What the L [Paperback]

Kate Clinton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 10, 2005

What the L? is a new collection of published and unpublished writings that showcases Kate Clinton's gifts as one of the all-time favorite lesbian comics. Like Ellen DeGeneres and Rosie O'Donnell, Clinton is a nationally acclaimed quick-witted, laugh-out-loud funny comic whose hilarious takes on everything from gay marriage ("mad vow disease") and Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, to gay Republicans and the War on Terrorism have earned her a devoted following. She has appeared on many television programs, including Good Morning America, Nightline, Entertainment Tonight, and writes monthly columns for Progressive and the Advocate.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

As in "Liberal" "Left" and "Lesbian." A columnist for the Progressive and the Advocate, Clinton offers deft takes on politics and culture, believing in laughter's ability to "subvert authority and promote democracy." If not laugh-out-loud funny, Clinton lands lots of one-liners. Our attorney general was "J. Edgar Ashcroft"; our author is no "America Frister." Noting that only Dick Cheney had acknowledged that his daughter, Mary, is gay, Clinton observes, "His lovely wife, Lon Cheney, demurs on the dyke thing." She's savage toward those would retool gays into straights, and passionate about the gay Catholics in the group Dignity willing to take on the church. The book mixes new material with previously published columns, and a few pieces are explicitly personal, such as one on Clinton's 11 years of coming out, and one in which she stands amazed that a movie like Boys Don't Cry got made. Clinton, who also works as a comedian, has formed the Permanent Standing Committee to Impeach Bush, but her calling is clear from the mail-order minister's license she got to perform gay weddings: "Call me the Irreverend Kate Clinton." Done. (July)
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Product Details

• Paperback: 220 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press; First Edition edition (May 10, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786715448
• ISBN-13: 978-0786715442
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,819,691 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious, Intelligent, Informed, Wise Kate Clinton!, May 14, 2005

By 

Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: What the L (Paperback)

WHAT THE L? is one of the more satisfying books of Comedy that reminds us of the true definition of the term. For centuries Comedy and those who practice it, be they Greek players, court jesters, standup comedians/comediennes, or tabloid philosophers such as Will Rogers, depends on searching for human foibles and folks along the edge or in prominent positions of power and bringing those absurdities into the focal field of the public eye. Comedy's contralateral face is Drama/Tragedy and it is the admixture of the two that creates the pungent dialogue that induces gales of laughter followed by gasps of recognition of truths uncovered.

Kate Clinton is a brilliant mind with a keen gift of finding the words and phrases to defuse popular heroes and heroines and myths and rumors and, yes, intolerable facts. Covering the years 2001 through 2004 she adroitly addresses issues of our government under the reign of King George Dubya and his smarmy court, gay marriage and all the implications of that nascent institution, such famous folk as Oprah Winfrey, Whoopi Goldberg, Hilary Clinton, Ellen Degeneres, gay and lesbian comics, global warming, and international political arenas - all with informed skill and fine writing. She makes us laugh with her wit and candor and at times venomous diatribes but she also makes us think (remember 'thinking'?).

Kate Clinton has been the Governor of New Jersey, a columnist for The Advocate, The Progressive, and has been on many talk shows and newscasts. She is a 'Lesbian American', able to speak sensitively for minority groups, and able to inform us on nearly every topic that graces (and gets lost in) the media. She is a true master of Comedy in the ancient sense. And she is just plain hilarious!!! Highly recommended reading ...and re-reading and re-reading. Grady Harp, May 05

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Our Very Own Faith-Based Comic, May 23, 2005

By 

Mary Kay Blakely "author, journalist" (Columbia, MO, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: What the L (Paperback)

Reading "What the L" is like having Kate in your kitchen, mulling over the most incredible news of the day. If you've ever been in one of her audiences you'll hear her voice, imagine one eyebrow archly raised, pause a second while her words sink in. And then you'll laugh. Omigod, you'll laughandlaughandlaugh. She delivers weapons-grade comedy--for our safety and survival and the defense of democracy.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars And delightful comedy and reality sandwich, May 26, 2005

By 

Kelli S. Dunham (Philadelphia, PA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: What the L (Paperback)

In _What the L_, Clinton proves she is a courageous and hysterical smart-a** who is not afraid to take anyone--the W administration, the Catholic Church, the LGBT community-- to task for hyprocrisy. Read _What the L_ and laugh, it may well keep you from weeping the next time you watch the news.