I Must Say

My Life as a Humble Comedy Legend

By: Martin Short

Narrated by: Martin Short

Length: 8 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

In this engagingly witty, wise, and heartfelt memoir, Martin Short tells the tale of how a showbiz-obsessed kid from Canada transformed himself into one of Hollywood’s favorite funnymen, known to his famous peers as the "comedian’s comedian".

Martin Short takes you on a rich, hilarious, and occasionally heartbreaking ride through his life and times, from his early years in Toronto as a member of the fabled improvisational troupe Second City to the all-American comic big time of Saturday Night Live and memorable roles in movies such as ¡Three Amigos! and Father of the Bride. He reveals how he created his most indelible comedic characters, among them the manic man-child Ed Grimley, the slimy corporate lawyer Nathan Thurm, and the bizarrely insensitive interviewer Jiminy Glick. Throughout, Short freely shares the spotlight with friends, colleagues, and collaborators, including Steve Martin, Tom Hanks, Gilda Radner, Mel Brooks, Nora Ephron, Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Paul Shaffer, and David Letterman.

But there is another side to Short's life that he has long kept private. He lost his eldest brother and both of his parents by the time he turned 20, and, more recently, he lost his wife of 30 years to cancer. In I Must Say, Short talks for the first time about the pain that these losses inflicted and the upbeat life philosophy that has kept him resilient and carried him through. In the grand tradition of comedy legends, Martin Short offers a show business memoir densely populated with boldface names and rife with re-tellable tales: a hugely entertaining yet surprisingly moving self-portrait that will keep you laughing - and crying - from the first page to the last.

Special Lyrics for "It's The Most Wonderful Show of the Year" and "Picture-Perfect Christmas In The Palisades" by Martin Short, Marc Shaiman, and Scott Wittman; Special Lyrics for “Marty Throws a Party Just to Sing" by Marc Shaiman.

©2014 Martin Short (P)2014 Harper Collins Publishers

Well done, I must say!

Hilarious, and yet, poignant- Mr. Short draws you in and keeps you close with an interesting analysis of his eccentric upbringing, the evolution of his many personas, the great love of his life and his unending devotion to his children. He is a name-dropper in the best sense; he has the coolest friends and includes funny and engaging stories about their adventures.

Fantastically Marty

If you love Martin Short, Tom Hanks, Steve Martin, Second City, and/or SNL, you should enjoy this book.

I'm not a strong swimmer

Where does I Must Say rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Of all of the biographies I have listened to, he is in the top 3.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ed Grimmley, SNL. I knew a few teachers that hiked their pants up that high. I guffawed.

Have you listened to any of Martin Short’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It mad me do both.

"I Must Say“...and I"m So Glad He Did

I thoroughly enjoyed this audio book and if you enjoy Martin Short you will too. What an honest look into the lives of celebrities. Martin had to read this in his own voice, or should I say voices. There's comedy, drama, sadness balanced with peace, and a look at some of his true celebrity friends. His story is filled with family, love, laughter, skits, and songs so seamlessly presented. What a great way to enjoy a biography. The beauty of an audio book read by the author is that you feel as if you are sitting down for a chat. We are shown how some of his best known characters were created along with insight to how he looks at life and why he grades himself on a curve.

A real chapter advancer. Was sad when the journey ended. Fascinating, funny, feast for the senses.

Comedy Genius

Martin really gets to you. funny, brilliant and emotional! Bravo! A great read for sure!

Just a great book!

Great book. Very funny and poignant too. I didn't want it to end. I highly recommend it!

LOVED IT!

I absolutely loved this book & I am so glad I listened to it instead of reading it!!

fun, touching, inspiring

loved it. it has been a long time since I simply could not out down a book. so touching and I found it so inspirational.

One of my favorite celebrity memoirs.

This a terrific memoir about Mr. Short’s career and his life with his wife Nancy. It’s funny, heartwarming and insightful. Bravo.

Funny and Happy

Loved that he was willing to share such intimate and funny details of his life. Truly someone to look up to and listen to as you drive endless hours. Extremely entertaining!