Joy Shtick or What is the Existential Vacuum and Does it Come with Attachments [Hardcover]

Joy Behar (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 5, 1999

Now in paperback! The View's raciest co-host shares her views on life and womanhood in a side-splitting scrapbook of reflection, rage, and raw honesty

"One of the funniest women in America" (New York Post), irrepressible comedienne Joy Behar never minces words. Whether she's skewering popular culture as the co-host of ABC's The View, or offering her own skewed outlook on life in one of her sold-out standup routines, she's always candid about the way she feels. And this book is no exception. A no-holds-barred scrapbook of Joy's perspective on life, it includes rants on every topic--from aging to men, to family, to death--and features Q&As with Joy's take on every dilemma. Flip through her private, hilarious collection of family photos. Enter her weird imagination as she dreams up a feminist feud between Gloria Steinem and Camille Paglia. And discover why she's certain to remain one of America's most charming and disarming personalities.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Comedian Behar, a co-host of ABC-TV's female talkfest The View, has an unusual storyAcoming to comedy in midlifeAbut this frustratingly disparate book doesn't mine that tale. A mix of memoir, stand-up shtick and bits written for the page, the book obviously seeks to capitalize on its author's newfound fame. But Behar offers no dish on The ViewAit's not even mentioned. Her first chapter reflects on her path to comedy, rising from an unhappy marriage, immobilizing lethargy and therapy. Instead of continuing the memoir, however, Behar opts for thin but entertaining enough anecdotes about her Italian-American family, a topic to which she returns several times. After a chapter on why Behar hates the beach, she returns to her story, relating how the death of a friend gave her the courage to risk "dying onstage." But what's next? A strained "Ask Joy" Q&A. (Q: What do you think of RuPaul? A: Loved him. Hated her.") A chapter on women over 50 contains a flat, Viagra-inspired "Diary of a Mad Viagra Housewife," but ends with some bracingly funny observations about men: "All we want now is a guy who's good in bed and not annoying when he's not in bed." Behar fans may be entertained, but others will wish for more wisdom and wit. Photos not seen by PW. Author tour.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Best known for her role as cohost of ABC's The View, Behar has taken pen to paper to share some of her comic routines. From her stint as a receptionist at Good Morning America to her opinions on men and marriage, Behar regales the reader with her unique take on life. On pornography: "Men love to watch two women make love. I wonder, does this turn them on or are they just trying to figure out how to do it right?" In "The Incredible, Absolutely True Story of Lorena and John," Behar is amazed at the quick retrieval of Bobbit's missing appendageAthey couldn't find Jimmy Hoffa or Amelia Earhart, but "this little pig in a blanket they were able to find in two hours." Behar on paper loses some of the charm and humor of Behar in person, but this is still a funny book. Author notoriety and publicity should create demand. Recommended for public libraries.AKathy Ingels Helmond, Indianapolis-Marion Cty. P.L.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion; 1st edition (May 5, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786864230
• ISBN-13: 978-0786864232
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,804,247 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars if this book were a snack it'd be a rice cake. plain. mini., April 14, 2000

By 

ltp1 "ltp1" (Manchester, NH USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Joy Shtick or What is the Existential Vacuum and Does it Come with Attachments (Hardcover)

This book is really skimpy. I'm sorry, Joy, I do like your humor as it comes across on the tube, and I really like your style when it comes to discussing Hot Topics or whatever on The View. I even admire some things I've heard you say. I was just disappointed in the book.

This sure feels to me like the obligatory publish-it-while-you're-hot-and-scoop-a-few-bucks "humor" book. It's empty. (I blame the author's agent or some other advice-giver.) It takes maybe an hour to read and at the end you think, I kept reading waiting for the good stuff and now I've fallen off the end of the book and never found the good stuff. It sorta reads like you dropped your index cards full of one-liners for standup, and they got scrambled up, and you picked 'em up and started reciting them one after the other anyway. A lot of it's half-baked, not fleshed out enough. Needs a lot more editing and time put into it. Get rid of some parts, flesh out some others.

I found the biographical bits, the part about the grad student husband and the parts about therapy, worth the read. But not the rest. Joy is best at sarcasm, off-the-cuff wit, and comebacks -- stuff which requires context, and live action, and just don't work in a book like this. Maybe she could write a good novel, but this kind of collection falls flat, to me.

It would be a shame for someone to read this book and have that be their only impression of Joy Behar's humor. She's much better in motion.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You've gotta be outta your mind to not like this book!, October 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Joy Shtick or What is the Existential Vacuum and Does it Come with Attachments (Hardcover)

This book is so very funny...I can hardly handle it. One of the most entertaining books I have ever read! You will be happy if and when you buy this book. I only wish this thing would let me go over 5 stars. We love you JOY!! yay

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Joy is a savvy, thinking woman's comic, 5 stars for this!, April 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Joy Shtick or What is the Existential Vacuum and Does it Come with Attachments (Hardcover)

Buy this book! I found myself laughing out loud. Joy Behar, a working woman's secret weapon finally puts pen to paper and shares some of the very best of her work. This is the woman we all wish we had as a best friend! A well respected radio personality in NYC, Joy has made a name for herself on The View. Her humor is sharp, check out her ground breaking Friar's Roast(1st woman to host), and witty takes on those Hot Button topics (moderating an imaginary debate between Gloria Steinem and the dreadful Camille Paglia no less). Her short lived job as an ABC assistant, and the very "special" womens coffee break she introduced. Her take on the St Patricks Day parade is priceless.