A Bad Idea I'm About to Do: True Tales of Seriously Poor Judgment and Stunningly Awkward Adventure [Paperback]

Chris Gethard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 10, 2012

"If you like underdog stories told by a secret comedy superhero, Chris Gethard is your man. Each story is the perfect combination of hilarious and heartbreaking."—Amy Poehler

 

"Chris Gethard is comedy in a fighter's crouch."—Seth Meyers

 

"There's truly no poorer judgment than not buying this book. Except maybe diving into a swimming pool full of malaria."—Patton Oswalt

 

"Chris Gethard stories are like a roller coaster—at times you are scared, shocked, and ultimately exhilarated by the hilarity each story contains—and once you finish one, you wanna hear another one right away."—Paul Scheer, FX's The League and Adult Swim's NTSF: SD: SUV

 

"Chris Gethard tells the amazing stories an eccentric old man would tell . . . if that man had lived his f#@king life with any balls. His stories are hilarious and riveting—but more importantly, real."—Rob Huebel, Adult Swim's Childrens Hospital and MTV's Human Giant

 

Chris Gethard has often found himself in awkward situations most people, including you, probably would have safely avoided. The good news is now, thanks to this book, you can enjoy the painfully funny consequences of his unfortunate decisions at a safe distance. A Bad Idea I'm About to Do invites readers to join Chris as he navigates an adolescence and adulthood mired in hilariously ill-fated nerdom, and to take comfort in the fact that—as his experiences often prove—things could always be much, much worse.

 

Editorial Reviews

Review

Amy Poehler
"If you like underdog stories told by a secret comedy superhero, Chris Gethard is your man. Each story is the perfect combination of hilarious and heartbreaking."

 

Seth Meyers
"Chris Gethard is comedy in a fighter's crouch."

 

Patton Oswalt
"There's truly no poorer judgment than not buying this book. Except maybe diving into a swimming pool full of malaria."

Jack McBrayer, 30 Rock
"Whenever I'm felling down on myself or think that I'm slowly going crazy, I think of one of Gethard's stories. Then I realize that, hey, I don't got it so bad after all."

Paul Scheer, FX's The League and Adult Swim's NTSF: SD: SUV
"Chris Gethard stories are like a roller coaster—at times you are scared, shocked, and ultimately exhilarated by the hilarity each story contains—and once you finish one, you wanna hear another one right away."

Rob Huebel, Adult Swim's Childrens Hospital and MTV's Human Giant
"Chris Gethard tells the amazing stories an eccentric old man would tell . . . if that man had lived his f#@king life with any balls. His stories are hilarious and riveting—but more importantly, real."

Rob Riggle, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
"Chris Gethard is one of my favorite storytellers. He’s amazing! He’s always getting into the most unusual situations….Even normal situations become amazing when you’re Chris Gethard. Seriously, when Geth is talking, I stop and listen."

Kirkus Reviews, 12/15/11
“Self-hating funny guy comes to terms with his depression…He’s easy to root for…The author has a good time laughing at himself.”

Huffington Post
“In this collection of tales from a nerdy, stumbling adolescence, up-and-coming comedian Chris Gethard will make you laugh, cry, and glad that you aren’t him.” 

Penthouse, February 2012

“Mr. Gethard’s storytelling is very good, and this book is most definitely worth reading,”

 

The Boston Phoenix, 1/17/12
“Before I read A Bad Thing I’m About to Do, a book hadn’t made me bleat with laughter since I read Jonathan Ames’s What’s Not to Love? ten years ago…Gethard made me laugh so much I got a cramp and scared the cats…Chris Gethard deserves a preemptive National Book Award.”
 

The Spit Take, 1/6/12

“Gethard is a fantastic storyteller…Gethard is engaging and endearing, humbling himself at every opportunity with as much humiliating detail as possible.”

 

Penthouse, February 2012

“A funny, poignant read that might send a familiar message to all the geeks out there: it gets better.”

Examiner.com, 1/25/12

“Gethard has led a pretty screwed life with an especially bizarre childhood. Thank God he had the presence of mind, and enough lack of pride, to remember it all and put it on paper…A hysterical memoir…Gethard has a remarkable knack for self-deprecating storytelling…Unlike the slew of paint-by-numbers bios churned out by stand ups once they get a network TV show, Gethard has managed to write one that is actually original and revealing; sort of what memoirs are supposed to be but rarely are.”

 

Tucson Citizen, 1/23/12
“A laugh out loud memoir that will be a comfort for those readers who connect the dots and realize their lives are not so bad after all.”

Daily Blam, 2/2/12
“[A] hilariously relatable memoir.”

 

The Island Packet/Beauford Gazette, 3/2/12
“A must-read for anyone who enjoys awkward situations—at a safe distance.”

About the Author

Chris Gethard is an actor, comedian, and writer as well as the star and creator of The Chris Gethard Show. In addition to numerous appearances on Comedy Central, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, MTV's Human Giant, CollegeHumor.com, and FunnyorDie.com, he is a longtime performer at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. Raised in West Orange, New Jersey, he now lives in Queens, New York. Visit: TheChrisGethardShow.com

Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press (January 10, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0306820307
• ISBN-13: 978-0306820304
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (54 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #413,251 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 24 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Gethard, King of Authors January 3, 2012

By WazTheBrain

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Here's the low down, this book is the goods. I received Gethard's book yesterday... I finished reading the book yesterday. I have only read one other book in one day before and that was a day where I did nothing but read a book. Yesterday, I worked my office job, got home and saw the book arrived, after all that I proceeded to read the book. Most books don't hold up to my short attention span, requiring weeks for me to get through a similarly sized book. I stayed up way past my self imposed bedtime because I couldn't put this book down. Just like crack, this book is addicting.

This book is for all the losers, social outcasts and straight-up weirdos out there. The stories inspire you to be a better person, to not be afraid to do what you want. On top of all that the stories are funny, I legitimately laughed out loud at part. Who really ever laughs at a book. Gethard has proclaimed himself the King of Authors, with this debut book I got to agree. All authors need to beware because this Gethard is gunning for them.

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The only "bad idea" is to overlook this book! January 4, 2012

By Antoine Poncelet

Format:Paperback

If you've ever been fortunate enough to experience Chris Gethard, then you don't need to read any further. Just buy this book. You already know the joy of true laughter. Laughter brought on by looking at the absurd reflections in the mirror that Chris points at us all. The laughter of letting go and realizing that we're imperfect awkward beings that should never take ourselves too seriously. For those of you unfamiliar with Chris and are on the fence about making this purchase, please read on.

Naturally extending his surreal and suburban brand of comedy into prose, "A Bad Idea.." is a riot from start to finish. There is not a single moment in this book that isn't both completely unbelievable and absolutely true. Chris proves himself both increasingly foolish and brave with every turn of the page and you'll only identify with him and love him more and more for it. This may be about one man's insane (mis)adventures, but it's truly a chronicle of all of our inner underdogs and a testament to the freedom of our spirits.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars In the Days of My Youth October 19, 2012

By David E Conner

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Other reviewers found a good deal of humor in this book, but in my opinion there is more pathos than comedy. A Bad Idea I'm About To Do echoes the style of Dave Barry (Dave Barry Is Not Making This Up) and the youthful reminiscences of Bill Bryson's Thunderbolt Kid (The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid: A Memoir) but without being as funny as Barry or as thoughtful and socially relevant as Bryson. Gethard's A Bad Idea has not put me to sleep, but neither do I find myself retelling any of his stories.

58 of 87 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best. January 5, 2012

By Patrick Cotnoir

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

The book smells phenomenal. I haven't started it yet, got it in the mail yesterday. But let me tell you, if you want to smell something in 2012, smell this book. It smells great.

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it June 12, 2013

By Jim Nelson

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Chris Gethard's writing takes you on the ride along with him. He's funny, touching, and insightful. You won't be disappointed.

5.0 out of 5 stars Very entertaining! May 23, 2013

By Aaron Perilo

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

He tells stories of himself that really make you root for him, even though he gets himself into these idiotic situations. Really fun read.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic May 10, 2013

By SRM

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

They say time plus tragedy equals comedy, a thread that runs throughout Gethard's book. He's a master of storytelling and a great writer to boot. And frankly, I rarely write reviews, but I'm writing this to tell you to do yourself a favor and buy it.

5.0 out of 5 stars LOL funny! March 26, 2013

By Lisa Magee

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I really enjoyed this book. It cracked me up several times. I highly recommend it if you need cheering up.