Between the Lines - Book Reviews from The Open Book

I will admit to being old enough to have watched the first season of Saturday Night Live back in the Stone Ages. I remember admiring Gilda Radner, Laraine Newman and Jane Curtin for their ability to become so many different people in the course of a show.  I admired them even more for having the courage to step in front of an audience and risk falling flat. I had not seen many women comedians and I truly enjoyed watching these trailblazers.  All these years later, I still enjoy watching Saturday Night Live (when I can stay up that late) so I was very happy to hear that Tina Fey was writing a book. 

That book, Bossypants, is the story of a woman who has made her mark in the world of television comedy.   Stated that way, you might think that this is a dry time full of serious statements about the nature of comedy and the place of a strong woman in that world.  But you would think wrong, because this is a laugh-out-loud look at the world of a very funny lady.

 With chapter headings such as: “The Windy City: Full of Meat” and “The Secret of Mommy’s Beauty,” the reader immediately senses that Tina Fey does not take herself (or anyone else for that matter) too seriously. While loosely chronological and biographical, Bossypants careens from Fey’s fairly normal childhood to a wretched honeymoon cruise to her time as a YMCA receptionist, and finally to the offices of Saturday Night Live.

Fey will keep you laughing with her sharp wit, yet she also discusses her role as the “Boss” with respect to two very successful television shows.  While it might not necessarily be placed in the business book section of the bookstore, it certainly holds some useful lessons for women trying to succeed in traditionally male fields.  If nothing else, the description of simultaneously trying to perfect a Sarah Palin impression, recruit Oprah to do a guest shot on 30 Rock, and plan a child’s birthday party gives new meaning to the term “multitasking.”

If you are looking for a quick, fun read for a sunny afternoon, Bossypants may be the perfect choice.

You may buy this book and other great books from The Open Book, which is located at 1 Glovers Lane, Westhampton Beachor visit us online at www.theopenbookwhb.com