Customer Reviews

I'm Hosting as Fast as I Can!: Zen and the Art of Staying Sane in Hollywood

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Tom Bergeron, currently best known for hosting shows like Dancing With The Stars and America's Funniest Videos, has written a laugh-out-loud memoir about his career in television, titled "I'm Hosting as Fast as I Can! Zen and the Art of Staying Sane in Hollywood." Bergeron's writing is both hilarious and self-deprecating--a much needed antidote to the current dark mood sweeping the nation in the wake of the economy. His first media exposure was a DJ position at a local radio station, while still in high school. Ironically enough, his boss at the time warned Bergeron that there was no career in radio. Fast forward several years and Tom was not only still hosting radio shows, but alternating between a string of TV jobs. Through his narrative, Bergeron takes us on a wonderful journey from a small radio station in Haverhill, Massachusetts to Hollywood, California. Ultimately, each job opportunity stems from his previous experience as Bergeron's star is on the rise. What I find most admirable about Tom's story is that he is not born with a so-called silver spoon, but truly achieves his modern success through old fashioned hard work--and manages to laugh at himself in the process. Various gigs at a Boston television station include hosting a kids show, a crazy talk show, and even reading lottery numbers which leads to hosting an improvisational breakfast show in New York whose most popular character is a sock puppet called Bob. This ironically becomes Bergeron's ticket into national television. Also mentioned is Bergeron's following brief stint in Good Morning America (a catty co-host included), the reason why he will never be a guest on Regis and Kelly, his time on Hollywood Squares, the surprising reason he was chosen as the host for America's Funniest Videos, and why Tom almost turned down the chance to host Dancing With the Stars. Besides his successful TV resume and various backstage gossip, Tom frankly reveals the struggles he has to endure along the way --health scares, bicoastal existence, the conflict between family and career, as well as many hilarious mishaps. In the face of constant change and personal turmoil, Bergeron shares his Zen philosophy of staying calm and looking at life from a glass-half-full perspective. Generously interspersed throughout Bergeron's narrative, are intriguing parables and comedic conversations with himself--which serve to underscore this optimistic way of interpreting life. As Tom puts it, Zen is essentially about acknowledging that all events in life are connected--a philosophy that can certainly be applied to events in Tom Bergeron's captivating life. Overall, Tom Bergeron's memoir is both highly entertaining and inspirational--a story that anyone can relate to, regardless of demographic, and one I would highly recommend at least for a good laugh.

As a Bergeron fan, my wife bought me this book for Christmas. It is a very humorous look at Tom's life and the Laws of Attraction. If ever there was a man that could point to this philosophy in his life, it is Tom.

Why am I a fan of this man? He is cool under pressure, glib at times and sarcastic when the moment is right. And all of this is pulled off in a very natural, unforced way. You certainly don't get the impression of scripted, over-practiced babble. According to the book, he loves live television and prefers the NOW aspect of performance. Live Television? That takes guts aplenty.

From the critical side, Tom states that he started off life with a bad temper. Maybe so, but the few instances he details in this tome sound pretty tame to me. If this is a bad temper, then me and everyone I know are more akin to Attila the Hun. That is to say, it is not too difficult to repair something that really isn't broken but only needs a light oiling. Maybe I missed the message or Tom left out some of the more brutal details.

More disappointing is the lack of detail behind "why" he got into Zen. I would like to know the beginnings of this journey and why this practice is superior to others. In the excellent book Sacred Hoops: Spiritual Lessons of a Hardwood Warrior, Phil Jackson delves into this area providing enough insight to satisfy. Tom does not.

Some reviews stated the book was ego-maniacal. I disagree.
Others stated that they wanted more "dirt" (for lack of a better word). I didn't expect any as Tom is still gainfully employed and I suspect would like to remain in this state.
Still other reviewers stated the book skipped around too much. Well...this is personal taste. I rather enjoyed the editing.

Overall, I really like the book and will recommend it to others.

I hope you find this opinion helpful.

Michael L. Gooch
Author of Wingtips with Spurs

I bought this as an audio download just so I could hear Tom's sense of humor and love it. His quick wit translates well, but his deep insight is truly surprising. I've enjoyed every minute of this book and will be truly sorry when it's over, I'm savoring every chapter. I enjoy watching his live performances and now know where his unique quirky senses come from. Great book, well worth it. Would make a great Mother's or Father's Day gift!!

WARNING TO PARENTS: This book contains some strong lanuage. I would NOT reccomdend buying this book for anyone under the age of 16. And for anyone 16+ you still might want to read the book first.

We've known Tom for years on "America's Funniest Home Videos" and now "Dancing with the Stars". Funny, charming, and quick on his feet, Tom seems to be the perfect TV host. I recieved this book as a birthday present, and I gotta say, I was shocked (reading it, not recieving it).

We'll start with the good points:
* The chapters were nice and short, making it easier to get down, uh, I mean, read.
* We get a detailed look back at Tom's life/career... after he gets out of High School. Before that we may never know (nor am I sure I want to).
* Um, well... At the moment I kinda got nothing else. -shrugs-

Now for the bad points:
* The language! I had not figured Tom for a language user, but wow! There is some strong language in there I won't even turn into ****. ;)
* All the radio stations he worked at really confused me. Tom say what?? After a while I just ignored the station name and kept going.

I finished reading the book just as a season of "Dancing with the Stars" started. I'll never watch it the same way again. His jokes seemed to have a completely different meaning, as did his laughter. I handed the book off to my Mom to read, and she didn't make it very far before proclaiming, "I can't take it anymore."

Suffice it to say, my copy of this book will probably be making it's way to my local libray, where the library will probably wonder "What did I ever do to her?"

Written in the same style with which Mr. Bergeron speaks, I just love this book! His down to Earth tone and self deprecation brings the reader into his comical monologue so much so that you feel as if you are sitting having coffee with Tom and listening to his stories face to face. Saving the rest of it for a beach read this April.

I am an avid fan of Dancing With The Stars and have admired Tom Bergeron's cool demeanor, ad lib humor, and friendly banter with the contestants, dancers and judges whom he clearly cares about. I heard about this memoir and was excited to read it to understand how Tom became so talented. Is he just a natural and when did he discover his talent? Did he get a lucky break or great training? How did he come to be who he is on stage? The book did not disappoint! He answers all those questions and more. His sense of humor comes through loud and clear and the book is a fun read even if you aren't a regular viewer of his shows. He also has more solid advice about living than multiple self-help books rolled in one ... enlightening readers with real life examples about making career choices, taking risks, doing what you love, meditating, being present, balancing work/family, etc., etc. Mostly I was impressed by the years of hard work on radio and tv and the years he spent studying mime and improv. He may be a "natural," but he also worked hard, took chances, and learned along the way. This is a delightful and inspiring memoir and now I will enjoy watching one of my favorite TV shows even more, knowing the back story of his life.

P.S. It's also refreshing that he speaks well of his wife and children and unlike most celebrity books it is not filled with depressing stories about substance abuse and toxic relationships. Bravo, Tom! Hope to enjoy many more years of your sense of humor ...

This is a remarkable autobiography written by Tom Bergeron. Tom not only tells us his story, he takes us into his home. The book is warm and welcoming and is a pleasant read. It begins with Tom's first job working at WHAV in Haverhill, Massachusetts and brings us all the way up to Dancing with the Stars in Hollywood. What happens in between is the bulk of Tom's story, the jobs, the people and the places that have influenced Tom's life and career. Two thumbs up!

Tom is so charming and witty you can't help but fall in love with this book. The audio book was also great to listen to. I recommend this book to all of his adoring fans.

This was a super look inside one of the USA's top TV personalities. It is so well written that you, at times, imagine Tom is actually talking to you. He has a gift for communicating in print as well as in TV. A fine presentation of his talents and troubles.

I started watching Tom Burgeron about 16 or so years ago when he was the male host of a morning show broadcast from a New York brownstone. It was on the Fox network.

I thought he had a great deal of talent, but before anyone knew it, he was gone and the show was off the air. He came and went from other TV programs, but eventually found his stride as host of "Dancing with the Stars."

I admit that I was always pulling for him.

In his autobiography, he tells his true broadcasting career experiences that, frankly, are common to almost everyone of us who ever spoke words on a radio or television mike.

Broadcasting is very infectiuous and tries to kill its participants one chapter at a time. Burgeron is quite open about his chapters.

Although my 50 year career in radio and TV was as an avocation -- I never had the guts to try to do it full time -- Burgeron's chronicle is exactly what I feared would happen to me if I gave in to its lure. I didn't have the stomach for it.

The book is entertaining and interesting, and I loved rooting for his success, especially knowing that he accomplished it.