry, but it's only in brief moments. She spends more time talking about the modeling process, how she celebrates Christmas with the in-laws, and bad cruise ship experiences. But yet, she never talks about how she met her husband?
I think people who dig Tina Fey because she's funny and don't care so much about her “roots” will enjoy this book more. It reads more like a stand-up routine than a memoir. I'll wait another 10 years for the more in-depth book.
I don't watch tv. I haven't since 2003.
I can hear the gasps. Sorry to disappoint you.
I tell you this not to traumatize you, but to explain why I have absolutely no idea who Tina Fey is. I've never heard of her or (what is it called?) 30 Rock.
So why in the world am I reading a book about a person of whom I know nothing?
Good question.
It's for one reason: I was told this was a fabulous memoir.
And it is. Terribly hilarious. Just what you might expect from someone who wrote Saturday Night Live sketches for a million years (even I know what SNL is!)
(Warning! Warning! Warning! Lots of content that your mother will frown upon.)
So there you have it...A rec for this book about a (apparently) popular tv actress from someone who doesn't even know anything about tv.
Tina Fey is hilarious on TV and occasionally in this book as well, but more than often than funny she comes across as kind of angry. Understandable I suppose as a woman in a tough industry, catering to a very tough crowd.
It's a light punchy read. The narrative flows along with a succession of beats clearly informed by her background in TV writing. And in that vein you not so much garner any insight into who Tina Fey is so much as you've got a great script for a Tina Fey sitcom.
She's far too classy to really spill on her co-stars at SNL or 30 Rock other than to effuse loudly over them. What did it mean to her to write Mean Girls. What was working with Lindsay Lohan like or having to feature a movie with Steve Carrell? Minor quibbles really for such a fun read.
“Do I think Photoshop is being used excessively? Yes. I saw Madonna's Louis Vuitton ad and honestly, at first glance, I thought it was Gwen Stefani's baby.”
I love 30 Rock. Sometimes, I think it fully encapsulates the essence that is me. I think it touches deep down in my inner insecurities, my feminism, my love of the absurd, and my long-time crush on Alec Baldwin.
Alas, this book, 30 Rock it is not. And while Tina Fey has a unique, quirky, delightful TV writer voice, her authorial voice hit me more as a bit catty, and not terribly insightful. I know. I feel awful saying that. I feel like I'm bashing Nora Ephron, Annie Lammott, and all other savvy, sassy comedienne-turned-wise-women writers. Bossypants, a semi-structured autobiography, goes for some jokes, and mostly nabs them (I did LOL now and again). But when it tries to hit on the bigger issues - raising a kid, or celebrity, or feminism - it often fell short. The feminism thing in particular. I had high hopes, because Tina Fey is a crusader against criticisms like Christopher Hitchens' (RIP) re: “women can't be funny”. The sometimes eviscerating satire of femininity and gender norms on 30 Rock proves that. But, in Bossypants, Tina Fey brings up some interesting points but then seems to shy away - I guess I wanted her more angry, less apologetic? I dunno. Maybe I just disagreed with her laissez faire attitude towards Photoshop? It just felt like, had she gone at it with more gusto, I could have been convinced. Instead, I just felt a bit meh.
The tone of the book is light and frothy, with a touch of the self-satisfied, and so it's a fast, generally pleasant read. But I couldn't shake that sense of let-down. Ah well! Back to the genius of 30 Rock I go!
Tina Fey is basically my mother except famous and Greek instead of not-famous and German, and reading this made me all nostalgic for home and making fun of people with her. (Because it's not like I live twenty minutes away or anything.) Witty and at times surprisingly introspective, and a good look into the behind-the-scenes life of the comedy circuit.
I sound like a review off a book jacket. Nice.
Short review: Funny (although I am not really a laugh out loud funny kind of reader, so maybe humorous would be a better discriptor).
It alternates between her life stories and actually insightful comments about being a boss, being a working mom, working as a woman in entertainment, etc.
My full review on my blog at http://bookwi.se/bossypants/
So much fun! I am barely familiar with Tina Fey's work but the book was nonetheless great and now I want to watch Mean Girls and 30 Rock and have a daughter. Just kidding about that last one!
A decent read. Comedians' books are frequently lackluster, and this one won't usher in a new era for them, but this was more competent than most and showcases Fey's good comedic sense.
Hilarious and insightful, this is less a memoir and more a collection of essays touching on topics that range from body image to women and sexism in Hollywood. Fey's “A Mother's Prayer for Its Daughter” should be required reading, and this book in general was a delight from start to finish.
I do love Tina Fey! This reminded me a little of Sarah Silverman's book - both autobiographies of hairy, awkward teenagers who end up in Hollywood. Fey's remembrances of her childhood are one of my favorite parts of the book. She kept me listening (since you know I listen to all my books these days!) through the showbiz and producing a network show sections with her humor. A fast read and easy listen.
I enjoyed this book on more levels than I expected. Tina Fey is, of course, brilliantly funny, but I also found her life-lessons to be very applicable to the life of a female engineer as well as a female comedian. Apparently, whether I like it or not, I may be a feminist. But just the Tina Fey kind.
[b:Bossypants 9418327 Bossypants Tina Fey http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1300386015s/9418327.jpg 14302659] is the kind of book that makes you feel like you could be the author's best friend. In fact... [a:Tina Fey 4385839 Tina Fey http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1286658273p2/4385839.jpg], will you be my best friend? I really think we have a lot in common. Like this quote, for example:“My ability to turn good news into anxiety is rivaled only by my ability to turn anxiety into chin acne.” I also find this to be true! We have the same self-success loathing anxieties! (Is that not a thing? I think I just made that a thing.)Anyhow, even if we can't all be best friends with Tina Fey, hearing her talk about her background, rise to glory, and inner-most thoughts on breast feeding is hilarious and enjoyable. Plus, it's always nice to hear an author read her own book, though there were some audio issues (weird fade-outs, vocal asides that were almost inaudible) but otherwise I give this book two thumbs up!
This isn't normally the kind of thing I'd bother reading. But the fact that it's read by the author makes it totally worth it! Yes, she does as good a job as you would expect.
Very good but only 3 stars because it doesn't feel like much will stay with me. But I would give five stars to the passage on lessons from improv that will change your life.