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Lizz Free or Die
Essays
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4.4 • 67 Ratings
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- $14.99
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
Lizz Winstead, co-creator of The Daily Show and one of today's most hilarious comedians and insightful social critics, pens a brilliant account of how she discovered her comedic voice.
In this collection of autobiographical essays, Winstead vividly recounts how she fought to find her own voice, both as a comedian and as a woman, and how humor became her most powerful weapon in confronting life's challenges.
Growing up in the Midwest, the youngest child of conservative Catholic parents, Winstead learned early in her life that the straightforward questions she posed to various authority figures around her-her parents, her parish priest, even an anti-abortion counselor -prompted many startled looks and uncomfortable silences, but few answers. Her questions rattled people because they exposed the inconsistencies and hypocrisies in the people and institutions she confronted. Yet she didn't let that stop her from pursuing her dreams.
Funny and biting, honest and poignant, this no-holds-barred collection gives an in-depth look into the life of one of today's most influential comic voices. In writing about her childhood longing to be a priest, her role in developing The Daily Show, and of her often problematic habit of diving into everything head first, asking questions later (resulting in multiple rescue-dog adoptions and travel disasters), Lizz Winstead has tapped an outrageous and heartfelt vein of the all-too-human comedy.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Co-creator of Comedy Central's The Daily Show and all-around champion of smart, topical humor, Winstead's debut is an intelligent and witty collection of essays cataloging her trajectory from a Catholic childhood in Minneapolis to her current work as comedian and television producer. The book starts off a bit slow, strolling through Winstead's precious but mostly generic youth. Arriving at young-adulthood, the essays become immediately funnier and more compelling. Stories from Minneapolis' "Punk Rock Ghetto" about rooming with a very young Michele Norris (of NPR fame), witnessing the early moments of Rosanne Barr and Tom Arnold's romance, and listening to Prince perform hometown shows at a local club are vicarious fun. An essay about an early, disastrous gig is hysterically funny, and her first-hand accounts of the early days of The Daily Show and Air America Radio are fascinating. The collection is inconsistent, and Winstead acknowledges that the book is an experiment of sorts, but frankness about your intentions and experience doesn't save you from the duds. That said, the good ones are very good, addressing the ups and downs of career, family, and friendship with honesty and humor.
Customer Reviews
Lizz Free or Die
I enjoyed this book so much that I intend to order copies for my sisters, my daughters and my sane friends.
The chapter on the robbery of Lizz's parents while they napped is laugh-out-loud funny. The writing throughout is witty, warm and credible.
The discussion about the need for safe, legal abortions is so well written that I intend to refer to it when my insane friends broach the subject.
I have been a fan of The Daily Show since its inception. I listened to Air America until its demise. I appreciate Rachel Maddow's genius.
These stories inform and affirm my interests. Thank you, Lizz, for your amazing output.
Stories a plenty
Great book. Sometimes Iwasa laughing, others teary, and best were parts I was laughing so hard I was crying. Thanks for great trip down your memory lane.
A gem of a read
For anyone interested in public policy, the political realm, and the disparity between commitment and action from our politicians, this book inspires one to look more closely at current events. Lizz is an honest and clear voice for progressive thinkers.
Buy this book!