Comedy Comedy Comedy Drama

Bob Odenkirk

Quick Take

In this hilarious, heartfelt memoir, the star of Mr. Show, Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, and Nobody opens up about the highs and lows of showbiz, his legendary cult status as a comedy writer, and what it's like to reinvent himself as a no-holds-barred action film ass-kicker at fifty. Bob Odenkirk's career is inexplicable. And yet he will try like hell to explain it here, because that is what memoirs are for. Charting a "Homeric" decades-long "Odyssey" from his origins in the seedy comedy clubs of Chicago all the way to a dramatic career that is baffling to his friends, it's almost like there are two or three Bob Odenkirks...but there is just one and one is enough, frankly. Bob embraced a life in comedy after a chance meeting with Second City's legendary Del Close, which eventually led to a job as a writer at SNL. As he weathered the beast that is live comedy, he stashed away the secrets of sketch writing--employing them in the immortal "Motivational Speaker" sketch for his friend Chris Farley, honing them on The Ben Stiller Show, and perfecting them on Mr. Show With Bob and David, which inspired an entire generation of comedy writers and stars. Then his career met the hope-dashing machine that is Hollywood development. But when all hope was lost for the umpteenth time, Bob was more astonished than anyone to find himself on Breaking Bad. His embrace of this strange new world of dramatic acting led him to working with Steven Spielberg, Alexander Payne, and Greta Gerwig, until finally re-re-inventing himself as a bona-fide worldwide action star for reasons that even he does not fully grasp! Read this and do your own psychoanalysis--it's fun!Throughout Bob's travels, his memoir preserves the voice he cultivated from years of comedy writing. Featuring humorous tangents, joyful interludes, never-before-seen photos, wild characters from his winding career, and his trademark upbeat but unflinching drive, Comedy Comedy Comedy Drama is a classic showbiz tale--and a moving story about what it's like to risk everything you think you know to make a change.

Reader's Review

Book Review Summary: Comedy Comedy Comedy Drama

Introduction

"Comedy Comedy Comedy Drama" is a hilarious and heartfelt memoir by Bob Odenkirk, the star of "Mr. Show," "Breaking Bad," "Better Call Saul," and "Nobody." In this book, Odenkirk takes readers on a journey through his decades-long career in showbiz, sharing his experiences as a comedy writer, performer, and action film star. From his early days writing sketches with Del Close to his rise to fame as Saul Goodman, Odenkirk offers a candid and entertaining look at the highs and lows of his life in comedy.

About Bob Odenkirk

Bob Odenkirk is an American actor, comedian, writer, director, and producer known for his work on "Mr. Show with Bob and David," "Breaking Bad," "Better Call Saul," and various other television shows and films. He has received critical acclaim for his performances and has been recognized with numerous awards, including Emmys and Golden Globes. Odenkirk's writing style is characterized by his humor, wit, and ability to tell engaging stories.

Analysis of Views

Humorous and Entertaining: Many readers found the book to be hilarious and entertaining, praising Odenkirk's storytelling abilities and his ability to bring humor to even the most challenging moments in his career.
Insightful and Honest: Many readers appreciated Odenkirk's honesty and vulnerability in sharing his experiences, particularly in discussing his struggles with addiction and the disappointments he faced throughout his career.
Candid Portrayal of Showbiz: The book offers a candid portrayal of the ups and downs of showbiz, including the highs of success and the lows of rejection. Odenkirk's willingness to share his failures and missteps resonated with readers who appreciated his authenticity.
Inspiring Perseverance: Odenkirk's perseverance in the face of adversity and his ability to reinvent himself multiple times throughout his career inspired many readers. His resilience in the face of setbacks served as a source of inspiration.
Engaging Narrative: The book's engaging narrative kept readers engaged from beginning to end. Odenkirk's storytelling style kept readers interested in his journey, from his early days in comedy clubs to his rise to fame as Saul Goodman.

Reasons for Recommendation

Entertaining Storytelling: The book's entertaining storytelling and humor make it a compelling read for fans of Bob Odenkirk or anyone interested in showbiz stories.
Insight into the Creative Process: Readers appreciated the insights into the creative process behind some of Odenkirk's most iconic works, such as "Mr. Show" and "Breaking Bad."
Honesty and Authenticity: Bob Odenkirk's honesty and authenticity in sharing his experiences resonated with readers, making the book relatable and engaging.
Inspirational Message: The book's message of perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity resonated with readers, providing a source of inspiration for anyone facing challenges in their own lives.

Reasons for Not Recommendation

Lack of Personal Depth: Some readers felt that the book lacked personal depth and that Odenkirk did not reveal enough about himself beyond his professional accomplishments. They felt that there could have been more insight into his personal life and emotions.
Limited Focus on Personal Life: A few readers felt that the book focused too much on Odenkirk's professional life and did not delve deeply into his personal life or relationships. They felt that this limited the overall impact of the book.

Conclusion

"Comedy Comedy Comedy Drama" by Bob Odenkirk is a hilarious and heartfelt memoir that takes readers on a journey through the highs and lows of showbiz. With its engaging storytelling, candid portrayal of the creative process, and inspirational message of perseverance, the book has garnered praise from both fans of Bob Odenkirk and those interested in showbiz stories. While some readers felt that it lacked personal depth or focused too much on professional accomplishments, overall, the book offers a compelling read for those seeking entertainment, insights into the creative process, or inspiration from a successful career in showbiz.