Why not?: lessons on comedy, courage, and chutzpah

Schiff debuts with a humorous collection of essays about his life and career as a comedian. He recounts anecdotes from his tumultuous childhood in the Bronx, including shouting matches between his parents and his mother's penchant for smashing dishes. His account of getting into comedy offers an insider look at the 1980s New York and Los Angeles scenes. Working as a short-order cook "to pay the landlord," he spent nights performing at comedy clubs alongside Jerry Seinfeld (who reflects on his friendship with the author in the foreword), Paul Reiser, Carol Leifer, and Larry David (no one wanted to follow David's sets, Schiff notes, because he left audiences "upset or bewildered"), and eventually landed several appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Schiff tells of how he embraced his Jewish faith after attending a Torah class in L.A. while in his early 30s, hoping that "maybe there'd be girls there" but finding instead a welcoming community. Though rarely laugh-out-loud funny (some of the one-liners feel forced), this is at its moving best when Schiff discusses the hard times, such as living in fear of his mother or supporting his wife after a hysterectomy. Comedy fans will come for the behind-the-scenes anecdotes and stay for the heart. (Nov.)

Stand-up comic, actor, and writer Schiff's collection of essays shares experiences from his 50-year career and his childhood in New York City. In short, manageable chapters, this book examines a less than ideal childhood, his Jewish faith, parenting, marriage, sobriety, health, love, and comedy. His essays read like a well-honed stand-up routine, with a mixture of somber truth and self-deprecating humor. Readers get insight into Schiff's family life, as well as his longtime relationships with comics, including Jerry Seinfeld, whom Schiff has toured with extensively. Seinfeld wrote the foreword for this book. Schiff's Jewish faith centers the collection, with footnotes explaining Yiddish terms and other faith-based practices. Essay topics range from love letters to Schiff's comedy heroes, such as Rodney Dangerfield and George Burns, to becoming a grandparent during the pandemic and the value of living in a Jewish neighborhood. Fans of Schiff will find the well-written book full of insights into his personal life and career. VERDICT This will be of interest to fans of comedy. With Schiff's heavy focus on faith, readers may also take from it an example of cultural and social history of American Judaism.--Rebekah J. Buchanan

Stand-up comic, actor, and writer Schiff's collection of essays shares experiences from his 50-year career and his childhood in New York City. In short, manageable chapters, this book examines a less than ideal childhood, his Jewish faith, parenting, marriage, sobriety, health, love, and comedy. His essays read like a well-honed stand-up routine, with a mixture of somber truth and self-deprecating humor. Readers get insight into Schiff's family life, as well as his longtime relationships with comics, including Jerry Seinfeld, whom Schiff has toured with extensively. Seinfeld wrote the foreword for this book. Schiff's Jewish faith centers the collection, with footnotes explaining Yiddish terms and other faith-based practices. Essay topics range from love letters to Schiff's comedy heroes, such as Rodney Dangerfield and George Burns, to becoming a grandparent during the pandemic and the value of living in a Jewish neighborhood. Fans of Schiff will find the well-written book full of insights into his personal life and career. VERDICT This will be of interest to fans of comedy. With Schiff's heavy focus on faith, readers may also take from it an example of cultural and social history of American Judaism.—Rebekah J. Buchanan

Schiff debuts with a humorous collection of essays about his life and career as a comedian. He recounts anecdotes from his tumultuous childhood in the Bronx, including shouting matches between his parents and his mother's penchant for smashing dishes. His account of getting into comedy offers an insider look at the 1980s New York and Los Angeles scenes. Working as a short-order cook "to pay the landlord," he spent nights performing at comedy clubs alongside Jerry Seinfeld (who reflects on his friendship with the author in the foreword), Paul Reiser, Carol Leifer, and Larry David (no one wanted to follow David's sets, Schiff notes, because he left audiences "upset or bewildered"), and eventually landed several appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Schiff tells of how he embraced his Jewish faith after attending a Torah class in L.A. while in his early 30s, hoping that "maybe there'd be girls there" but finding instead a welcoming community. Though rarely laugh-out-loud funny (some of the one-liners feel forced), this is at its moving best when Schiff discusses the hard times, such as living in fear of his mother or supporting his wife after a hysterectomy. Comedy fans will come for the behind-the-scenes anecdotes and stay for the heart. (Nov.)