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"If You Don't Buy This Book, We'll Kill This Dog!": Life, Laughs, Love, and Death at the National Lampoon
Libro usado en buenas condiciones, por su antiguedad podria contener señales normales de uso
335 pages, Hardcover
First published March 5, 1994
90 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 4, 2018
As the publisher of National Lampoon magazine from its inception in 1970 until he was effectively forced out in a corporate takeover in 1989, Matty Simmons was at the epicenter of American humor, surrounded by the creative and volatile personalities that would shape comedy publications, TV and movies during those two decades and beyond. He worked on a daily basis with brilliant comedy writers like Michael O'Donoghue, Doug Kenney and P.J. O'Rourke. He oversaw the production of the stage show 'Lemmings,' which first introduced audiences to the talents of John Belushi, Chevy Chase and Christopher Guest. He oversaw NL's syndicated radio show, which featured notables like Gilda Radner, Bill Murray and Harold Ramis. He also produced two of the most popular comedy films of all time, 'Animal House' and 'Vacation.' How is it, then, that Simmons managed to write a book about a humor magazine and comedy empire that doesn't contain a single laugh?
To be blunt, Simmons' recollections of his time with NL read like a transcription of a middle manager's Day Planner. At any given time, the reader confronts the painful reality that Matty Simmons is probably the least interesting guy in the room, not to mention the least qualified to breathe life into this story. Anyone looking for a book that might capture the creative energy of the Lampoon in its prime needs to look elsewhere, because Simmons simply isn't up to it. Simmons is a dropper of names, a relayer of lifeless show biz anecdotes. He's a businessman, a deal-maker and a people manager, not a storyteller. Simmons just doesn't have the chops to carry this off, and since the book weighs in at a hefty 330 pages, working through it all becomes a chore.
The bulk of this disjointed and largely self-congratulatory memoir is devoted to Simmons' forays into film production after the stratospheric success of 'Animal House' propels the Lampoon into the movie business. Bits of biography and behind-the-scenes snippets drop onto the page without context and are dismissed just as quickly. In an effort to breathe some life into his oral history, Simmons peppers his prose with quotes from former co-workers and family members (yes, at one point in the 80s, Simmons replaces most of the editorial staff with his own children, a bit of nepotism he quickly glosses over), but the clumsy insertion of these quotes only draws attention to the haziness of most of the recollections, which undercuts the book's ostensible purpose for existing.
Ironically, the most compelling part of book comes at the end, when Simmons relays the demise of the magazine and the National Lampoon brand after he is effectively ousted from the company in a corporate coup orchestrated by the charming but incompetent Tim Matheson ('Otter' of 'Animal House' fame) and his equally hapless business partner Dan Grodnik, the two of whom promptly run the company to financial ruin. This is the portion of the book Simmons is most qualified to write, since it's largely dedicated to the financial details of corporate mismanagement and shady dealmaking. But how many readers are likely to pick up a book about the National Lampoon to read stories about business deals?
To be blunt, Simmons' recollections of his time with NL read like a transcription of a middle manager's Day Planner. At any given time, the reader confronts the painful reality that Matty Simmons is probably the least interesting guy in the room, not to mention the least qualified to breathe life into this story. Anyone looking for a book that might capture the creative energy of the Lampoon in its prime needs to look elsewhere, because Simmons simply isn't up to it. Simmons is a dropper of names, a relayer of lifeless show biz anecdotes. He's a businessman, a deal-maker and a people manager, not a storyteller. Simmons just doesn't have the chops to carry this off, and since the book weighs in at a hefty 330 pages, working through it all becomes a chore.
The bulk of this disjointed and largely self-congratulatory memoir is devoted to Simmons' forays into film production after the stratospheric success of 'Animal House' propels the Lampoon into the movie business. Bits of biography and behind-the-scenes snippets drop onto the page without context and are dismissed just as quickly. In an effort to breathe some life into his oral history, Simmons peppers his prose with quotes from former co-workers and family members (yes, at one point in the 80s, Simmons replaces most of the editorial staff with his own children, a bit of nepotism he quickly glosses over), but the clumsy insertion of these quotes only draws attention to the haziness of most of the recollections, which undercuts the book's ostensible purpose for existing.
Ironically, the most compelling part of book comes at the end, when Simmons relays the demise of the magazine and the National Lampoon brand after he is effectively ousted from the company in a corporate coup orchestrated by the charming but incompetent Tim Matheson ('Otter' of 'Animal House' fame) and his equally hapless business partner Dan Grodnik, the two of whom promptly run the company to financial ruin. This is the portion of the book Simmons is most qualified to write, since it's largely dedicated to the financial details of corporate mismanagement and shady dealmaking. But how many readers are likely to pick up a book about the National Lampoon to read stories about business deals?
August 15, 2021
Mr. Simmons tells a great and thorough tale. I had been hoping to find a good source for the story behind the timeline of NL and this was it. Great read about the beginnings and the work that went through it to both fend off attacks from people/groups who didn't appreciate the humor/commentary and to adapt to changing time and a nearly-constantly changing group of editors, managers and talent.
The final pages leading up to the end of the magazine at the hands of people who considered themselves "financiers" (and bad ones at that) lended itself to a terrible finish to what was a great periodical and the home of some amazing (if not oddball/quirky) talents. I will never look at Tim Matheson with respect again knowing what I know now from this tale.
The final pages leading up to the end of the magazine at the hands of people who considered themselves "financiers" (and bad ones at that) lended itself to a terrible finish to what was a great periodical and the home of some amazing (if not oddball/quirky) talents. I will never look at Tim Matheson with respect again knowing what I know now from this tale.
April 16, 2019
It's difficult to believe a person could write a boring, dull behind-the-scenes book about The National Lampoon empire, but Matty Simmons has done it. The emphasis of the book (especially in the last third) is a tedious examination of stock market values, lawsuits, financial disasters and business decisions. Pass on this and read books that center on the WRITERS that made that magazine great, not an egocentric boor like Simmons.
June 22, 2021
It's more of the business side/timeline of events.. It helps to introduce all the great employees they had over the years. Starts with beginning in 70s to early 90s.
July 24, 2009
bittersweet memoir of lampoon life. At times Matty's anger at others clouds the story. Definitely a ripping piece. Not an exceptionally good book.
June 25, 2011
The publisher tells his story, and doesn’t over-congratulate himself a whole lot.
March 1, 2013
The unbelievable true story of the National Lampoon, and the geniuses who created it, written by someone who was there. If you were a fan of the magazine, this is a must read.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews