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63
/100
I Index Overall Rating
Readers
59/100Critics
67/100Scholars
Author:
Alan Zweibel
Publisher:
Abrams Press
Date:
April 14, 2020
A comic looks back on his long and storied career, from his start selling jokes for seven dollars apiece to the last of the Borscht Belt stand-ups to becoming one of the first writers at Saturday Night Liveâwhere he penned classic material for Gilda Radner, John Belushi, and all of the original cast membersâto writing for contemporary stars like Tiffany Haddish.
What The Reviewers Say
In Laugh Lines, Zweibel looks back, affectionately and informatively.
Zweibel is long-winded in his descriptions at times, but Laugh Lines is, overall, a well-written, enjoyable, often rambling, and funny memoir by an accomplished comedy writer..
This memoir by comedy writer Zweibel includes all the elements of a polished routine: one-liners, funny stories, running gags, a bit of adults-only material, and general musings on the human condition. The best part is that Zweibel’s chosen persona—a slightly oversize, thoroughly likable Jewish kid—remains constant, so readers feel like they really get to know this nice guy, loyal friend, devoted family man, and talented writer.
... in this lively memoir, Zweibel stresses that a writer's life is governed by more than luck—passion and persistence through sometimes hilariously spectacular failures are vital, as are endless rewrites.
