Tracy Morgan is a comedian best known for his stints on SNL and 30 Rock. He had a loud, larger-than-life personality that doesn't appeal to everyone, but I have always thought he was funny. I expected this book to be a breezy read, mostly concerning his life in the spotlight but also highlighting his up-bringing. Boy was I wrong. For someone who makes people laugh for a living, Morgan had it hard, and the bulk of this book is about his difficulties and what he learned from them. The great thing about it though is that while he highlights the negative, he stays positive and turns the bad into good. He shows us his inner-struggles. "Don't believe the hype. Do not listen to anyone but yourself. Everyone is going to tell you you're great until you're not great. Until the day you let them down. And on that day they'll hate you. If you listen to what other people think of you, you'll need them." He is also very canny regarding show business and his role in it. He talks about transitioning from a black comic in urban settings to a mainstream comedian who must appeal to a broader audience. He also discusses the careers of other comedians and celebrities whose star burns out prematurely. "The kind of easy fame that comes from reality TV has made fame crackheads out of people who might have had a normal life, and it's made people without talent think they can be stars."Morgan definitely has strong opinions and he doesn't ease into them. While I don't always agree with him, I am impressed with how informed his opinions are, and enjoyed the way he didn't hold back or try to be PC in this book. He even addresses this: "The truth is, everybody is too sensitive today. That PC shit is killing comedy... We need to get back to the days of Archie Bunker, when they openly made fun of racism. That's healthy if you ask me." The first few chapters are interesting, if shocking, with the cold realities of being raised in the ghetto. The rest is a variation on the same theme - rise from poverty, how to manage the rich life, etc. The book could be half its size and convey the same message AND keep the humor. I heard an interview on NPR with Tracy Morgan, and that sparked my interest. I could have just stopped with the interview!
What do You think about I Am The New Black (2009)?
A lot more insightful than expected--more so than humorous. Still, an enjoyable read.
—kjwalker
Maybe my expectations were low but I enjoyed this, some pretty nice and weird parts.
—Kate
I got it on sale at Walden Books but haven't read it yet.
—Ashleighanne
"A" for effort story-wise, "D-" on actual story-telling.
—Didi
