In this detailed autobiography, the 72 year old very talented Hamilton-born comedian, singer, writer, and actor provides an unabashed portrait of his life among an endless string of pop culture stars, almost all of whom he claims as best friends. His career started in Improv in Toronto, progressing to Second City TV, then to a great variety of roles in entertainment including writer and actor on Saturday Night Live and then in film and TV movies, on Broadway, and later as a celebrity touring comedian.
The characterization of dozens of volatile, insecure, and explosive personalities in the entertainment world, all seeking publicity, fame, and wealth gives readers an rare inside glimpse into the shallowness that plagues the whole entertainment industry. The very prevalent substance abuse and promiscuity are acknowledged, but not in any judgemental tone. It strikes me that the necessary itinerant lifestyles, flitting around the world from one engagement to another and associating and working transiently with glamorous idols must contribute to these problems. And a hugely disproportionate number of the entertainers in Hollywood and New York, like the author, are Canadian-born. Why does Canada continue to export most of our best talented entertainers? The lure of wealth, fame, and a luxurious lifestyle in the U.S. seem irresistible to these exported Human Resources .
His devotion to his native country is perhaps best demonstrated by his continuing to vacation at a cottage north of Toronto on Lake Rousseau where his late wife’s ashes are scattered.
His Nine Categories for weekly self-evaluation provides more useful self-help advice in 14 pages than Arthur C. Brooks does in 224 pages in From Strength to Strength.
His public persona is balanced by unusually philosophical reflections and a rare devotion to his family. His grief from the 2010 death of his longtime wife uncovers a depth of emotion and character well hidden from most of his fans.
Never a fan of the inane slapstick comedy that he is famous for nor of most over-hyped Hollywood productions, I found the endless name-dropping of famous entertainers that he assumes readers will know all about a bit confusing. I never pay any attention to the Credits of any productions, so most of the names of behind-the-scenes workers that he acknowledges were unfamiliar to me.
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Thanks, Sarina.
The Passionate Reader 