Citizen Lazlo!: The Lazlo Letters, Volume 2 [Paperback]

Don Novello (Author)

Book Description

Series: Citizen Lazlo! | Publication Date: January 7, 1992

Lazlo writes again! Reprising the inspired lunacy that made his first volume of letters a New York Times bestseller, comedian Don Novello slips back into his all-American alter ego, Lazlo Toth, and provides a new round of correspondence with politicians, celebrities, and royalty.

It's a quirky cultural history, social satire with a twist. Here are letters of congratulation-to newly elected Ronald Reagan ("This is my dream come true!") and letters of outrage-to Pepsi ("Take the Madonna commercial off the air!"). Letters filled with fresh ideas-proposing to Swanson a "Fit for a President Microwave Dinner" series, including the Jimmy Carter Camp David Accord Style Fried Chicken and Grits. And letters of advice-how Coca-Cola should handle the "pubic hair in the can of Coke" reference during the Thomas hearings.

And the best part: the replies.

CITIZEN LAZLO! Over 100 new letters. We missed you. 61,000 copies in print.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

HAIL, CITIZEN LAZLO! The history books say that Richard Nixon resigned because of a bungled break-in at the Watergate Hotel, but that isn't so: Tricky Dick had to change addresses to escape the rabid admiration of Lazlo Toth, one of the most authentic lunatics in the history of American letters. That's "letters" as in literature, because Toth is firmly fictional--but also "letters" in the literal sense, too. The flood of correspondence (complete with songs) that drove Nixon from office has been immortalized in Citzen Lazlo, a very strange and very funny book. Nixon wasn't the only target for Toth, a comic creation of Don Novello, himself better known as Saturday Night Live's Father Guido Sarducci. In a prose style all his own--"To President Ford (the best!) ..."--Novello's equal-opportunity annoyance pecked out effusive missives to huge corporations (McDonald's), kitschy pop stars (Sammy Davis Jr.), and the occasional Third World strongman. Quoth Citizen Lazlo to Spain's Francisco Franco: "You are not just a general--you are truly a Generalissimo! Keep it up!"

From the Back Cover

Mr. Novello's new collection of Lazlo letters is hilarious. They reveal that our canned culture is on automatic-the lights are on, but nobody's home. -Francis Coppola

"Lazlo Toth is truly a man of letters. Not since Robert Bly have I seen this much mail bonding." -Robin Williams

"It is good to know, in these troubled times, that the small but significant voice of Lazlo Toth can be clearly heard through the cacophony of Big Business, Big Government, and even Big Religion. Hooray!" -Jerry Garcia

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Workman Publishing Company (January 7, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563051826
• ISBN-13: 978-1563051821
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #747,403 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As funny (for different reasons) as 'The Lazlo Letters', April 4, 2000

By 

Andy Orrock (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Citizen Lazlo!: The Lazlo Letters, Volume 2 (Paperback)

The original book ('The Lazlo Letters') was set in the mid-70s and was essentially a tremedously funny, well-executed goof on Watergate and its participants. 'Citizen Lazlo' is wider in its timeframe (1977 - 1992) and focus (all over the map).

For flat out hilarity, nothing can beat (as mentioned by an earlier reviewer) the "Fit For a President Microwave TV Dinner" idea that 'Toth' pitches to the Campbell Soup Company. [Sample: Nixon-Mao Frozen Chinese Banquet...eat the meal that ended 23 years of hostility.]

My favorite has got to be his pitch to Kinney Shoes for a new advertising campaign based on "The Wind Beneath My Wings," entitled "The Feet Within My Shoes":

Did I ever tell you you're my hero?

Tho' you're the farthest parts of me

I can run faster than a beagle

You are the feet beneath my knees

The cadence of these letters continues the unique, hilarious style perfected by Novello/Toth in his first book. Check out a sample greeting to Nicolae Ceausescu in 1988: "Belated Happy Birthday! Stand up! You deserve it!"

Truly laugh-out-loud funny stuff.

One note of interest: since this is the second volume, some of the respondents are in on the joke. Those that are respond with a matching level of humor.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Funny, funny stuff, May 8, 1999

By 

Mark L. Hoffmeier - See all my reviews

This review is from: Citizen Lazlo!: The Lazlo Letters, Volume 2 (Paperback)

I hadn't looked at my copy of the book for a couple of years, and happened to find it in the bookshelf in the garage while getting ready for a garage sale. While I sat watching people turn their noses up at my junk, I laughed myself silly at Lazlo's amazing letters. His suggestions for "Historical" TV Dinners (Jimmy Carter's Camp David Accord Chicken and Grits) finally led Swansons (aka Campbell Soups) to just ignore him -- rather than send him more coupons for soup. It's a great look into the inner working of the Public Relations departments of large corporations and governments. Whenever you're throwing a garage sale, this book is a must read. Any other time, too.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars LIke most sequels, it's not a potent as the original, May 8, 2000

By 

hyperbolium (Earth, USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Citizen Lazlo!: The Lazlo Letters, Volume 2 (Paperback)

As interesting as it is to see Novello expand upon his letter writing, there's something disappointing about this second volume. Perhaps it's the introductio of Lazlo into a world in which he's already known. The responses from correspondents who already "get the joke" make one feel as though they're peeking behind the Wizard's curtain.

Still, given the pungence of the concept and the quality of Novello's writing, this couldn't help but be another good read. It just couldn't possibly live up to the original volume.