Steve Martin autobiograpy

highhopes

More of a memoir really, but an excellent one in the tradition of David Niven's The Moon's A Balloon. It's called Born Standing Up.I just read it over the weekend and loved it. At 200 pages, it covers his showbiz beginnings selling programs at the newly opened Disneyland when he was 10, through his travails putting together what in my opinion is one of the most original comedy acts (along with Andy Kauffman's) that I've ever encountered, and getting people to pay attention, to his rock-star-like success in the mid- to late-'70s and abrupt abandonment of the genre. Really beautifully written, too, like Niven's.

For what it's worth, I recommend it heartily. Although I suppose it helps to be a fan, even a non-fan might get a kick out of it. As Martin used to say: "Comedy isn't pretty ..."

Alex

Couldn't stand Andy Kauffman, but Martin is indeed one of the greats. Loved The Jerk and Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid. The less said about the Panther remake the better.

Have to pick this one up.