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NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - In these hilarious essays, the Saturday Night Live head writer and Weekend Update co-anchor learns how to take a beating. 'I always wanted to punch his face before I read this book. Now I just want to kick him in the balls.'--Larry David NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY Cosmopolitan - Vulture - ParadeIf there's one trait that makes someone well suited to comedy, it's being able to take a punch--metaphorically and, occasionally, physically. From growing up in a family of firefighters on Staten Island to commuting three hours a day to high school and 'seeing the sights' (like watching a Russian woman throw a stroller off the back of a ferry), to attending Harvard while Facebook was created, Jost shares how he has navigated the world like a slightly smarter Forrest Gump. You'll also discover things about Jost that will surprise and confuse you, like how Jimmy Buffett saved his life, how Czech teenagers attacked him with potato salad, how an insect laid eggs inside his legs, and how he competed in a twenty-five-man match at WrestleMania (and almost won). You'll go behind the scenes at SNL and Weekend Update (where he's written some of the most memorable sketches and jokes of the past fifteen years). And you'll experience the life of a touring stand-up comedian--from performing in rural college cafeterias at noon to opening for Dave Chappelle at Radio City Music Hall. For every accomplishment (hosting the Emmys), there is a setback (hosting the Emmys). And for every absurd moment (watching paramedics give CPR to a raccoon), there is an honest, emotional one (recounting his mother's experience on the scene of the Twin Towers' collapse on 9/11). Told with a healthy dose of self-deprecation, A Very Punchable Face reveals the brilliant mind behind some of the dumbest sketches on television, and lays bare the heart and humor of a hardworking guy--with a face you can't help but want to punch.
Colin Jost has been a writer for “Saturday Night Live” since 2005 and co-anchor for the variety show’s “Weekend Update” since 2014. A Very Punchable Face, Colin Jost, Saturday Night. Colin Jost has nice, smiley face and he’s not one of those douchebag characters at the thriller books I want to punch several times to punish severely. But something about his smile makes my fists itchy! In Colin Jost's memoir A VERY PUNCHABLE FACE, Jost describes growing up on Staten Island, dealing with his mother being the chief medical officer for the NYFD, and finding comedy at Harvard and never looking back. Jost has some great stories of his time at SNL as well as funny memories of stand up comedy shows gone horribly wrong. A Very Punchable Face is a solid read. There are some funny stories, to be sure. Jost does well in capturing some of the day-to-day reality of life as an “SNL” writer; the behind-the-scenes writers’ room stuff is interesting, albeit with a familiar flavor – other books have gone deeper.
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A Punchable Face
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'An inspiring story that reminds us that if you are born with looks and talent, you can still make it.'--Conan O'Brien'I think this book is fantastic. I haven't read a single word of it, but it's got everything I want in a book--a front, a back, a good spine. And it's got some heft. Whoever wrote this book knew what she was doing. Well done.'--Michael Che
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Colin Jost New Book
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