I'm normally not one to read celebrity autobiographies because they tend to be a bit narcissistic or part of some therapy. While reading this, I tried to remember the last one of these I had read and I think it was from Tim Allen (whose 'Men Are Pigs' Showtime special still ranks as perhaps the funniest standup routine I'd ever seen - worth tracking down, guys).My wife gave this to me as a present because she knows I like Billy Crystal. Always thought his takes on the Cosell-Ali sparing was among the best impersonations out there and he definitely was in the top three of all-time Oscar hosts (w/ Bob Hope and Johnny Carson). This was an easy and entertaining romp through Crystal's history.
Yes, successful entertainers lead more interesting lives than most of us, rubbing elbows with and becoming 'close friends' with the likes of Ali, Cosell, Mickey Mantle, Joe Torre, Sophia Loren, Loren Michaels, Johnny Carson, Jack Palance, Robin Williams, yadda, yadda, yadda and for many readers, such goings on might be laborious, I mean, how many people (entertainers or otherwise) could manage to sign a 1-day contract with the Yankees and get to face down a MLB pitcher at 60? But Crystal weaves enough one-liners and quips to make it all bearable. Especially when he talks about some of his more famous outings like When Harry Met Sally, City Slickers, his secret crush on Sophia Loren, and, of course, The Oscars.
Robin Williams says it best in his cover blurb: "A Hollywood autobiography with one wife, no rehab, a loving family, and loyal friends." Read this book as Crystal's musings on turning 65 and most all men of a certain age will find plenty to identify with when it comes to marriage, children, grandchildren, retirement, and (yes, even) death. Actually seems like he'd make a pretty good neighbor, tax bracket notwithstanding.
Not our usual fare, but not an unworthy undertaking either.
ECD
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