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Cautionary Tales
Actor Stephen Tobolowsky has appeared in over 200 movies and television shows. He has played everyone from Ned Ryerson in "Groundhog Day" to Sandy Ryerson in "Glee." He has amused thousands with his true stories on "The Tobolowsky Files" at Slashfilm.com. Here he shares some homespun philosophy and more true stories that prove tales of sex, drugs, and rock and roll are often the most humiliating and almost always the most enjoyable.
25 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 25, 2011
27 people are currently reading
141 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Tobolowsky
9 books62 followersThe quintessential character actor, Stephen Tobolowsky has appeared in more than 100 movies and more than 200 television shows in his career (USA TODAY recently noted that he was the ninth most frequently seen actor in film today). Along the way his roles have spanned almost all aspects of being a working actor, from the big-budget and Oscar Award-worthy (as head of the Ku Klux Klan in Mississippi Burning), to the cult phenomenon (Groundhog Day), to the buzzworthy (Glee). But despite a lifetime devotion to the craft of acting that also includes a classical theater training and a Tony Award nomination, you probably wouldn't recognize him if you saw him on the street. He lives in Los Angeles.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
September 22, 2019
Laugh out loud funny - even better since we listened to the Audible version read by the author himself. Highly recommend this short story.
June 18, 2011
I like Amazon Singles because I like shorter pieces. In a related matter, I love anthologies. This seems to be not particularly the norm and I heard Stephen King say he thinks people are losing the ability to appreciate short stories. Technically, this is an autobiographical work, but I think the principle remains that people don't seem to know what to do with shorter pieces. For those of us who are fans and for writers, I think these Singles are nice.
That said, this is of course a quick read. I enjoyed it and will talk about it a little, and found it to be very professional, with a lot of depth packed into a shorter work, but I know some Kindle owners who would undoubtedly consider it about a dollar too much. (It's a dollar ninety-nine as I write this.) As always, what someone is willing to pay is an individual decision.
I selected this particular one because I associate the author as being entertaining, at least in the role of actor. Hey, it's more than we know about most writers when reading them for the first time. Anyhow, my instant reaction was interest -- "yeah, I want to read that!" -- and so I purchased. I think others will be drawn to it based on a podcast and some other autobiographical things that I have not seen.
The anecdotes were arranged around the concept of the wild things we do, particularly concerning sex. Mr. Tobolowsky paints himself rather convincingly as a reasonable and even in some ways old-fashioned guy, who has still stumbled into some adventures -- at least two of them involving women who allegedly party for pay or are referred to by others with terms assigned to women in that profession. (Or three, my Google search found him telling an anecdote about ping pong balls.) None of those stories goes in the direction you might think.
I found the stories poignant. There was a moment during the second one where he is asked to essentially have a real life adventure that is a favored coming-of-age movie plot, and he doesn't want it. He finds himself upset and in a quandary as to how to back out of it. The set-up sounds b-movie material, but his place in it is as a human being who is not comfortable in that role. Come to think of it, the third story also shows his ambivalence over engaging in something that doesn't feel right. Still, he isn't judgmental and is humorous and self-deprecating in the telling.
Mr. Tobolowsky tells the stories with a little raunchiness and a lot of heart. Simply really good story telling. He points out that all the crazy things we do in our youth, the embarrassing and even shameful stuff, become what shapes us and where we find wisdom and growth -- and laughter.
That said, this is of course a quick read. I enjoyed it and will talk about it a little, and found it to be very professional, with a lot of depth packed into a shorter work, but I know some Kindle owners who would undoubtedly consider it about a dollar too much. (It's a dollar ninety-nine as I write this.) As always, what someone is willing to pay is an individual decision.
I selected this particular one because I associate the author as being entertaining, at least in the role of actor. Hey, it's more than we know about most writers when reading them for the first time. Anyhow, my instant reaction was interest -- "yeah, I want to read that!" -- and so I purchased. I think others will be drawn to it based on a podcast and some other autobiographical things that I have not seen.
The anecdotes were arranged around the concept of the wild things we do, particularly concerning sex. Mr. Tobolowsky paints himself rather convincingly as a reasonable and even in some ways old-fashioned guy, who has still stumbled into some adventures -- at least two of them involving women who allegedly party for pay or are referred to by others with terms assigned to women in that profession. (Or three, my Google search found him telling an anecdote about ping pong balls.) None of those stories goes in the direction you might think.
I found the stories poignant. There was a moment during the second one where he is asked to essentially have a real life adventure that is a favored coming-of-age movie plot, and he doesn't want it. He finds himself upset and in a quandary as to how to back out of it. The set-up sounds b-movie material, but his place in it is as a human being who is not comfortable in that role. Come to think of it, the third story also shows his ambivalence over engaging in something that doesn't feel right. Still, he isn't judgmental and is humorous and self-deprecating in the telling.
Mr. Tobolowsky tells the stories with a little raunchiness and a lot of heart. Simply really good story telling. He points out that all the crazy things we do in our youth, the embarrassing and even shameful stuff, become what shapes us and where we find wisdom and growth -- and laughter.
October 18, 2017
Actor Stephen Tobolowsky serves up a trio of amusing and very ribald anecdotes about some kinky sexual near-encounters he experienced during the course of his life. These stories all put a smile on my face, but I can't say I bought into the overall "lesson" he ultimately derived from them.
August 13, 2012
Love The Tobolowsky Files, and enjoyed this Kindle Single quite a bit.
"If you spank a child today, you can go to prison. If you poison a child's mind, you can get a statuette and a standing ovation at the MTV Movie Awards."
--Stephen Tobolowsky
"If you spank a child today, you can go to prison. If you poison a child's mind, you can get a statuette and a standing ovation at the MTV Movie Awards."
--Stephen Tobolowsky
March 19, 2012
Reflections about sex, youth, and foolishness. I wish the Single were longer, but it's perfectly formed as it is. Stephen is a really enjoyable writer and storyteller.
September 14, 2017
So funny, but TOO SHORT!!!
I was so disappointed that this came to an end just as I was getting into the swing of Stephen's stories.
I have always loved Tobolowsky as an actor, and loved the thought of reading some of his musings. How hilarious to find this a (short!!!!) collection of stories of sexual misadventures and escapades from his youth.
Maybe he ran out of stories, but even if he'd switched topic, I bet he'd still have made a witty narrator.
I listened to the Kindle edition with audio narration, only took a couple of school run journeys to listen to, and I was left craving MORE.
Very funny, definitely don't listen with your kids in the car though. College and teenage sex stories, nothing graphic or terrible, think American Pie.
More please Mr Tobolowsky!!
I was so disappointed that this came to an end just as I was getting into the swing of Stephen's stories.
I have always loved Tobolowsky as an actor, and loved the thought of reading some of his musings. How hilarious to find this a (short!!!!) collection of stories of sexual misadventures and escapades from his youth.
Maybe he ran out of stories, but even if he'd switched topic, I bet he'd still have made a witty narrator.
I listened to the Kindle edition with audio narration, only took a couple of school run journeys to listen to, and I was left craving MORE.
Very funny, definitely don't listen with your kids in the car though. College and teenage sex stories, nothing graphic or terrible, think American Pie.
More please Mr Tobolowsky!!
January 9, 2021
Tobolowsky is a great storyteller, even if this particular one of his stories isn't really up my alley. Having not read any of his work before, I think it works much better as an audiobook.
Maybe skip this, but definitely give the Tobolowsky Files podcast a listen. It's absolutely brilliant, telling stories from Tobolowsky's life adventures on his way to becoming a prolific minor character actor, and always has insights into life and human nature that are funny and surprising.
Maybe skip this, but definitely give the Tobolowsky Files podcast a listen. It's absolutely brilliant, telling stories from Tobolowsky's life adventures on his way to becoming a prolific minor character actor, and always has insights into life and human nature that are funny and surprising.
March 7, 2023
Stephen Tobolowsky’s kindle single centres around what he calls the “Rolling Stones Effect” - man’s tendency to veer towards inexplicable moments of madness. If you like Hollywood character actor stuff, there’s a little bit here, but.. it’s mostly a few stories from his youth.
April 12, 2011
This review originally appeared on my review site my link text
Oh, Stephen Tobolowsky. He's been in over a hundred movies (from Groundhog Day to The Time Traveler's Wife) and TV shows (That '70s Show, Deadwood, Californication, to name just a few). He has an unforgettable face and voice; now, he's admitting folks into another unforgettable arena - his past.
Tobolowsky shares three stories from his young childhood, college years, and middle age. All three of them are well-written, highly-entertaining and surprising. I particularly love short e-books that capture me in the first few pages and his Introduction, with his explanation of his theory on various parts of the brain, caught me up right from the start. His pace quickens throughout the stories until you wonder how he was able to come out virtually unscathed. And, at the end, he sums up quite nicely with a bit of grown-up philosophy... just what you need for a short-and-spicy humor piece.
Nine Reasons You Should Read Cautionary Tales, by Stephen Tobolowsky
To learn his theories on:
1. The Rolling Stones part of your brain: because we all have that Mick Jagger inside of us...errr...our heads.
2. The Willie Nelson part of your brain: that part of the brain where everything's fuzzy. Jokes! There's more to it than that.
To find out the difference between:
3. a fifteen-year-old whore and a fifteen-year-old horse
4. walking (while on ecstacy) through winter NYC, with and without a coat
To discover:
5. how first dates are a guaranteed success if you talk about the girl's cat
6. it's okay to cry over losing your virginity to a 300-pound prostitute
7. how a girl who falls down beautifully is not necessarily The One
8. how a "fourway is completely false advertising"
and finally...
9. It only takes a half-hour to read!
Oh, Stephen Tobolowsky. He's been in over a hundred movies (from Groundhog Day to The Time Traveler's Wife) and TV shows (That '70s Show, Deadwood, Californication, to name just a few). He has an unforgettable face and voice; now, he's admitting folks into another unforgettable arena - his past.
Tobolowsky shares three stories from his young childhood, college years, and middle age. All three of them are well-written, highly-entertaining and surprising. I particularly love short e-books that capture me in the first few pages and his Introduction, with his explanation of his theory on various parts of the brain, caught me up right from the start. His pace quickens throughout the stories until you wonder how he was able to come out virtually unscathed. And, at the end, he sums up quite nicely with a bit of grown-up philosophy... just what you need for a short-and-spicy humor piece.
Nine Reasons You Should Read Cautionary Tales, by Stephen Tobolowsky
To learn his theories on:
1. The Rolling Stones part of your brain: because we all have that Mick Jagger inside of us...errr...our heads.
2. The Willie Nelson part of your brain: that part of the brain where everything's fuzzy. Jokes! There's more to it than that.
To find out the difference between:
3. a fifteen-year-old whore and a fifteen-year-old horse
4. walking (while on ecstacy) through winter NYC, with and without a coat
To discover:
5. how first dates are a guaranteed success if you talk about the girl's cat
6. it's okay to cry over losing your virginity to a 300-pound prostitute
7. how a girl who falls down beautifully is not necessarily The One
8. how a "fourway is completely false advertising"
and finally...
9. It only takes a half-hour to read!
June 5, 2011
First foray into the world of the Amazon 'Single,' a less expensive downloadable ebook the length of a long feature magazine article. Tobolowsky is a famous character actor who pops up as a guest star on a ton of tv shows and in small roles in dozens of movies - most recognizable to me from Glee and Community. He has a podcast called The Tobolowsky Files where he talks about his career and his life.
This is a series of three anecdotes about the mysterious, lesser-known part of the brain that at times in our lives motivates us to behave like the Rolling Stones on tour in the 1970s. Separate from our needs and our wants, this part of the brain is responsible for inexplicable, regrettable decision-making.
This is a series of three anecdotes about the mysterious, lesser-known part of the brain that at times in our lives motivates us to behave like the Rolling Stones on tour in the 1970s. Separate from our needs and our wants, this part of the brain is responsible for inexplicable, regrettable decision-making.
March 20, 2012
This was the very first thing I downloaded on my new Kindle at Christmas. Stephen Tobolowsky does my absolute favorite podcast ever, and this more or less a podcast episode except R-rated. His voice comes through very clearly, so much that I think he may have recorded himself telling the story and then written it down. I wouldn't recommend it if you aren't familiar with his oeuvre, but if you have listened to a few episodes and have gained some rapport and context for the author, it's quite good.
It remains the only book-book I've read on the Kindle; everything else I've read on it has been fanfic...
It remains the only book-book I've read on the Kindle; everything else I've read on it has been fanfic...
March 19, 2011
This was my first purchase of a Kindle Single, which I downloaded after hearing about it on "The Tobolowsky Files," Stephen Tobolowsky's podcast. Fans of the podcast will enjoy this single serving of essays organized around the idea that human behavior is 65% motivated by what we *need*, 25% motivated by what we *want* and 10% motivated by mysterious forces that compel us to behave as if we were The Rolling Stones on a world tour in 1972.
Worth the $1.99 for a Tobolowsky fan and this has encouraged me to explore more Kindle Singles.
Worth the $1.99 for a Tobolowsky fan and this has encouraged me to explore more Kindle Singles.
August 13, 2012
This is one of those Kindle books meant to be read in one sitting. It includes three good stories that haven't been told on his podcast (The Tobolowky Files, which is excellent). The number of crazy stories this guy has accumulated in a regular (non-rock star) lifetime is impressive. One of his skills is crystallizing profound truths from his past experiences, and these lessons are decent. But I admit, he earned his stars almost immediately for having figured out the following about women: "...It underscores one of the first rules of romance: Sacrifice is sexy."
August 23, 2015
I have been enjoying listening to the Tobolowsky Files podcast so thought I would give this book a try. It is very much written in the same voice as all the stories he tells, and he is a very good storyteller. On the other hand, this is pretty lightweight, as much as it tries to veer into the land of the philosophical and profound.
In other words, a lovely, sweet, intelligent, minor slice of memoir from a funny, kind, generous person. Nothing objectionable here, but nothing to particularly recommend it.
In other words, a lovely, sweet, intelligent, minor slice of memoir from a funny, kind, generous person. Nothing objectionable here, but nothing to particularly recommend it.
May 22, 2012
I've seen Stephen in so many tv shows lately and heard nothing but great reviews of the podcast he does with Dave Chen (which I now subscribe to also) that I had to give this a go.
Besides its $2? What's that in real money like 50c? It was a no brainer!
In all seriousness it was a great, short read which amongst vital guides on how to avoid STI's, proves what a phenomenal storyteller this man is.
Besides its $2? What's that in real money like 50c? It was a no brainer!
In all seriousness it was a great, short read which amongst vital guides on how to avoid STI's, proves what a phenomenal storyteller this man is.
November 6, 2025
I am a huge Stephen Tobolowsky fan, both of his acting work with memorable characters, and moreover as podcaster. This book is really for the fans and is an extension of The Tobolowsky Files, where he shares entertaining true stories from his life. Stephen's anecdotes often revolve around themes of sex, drugs, and rock and roll, illustrating that the most humiliating experiences can also be the most enjoyable.
February 19, 2013
I've been a fan of The Tobolowsky Files ever since Stephen did an episode about Glee. Stephen is a great storyteller so I immediately went back and listened to all the episodes. Cautionary Tales is very similar to the podcast so I really enjoyed reading it. I could hear Stephen Tobolowsky's voice in my head as I read.
August 12, 2011
This character actor is one of our premier storytellers. Looking back on his most egregious moments, Tobolowsky's charm leaps off the page. He recreates his life vividly and draws greater themes from his own misbehavior. My only complaint is that this is too short.
November 18, 2012
Cautionary Tales by Stephen Tobolowsky is a fun, quick read (Kindle Single). Not as rip-roaring funny as I hoped but is a small dissertation on his views on life. It does make me want to read more of his writing.
January 2, 2013
Got a real kick out of this. It probably helps to be a listener to The Tobolowsky Files podcast so you can imagine his voice reading the story. Quick read, made me laugh several times, also had a poignant moment or two ... but really more humorous than anything else. All in 25 pages!
May 5, 2015
Fucking hilarious :)
Didn't realize who the writer was - his personas funny, his writing perhaps even funnier. Need a whole book! Or another long piece. Thanks for cheering up an afternoon.
Didn't realize who the writer was - his personas funny, his writing perhaps even funnier. Need a whole book! Or another long piece. Thanks for cheering up an afternoon.
March 23, 2016
This was a delightful, mirthful, quick read that re-energized me toward reading books on heavier topics of nonfiction.
It was a looking back of things that happened in youth - childhood, as a college student or young adult. And, laughing at how those worked out.
It was a looking back of things that happened in youth - childhood, as a college student or young adult. And, laughing at how those worked out.
March 11, 2011
It's somewhat sad to say, but I think I've reached a point in life when the Willie Nelson part of my brain is starting to hum.
March 13, 2011
One of our best storytellers. My first experience with a Kindle Single was very enjoyable.
September 26, 2011
I LOVE the Tobolowsky Files, so of course I was going to love this short.
November 4, 2012
Amazing!
March 15, 2013
As enchanting as Tobolowsky's podcast - this guy can tell stories, and I can't recommend hearing them enough. Great!
May 3, 2013
This was pretty weak
November 1, 2013
Available to loan via Kindle.
August 15, 2014
Audiobook - I am now a HUGE fan of Stephen Tobolowsky as a memoirist. My only complaint about this one: it was too short.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews