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  • I Must Say

  • My Life as a Humble Comedy Legend
  • Written by: Martin Short
  • Narrated by: Martin Short
  • Length: 8 hrs and 40 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (431 ratings)

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I Must Say

Written by: Martin Short
Narrated by: Martin Short
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Publisher's Summary

In this engagingly witty, wise, and heartfelt memoir, Martin Short tells the tale of how a showbiz-obsessed kid from Canada transformed himself into one of Hollywood’s favorite funnymen, known to his famous peers as the "comedian’s comedian".

Martin Short takes you on a rich, hilarious, and occasionally heartbreaking ride through his life and times, from his early years in Toronto as a member of the fabled improvisational troupe Second City to the all-American comic big time of Saturday Night Live and memorable roles in movies such as ¡Three Amigos! and Father of the Bride. He reveals how he created his most indelible comedic characters, among them the manic man-child Ed Grimley, the slimy corporate lawyer Nathan Thurm, and the bizarrely insensitive interviewer Jiminy Glick. Throughout, Short freely shares the spotlight with friends, colleagues, and collaborators, including Steve Martin, Tom Hanks, Gilda Radner, Mel Brooks, Nora Ephron, Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Paul Shaffer, and David Letterman.

But there is another side to Short's life that he has long kept private. He lost his eldest brother and both of his parents by the time he turned 20, and, more recently, he lost his wife of 30 years to cancer. In I Must Say, Short talks for the first time about the pain that these losses inflicted and the upbeat life philosophy that has kept him resilient and carried him through. In the grand tradition of comedy legends, Martin Short offers a show business memoir densely populated with boldface names and rife with re-tellable tales: a hugely entertaining yet surprisingly moving self-portrait that will keep you laughing - and crying - from the first page to the last.

Special Lyrics for "It's The Most Wonderful Show of the Year" and "Picture-Perfect Christmas In The Palisades" by Martin Short, Marc Shaiman, and Scott Wittman; Special Lyrics for “Marty Throws a Party Just to Sing" by Marc Shaiman.

©2014 Martin Short (P)2014 Harper Collins Publishers

Featured Article: Top 15 Famous Canadian Icons That You Should Know

Gretzky, Shatner, Rogen, Cohen, Twain—the list of famous Canadian icons is as long as it is varied. The audiobook world is lucky to have such tremendous subject matter.

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

Just brilliant

Just brilliant 👏. A funny but very informative look at one of Canada's great funny entertainer. what I got from this book was the rock of a matriarch, first with Mr shorts mom, then is amazing love story with is wife. love the ending. A conversation with Nan. just brilliant 👏.

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

La meilleure autobiographie produite? Peut-être...

Martin Short livre ici un petit chef-d'oeuvre, rien de moins. Rempli d'anecdotes savoureuses et de moments hilarants et touchants. La narration est nettement supérieure à la très grande majorité des autobiographies lues par l'auteur. Monsieur Short est un raconteur né et possède une plume vivante et captivante. Si vous pensez connaître Martin Short, détrompez-vous en écoutant ce récit étonnant et chaleureux. Inutile de vous préciser que je vous recommande fortement ce doux moment de folie et de bonheur!

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Lovely listen

I’ve enjoyed watching Martin Short movies since I was a kid and really neat to hear the stories behind his characters and the story of his life. He is a joy to listen to.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Authentic, vulnerable, love him even more now

Simply fabulous.
Martin short took the chance and opened up to us all. One of the most authentic and vulnerable “celebrity” books ever.
I laughed, gasped and cried.

I almost feel like I know who Martin is. Like he’s a friend.

Just splendid

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  • Overall
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    4 out of 5 stars

Entertaining just a little too long at points.

As a Canadian I loved hearing all about a much loved Canadian who did well. It did seem to be a bit long at points and seemed like a name dropping exercise but it is his life and he can tell as he wants. It was nice to hear how the famous live and see that sometimes they are just people like us regular folk.

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Absolutely Wonderful

I will listen to this many times over.
Thank you to Martin Short and all involved for such a beautiful book

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I am only a minor fan. Or was.

A fun and emotional listen. I am glad the author was the narrator as he did a fantastic job. Canadians will love the stories from Marty's past.

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Fantastic experiences

I really enjoyed listening to him tell us his story, what fun experiences he has had. I really enjoyed hearing about his relationship with his friends and family, especially Nancy.

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  • Jay
  • 2023-04-25

The mind of one of the most naturally funniest

So wonderful to have an inside look at the life and mind of a true original.
In our time, Marty is in that class of superstars who was at the beginning of all the contemporaries. He's been in everything and has known almost everybody.
I'm awed by the quickness of his wit and humour. If I could have but five percent, I'd be a happy camper.

BTW, Jiminy is my absolute favorite!

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A walk through life and times… with a smattering of Hollywood… I was here for the Love!

Martins relationship with Nan. Such a epic true heartfelt story of love, marriage and family. He lays it all out, your completely let in the door and given a seat at dinner. What a beautiful man, a truly wonderful human. I loved this book and am sorry it has finished.

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