Adam Sandler: America's Comedian [Paperback]

Bill Crawford (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 8, 2000

From the comedy clubs of New York to his big break on "Saturday Night Live" to block-buster films like "Big Daddy" and "Little Nicky" Adam Sandler has left America howling in their seats and peeing in their pants. Sandler has emerged as the decade's most unstoppable comedic-and the ladies love him! But how many people know the story behind this lovable comedic prodigy's ascent to fame? Bill Crawford takes you back to Sandler's childhood in a small New Hampshire Town, where his stand-up routines were always hits with his classmates but not necessarily the teachers! When Adam left his small town to take on the big city at New York University, it wasn't always easy, Sandler performed as a street musician crooning Springsteen songs to commuters, but he was destined to succeed. From his long friendship with then college classmate Tim Herlihy, who went on to co-write all Sandler's movies, to being discovered by Dennis Miller and eventually becoming America's funnyman, Bill Crawford looks behind the headlines and tabloid tales to shed new light on this decade's comedic darling.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Lengthening Dennis Miller's rap sheet, Crawford credits the world's oldest 13-year-old with discovering that Jerry Lewis of his generation, Adam Sandler. Other than that tidbit, Crawford's quickie bio assumes potential readers' heads are empty vessels as far as entertainment history before last Tuesday is concerned. So he explains who John Belushi, Chris Farley, and similar luminaries were in page-count-inflating detail, though the sentences are very simple, very short; this is invigorating in its way, rather like a lesson learned from watching Saved by the Bell . Speaking of Sandler's schoolboy humor and appeal, Crawford says that Sandler's character in The Waterboy "evolved at least in part from [his] Saturday Night Live characters Canteen Boy and Cajunman." He goes on to explain that, like Canteen Boy, Waterboy is concerned with water, and like Cajunman, Waterboy is from "the Cajun country of Louisiana." Well, that certainly explains the accent! Chock-full of similar revealing analysis, deep truths, and riveting commentary, this is a simple, naive, harmless, fan-magish trifle. So give it to the fans. Mike Tribby
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

Bill Crawford is the author of several books, including Stevie Ray Vaugn and Rock Stars Do The Dumbest Things.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; 1st edition (December 8, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312262825
• ISBN-13: 978-0312262822
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,625,882 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Reveiwer: Big Zach NOT A KIDS REVIEW although I am a kid!, August 20, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Adam Sandler: America's Comedian (Paperback)

This was a great book! Adam sandler is my 2nd favorite actor. He is one of my greatest inspirations. This taught me a lot about him. He did not have a sad story like Jim Carrey but he is still a great person. This book was written very well and is one of the greatest books I have ever read!

4.0 out of 5 stars Informative Biography, July 22, 2002

By 

rzaster - See all my reviews

This review is from: Adam Sandler: America's Comedian (Paperback)

Adam Sandler is, to put it simply, my favorite actor. I don't know if it's his crazy mind and jokes or what, but everything that I have seen him in has made me laugh my pants my off. Due to my fondness of Mr. Sandler I decided that I would read a biography on him. There were a handful of books written on this talented man, and I'm glad that I picked this one. Crawford here presents facts and stories about Adam Sandler and ties everything together to make a fun filled read that will be thoroughly enjoyed.

The book opens up with a bit on Sandler's family life and some basic biographical information, such as where he grew up and some information on his childhood. After this there are chapters on his "Saturday Night Live" career, his movies, his CD's, and a plethora of other things. Movies such as "Happy Gilmore" and "Billy Madison" are touched upon here. There are plot summaries and many stories about things on the makings of the movies, such as tid bits on the actors and actresses and things about the production. All of the CD recordings that Adam has done are summarized here and there is even some information on specific songs.

Bill Crawford does what a skilled author doing a biography should do. He makes facts fun and interesting to read. But even more inmportantly, though, is that he carefully writes about Adam as a person. He shares information about his family life and hos friends that were made over the years. There is also information here on Sandler's love interests as well. And behind all of the money and fame, Crawford writes how this actor really acts for the love of the art and to please his fans.

The writing in this biography is clear and easy to follow, making for a quick and informative read. This biography is not one that is long and drags, giving pointless information on frivolous things, this will deliver the important information on Mr. Sandler. At the end of this biography there is a complete bibliography and list of Adam's television appearances, movies made, and CD's recorded. This is one biography that will not disappoint.

Happy Reading!

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars adam sandler or is it?, February 24, 2001

By 

Rebecca Clark (hermosa beach,ca usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Adam Sandler: America's Comedian (Paperback)

of corse everyone loves adam sandler,but not all the book about him are to love.adam sandler;america's comedian by bill crawford seems well 'safe'.I as well as other people want to know the true about adam and this is not the place to find it.so yes on a scale of one to five i give this book a three. Because the writing was ok (and i mean ok).we aren't little kids mr. crawford.If you what to know about adam get this book but if you what more...