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Kelly (and the Book Boar)'s Reviews > Based on a True Story
Based on a True Story
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by
Kelly (and the Book Boar)'s review
bookshelves: liburrrrrry-book, loveable-losers, memoir, non-fiction, read-in-2016, road-trippin, funny-haha
Oct 25, 2016
bookshelves: liburrrrrry-book, loveable-losers, memoir, non-fiction, read-in-2016, road-trippin, funny-haha
Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/
Man was I looking forward to reading this book. In case I haven’t made it really flippin’ crystal clear already, I’m aHUUUUGE fan of all things SNL. While others complain about bad seasons and bad casts, I am a constant defender and only acknowledge bad skits or bad reoccurring characters rather than opting to throw the baby out with the bathwater. I also believe Norm Macdonald is one of comedy’s most untapped resources. His dry delivery and “guy you’d like to have a beer with” approachability have made him a favorite of mine. Not to mention how well he did behind the news desk on the Weekend Update – that is, until jokes about a certain someone got to be too much and he ended up shitcanned . . . .
When it comes to reading books about SNL folks (or comedians in general, for that matter) I expect there to be a lot of funny ha-ha. While there was a blip about how a certain someone came to fruition . . .
And while there is obviously way more material to work with during this current election cycle . . .
There was a notable void in discussion of another pretty memorable candidate . . . .
Or even how the ever rotating casting of this character came to be . . . .
In fact, there was practically nothing mentioned about anything. Instead, Norm’s “biography” read a little like a long, strange acid trip or a road trip similar to another I’ve read about before . . . .
Basically, Norm’s book is nothing but bullshit. He spins yarns of a high-functioning morphine addiction, doing hard time in the joint (as well as butt-rape, natch), and running up a million dollar all-or-nothing marker in Vegas. Out of 200+ pages the only thing that seemed to be real rather than “based on a true story” were Norm’s unending appreciation for Adam Sandler’s friendship and all he has done in order to keep enough cash in Norm’s pocket to keep purchasing his Wild Turkey 101 . . .
I have no idea if this book will work for others. All I can say is that although marketed as a memoir, it most certainly is not one.
Man was I looking forward to reading this book. In case I haven’t made it really flippin’ crystal clear already, I’m a
When it comes to reading books about SNL folks (or comedians in general, for that matter) I expect there to be a lot of funny ha-ha. While there was a blip about how a certain someone came to fruition . . .
And while there is obviously way more material to work with during this current election cycle . . .
There was a notable void in discussion of another pretty memorable candidate . . . .
Or even how the ever rotating casting of this character came to be . . . .
In fact, there was practically nothing mentioned about anything. Instead, Norm’s “biography” read a little like a long, strange acid trip or a road trip similar to another I’ve read about before . . . .
Basically, Norm’s book is nothing but bullshit. He spins yarns of a high-functioning morphine addiction, doing hard time in the joint (as well as butt-rape, natch), and running up a million dollar all-or-nothing marker in Vegas. Out of 200+ pages the only thing that seemed to be real rather than “based on a true story” were Norm’s unending appreciation for Adam Sandler’s friendship and all he has done in order to keep enough cash in Norm’s pocket to keep purchasing his Wild Turkey 101 . . .
I have no idea if this book will work for others. All I can say is that although marketed as a memoir, it most certainly is not one.
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Based on a True Story.
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Reading Progress
October 23, 2016
–
Started Reading
October 23, 2016
– Shelved
October 25, 2016
– Shelved as:
liburrrrrry-book
October 25, 2016
– Shelved as:
loveable-losers
October 25, 2016
– Shelved as:
memoir
October 25, 2016
– Shelved as:
non-fiction
October 25, 2016
– Shelved as:
read-in-2016
October 25, 2016
– Shelved as:
road-trippin
October 25, 2016
– Shelved as:
funny-haha
October 25, 2016
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-40 of 40 (40 new)
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message 1:
by
Vivian
(new)
Oct 25, 2016 10:57AM
Sounds like a doozy.
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It was a wild ride for sure!
Speaking of SNL, did you watch the last episode? Haunted Elevator - one of the best sketches I've ever seen, not just on that show, but ever! I can't stop watching it!! https://youtu.be/rS00xWnqwvI
Yes! The only thing better was "can a bitch get a donut????"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XB6D7...
What a bummer this is. I too am a big SNL fan and I'm trying to read all of the autobios and bios I can find, (though I do prefer them on audio and read by the author.) Looks like I'll be passing on this one. Norm was always one of my favorites, especially during the time when he did the news.
Char wrote: "What a bummer this is. I too am a big SNL fan and I'm trying to read all of the autobios and bios I can find, (though I do prefer them on audio and read by the author.) Looks like I'll be passing o..."Wait until you're in a mood for some bizarro fiction ; )
I read this review three times now (and that's fine, 'cause I always enjoy your reviews Kelly), but, residing on the other side of the pond, I must add: SNL? Norm Mcdonald? Adam Sandler?
Okay I'll give you a pass on not knowing Norm or the Saturday Night Live abbreviation, but Sandler???? What do you do over there? Watch Jerry Lewis marathons like the French????
Kelly (and the Book Boar) wrote: "Okay I'll give you a pass on not knowing Norm or the Saturday Night Abbreviation, but Sandler???? What do you do over there? Watch Jerry Lewis marathons like the French????"LOL Right?!
The question mark after Sandler's name was different. It meant: why is he famous?
This makes me sad but I gotta read it anyway.
You might like it. Heck I might have liked it if I wasn't expecting something totally different.
My library doesn't have it. Shame on them. It got a positive review from the Wall Street Journal so I have to give it a try. And Norm is awesome.
Aww that's a bummer...He really was awesome on Weekend update.
Great review and gifts my dear :)
Thanks Deanna! I wish I would have known what to expect. It's probably worth more than 3 Stars, but I was hoping for a memoir and not a trip to crazytown ; )
The book is a comic novel, and a great one, not a memoir. I don't know why it was marketed as a memoir (they sell better probably) but Norm is adamant that it is a novel.
Glad you enjoyed it, Bob. Unfortunately (novel or not), it missed the mark for me.
Completely accurate review by Kelly.
The jokes flew over your head, that Jack story is a typical Norm dark humor. And a masterpiece at that.
message 20:
by
Kelly (and the Book Boar)
(last edited Sep 05, 2017 01:24PM)
(new)
-
rated it 2 stars
Uroš wrote: "The jokes flew over your head, that Jack story is a typical Norm dark humor. And a masterpiece at that."Yes. I'm an idiot. You should write your own review and mansplain all the jokes. Oh wait, you can't because you haven't even READ THE FUCKING THING YET:
I think you could look at this book more favourably if you stopped thinking of it as an autobiography. It's not. It's just Norm satirizing Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.
Two years ago it was marketed as a memoir. It is what it is at this point.
Not a great review. Maybe use more words and less gifs next time
Mercifulwrath wrote: "Not a great review. Maybe use more words and less gifs next time"Not a great comment. Maybe fuck off next time. Who knew Norm Macdonald had so many troll fans.
Due to Norm's passing last week, CBC replayed the Q interview with him, and it explains how the book was mis-classified as a "memoir" to Norm's chagrin. Found here, enjoy: Check out this episode from CBC's The Q Interview:https://www.cbc.ca/listen/cbc-podcast...
- Shared from the CBC Listen App for Android
I loved Norm Macdonald. I did not particularly love this book. Per Goodreads’ ratings I found it to be “okay.” I don’t need to justify my opinion to anyone and I will not be responding to any comments now that he has passed. Sorry M - take your links elsewhere.
This review is brain-numbing eye-gouger
And yet you both read it and commented you desperate troll.
I agree with this review, as it matches my disappointment exactly.
How did you get past chapter one and still think this was intended as anything but satire?
I guess I’m an idiot Emma
No worries, I actually think Norm would’ve got a huge kick out if this review.
Perfectly said. I gave 2 stars out of respect to Norm. It wasn’t funny, more like stupid. I don’t know what to believe about him now. Still love the way he makes me laugh, however.
This review is bad and you should feel bad.
Rick, you're a moron and your mother should feel bad.
Could’ve just saved me time and told me to never trust your opinion
Fuck off Landon. Nobody made you read this old ass review.
I enjoyed the audio book, maybe that’s why I enjoyed it better. Got more norm out of it. And that’s right Landon, frank stallone.
I just now started doing comedic memoirs in audio regularly in the past few months. I’ll give this one another go with Norm’s droll delivery. I think you might be right that will make a difference in my experience.
It definitely does, same thing with Richard Ayoades books too.
