Customer Reviews

The Funny Thing Is...

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(12)

 

 

***MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS***

You probably know this already, but I love books. New books, old books, library books. I've thought about getting a Kindle or some type of e-reader, but reading on the computer can bugger up my eyes. I always thought that audiobooks were such a cop-out. Now I'm realizing that they're a great thing to listen to when you're driving, cooking, going for a walk'anything where you can't hold a book. It is FAN-tastic.

I spent my time listening to my audiobook by eating dinner, putting together a gift for my cousin's bridal shower, and tidying up my desk. It was so simple!

The Funny Thing Is, by Ellen DeGeneres is my very first audiobook. I felt that comedy would be the best way of easing myself into audiobooks. I absolutely love Ellen DeGeneres. While I don't watch her show that often, whenever I do I want to watch it more. Now that I've read (or listened to) this book, I can't wait until her next one.

The Funny Thing Is is a collection of comic essays, a follow-up to her book My Point ' And I Do Have One, that came out 8 years prior.

I laughed so much while listening to this'so much so, that my husband probably thought I was going crazy. My favourite parts had to be the time-consuming yogurt part (' I just opened up some yogurt. Looks like I'm in for the night.'), getting older and forgetting what you were going to say (this happens to me all.the.time.), opening toilet paper ('I don't want a streamer, I want toilet paper!'), cell phones ('are the bangs shorter? The bangs ' THE BANGS!!'),or rappers who write vulgar songs and then thank God.

Honestly, there were so many hilarious moments in this book that I didn't want to stop listening'and if I had to list them all, it would take pages! The best thing about this audiobook'besides the nonstop humor'is that at only 3 hours, it's a quick listen.

There are some parts that drag and didn't seem that humorous, but I think that might be part of the whole 'audiobook' experience. Eventually, I would have put the book down for a while and done something else, coming back with a fresh head, but I trudged through and listened for the whole 3 hours straight.

This is highly recommended. I have no account of the written book, but having it read by Ellen is great'like she's sitting in your living room telling you a story!

I love Ellen and this book just makes me love her even more. For people who say it wasn't funny, they don't know humor. It was a great read, and all her jokes and funny stories relate to real life situations. DeGeneres knows her humor and if you're a true fan of hers, I'm telling you you'll love this book. =D

This is definitely a one day laugh out loud read! It is written as if the author is talking directly at you, telling a story. Humour doesn't have to be crass to be funny, and Ellen Degeneres definitely proves it.

I received this book from a friend as a gift. Now, I have always loved Ellen, she makes me laugh uncontrollably. Upon reading this book I was compelled to laugh out loud and have people stare at me oddly.

Her funny essays from "Embarassing moments" to "public bathrooms" kept me crying of laughter from cover to cover. Not only does this book reflect on everyday humor but also gives funny ways to deal or respond to it. For example: Being late to meet someone. "People always say the same thing when they finally show up after you've been waiting for them. "Oh sorry, traffic." "Really? How do you think I got here? Helicoptered in? I allow for it." This is funny and true all at the same time.

In my opinion the best part of the book was the "most embarassing case scenario" chapter. Just because it was filled with comical ways to get out of an emabrassing moment...such as forgetting someones name or loosing yourself in the middle of a converstion. Oh, how often this happens.

Overall I was very pleased with this book. I lent it to my mother and my friend whom both loved it. It's a one day read for sure. So go pick up this book at your local book store and start reading. Well go on...Why haven't you left yet?

Chantale G.

I took this book on a weekend away, thinking it would be light and fun. It was very light and mildly fun, but I wasn't really that engaged by it. Then I began reading a few passages to my brother that I thought he would enjoy. We both laughed out loud and I began to appreciate her clever witticisms more. This led me to the discovery that Degeneres' humor is meant to be spoken. Her essays read more like a transcript of a good standup routine than freestanding comic prose. So if you like Ellen, get this book and try taking turns reading it out loud with a friend. It might be a fun way to pass the time on a road trip. My brother and I certainly got a few good snorting chuckles out of it!

This book of essays ranging from "Terrible Fashion Trends" to "Why Being In Prison Wouldn't Be So Bad" show why Ellen's humor has succeeded in making her a great comedian with a hit talk show. Many times during reading, I felt myself chuckle or say out loud "Yes!" I even read some passages aloud to family members. While you might not come away with any deep insights, it's a light and charming comedy read, perfect for the beach.

I enjoy her sense of humour and always have. It's along the same vein as her stand-up. So, if her style and content aren't for you then chances are pretty good you won't enjoy this book. However, if you're a fan of Ellen then I think you'll find yourself laughing outloud, just like I did.

Let me preface this by saying that, normally, I am a huge fan of Ellen. I find her to be charming, enthusiastic, clever, and downright funny. I love her stand-up comedy, love her HBO specials, and really enjoy her daytime show, when I have a chance to see it.

...However, "The Funny Thing Is..." that the book just wasn't funny. It was, in fact, painful at parts. While I normally adore her sometimes quirky wit, it just didn't come through in this book. I am unsure if she was experimenting with new comedy, or a new style...but all I can say is, I found it to be disjointed, incoherent, and bland. Most of the skits in the book were so unenjoyable that I stopped reading them halfway through. I would not recommend this book to anyone, Ellen fan or not.

(I'm sorry, Ellen!)

About 3 lines that are really funny. Almost boring. Haven't seen her in real life, but I hope her shows are better than this book.

I have enjoy Ellen for years. I've seen her current show as well as her stand-up routine. This book has a feeling of anger to it that I don't usually associate with her. I kept reading hoping that the mood of the book would change but it didn't. I was disappointed in the book but still enjoy Ellen as a talk show host and performer.