You Should Be Reading This Book
Books - One of the most important things anyone pursuing a career as a comedy performer or writer needs to know: Am I funny? My affirmation came after sending countless writing samples to anyone in show business or anyone who could spell “show business.” Amidst a constant stream of rejection letters came a short handwritten note from Bob Newhart. He liked my work. He thought it was original. He wished me the best.
Does Mr. Newhart’s act of generosity, for which I will always be grateful, allow me to evaluate his new book, “I Shouldn’t Even Be Doing This” with absolute objectivity? Probably not, but his book can best be appreciated by readers who think Bob Newhart is a very funny man, and I am one of those.
“I Shouldn’t Even Be Doing This” (The title is a punch line to an old joke) is a short book (239 pages), the kind you would expect from someone who can say more with a stammer than most comedians can with 20 minutes of material about airline food. It may not qualify as an autobiography if your idea of a celebrity memoir includes chapters about child neglect, drug abuse, triumph over drug abuse, and hints of affairs with a Secretary of Commerce or two. But his book accomplishes what good biographies do: It presents an interesting and informative picture of Bob Newhart. He also, without a lot of pompous theorizing, provides insight about his comedy and comedy in general.
The book is essentially a series of short stories from his life, pieced together with observations about comedy and show business. His outlook and observations are interersting because, like his comedic persona, he constantly is bewildered and amused by the insanity and near-insanity of the world around him.
Included in the book are many of his well-known comedy routines including: a phone conversation between Abe Lincoln and his press agent, and the commander of the submarine U.S.S Codfish addressing his crew after an extended mission. Even if you have worn out your treasured “Button-Down Mind” albums listening to the routines, reading them will be almost as enjoyable because you, no doubt, will hear his voice while scanning the words.
Reading “I Shouldn’t Even Be Doing This” will be a pleasurable experience for anyone who likes or appreciates the comedy of Bob Newhart. But I would also recommend this book to anyone who feels overwhelmed by the daily news cycle of Britney, Paris, and Brangelina gossip. You will be surprised to learn what the rest of us Newhart fans have always known: There are actually celebrities who are defined as much by their kindness and decency as by their talent.
(Note: If, Mr. Newhart is arrested next week for something like, oh, being O.J. Simpson’s accomplice, I stand corrected.)
