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64th Man
64th Man is an Audible Original starring the world-famous, and powerfully funny John Cena, Emmy-nominated actress Anna Chlumsky (Veep), comedy legend Jane Curtin, and an all-star cast of Saturday Night Live performers and alums. Produced by Broadway Video, this sports comedy is not an audiobook—it’s a 10-episode, scripted audio series that’s like TV for your ears.
In sports, everybody loves redemption stories, the underdog who no one believes in but through sheer hard work wins it all. But no one tells the stories of the players who work hard and don’t make it. In pro football, fifty-three guys get on the roster. Ten make it to the practice squad. And then there’s the 64th Man—that’s Billy Logan (Cena), who seems to always be one spot from glory.
After a promising college career capped by a headline-making, game-winning play, Billy seems destined to be drafted to the NFL. But he isn’t, and after a year of tryouts and near misses, he still hasn’t made it pro. So, he returns home to Columbus, Ohio, to figure out how to make his great gridiron dream come true. With a new job at a grocery store, Billy reconnects with his ex-girlfriend Ellen (Chlumsky), but generally it’s embarrassing to be back in town, seeing as he was the "star who was going places," and now he’s seen as the "star who never went anywhere." Looking for an opening to the end zone, Billy will tackle anything to make his dream come true. It’s a path that leads him to a billionaire tech bro starting a new professional football league that has more in common with professional wrestling, a health guru selling a cult-like fitness craze, and a hard-partying NFL quarterback who needs a real-life tackle dummy for his football video game. Will these lateral runs lead Billy to NFL stardom? A life of love with his ex? Or something totally unexpected from an elderly mentor named Mildred (Curtin) who he trains at the gym?
Written by Bryan Tucker, senior writer at Saturday Night Live, and Zack Phillips, former head writer at Above Average and its sports site The Kicker, this hard-hitting underdog story with a touch of romance also features Leslie Jones, Adam Pally, Chris Redd, Alex Moffat, Jay Pharaoh, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Will Forte, Heidi Gardner, and more. Listen to Billy’s journey as he learns what happens when you're fourth and inches from your dream, but the game clock is running out.
In sports, everybody loves redemption stories, the underdog who no one believes in but through sheer hard work wins it all. But no one tells the stories of the players who work hard and don’t make it. In pro football, fifty-three guys get on the roster. Ten make it to the practice squad. And then there’s the 64th Man—that’s Billy Logan (Cena), who seems to always be one spot from glory.
After a promising college career capped by a headline-making, game-winning play, Billy seems destined to be drafted to the NFL. But he isn’t, and after a year of tryouts and near misses, he still hasn’t made it pro. So, he returns home to Columbus, Ohio, to figure out how to make his great gridiron dream come true. With a new job at a grocery store, Billy reconnects with his ex-girlfriend Ellen (Chlumsky), but generally it’s embarrassing to be back in town, seeing as he was the "star who was going places," and now he’s seen as the "star who never went anywhere." Looking for an opening to the end zone, Billy will tackle anything to make his dream come true. It’s a path that leads him to a billionaire tech bro starting a new professional football league that has more in common with professional wrestling, a health guru selling a cult-like fitness craze, and a hard-partying NFL quarterback who needs a real-life tackle dummy for his football video game. Will these lateral runs lead Billy to NFL stardom? A life of love with his ex? Or something totally unexpected from an elderly mentor named Mildred (Curtin) who he trains at the gym?
Written by Bryan Tucker, senior writer at Saturday Night Live, and Zack Phillips, former head writer at Above Average and its sports site The Kicker, this hard-hitting underdog story with a touch of romance also features Leslie Jones, Adam Pally, Chris Redd, Alex Moffat, Jay Pharaoh, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Will Forte, Heidi Gardner, and more. Listen to Billy’s journey as he learns what happens when you're fourth and inches from your dream, but the game clock is running out.
240 pages, Audible Audio
First published July 28, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
January 18, 2020
64th man⭐️
Billy wants nothing more than to be a football player a pro football player. But no one wants him anymore so we follow this I would call it a book but it’s more like a play as we go through Billy trying to get the love of his life and his dream back. This was cute, fun, funny and fast paced.
December 24, 2020
I expected better from something so relentlessly hyped by audible. Still, it’s not bad if you need a quick read over the holidays.
January 4, 2020
64th Man is about a American Footballer that dosent get drafted for a team after having a legendary moment during his colleague years, the plot follows him as he continues to push himself to try and become a pro but has a lot of struggles to try and get back into the game.
When I first started listening to this it was very tongue in check with its humor and starts out as a run of the mill comedy that develops some drama along the way, the plot does seem to steer in the way of being clique but does switch it up alot in the second half.
This was hilarious in places top shout outs to the two commentators who steal the show at times with their excellent performances which honestly reminded me alot of Dodgeball in places. It has that same kind of humor with over the top characters such as the internet millionaire and the lingerie football player.
There is alot of references to the XFL and how silly that whole thing was, one thing I didnt get though is that they refer to it and then create their own version 'The Players Football League' which is a huge spoof of the XFL but was hilarious over the top. WWE did advertise this during Survivor Series and of course it does star the biggest superstar of the last decade John Cena but I am surprised about how much this does mock the XFL and WWE still advertised it?
Performances were excellent and Cena does do a great job, when I was listening 64th Man came across more as a movie then and Audiobook production and this would have made an excellent popcorn movie, the going into to much detail scenes with Muriel did make me lol on each occasion as well as one of my new fav sayings 'Putting it on the wall' which was just brill.
Overall I really enjoyed it, it was very funny, had great performances and is a different take on an American Football drama. I would highly recommend this as was so easy to listen too and was very entertaining.
When I first started listening to this it was very tongue in check with its humor and starts out as a run of the mill comedy that develops some drama along the way, the plot does seem to steer in the way of being clique but does switch it up alot in the second half.
This was hilarious in places top shout outs to the two commentators who steal the show at times with their excellent performances which honestly reminded me alot of Dodgeball in places. It has that same kind of humor with over the top characters such as the internet millionaire and the lingerie football player.
There is alot of references to the XFL and how silly that whole thing was, one thing I didnt get though is that they refer to it and then create their own version 'The Players Football League' which is a huge spoof of the XFL but was hilarious over the top. WWE did advertise this during Survivor Series and of course it does star the biggest superstar of the last decade John Cena but I am surprised about how much this does mock the XFL and WWE still advertised it?
Performances were excellent and Cena does do a great job, when I was listening 64th Man came across more as a movie then and Audiobook production and this would have made an excellent popcorn movie, the going into to much detail scenes with Muriel did make me lol on each occasion as well as one of my new fav sayings 'Putting it on the wall' which was just brill.
Overall I really enjoyed it, it was very funny, had great performances and is a different take on an American Football drama. I would highly recommend this as was so easy to listen too and was very entertaining.
March 1, 2020
Better than I expected. Really fun cast; all are good, but Cena shines. Characters are really good across the board and the story is touching. I can see Amazon trying to run this on their streaming platform.
December 13, 2021
This was a great listen. I hope more of these style of audio books come out
May 12, 2024
Most people won’t pick up this audiobook to listen to, either because it seems comical or not their “thing”. I took it at face value and figured it would be entertaining, I’m a football guy, so why not? This was a total stunner! I was engaged, it was funny and yet not driven by comedy, quasi-realistic, and just overall a great listen. At the end, I was totally focused on the story and how it would end. Once it did end, I was left hoping for a sequel. Can you make a sequel please?! Or even a movie. What a way to wrap up 2019. Fantastic audiobook.
Second: I was in a slump with no audiobook for my commute that I was interested in. Just finished a few heavy books, so why not re-listen? I forgot just how good this was. Really an excellent, fun, and engaging audiobook.
Second: I was in a slump with no audiobook for my commute that I was interested in. Just finished a few heavy books, so why not re-listen? I forgot just how good this was. Really an excellent, fun, and engaging audiobook.
December 15, 2019
All I am going to say: everyone needs a Mildred in their life. I was getting annoyed with the main characteer, but Mildred kept me interested in going on. She was definitely my favorite character.
March 28, 2020
I MUST give credit to my husband for acquiring this audiobook read for us, as he also read it first and many months before I was able to get to it.
"64th Man" is a WONDERFUL story; its filled with loads of humor (especially related to sports/football, i.e. "Under Armour vodka") that WILL MAKE YOU laugh out loud, alongside moments of REAL life lessons that the reader can apply to their own life's ambitions.
You don't have to love nor like sports/football to enjoy this well-rounded storytelling from John Cena and the rest of the incredibly talented cast.
This is a "new favourite" read of mine for sure, thanks hubbs!
"64th Man" is a WONDERFUL story; its filled with loads of humor (especially related to sports/football, i.e. "Under Armour vodka") that WILL MAKE YOU laugh out loud, alongside moments of REAL life lessons that the reader can apply to their own life's ambitions.
You don't have to love nor like sports/football to enjoy this well-rounded storytelling from John Cena and the rest of the incredibly talented cast.
This is a "new favourite" read of mine for sure, thanks hubbs!
May 1, 2020
I’m kind of surprised how much I enjoyed this audio production. The way it was done made it easy to follow without any confusion on who was who, etc. I liked the parody this book took on football and the various sub-football leagues (like XFL). Maybe I would say that this book is maybe more geared towards men? But maybe I don’t really know. I did enjoy the relationship developed between the John Cena character and the older lady.
Audiobook narrator Full Cast rating: 5 stars
The production of this book was great. All the narrators were terrific, and it helps to recognize their voices (like Tandy from Last Man on Earth, Zack Morris from Saved by the Bell, John Cena, etc.).
Audiobook narrator Full Cast rating: 5 stars
The production of this book was great. All the narrators were terrific, and it helps to recognize their voices (like Tandy from Last Man on Earth, Zack Morris from Saved by the Bell, John Cena, etc.).
January 30, 2020
Here's what I think: this was perfectly timed for me. I had read several back to back thrillers and needed a palate cleaning. This did the trick. I found it funny, not LOL, but enough for me to think it was clever and bring a smile. It was a simple story but the characters and performances were well done. I did think it might have dragged on a tad and wouldn't recommend to just anyone but it was cute.
August 11, 2021
Good-natured, but feels like it’s been written by committee. Very long stretches without any real laughs, even though the story isn’t complex or interesting enough to be classified as anything but a comedy. I’ve had a similar problem with a few of Audible’s other big budget original productions. I think they just get too homogenized by all the cooks in the kitchen. Cena is fine in his role, as is the rest of the cast, but nobody really stands out. [AUDIBLE]
February 5, 2021
Too much cringe to get to a semi-happy ending. Lots of cringe factor if you have been an athlete of any type. Best character in the book is Mildred. I had to struggle to finish. The first chapter and last chapters were good. Almost everything else could have been condensed into about 20 pages (or minutes).
November 27, 2019
This was amazing. I didn't quite know where it was going at times, but was so glad I stuck it out. Keep going to the end if you're having doubts. You'll be glad you did. Would highly recommend a listen!
December 30, 2019
It was cute and enjoyable. Nothing too deep. Easy to listen to while washing dishes.
February 2, 2021
This was an audible book and free to me but I wanted to listen to it for some time. Very good cast and narration. Laugh out loud funny to me in parts, but then again I really like John Cena - he is a hilarious guy. I saw him at a Comic-Con panel for the Bumblebee movie in San Diego in 2018 and he was great with the audience. He seems naturally comedic, friendly, self-depricating, humble, seems to enjoy what he is doing and has fun doing it. The other comedian I really liked was Adam Pally who is a writer and has starred in shows like the Mindy Project among others and plays Cena's old highschool friend and reluctant ad hoc agent to get him "out there" and noticed. These two guys seem to have good audible comedy chemistry together.
I realize comedy is very specific for some people so although I really thought this was an original idea and got many good chuckles out of it, it is possible it isn't for you since it is sports related. It centers around a guy whose whole life revolved around football and although he had one glory moment in college, has not been picked up by an NFL team. So what does he do with himself? There are no farm teams like in other sports...so back to his home town in the Columbus, Ohio area he goes....to meet up with some old friends and hopefully get his big break. I am from Ohio and went to college at The Ohio State University for undergrad and a veterinary degree. I spent a lot of time there, so for me the references to the surrounding area were a bonus surrounding the football crazy town. ( A mini shout out - Go Bucks!)
I have been reluctant in the past to listen to free audible original offerings since they have rarely delivered for me. However, if I can find more like this in terms of a similarly talented cast or the Broadway Video Group as producers I would look forward to more listens which is why I gave it 4 stars. In addition to the fact a written comedy actually made me laugh out loud several times. The only unfortunate part was during one particular chapter which I was listening to in bed in the dark because I couldn't sleep. I was trying so hard to muffle my laughter, I woke my husband up!! (Which of course only made me laugh harder.... )
I realize comedy is very specific for some people so although I really thought this was an original idea and got many good chuckles out of it, it is possible it isn't for you since it is sports related. It centers around a guy whose whole life revolved around football and although he had one glory moment in college, has not been picked up by an NFL team. So what does he do with himself? There are no farm teams like in other sports...so back to his home town in the Columbus, Ohio area he goes....to meet up with some old friends and hopefully get his big break. I am from Ohio and went to college at The Ohio State University for undergrad and a veterinary degree. I spent a lot of time there, so for me the references to the surrounding area were a bonus surrounding the football crazy town. ( A mini shout out - Go Bucks!)
I have been reluctant in the past to listen to free audible original offerings since they have rarely delivered for me. However, if I can find more like this in terms of a similarly talented cast or the Broadway Video Group as producers I would look forward to more listens which is why I gave it 4 stars. In addition to the fact a written comedy actually made me laugh out loud several times. The only unfortunate part was during one particular chapter which I was listening to in bed in the dark because I couldn't sleep. I was trying so hard to muffle my laughter, I woke my husband up!! (Which of course only made me laugh harder.... )
November 27, 2019
An enjoyable look at life through the eyes of a college football athlete known for his remarkable role in a miraculous play. This protagonist is played by John Cena who is very appropriate for the part. The 64th man is the last player cut from a professional roster and it sends this dejected individual into years of discovery that life is more than football. A love interest spices up the action along the way with an on-again-off-again relationship. The humor works because of the apt portrayals by supporting characters. That cast comes from a background in comedy, mainly Saturday Night Live (SNL) alumni. This listen is actually a reading from a 10 episode series that could be enacted on the TV airwaves but instead is an audio performance.
November 19, 2019
I'm not much of a fan of football stories, but this one got me. It was funny, engaging and had a lot of heart. I probably wouldn't have given it a full five stars if it wasn't for Mildred, though. She honestly made the entire story. That being said, Billy himself was a good character too. He was such an idealist, and so one dimensional when it came to football that it was farcical, but I assumed that was intentional, as it matched the comedy of the rest of the story. It was really fulfilling to see him branch out at the end, and the way the ending circled back to Mildred is what settled me on five stars. The world needs more Billy's and more enthusiastic senior fitness centers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2021
Let me start off saying I enjoyed how Audible Originals books are a production that’s missing the visual aspect that TV gives and like that I can use the actor’s to form the characters (for some reason I have difficulties picturing faces when I read a book so I enjoy this). That said, I enjoyed the narrators but didn’t enjoy the story and that’s why I gave it three stars.
I had a tough time with the main character’s personality and the stupid stuff he does. It felt predictable at times but ultimately was hard to finish.
I had a tough time with the main character’s personality and the stupid stuff he does. It felt predictable at times but ultimately was hard to finish.
July 24, 2022
I am not a sports fan- but this was in my queue, so I decided to give it a try. I was pleasantly surprised. This is a story about Billy- all he wants to do is be drafted into a football league- but life does not always turn out the way we plan.
I found this to be a fun, funny, fast paced, well performed story about life and how your attitude affects your life choices. I hope audible continues with some more of these - vocal plays- it is indeed like a T.V. series for your listening pleasure.
The vocal actors do make a difference- they were great.
I found this to be a fun, funny, fast paced, well performed story about life and how your attitude affects your life choices. I hope audible continues with some more of these - vocal plays- it is indeed like a T.V. series for your listening pleasure.
The vocal actors do make a difference- they were great.
January 28, 2020
I loved the concept behind this story. John Cena is hysterical in the performance of a man who has become known for the Miami Miracle but now can't seem to get onto any football team.
He is kind-hearted, caring, and very nieve to the point of sometimes being overly silly. In the end, the book contains great performances all around, an original underdog story, mixed with some romance.
It was a fun listen.
He is kind-hearted, caring, and very nieve to the point of sometimes being overly silly. In the end, the book contains great performances all around, an original underdog story, mixed with some romance.
It was a fun listen.
June 5, 2020
The wonderful and amazing adventures of Billy Logan... what a player and what a story. This is a heartbreaking and heartwarming comedy with really crazy antics balanced by an introspective take on following your dreams. And then thinking about the dreams when they seem out of reach. I didn't know how good John Cena was at the acting side of things. One of the perfect listens that make you happy to be a part of the audible journey. Two for two from the Broadway video company.
February 28, 2020
Funny’s and very likable characters. Fast paced and the story is about never giving up on your dream. The main character goes through so much you don’t understand why he does not give up but at the same time you are rooting for him to succeed. The cast is great and really makes the story pop. Do t mis this one!
March 9, 2020
I was not sure if I want to listen to an audiobook about football ( I am not a fan), but I gave it a chance because I like John Cena and what he stands for. All I can say is that I am glad I did. Nice story, well performed by John Cena and others. Great message for all, but especially for all those who dream about the NFL career.
March 25, 2020
I loved this. It is totally nutty and far fetched but so awesome! So wonderful to "read" something totally different than anything else I've ever heard. Bryan Tucker thank you for the many times I laughed out loud listening to this! As a parent of a football player, I can envision never wanting his journey to end. John Cena and the rest of the cast is so awesome!
June 22, 2022
Great listen that really keeps you in a motivating headspace. Billy didn't give up and grows over the course of the story. Things don't end up where you think they will and the story gives you some good laughs along the way. I've really been enjoying Amazon Audible performances! Onto the next...
July 18, 2022
Billy is a former college football star, trying to get into the NFL, and willing to do almost anything to get there. Most of the things that his 'Agent', convince him to do are hilarious, as is his life off and away from the field.
John Cena as Billy is absolutely hilarious. The rest of the cast are also perfect for their roles as well.
John Cena as Billy is absolutely hilarious. The rest of the cast are also perfect for their roles as well.
October 10, 2022
Wannabe Hallmark movie football story wants to be a little snarky and reasonably entertains for a while before running into a wall of linemen without a helmet. Some sections are so awful it hurts to listen.
A positive note: John Cena was perfect in the part. So 2 stars instead of 1. But barely I must add.
A positive note: John Cena was perfect in the part. So 2 stars instead of 1. But barely I must add.
December 14, 2019
Everything was just kind of average. Cena's performance did at times sound like he was reading from a script. Anna Chlumsky's performance was dreadful throughout the story. The story itself was just okay. This wasn't a terrible book, but it definitely could have been a little better.
December 27, 2019
I am a John Cena mark, so l knew I’d be getting this audiobook. I expected it to be much more ribald than it was (after seeing his recent movies), but it was very well-crafted and enjoyable. It reminded me of ButI’mChrisJericho from a few years back — I heartily recommend it!
December 29, 2019
Hmmm. Very different than anything I’ve listened to before. More of a performance. Some parts were really weird/strange. But overall it was entertaining and pretty funny. An interesting commentary on life after football. Also enjoyed the Miami of Ohio tie-in.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews