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Comedy Comedy Comedy Drama

Written by: Bob Odenkirk
Narrated by: Bob Odenkirk, Steve Rudnick, Leo Benvenuti
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Publisher's Summary

In this "essential" (Entertainment Weekly), "hilarious" (AV Club) memoir, the star of Mr. Show, Breaking Bad, and Better Call Saul opens up about the highs and lows of showbiz, his cult status as a comedy writer, and what it’s like to reinvent himself as an action film ass-kicker at 50.

“I’ve known Bob Odenkirk for more than 30 years, and yet I had to read this book to believe his stunning career arc.” (Conan O’Brien)

One of the Most Anticipated Books of 2022 - Entertainment Weekly, USA Today, Parade, The AV Club

Bob Odenkirk’s career is inexplicable. And yet he will try like hell to explicate it for you. Charting a “Homeric” decades-long “odyssey” from his origins in the seedy comedy clubs of Chicago to a dramatic career full of award nominations - with a side trip into the action-man world that is baffling to all who know him - it’s almost like there are many Bob Odenkirks! But there is just one and one is plenty.

Bob embraced a life in comedy after a chance meeting with Second City’s legendary Del Close. He somehow made his way to a job as a writer at Saturday Night Live. While surviving that legendary gauntlet by the skin of his gnashing teeth, he stashed away the secrets of comedy writing - eventually employing them in the immortal “Motivational Speaker” sketch for Chris Farley, honing them on The Ben Stiller Show, and perfecting them on Mr. Show with Bob and David.

In Hollywood, Bob demonstrated a bullheadedness that would shame Sisyphus himself, and when all hope was lost for the umpteenth time, the phone rang with an offer to appear on Breaking Bad - a show about how boring it is to be a high school chemistry teacher. His embrace of this strange new world of dramatic acting led him to working with Steven Spielberg, Alexander Payne, and Greta Gerwig, and then, in a twist that will confound you, he re-re-invented himself as a bona fide action star. Why? Listen to this and do your own psychoanalysis - it’s fun!

Featuring humorous tangents, wild characters, and Bob’s trademark unflinching drive, Comedy Comedy Comedy Drama is a classic showbiz tale told by a determined idiot.

©2022 Bob Odenkirk (P)2022 Random House Audio
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What the critics say

“I’ve known Bob [Odenkirk] for over 30 years, and yet I had to read this book to believe his stunning career arc. I can’t think of another entertainer who has improbably morphed so many times, and all through real genius and determination.”—Conan O’Brien

“Written before his heart attack, the actor's memoir was already appointment reading—he regales his audience with stories of his time coming up in Chicago's comedy scene and breaking into Hollywood—but now it feels even more essential.”Entertainment Weekly

“This book would have been welcome news no matter what, but it’s especially sweet following Odenkirk’s recovery from a scary July heart attack that saw the star collapse on the set. We’ll take all the Odenkirk we can get.”USA Today

What listeners say about Comedy Comedy Comedy Drama

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The Saul You Probably Didn't Know

If you're like me (and probably most), you know Bob Odenkirk from his amazing portrayal as Saul Goodman in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. However, despite this massive success, the majority of his career (and indeed where he still puts most of his effort) is into comedy. This memoir mostly focuses on that, though it talks about his dramatic acting days as well.

Bob reads this story very well and really adds to the personality and humour on display throughout. His trek through comedy was certainly not easy and he talks at length about his humble beginnings in Chicago, to writing for and flunking out of SNL, to his cult favourite Mr. Show program and much more. He's candid about the things and people he wasn't fond of and is also very generous in his praise to those he admires. This memoir is told from a place of honestly, but also by someone who is clearly both funny and has a good heart.

If you ever wanted to really hear from someone who lives the motto "fail early, fail often, fail faster", this is it. Bob has had some great successes but in between all of those were a string of failures, some large, to a point where they might have broken people with less resolve. But he always picks himself up and moves onto the next thing, not letting his failures stop him. He truly loves the art of comedy and even when he fails hard, he never lets it dim his passion. It's quite admirable.

Even if like me, you only know Bob from his dramatic roles, this retelling of his life is engaging and fun. I highly recommend.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Definitely worth the listen

It's hard not to like him, even as he works so hard to be unlikeable. Self deprecating and brutally honest. Really enjoyed it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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I love Bob!

This book is amazing, he is a great human and a genius comedic icon. Thank you for this Mr Odenkirk, thank you!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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I’m in love!

I am in love with this experience this opened my imagination more than I was expecting. I keep listening over and over because each chapter is fun! It’s a experience in itself you’ll see.

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    3 out of 5 stars

alright journey thru BobO's life

This is entertaining, but at times a lengthy journey of name-dropping disinterest. I had to up the speed of the playback just to get thru some of the middling chapters. Probably my last biography for a while. It was a journey and the quick recounts of his filming episodes of filming in Canada (especially with his own origins in Chicago/area) were my highlights.
Rating somewhere between 3.5 and 4.

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One book of Many I hope

Amazing personal insight. No holds barred. Can’t wait to read/listen to Bob odenki’s next book.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

As indicated in the title more comedy less drama

Excellent performance but definitely more for the fans of his comedy than drama (as expected with that title). Worth the time and entertaining.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Ode To Odenkirk

His name combines Norse God and Star Trek leader. He is neither

He's a guy who followed his passion, learned from life and tells a great story.

I heard about this book on Bill Maher. I purchased it while watching. Well worth it.

His work is amazing. His journey to get where he is now is just lovely.

He is humble, funny and gracious to those he's worked with. And to the listener. Melifluous voice to boot.

This book is funny but more story in how a guy followed his own lead to get where he is today.

Writer, comedian, serious actor, maybe even a normal person(?).

Where was this guidance when I was a kid???

I'll be creative and funny in another life.

Thanks Bob Odenkirk!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Interesting story. Skit descriptions ran on

Enjoyed the backstory and learning about Bob. The Mr. Show skit descriptions got repetitive after a while. Sketch comedy just isn't quite the same when it's being explained to you

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Finding Bob Odenkirk

I was slow to find Bob Odenkirk, and now have a lot of catching up to do. Saul was good enough for me but I can’t wait to go back and watch all the ‘comedy’ that prededed the ‘drama’. He is supremely likeable, a genious, and obviously a crazy hard worker. His narration was engaging from beginning to end.

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