Fantastic

If you have even a passing interest in film and comedy , this book is a must listen.

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Excellently written and very witty

Great listen. Well researched and interesting film history of the greats of 80s comedy. Very good narrator.

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History of American comedians in the 80’s!

Fascinating background into where the likes of Dan Aykroyd, Chevy Chase & Martin Short came from; mentions Saturday Night Live, a lot!...which isn’t something we had in England but the movies I know! How movies got made, collaborations, fall outs, flops, hits; the lot!

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A fun canter through the careers of some comedy legends

An enjoyable way to reminisce about some great films and some comedy legends. Has some great anecdotes (although after the opening chapter I was hoping for more) and the narrator is excellent. A fun way to pass a few hours and have some laughs.

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A supremely in-depth ‘behind the scenes’ of an iconic era in movie comedy.

This is a lively, colourful and detailed document of the men behind some of the funniest movies of the Eighties, brought entertainingly to life by Curtis Armstrong’s engaging narration.

As a teenager throughout the mid to late 80s, I grew up loving the majority of the films covered in this book, and all but idolising some of their chief stars. Naturally I took an interest in the Saturday Night Live roots of my comedy idols, having only discovered them solely through their respective breakout movie roles.

I’ll admit though to having not been wholly impressed by the various clips of SNL material I later discovered a few years after - as a Brit, having been brought up on the likes of Blackadder and Monty Python, I guess there was always going to be something lost in translation when it came to TV sketch humour from the US. I guess I didn’t have a radar for the more US-centric references at that time, but regardless of the reasons, I just didn’t appreciate the humour. All that said, I’ve remained fascinated with the TV platform where my heroes first cut their comedy teeth nonetheless.

I was thoroughly delighted then to discover Nick De Semlyen’s book, which has proven to be a revelation (or rather, a litany of them!) Covering not just those pivotal early years of SNL, National Lampoon and also Second City TV, but the evolving careers of Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, John Candy, Chevy Chase, Steve Martin, Eddie Murphy, Bill Murray and Harold Ramis, it delves into the many highs and lows, bitter rivalries, endearing comic partnerships, serious passion projects, bizarre and expensive flops, and the dizzyingly unexpected, mega-success stories.

It is also layered with a seemingly endless number of insights into the movie-making business, the wheeling and dealing, initial casting choices, radical script changes, heated on-set exchanges, and countless other asides... it just keeps on giving.

With candid quotes from not only the comedy talents themselves, but a panoply of movie insiders, producers, and indeed the directors (John Landis, Frank Oz, Carl Reiner Ivan Reitman), who helmed many of the films that form the bedrock of this narrative, there is such a wealth of detailed, anecdotal information to absorb here, that I shall be cueing it up for repeat listens for many more days, weeks, and months to come!

If you’re a fan of such films as The Blues Brothers, 48 Hours, Trading Places, Ghostbusters, Fletch, Planes Trains & Automobiles, Uncle Buck, and the many holiday trials and tribulations of one Clark Griswold, then I cannot recommend this audiobook strongly enough - you truly owe it to yourself to give it a listen. Or three.

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2 people found this helpful

Engrossing and informative

Devoured this in 2 weeks. Incredible research and well spoken by Curtis Armstromg. Made me nostalgic for an era I wasn't alive for...

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My new favourite film book

Perfect nostalgia for a kid from the 80’s who was a fan of all these movies.

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An absolute must for fans of the SNL & SCTV alumni.

Lovingly written, forensically researched and an absolute must for any fans of John Belushi, Dan Ackroyd, Chevy Chase, Steve Martin, Rick Moranis, Eddie Murphy, John candy & the films that made them global stars - I’m a huge fan and thought I knew my stuff... I knew nothing.

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Brilliant and eye opening! I loved this book!

I usually read novels but I'm very glad I gave this a whirl! It's extremely well researched but the style is actually quite similar to a novel, giving nuggets of information, quotes, and really interesting context and background that just gives the whole book a depth and texture that really helps understand all these stars from the 80s! It's written with really good pace and intrigue...very funny and at times poignant, but always urging me to see what happens on the next page. I did love all these movies from the 80s but had no idea the stories behind their coming into being or of the personal lives of all the amazing actors. Fully recommended!

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Great listen

Very 'listenable' - great book. Highly recommend this to any Empire reader who likes the movie history sections

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