In this hilarious, heartfelt memoir, the star of Mr. Show, Breaking Bad, and Better Call Saul opens up about the highs and lows of showbiz, his cult status as a comedy writer, and what it's like to reinvent himself as an action film ass-kicker at fifty. Bob Odenkirk's career is inexplicable. And yet he will try like hell to explicate it for you. Charting a "Homeric" decades-long "Odyssey" from his origins in the seedy comedy clubs of Chicago to a dramatic career full of award nominations and including a side-trip that is baffling to all who know him, into the action-man world, it's almost like there are many Bob Odenkirks! But there is just one and one is plenty.
Bob embraced a life in comedy after a chance meeting with Second City's legendary Del Close. He somehow made his way to a job as a writer at SNL. While surviving that legendary gauntlet by the skin of his gnashing teeth, he stashed away the secrets of comedy writing-eventually employing them in the immortal "Motivational Speaker" sketch for Chris Farley, honing them on
The Ben Stiller Show, and perfecting them on
Mr. Show With Bob and David.
In Hollywood, Bob demonstrated a bullheadedness that would shame Sisyphus himself, and when all hope was lost for the umpteenth time, the phone rang with an offer to appear on
Breaking Bad-a show about how boring it is to be a high school chemistry teacher. His embrace of this strange new world of dramatic acting led him to working with Steven Spielberg, Alexander Payne, and Greta Gerwig, and then, in a twist that will confound you, he re-re-invents himself as a bona-fide action star. Why? Read this and do your own psychoanalysis-it's fun!
Featuring humorous tangents, never-before-seen photos, wild characters, and Bob's trademark 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.
About the Author
Bob Odenkirk is an Emmy-winning writer and Golden Globe-nominated actor, comedian, director, and producer. He got his start in improv comedy in Chicago and wrote for
Saturday Night Live. He has starred in Nobody and AMC's
Breaking Bad and
Better Call Saul, and written and starred in the sketch comedy cult hit
Mr. Show. He has written and produced a number of television shows. He was also a consultant on
Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! and has directed three films.
Industry Reviews
As a writer, performer, director, and producer, Odenkirk gives a fascinating perspective on many aspects of the industry, and his explorations of his later career shift into dramatic roles-e.g.,
The Post in 2017,
Little Women in 2019, and
Nobody in 2021-are illuminating about both his own acting process and the creative work of other actors and entertainers [...] [T]his fun, thoughtful book will appeal to aspirants in any field. - Kirkus, STARRED REVIEW
Comedian and actor Odenkirk spills on the good, the bad, and oftentimes hilarious moments of his life in this gleeful and irreverent memoir. [...] Above all, he frankly demonstrates how hard work, pure dumb luck, and "learning to grab your junk and jump" can pay off in the most gratifying ways. Comedy fans will find plenty of laughs and some heartening lessons, too. - Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
Odenkirk's account of triumph, struggle, and his firm belief that comedy is a unifying source of connection will inspirehis fans and motivate aspiring entertainers. - Library Journal
Writing from an insider's view on the industry, Odenkirk tells us what it is really like to work in and learn your way through the comedy business and beyond. [...] All readers who enjoy truth telling and satire will find Odenkirk's memoir engaging, as will all his fans who want to know why and how this famous comedian transformed himself into a serious actor. - Booklist
I've known Bob for over 30 years and yet I had to read this book to believe his stunning career arc. I can't think of another entertainer who has improbably morphed so many times and all through real genius and determination. - Conan O'Brien
Bob Odenkirk (sp?) is an exceptionally and uniquely talented man who has had a huge influence on comedy for over thirty years. And now he's given us his P.O.V. of that journey. This book is filled not only with lessons on "making" "it" in "showbiz" but also regular old life lessons as well (including his killer recipe for "Granny's Sunday Loaf"). It's funny, informative, and like the author himself, disarmingly honest. I look forward to meeting him one day. - David Cross
This is a real gem of a book for comedy fans; it's honest, irreverent and fascinating. - Matt Lucas
Bob is one the sharpest comedy writers and actors working today. This is a wonderful memoir of his illustrious career. Raw. Honest. Truthful. I devoured it in one sitting. - David Walliams
