Comedy Comedy Comedy Drama

A Memoir

By: Bob Odenkirk

Narrated by: Bob Odenkirk, Steve Rudnick, Leo Benvenuti

Length: 7 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

In this "essential" (Entertainment Weekly), "hilarious" (AV Club) memoir, the star of Mr. Show, Breaking Bad, and Better Call Saul opens up about the highs and lows of showbiz, his cult status as a comedy writer, and what it’s like to reinvent himself as an action film ass-kicker at 50.

“I’ve known Bob Odenkirk for more than 30 years, and yet I had to read this book to believe his stunning career arc.” (Conan O’Brien)

One of the Most Anticipated Books of 2022 - Entertainment Weekly, USA Today, Parade, The AV Club

Bob Odenkirk’s career is inexplicable. And yet he will try like hell to explicate it for you. Charting a “Homeric” decades-long “odyssey” from his origins in the seedy comedy clubs of Chicago to a dramatic career full of award nominations - with a side trip into the action-man world that is baffling to all who know him - it’s almost like there are many Bob Odenkirks! But there is just one and one is plenty.

Bob embraced a life in comedy after a chance meeting with Second City’s legendary Del Close. He somehow made his way to a job as a writer at Saturday Night Live. While surviving that legendary gauntlet by the skin of his gnashing teeth, he stashed away the secrets of comedy writing - eventually employing them in the immortal “Motivational Speaker” sketch for Chris Farley, honing them on The Ben Stiller Show, and perfecting them on Mr. Show with Bob and David.

In Hollywood, Bob demonstrated a bullheadedness that would shame Sisyphus himself, and when all hope was lost for the umpteenth time, the phone rang with an offer to appear on Breaking Bad - a show about how boring it is to be a high school chemistry teacher. His embrace of this strange new world of dramatic acting led him to working with Steven Spielberg, Alexander Payne, and Greta Gerwig, and then, in a twist that will confound you, he re-re-invented himself as a bona fide action star. Why? Listen to this and do your own psychoanalysis - it’s fun!

Featuring humorous tangents, wild characters, and Bob’s trademark unflinching drive, Comedy Comedy Comedy Drama is a classic showbiz tale told by a determined idiot.

©2022 Bob Odenkirk (P)2022 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“I’ve known Bob [Odenkirk] for over 30 years, and yet I had to read this book to believe his stunning career arc. I can’t think of another entertainer who has improbably morphed so many times, and all through real genius and determination.”—Conan O’Brien

“Written before his heart attack, the actor's memoir was already appointment reading—he regales his audience with stories of his time coming up in Chicago's comedy scene and breaking into Hollywood—but now it feels even more essential.”—Entertainment Weekly

“This book would have been welcome news no matter what, but it’s especially sweet following Odenkirk’s recovery from a scary July heart attack that saw the star collapse on the set. We’ll take all the Odenkirk we can get.”—USA Today

My first Audiobook and it's by far my favorite

I'm a fan of Bob's stuff and comedy in general. I actively sought this book out which is rare for me because I'm not much of a reader. It was weird hearing an audiobook for the first time but knowing Bob's voice and mannerisms really helped to get into it faster. I listened to this book every chance I got and man... if you like, as Bob put it (a LOT I noticed), "fringe" comedy and showbiz stuff this is a great book. Bob does a great job at mixing more personal stories and experiences with deep dives into his many projects. He seems very keen on giving credit where it's due and shouts out most of his collaborators, young and old, throughout the book and I liked that. (Again, if you're a *sigh*... "comedy nerd", these stories are gold.) I have been following Bob into his more dramatic stuff up until recently and I enjoyed hearing about his experiences through those times of his life as well. Hearing of the period between (approximately) Mr Show and Breaking Bad provided me with a ton of Bob and Bob-adjacent projects and comedians I'd never heard of to check out. Bob himself was a pretty solid narrator. Again, first Audiobook so I have no real benchmark. I'd say about a little more than half of the time you can tell he's reading from a book, if you know what I mean, but the rest of the time his inflections and characterisations really shine through. Regardless of HOW it was read, enthusiasm was apparent in his voice throughout the book. He seemed happy to be doing it. He seems VERY proud of his work (he should be) but not at all in a cocky way. It actually made me really happy to hear him recite (verbatim) entire Mr Show sketches and share memories of chats with Del Close with such excitement in his voice. Like, "I did that! I made that! I experienced that!" Anyway, solid ending as well. I'm having one of those experiences where you've finished something but now you don't want to consume anything BUT that thing. So I may have to listen again. Definitely a book I can see myself coming back to several times. As long as it's on audio. My reading comprehension is ****

Best book I’ve read in years

Very intriguing, educational, insightful and funny stories told by your favorite Bob whom you’ve come to love and respect. 5 stars all around!!!

The best!

So I could be biased, being a lifelong fan of Odenkirk, but this is the most enjoyable memoir I have ever had the pleasure of ingesting. Bob's memories of his life in comedy down to every detail, even the sad ones, are enthralling. As soon as I finished, I had to restart it. Highly recommended if you are a fan of his, or a fan of the comedy world in general.

It’s pretty ok

It’s a nice listen and information from his first hand perspective. I enjoy Bob’s work and it was neat to hear the negatives along with the positives.

Bob Odenkik's tasty comedy with drama pie.

If you like learning about the inside world of Comedy, Stand up,writing Standup, SNL,Monty Python, Mr Show and much more...you will be happy you spent the money. I'm especially satisfied with the audiobook. Why? Because Odenkirk's narration is spot on and kinda honest and objective,I think.
I really enjoyed learning about the writing and personal relationship between he and Cross,so similar/ different. That whole yin and yang thing. That's those Catholics and Jews for ya.
I would put it up there with Steve Martin's book ( also better because he narrates it ) Also Dick Cavett's book. Excelsior!

Candid, Fascinating, and Informative

This book is a terrific deep dive into the life of a revered comedy writer turned actor. Since it is read by the author, each word in the book is expressed in his incomparable comedic style.

Definitely worth a listen.

excellent memoir

loved it. simple and straigjt forward memoir of an intetesting guy that i wanted to know more of.

ah Bob, you had me at Matt Foley......

To find out that Bob wrote that bit for Chris Farley...well...I liked Bob before...now I'm in love! I watched breaking bad...loved it... I was late to Better Call Saul...didn't start watching it until just last month. Loved Nobody way too much and Saul...well I cried when it was over. Loved every minute of this book. Please write another...soon!

Great book loved Bob O reading

Great book! I love his humor and stories!!! I recommend for and fan of Bob O!

True to form

Nothing held back!!! Great memoir- love that Bob narrated it, I felt like I was sitting with him as he regaled me with his stories! Can't wait to delve into his past endeavors on screen that I have yet to see. #binge