Tina Fey shines with debut book 'Bossypants' on Astini News
Tina Fey's sarcastic wit and beautifully delivered deadpans have defined recent comedy and, during the "Saturday Night Live" spoofs of the 2008 presidential elections, she made a name for herself with her impersonations of Sarah Palin.
Now, her riveting — and hilarious — story of her prefame life shows some celebrity autobiographies are really worth a read.
If you can get past the creepy yet hilarious cover, do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of Fey's debut book, "Bossypants."
The former "Saturday Night Live" writer/actress and current star and creator of NBC's "30 Rock" gives fans a peak into her prefame personal life, including anecdotes about making friends with a misfit group during her high school experience in summer stock community theater ("I was wearing my best Gap turtleneck and my dates were two adult lesbians, so yeah, I was pretty cool") and her looks contributing to failed attempts at dating during her time at the University of Virginia (" ... because what 19-year-old Virginia boy doesn't want a wide-hipped, sarcastic Greek girl with short hair that's permed on top?").
Fey also kindly provided childhood photos so readers can see what the actress looked like in her early years.
The jokes never stop in this book. In one chapter, Fey takes time to fire back responses to Internet comments about her from sites like TMZ and Perez Hilton with replies such as, "To say I'm an overrated troll, when you have never even seen me guard a bridge, is patently unfair."
In another part of "Bossypants," Fey describes the magazine photo shoot process, from ill-fitting sample sizes to Photoshop methods: "You must not look in that mirror at your doughy legs and flat feet, for today is about dreams and illusions, and unfiltered natural daylight is the enemy of dreams."
"Bossypants" does give Fey a chance to tell fans about her career path from touring with the Second City improv comedy company and interviewing with Lorne Michaels, to pitching "30 Rock" to executives at NBC.
The author gives advice to women who want to advance in the workplace and tips for handling the pressure that comes with being the boss.
Fey also gives readers an inside scoop about many of her famous co-stars including Amy Poehler, Jimmy Fallon and Alec Baldwin. Poehler and Fey worked together at Second City before reuniting on "Saturday Night Live." Fey also wrote the role of Jack Donaghy with Baldwin in mind and speculates in the book that NBC may not have picked up the show without Baldwin on board.
My only complaint about this book is that I finished it too quickly. I read all 288 pages in one day and was left wanting more.
Fey should seriously consider writing more books if she can find more time in her busy schedule to do so. The only thing funnier than this book is the audiobook, which Fey reads herself.
