Customer Reviews

The Funny Thing Is...

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(23)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(14)
1 star:		(15)

 

 

Ellen is once again brilliant with her witty insights and creativity. I bought this as an audiobook on CD, since I saw that it was "read by the author." It was great to hear her stories and joke the way she intended them to be heard! If you're planning on buying this book, audiobook is definitely the way to go!

WOW! I did not know what to expect from this book when I bought in on AMAZON. I didn't know if it would be political or preachy. But I love Ellen Degeneres so I bought it. IMAGINE MY SURPRISE when this book reminded me of the late, great Erma Bombeck!

By all appearances, Ellen Degeneres is ready to accept the crown for the new queen of written comedy. This fun book reminded me so much of Erma Bombeck... funny, simple circumstances that we can all relate to. Expertly written, THE FUNNY THING IS... had me laughing from cover to cover.

5 stars for sure... my recommendation? BUY IT NOW! You rock, Ellen!

This review refers to THE FUNNY THING IS...by Ellen Degeneres

The Funny Thing Is...that I'm not sure why everyone did not find this fabulous take on the everyday situations that life doles out to us, as well written, witty and uplifting as I did. On every page, Ellen Degeneres finds the humor, and gives incredibly funny solutions to dealing with all those little annoying, tedious and embarrassing events. Now the solutions may not be realistic...but we sure wish they were!

Ellen kept me great company, while sitting and waiting in various places. I took her with me all the time. I'm sure I garnered a few stares too, as I chuckled out loud reading about her take on everything from 'That's Why Prison Wouldn't Be So Bad'(where else could you get away from all the responsiblities?) to 'Things That Are Bothering Me This Week", her wonderful account of her tour('Dear Diary'), to 'Clothes I Have Regretted Wearing"(haven't we all seen pictures of ourselves from years ago that make us cringe?) and 'Naming My Book: The Odyssey'.

Her subtle wit sparkles with energy. Her style is down to earth and unpretentious. I felt like I was catching up with an old friend(a very funny old friend!).

I recieved this book as a gift at a very stressful time in my life. I needed a lift, and this book gave it to me. I have not as yet, read her first book, MY POINT...AND I DO HAVE ONE, so this review is not in comparison to that one, but I am now looking foward to reading that one as well.

Just kick back and chill to this very enjoyable read....Laurie

also recommended:
The Woman's Book of Movie Quotes
On the Road (Essential Edition): (Penguin Essential Edition)
Angela's Ashes: A Memoir of a Childhood

For a knee-slapping good time, I always reach for the tried and true, and Ellen Degeneres has become that for me. I've been a fan of hers way before her popular TV sitcom, and own some of her stand-up comedy as well as her other book, My Point...and I Do Have One. And even though her writing isn't near as funny as her talking, I still find Ellen and anything Ellen-related top-notch comedy and will forever remain a fan.

The Funny Thing Is... is a riot! There is no one who can make me laugh quite like Ellen. And her book, full of short chapters of meandering thoughts about nothing in particular, is Ellen at her best. I can hear her "voice" come off the pages, especially in the chapters about her dad, the tour of her home, and the blurb about the CD packaging. Fans of Ellen will no doubt laugh on every page and will feel that every penny spent on this book is definitely worth it.

The first time I saw Ellen, (I mean really first time as she was not my favorite at all due to her lifestyle), was on her movie, "Mr. Wrong." I was laughing alone in my living room just seeing her face and listening at her dialogue. From then on, I surf the net for books or tapes of her and I discovered her website. I tell you, she is the only actress-commedianne, who can make me laugh as I am pretty critical or choosy. Her book,"The Funny Thing Is..." is basically what it says. Her personality comes right through. Her talent in writing coupled with her inviting persona makes this book and all her works worth your time and effort and investment. After my favorite, Carol Burnett in the 70's, Ellen is my "Queen of Comedy of the Millenium". Hurray, Ellen. Keep it up. "The Funny Thing Is....." soars to the heights!

Ellen doesn't let her fans down with this one! It's a quick, fun read that somehow allows us to feel closer to one of the best comedic personalities in the country. Ellen's "The Funny Thing Is..." isn't really *about* anything - - it's just Ellen. It's a fun read that, on more than one occasion, made me cry from laughter. If you are already a fan of Ellen, you'll love this - - if you aren't a fan of Ellen for whatever reason... well, maybe this book will show you that she's more than the average funny-girl that we expect.

I'm a big Ellen fan, and baffled by some complaints that she has reused too much material from her stand-up in her new book - there are a few minor overlaps, ok, but the VAST majority of the chapters are not only completely fresh but HILARIOUS.
THE BRUNCH BUNCH (in which she recounts her weekly brunches with Eminem, Diane Sawyer, Paula Abdul and other celebs)and PERSONAL HOME TOUR had me laughing out loud in public places. Her voice comes right through!

All it takes is picking up the book, and you're immediately lost in the ramblings of a genius mind. From cover to cover, and all pages and sub-pages and sub-sub-pages, the book never ceases to pick you up. (Though I'm not sure as to where you'll end up.) If you enjoy laughing at yourself and the world around you... and having it pointed out by a comic genius... pick up the book. Pick up anything. Get out and do something with you likfe. Just don't write book. that's Ellen's job.

While this book was not as funny as I expected, nor as funny as Ellen's first book, it was still entertaining and I did laugh a lot. A good book.

"The Funny Thing Is. . .," by Ellen DeGeneres, is a collection of short comic essays by the popular comedian and television star. The humor in the book is largely grounded in the annoyances and absurdities of everyday life. There are many moments when, as I chuckled at the joke, I also thought, "Yes! She's so right!" Whether mocking power bars, CD packaging, or self-flushing toilets, she effectively skewers these phenomena of the modern condition. Along the way she also makes some gentle but humorous jabs at other celebrities.

I found some of the most entertaining parts of the book to be about the book itself--how and why she wrote it, the process of picking a title, etc. Some standout essays include her series of solutions to everyday problems (like zoning out in the middle of a conversation) and a delightful account of her meeting with God. Along the way Ellen even reveals the secret behind the crop circle phenomenon.

Ellen's humor in this book is good natured and mild mannered. Even when she touches on the current hot political topic of same-sex marriage, she goes for some gentle absurdist humor rather than in-your-face sass. Ellen's voice is like that of a funny next door neighbor who keeps you chuckling as you share a cup of coffee--or maybe a glass of scotch. Although not every joke strikes the target, overall it's an enjoyable and entertaining book by one of show business's most likeable personalities.