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NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY THE A.V. CLUB - Includes new interviews!
From the writer and director of Knocked Up and the producer of Freaks and Geeks comes a collection of intimate, hilarious conversations with the biggest names in comedy from the past thirty years--including Mel Brooks, Jerry Seinfeld, Jon Stewart, Sarah Silverman, Harold Ramis, Seth Rogen, Chris Rock, and Lena Dunham. Before becoming one of the most successful filmmakers in Hollywood, Judd Apatow was the original comedy nerd. At fifteen, he took a job washing dishes in a local comedy club--just so he could watch endless stand-up for free. At sixteen, he was hosting a show for his local high school radio station in Syosset, Long Island--a show that consisted of Q&As with his comedy heroes, from Garry Shandling to Jerry Seinfeld. They talked about their careers, the science of a good joke, and their dreams of future glory (turns out, Shandling was interested in having his own TV show one day and Steve Allen had already invented everything). Thirty years later, Apatow is still that same comedy nerd--and he's still interviewing funny people about why they do what they do.
Sick in the Head gathers Apatow's most memorable and revealing conversations into one hilarious, wide-ranging, and incredibly candid collection that spans not only his career but his entire adult life. Here are the comedy legends who inspired and shaped him, from Mel Brooks to Steve Martin. Here are the contemporaries he grew up with in Hollywood, from Spike Jonze to Sarah Silverman. And here, finally, are the brightest stars in comedy today, many of whom Apatow has been fortunate to work with, from Seth Rogen to Amy Schumer. And along the way, something kind of magical happens: What started as a lifetime's worth of conversations about comedy becomes something else entirely. It becomes an exploration of creativity, ambition, neediness, generosity, spirituality, and the joy that comes from making people laugh. Loaded with the kind of back-of-the-club stories that comics tell one another when no one else is watching, this fascinating, personal (and borderline-obsessive) book is Judd Apatow's gift to comedy nerds everywhere. Praise for Sick in the Head "I can't stop reading it. . . . I don't want this book to end."--Jimmy Fallon "An essential for any comedy geek."--Entertainment Weekly "Fascinating . . . a collection of interviews with many of the great figures of comedy in the latter half of the twentieth century."--The Washington Post "Open this book anywhere, and you're bound to find some interesting nugget from someone who has had you in stitches many, many times."--Janet Maslin, The New York Times "An amazing read, full of insights and connections both creative and interpersonal."--The New Yorker "Fascinating and revelatory."--Chicago Tribune "Anyone even remotely interested in comedy or humanity should own this book."--Will Ferrell
From the writer and director of Knocked Up and the producer of Freaks and Geeks comes a collection of intimate, hilarious conversations with the biggest names in comedy from the past thirty years--including Mel Brooks, Jerry Seinfeld, Jon Stewart, Sarah Silverman, Harold Ramis, Seth Rogen, Chris Rock, and Lena Dunham. Before becoming one of the most successful filmmakers in Hollywood, Judd Apatow was the original comedy nerd. At fifteen, he took a job washing dishes in a local comedy club--just so he could watch endless stand-up for free. At sixteen, he was hosting a show for his local high school radio station in Syosset, Long Island--a show that consisted of Q&As with his comedy heroes, from Garry Shandling to Jerry Seinfeld. They talked about their careers, the science of a good joke, and their dreams of future glory (turns out, Shandling was interested in having his own TV show one day and Steve Allen had already invented everything). Thirty years later, Apatow is still that same comedy nerd--and he's still interviewing funny people about why they do what they do.
Sick in the Head gathers Apatow's most memorable and revealing conversations into one hilarious, wide-ranging, and incredibly candid collection that spans not only his career but his entire adult life. Here are the comedy legends who inspired and shaped him, from Mel Brooks to Steve Martin. Here are the contemporaries he grew up with in Hollywood, from Spike Jonze to Sarah Silverman. And here, finally, are the brightest stars in comedy today, many of whom Apatow has been fortunate to work with, from Seth Rogen to Amy Schumer. And along the way, something kind of magical happens: What started as a lifetime's worth of conversations about comedy becomes something else entirely. It becomes an exploration of creativity, ambition, neediness, generosity, spirituality, and the joy that comes from making people laugh. Loaded with the kind of back-of-the-club stories that comics tell one another when no one else is watching, this fascinating, personal (and borderline-obsessive) book is Judd Apatow's gift to comedy nerds everywhere. Praise for Sick in the Head "I can't stop reading it. . . . I don't want this book to end."--Jimmy Fallon "An essential for any comedy geek."--Entertainment Weekly "Fascinating . . . a collection of interviews with many of the great figures of comedy in the latter half of the twentieth century."--The Washington Post "Open this book anywhere, and you're bound to find some interesting nugget from someone who has had you in stitches many, many times."--Janet Maslin, The New York Times "An amazing read, full of insights and connections both creative and interpersonal."--The New Yorker "Fascinating and revelatory."--Chicago Tribune "Anyone even remotely interested in comedy or humanity should own this book."--Will Ferrell
Roxanne says: A must read for any comedy aficionado or anyone brave enough to try stand-up! Apatow interviews all the greats: Seinfeld, Shandling, etc.
INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Allie Brosh--beloved author and artist of the extraordinary #1 New York Times bestseller Hyperbole and a Half--returns with a long-awaited collection of "hilarious and slyly poignant" (People), autobiographical, illustrated essays. Solutions and Other Problems includes humorous stories from Allie Brosh's childhood; the adventures of her very bad animals; merciless dissection of her own character flaws; incisive essays on grief, loneliness, and powerlessness; as well as reflections on the absurdity of modern life. "No one sums up the hilarity, devastation, and bizarreness of life quite like comic artist and blogger Allie Brosh" (NPR). This full-color, beautifully illustrated edition features all-new material with more than 1,600 pieces of art. Solutions and Other Problems marks the return of a beloved American humorist who has "the observational skills of a scientist, the creativity of an artist, and the wit of a comedian" (Bill Gates).
A masterly book --Nassim Nicholas Taleb, author of The Black Swan
A classic --Simon Kuper, Financial Times An economist explains five laws that confirm our worst fears: stupid people can and do rule the world Throughout history, a powerful force has hindered the growth of human welfare and happiness. It is more powerful than the Mafia or the military. It has global catastrophic effects and can be found anywhere from the world's most powerful boardrooms to your local bar. It is human stupidity. Carlo M. Cipolla, noted professor of economic history at the UC Berkeley, created this vitally important book in order to detect and neutralize its threat. Both hilarious and dead serious, it will leave you better equipped to confront political realities, unreasonable colleagues, or your next dinner with your in-laws. The Laws: 1. Everyone underestimates the number of stupid individuals among us.
2. The probability that a certain person is stupid is independent of any other characteristic of that person.
3. A stupid person is a person who causes losses to another person while deriving no gain and even possibly incurring losses themselves.
4. Non-stupid people always underestimate the damaging power of stupid individuals.
5. A stupid person is the most dangerous type of person.
A classic --Simon Kuper, Financial Times An economist explains five laws that confirm our worst fears: stupid people can and do rule the world Throughout history, a powerful force has hindered the growth of human welfare and happiness. It is more powerful than the Mafia or the military. It has global catastrophic effects and can be found anywhere from the world's most powerful boardrooms to your local bar. It is human stupidity. Carlo M. Cipolla, noted professor of economic history at the UC Berkeley, created this vitally important book in order to detect and neutralize its threat. Both hilarious and dead serious, it will leave you better equipped to confront political realities, unreasonable colleagues, or your next dinner with your in-laws. The Laws: 1. Everyone underestimates the number of stupid individuals among us.
2. The probability that a certain person is stupid is independent of any other characteristic of that person.
3. A stupid person is a person who causes losses to another person while deriving no gain and even possibly incurring losses themselves.
4. Non-stupid people always underestimate the damaging power of stupid individuals.
5. A stupid person is the most dangerous type of person.
The best of the worst: these cartoons rejected by The New Yorker were deemed too dumb, too weird, or too naughty--but not for lack of laughs! Every week, hundreds and hundreds of cartoons pour into The New Yorker. Most are rejected. Doesn't matter how big a deal the cartoonist is, either. Roz Chast, David Sipress, Kim Warp, Sam gross, Ed Steed, Emily Flake, Navied Mahdavian, or Mary Lawton--if the work in question is too weird, too naughty, too juvenile, or too dark, it's out. Luckily for us, Matthew Diffee has been bravely sifting through the circular file to rescue the best of the worst.
Here are 297 cartoons in a revised second edition featuring more than 50 new cartoons--even better, even worse! The cartoon set-ups may be familiar--a couple in bed, a few people stranded on a desert island, a doctor and patient in an examining room--but the joke are anything but, with twists so unexpected, you can't help but laugh out loud.
Here are 297 cartoons in a revised second edition featuring more than 50 new cartoons--even better, even worse! The cartoon set-ups may be familiar--a couple in bed, a few people stranded on a desert island, a doctor and patient in an examining room--but the joke are anything but, with twists so unexpected, you can't help but laugh out loud.
Bryn says: Talk about a perfect beach read, you'll take a look into the trash bin of The New Yorker's cartoon editor and laugh out loud at what we didn't get to see between the magazine's pages. A reminder that even the best can get passed over. Oh, and you'll also get to know some of your favorite cartoonists/rejects.
So you're a grandparent!
One of the most magical roles you'll ever have - but also one of the messiest. But never fear: this indispensable handbook is here to guide you through the pleasures and pitfalls of grandparenthood, and, most importantly, teach you how to keep them quiet while you catch up on your nap-time.
One of the most magical roles you'll ever have - but also one of the messiest. But never fear: this indispensable handbook is here to guide you through the pleasures and pitfalls of grandparenthood, and, most importantly, teach you how to keep them quiet while you catch up on your nap-time.
It's time to celebrate the end of an era - and the start of a whole new one! Ah, retirement - from here on out it's all lazy lie-ins, pleasant afternoons in the garden (or the garden centre), long lunches with friends and evenings spent in a comfy chair in front of the fire, right? Wrong! Welcome to a world where you're halfway to the office before you realize you don't work there any more, you somehow seem to have even less free time than before to do all the things you need to do, and suddenly daytime TV seems a whole lot more appealing than it ever used to... This indispensable handbook, packed with amusing illustrations, is here to guide you through the pleasures and pitfalls of being retired. Most importantly, though, it'll teach you how to how to make sure you always get a decent afternoon nap. This book is perfect gift for retirees, offering tongue-in-cheek advice on how to make the most of their new-found freedom.
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - Lambda Literary Award for Bisexual Nonfiction Award Winner - A rip-roaring, edgy and unabashedly raunchy new collection of hilarious essays from the New York Times bestselling author of We Are Never Meeting in Real Life.
"Stay-up-all-night, miss-your-subway-stop, spit-out-your-beverage funny." --Jia Tolentino, New York Times bestselling author of Trick Mirror
Irby is forty, and increasingly uncomfortable in her own skin despite what Inspirational Instagram Infographics have promised her. She has left her job as a receptionist at a veterinary clinic, has published successful books and has been friendzoned by Hollywood, left Chicago, and moved into a house with a garden that requires repairs and know-how with her wife in a Blue town in the middle of a Red state where she now hosts book clubs and makes mason jar salads. This is the bourgeois life of a Hallmark Channel dream. She goes on bad dates with new friends, spends weeks in Los Angeles taking meetings with "tv executives slash amateur astrologers" while being a "cheese fry-eating slightly damp Midwest person," "with neck pain and no cartilage in [her] knees," who still hides past due bills under her pillow. The essays in this collection draw on the raw, hilarious particulars of Irby's new life. Wow, No Thank You. is Irby at her most unflinching, riotous, and relatable. Don't miss Samantha Irby's bestselling new book, Quietly Hostile!
"Stay-up-all-night, miss-your-subway-stop, spit-out-your-beverage funny." --Jia Tolentino, New York Times bestselling author of Trick Mirror
Irby is forty, and increasingly uncomfortable in her own skin despite what Inspirational Instagram Infographics have promised her. She has left her job as a receptionist at a veterinary clinic, has published successful books and has been friendzoned by Hollywood, left Chicago, and moved into a house with a garden that requires repairs and know-how with her wife in a Blue town in the middle of a Red state where she now hosts book clubs and makes mason jar salads. This is the bourgeois life of a Hallmark Channel dream. She goes on bad dates with new friends, spends weeks in Los Angeles taking meetings with "tv executives slash amateur astrologers" while being a "cheese fry-eating slightly damp Midwest person," "with neck pain and no cartilage in [her] knees," who still hides past due bills under her pillow. The essays in this collection draw on the raw, hilarious particulars of Irby's new life. Wow, No Thank You. is Irby at her most unflinching, riotous, and relatable. Don't miss Samantha Irby's bestselling new book, Quietly Hostile!
The third New York Times bestseller in John Lithgow's satirical poetry series. Following the success of Dumpty and Trumpty Dumpty Wanted a Crown, award-winning actor, author, and illustrator John Lithgow presents the third book in his runaway hit series. While the blatant corruption and abuse of power of the Trump era was shocking, it was actually nothing new. In A Confederacy of Dumptys, Lithgow shifts his focus to some of the biggest scoundrels in American history, from Richard Nixon to Newt Gingrich, Leona Helmsley to the Sackler family. He deftly wields the power of the limerick and line-drawing to describe despicable events such as Watergate and the January 6th insurrection. American history, Lithgow reveals, is rife with powerful and deeply crooked men and women. Delivered in verse filled with his trademark wit and cutting humor, and accompanied by clever illustrations, this exuberant book tells the stories--corrupt, criminal, or just plain crummy--of history's long-forgotten villains and today's most prominent bad actors. Digital audio edition read by author John Lithgow. BELOVED AUTHOR: John Lithgow has delighted audiences for decades, starring in hit TV series like 3rd Rock from the Sun, Dexter, and The Crown, and in critically acclaimed films such as The World According to Garp, Terms of Endearment, and Bombshell. He has published several beloved children's books. BESTSELLING SERIES: All three books in Lithgow's political satire series, Dumpty, Trumpty Dumpty Wanted a Crown, and A Confederacy of Dumptys, have become New York Times bestsellers and garnered critical and popular acclaim. NOT JUST TRUMP: Where the previous books in the series took aim squarely at Trump, this book captures a wider array of present-day scoundrels and historical wrongdoers. A Confederacy of Dumptys provides plenty of entertainment and insight for the post-Trump era and serves as a potent reminder to not repeat history. Perfect for: Fans of the previous books in the series: Dumpty and Trumpty Dumpty Wanted a Crown Humor fans: readers of books like Don't Sit on My Bed by Phoebe Robinson, If You Gave a Pig the White House, and fans of classic comics such as The Far Side Readers of political nonfiction such as Midnight in Washington by Adam Schiff, On Tyranny: Graphic Edition by Timothy Snyder, or The Trump Tapes by Bob Woodward Political satire lovers and fans of Stephen Colbert, Trevor Noah, Jon Stewart, or Chelsea Handler Makes a great gift or stocking stuffer for dads, political junkies, poetry lovers, and history buffs