
A Very Punchable Face
A Memoir
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Narrated by:
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Colin Jost
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Written by:
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Colin Jost
About this listen
New York Times Best Seller
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, and Parade
If 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 25-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 15 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.
©2020 Colin Jost (P)2020 Random House AudioWhat the critics say
"Colin Jost is as funny as his face is punchable. Which is to say: very. He also knows a lot about Staten Island, soiling himself, internal parasites, and firemen’s pensions. He’s really the whole package. And if you care about comedy - writing it, performing it, watching it, or giving up any semblance of a normal adult life for it - so is his book." (Zadie Smith)
"Colin Jost is one of the best people I know and one hell of a writer. This book proves both to be true." (Seth Meyers)
"I was caught off guard by how much I enjoyed this book, considering how indifferent I feel about Colin as a person." (Amy Schumer)
"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)
What listeners say about A Very Punchable Face
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Brian F
- 2021-12-20
A lot of fun
Really enjoyed the SNL background stories. Jost’s mostly deadpan delivery was spot on. Highly recommended.
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- Cathy Lanc
- 2020-11-22
Love this!
I enjoyed every minute of this story. What surprised me were the poignant parts. The book is so well written and Colin has more than enough experience in life to write a memoir.
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- Happy Camper
- 2021-08-28
An intimate life expose that makes me love him
Colin took me on an amazing life and SNL journey. thanks a lot Sir Colin
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- Lisa Storrar
- 2021-06-01
Fantastic Read!
A great book. Colin is very well read. It’s filled with laughter & a few tears (911). His mother is very inspirational as well. Thanks for sharing your story!
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- SB The Student
- 2020-12-25
legit LOL
I bought this because it won first place in the Goodreads best book of 2020 humor category...
It didn't fail to deliver...great listen regardless if your an SNL fan or not.
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- Cassidy
- 2020-12-05
Unbelievably funny, refreshingly honest
I have always loved Colin Jost on Weekend Update on SNL. So I figured this book would be really funny (which it definitely was - it had me laughing out loud plenty of times. This guy has some really killer stories and tells them hilariously).
What I didn’t expect was how sweet, honest, intelligent, and relatable he is as a person. He seems like a genuinely great guy who you’d love to sit down and have a beer with. He has a perfect voice for narration. Highly recommend overall.
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- Windy Willows
- 2022-11-17
It Seems Ironic to Want to Punch Him
Such a great writer and hopefully, will continue to keep making North America laugh, (at least until the next zombie apocalypse)
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- Amazon Customer
- 2020-07-17
Stitches to Sh@ting your pants!
The man has talent.. smart and witty. And not sure that face should be punched after it’s been stitched back together that many times..
Many of us wait for those 10 mins of Weekend Update on SNL.. had over 7 hours today. Well done
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- Scott Duncan
- 2021-10-03
Who knew? An interesting and funny life, so far.
Colin is the only person who could narrate this book and make it even funnier. Well done!
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- Amazon Customer
- 2020-10-23
Not what I expected
Much better than I expected! not that my expectations were low, but the book surpassed them. More emotional than expected, impressive and admirable stories about family and friends. Great stories about SNL, travel, and growing up. absolutely worth the listen.
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