Why You Crying? : My Long, Hard Look at Life, Love, and Laughter [BARGAIN PRICE] (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Armen Keteyian (Author) "I must confess . . . I'm a crying mess..." (more)
Key Phrases: George Lopez, Pebble Beach, Freddie Prinze (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In this eagerly awaited autobiography, comedian and prime-time television star George Lopez tells the heartbreaking yet humorous story of his inspirational rise from dead-end kid in the Valley to giving a command performance before the president of the United States.

It is a rare story that touches us so deeply with its humor, sadness, and powerful message that it transcends the walls of race, culture, and class that divide us.

Why You Crying? is just such a story.

Abandoned by his migrant-worker father at the tender age of two months, deserted by a wild, mixed-up mother at the age of ten years, Lopez grew up angry, alone, teased, and tormented in California's San Fernando Valley, raised by grandparents who viewed love as a four-letter word.

Inspired by his idols, Freddie Prinze Sr. and Richard Pryor, Lopez sets out on a tumultuous twenty-year journey into the manic world of stand-up comedy -- trying to learn a skill nobody can teach; scoring one night and bombing the next; fighting anger, alcohol, depression, and doubt all while battling the barriers built to keep Chicanos from breaking through, especially on network TV.

Today, the George Lopez show is a prime-time hit on ABC and his sold-out stand-up performances attract thousands of fans of all ages, each drawn to the sidesplitting riffs mined from a life so sad it had to be funny. Why You Crying? takes an outsider from the San Fernando Valley to Warner Bros. studios to inside the Emmys to plush Pebble Beach and all the way to the halls of Harvard.

Along the way it's pure G. Lo -- raw, real, and, ultimately, uplifting. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

George Lopez is the cocreator, writer, producer, and star of the acclaimed ABC sitcom George Lopez. A current cast member of HBO's Inside the NFL, he has appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and Good Morning America, among others. A recipient of many prestigious awards and honors, Lopez lives with his family in California. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• ISBN-10: 0743259947
• ASIN: B0008EH6L4
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,452,751 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars He is STILL G-LO on the Block!, June 14, 2004

By	Rizzo (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Why You Crying?: My Long, Hard Look at Life, Love, and Laughter (Hardcover)

George calls himself, the other Lopez, G-LO, the one you are not tired of. George Lopez, with about 20 years scouring for his place among the great comedians, has arrived!

"Why You Crying" gives a taste of his life, from the sad pathetic upbringing, comedy bits, strong influences, the enduring struggle and of course, the successful TV show.

The title, "Why You Crying" is a phrase developed from his grandmother, a person who with a severe lack of parental knowledge, belittled and shamed him! It is almost incomprehensible that a child can go from the frying pan - unabandoned by parents, to the fire - negative grandparents who didn't know that an expression of love and devotion is critical to life.

With no father, and an extremely pathetic unstable mother, at ten he went to live with his grandparents. And it is this sad life that is the backdrop for the show, except that his TV mother is based on the mental cruelty received from his real-life grandmother.

There are some great funny moments and you don't have to be Hispanic to understand a dysfunctional crazy family. George shares some bits from the comedy show and he painfully recalls his grandmother's mentally abusive behavior.

The two comedic influences were Freddie Prinze, Sr., from the "Chico and the Man" series in the 70s and one of the greatest comedians who told us what life is really about, Richard Pryor. Lopez talks fondly about a Long Beach, CA performance, "Richard Pryor Live" and I agree that it is the funniest live show ever!!

Lopez, like other great comedians, shares the struggle to the top, the comedy clubs, the road, the bombs, the rejection, depression, etc., etc. Any great artist and comedian can tell you the struggle to success and some can just tell you the struggle.

George dutifully and proudly then toots his own horn! We get a clear understanding how the show evolved and what it takes to come into our homes. He also gives us an idea what hosting the Latin Awards is to him, his arrival and how proud he is to be a Hispanic who has succeeded and he is admirable by the respect he lends to the nationality. ....MzRizz

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Why you crying?, July 4, 2004

By	MARY (texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Why You Crying?: My Long, Hard Look at Life, Love, and Laughter (Hardcover)

I thought this was the funniest book I have read in along time...I laughed, I cryed...and I related to sooo much. I felt so sorry for him...but he conquered in the end..just like me!!..the book is well worth the price..I cant describe how hilarious alot of this book is..he is a great comedian and story teller!!.

Mary

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful memoir, May 27, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Why You Crying?: My Long, Hard Look at Life, Love, and Laughter (Hardcover)

Maggie Sanchez,Communications,

I thoroughly enjoy a great memoir. 'Why You Cry' is an excellent and thoroughly enjoyable read. It has a mixture of sadness and reality like that of 'Nightmares Echo' and yet it also is comparable to 'Running With Scissors' which adds a light humorous affect in with its details of a hard life. If you like George Lopez, you will love this remarkable book.