Colin Jost recounts his path from a Staten Island childhood to the head writer’s chair at Saturday Night Live. He details specific humiliations, including a storied history of physical injuries, a near-death experience in a professional surfing contest, and the physiological reality of having a face that invites irritation. The narrative covers his education at Harvard, his early days in stand-up comedy, and the backstage logistics of producing live television, specifically focusing on his partnership with Michael Che during Weekend Update.
This memoir attracts comedy fans and aspiring writers who want a realistic look at the television industry behind the camera. Readers learn how a professional comedy writer handles public failure and high-pressure deadlines. The book provides a technical understanding of sketch construction and the persistence required to survive in a competitive creative environment. By the end, the reader understands how a mix of academic privilege and self-deprecation shaped Jost’s specific comedic persona.
Practical, growth-minded and clear-cut; an easy read.
Best for readers like The Practical Optimizer. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 2020
- Language
- EN
