Enter Talking by Joan Rivers

by Joan Rivers

Libro usado en buenas condiciones, por su antiguedad podria contener señales normales de uso

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Humor, Biography, Comedy, Biography Memoir, Audiobook

Hardcover

First published March 1, 1986

About the author

Joan Rivers (born Joan Sandra Molinsky) was an American comedian, actress, talk show host, businesswoman, and celebrity. She was known for her brash manner and loud, raspy voice with a heavy metropolitan New York accent. Rivers was the National Chairwoman of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and is a board member of God's Love We Deliver. Like the ground-breaking Phyllis Diller, Rivers' act relied heavily on poking fun at herself. A typical Rivers joke about her unattractiveness: "I used to stand by the side of the road with a sign: 'Last girl before freeway.'"

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked this one up on the dollar rack at my local indie bookstore. I've always had mixed feelings about Joan: I respect that she's a comedy pioneer, but sometimes her meanness bugs me--like when she ripped Yoko Ono after John was killed. Nevertheless, what she went through to achieve success is impressive, and her descriptions of the dives she played and the miscreants she encountered are quite priceless. Great reading for anyone trying to find a voice in any self-expression-related field.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The library only had the abridged audiobook. I’d love to find a full version one day. I didn’t know much about how Joan Rivers started in comedy before reading this. The audio is narrated by Joan and it’s wonderful to hear her voice again.

[Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a standard 'early years in showbiz' autobiography, with the universal truths (or cliches) about paying one's dues. However, these details of Rivers' struggle to the Tonight Show were mostly unknown to me. I didn't know that Rivers had worked as a host for strippers, or had been on the early Second City stage, or had been a writer for Candid Camera, which she describes as one of the most unpleasant places to work due to Alan Funt's attitude. Once Rivers gets her act to The Bitter End the book and her career become pleasant and less fraught with fear.
She had to fight so hard to make it as a female, starting first with her family. I didn't know about Rivers' hard-working but generous father and comfort-seeking mother, but now Rivers' late persona makes perfect sense as the combination of the two. The book ends with her first appearance on the Tonight Show, and it seems that this was written with the same intention as politicians' autobiographies today: re-introducing oneself to the public with a self-controlled narrative upon which one plans to catapult oneself to the next level. In the case of this book, it was Rivers' own late-night show on Fox, which is the subject of her next book, Still Talking. Still Talking is a terrific but painful account of her time in Los Angeles from her early years on the Tonight Show, a complete account of her marriage to Edgar, and her recovery from the Fox debacle. Still Talking is essential for everyone, in my opinion. Enter Talking is recommended for those who are interested in 60s comedy or Rivers in depth.

[Patricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sadly, this book bored me to tears. I kept waiting for it to get better - and at times it did, slightly so, but never to the point where I didn't question whether I should keep reading. I got to page 179. It was a valiant effort. In the first 179 pages, people hadn't found her funny yet. Unfortunately, I was also one of those people.

[Tonton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting account on old showbiz. Mixed feelings about Rivers. Lots of outdated language and terminology. Second City excerpts were interesting and rang true for my experience there too.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like Joan Rivers, this is a must read. I picked it up at a local free library, expecting it to be ok. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it, and how interesting it was. From her childhood, growing up an outsider, to her years-long struggle to break into show business, I didn't want to stop reading.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

After seeing her on Celebrity Apprentice, I can't stand Joan Rivers. But years ago I read this book, which covers her early career, and really enjoyed it. Describes the world of a struggling actress and stand up comic. And she pokes a lot of fun at herself.

[Barbara]

Love her humor, and if you don't mind looking at how she got to the top and stayed there--relentless work and a childhood that is still twisting her guts into a garrotte for use on herself and others--read this, and watch the documentary, "Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work".

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable reading. Joan Rivers life with the long road to make it as a comedian.

[BradMD · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read. Some of the very early pages could have been cut, but once she gets into talking about trying to get into show business the book is great. It's interesting that the Theater guild runs the Westport Country Playhouse in Westport, Connecticut. There are some great quotes, "Money is powerful, money is wonderful. I have not changed my opinion." p. 25. In show busines, "...rejection is norm and acceptance the oddity." p. 256. "...a good comedy line is so rare, so golden, it is instantly snapped up for big money." p. 256.
What worked for Joan Rivers was to be totally truthful and deprecating about herself. She admits she's addicted to drama. She began "inserting my own voice into the act." p. 309. "...personal truth can be the foundation of comedy, that outrageousness can be cleansing...." p. 312. "I knew in that moment I had found the key. My comedy would flow from that poor, vulnerable schlepp Joan Molinsky, the nerd I felt sorry for, who made me so ashamed I struggled to hide her like a retarded sister, shut away in an upstairs bedroom." p. 315. "For the first time in my life, I was physically, systematically constructing a stand-up comedy act, instead of machine-gunning jokes--if you do not like that one, how about this one?" p. 345

[Rhadaway · Rating 4 out of 5]

my "pool read" for Summer 2024 (started in '23, oops) I never had a lot of interest in Joan Rivers until I read Emily Nussbaum's essay after her passing. It gave me a lot more empathy for her and when I found Enter Talking at the PPGI book sale (RIP) I had to buy it. It's a great showbiz memoir and all the more impressive that it ENDS at her "big break," finally getting that Tonight Show set and the next day all the doors that had been closed were opened to her. I appreciated that she was able to go so in-depth with detail on stories dating back to childhood. It was fun to be able to hear both sides of "that off-Broadway production where Barbra and Joan played lesbians" story from Joan's book and then Barbra's. If you hated everything Joan stood for with the Fashion Police, you probably won't like this book. But if you're interested in the history of comedy and the actual hard work it takes to become an overnight success, pick this one up.

[Cynthia Bemis Abrams · Rating 5 out of 5]

1986 seems like a lifetime ago! This book is a detailed lesson in persistence and believing in one's own self, from the voice and experience of Joan Rivers. While her career (and life) lasted almost 30 more years, she told her story in personal, revealing depth that we often didn't hear from this accomplished woman.

I read this primarily as research for my podcast, Advanced TV Herstory. However, if you are a fan of comedy, television or someone who thinks your own self-doubt is preventing you from pursuing your dreams, this book is for you.

[David Murray · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a Joan Rivers' fan, this book is a dream - depicting her as a relentless comedy crusader, mingling her world view with a more refined prose and giving insight into both her character and the world of show business as she experienced it. The Rivers' fan will endure the drawn out sections and the dense referential passages, always cheering for our girl. Yet, even her greatest advocate will close the 390th page and think, perhaps a bit too long, perhaps a bit too clunky and unrefined, perhaps a bit off kilter.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

After years of battling her parents, she was determined to be an actress but bombed. Then it was stand-up. She became a writer. Her success came with Johnny Carson. He liked her and told her she would be a star. Her mother brought her up believing money was the answer to everything. Her father was a doctor and as fast as he made money, his wife spent it trying to impress others by their seeming wealth. Joan copied acts of other comics until she learned to use her own life experiences.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big respect! This is the prequel to her career, her long painful road to success in the late 50s early 60s, as she struggled to find her voice and her audience. Well written with great honesty, another reason to love Joan Rivers.

[Annie Pisarello · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to Joan Rivers read this autobiography. It was fascinating. She talks about the early years when she was trying to break into the business. She is clever and self depreciating. This was very enjoyable to listen to.

[Alecia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had no idea Joan Rivers went through what she did to pursue her dream. I listened to the audiobook and sat in my car crying happy tears for 15 minutes at the end. Absolutely perfect ending if you grew up in the age of Rivers, Sullivan, Carson and other TV icons.

[Angela Doyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was impressed by how determined Joan was to achieve her dream - she always knew her destiny and although it didn’t happen until she was 31, she never gave up - I admire her for that

[A · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great to learn more about her life but she wasn’t as outrageous as she ended up being yet

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms. Rivers' book is the most fascinating, most well-written autobiography I have ever read.

[Jorac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Older book but I enjoyed it. Lots of backstory to her success.

[Megan Ruskey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Six stars

[Derek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thought the robot in Spaceballs was funny, so I had to read this. Perhaps one of my favorite autobiography endings. Cuts off right when most would think it's starting to get interesting.

[lo.yve]

moraću odnekle da maznem full verziju ove knjige jer sam odslušala abridged verziju (koja jedva da se računa koliko je kratka); život ove žene mi je krajnje fascinantan

[Morgan]

I decided I’m no longer rating memoirs but omg I miss Joan Rivers

[Sarah Altier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not a fan of Joan Rivers' comedy act but I am a fan of "success despite all the odds against you" stories. It's (strangely) interesting how many stories Rivers recounts about people being mean to her and to think she made a comedy empire based on being mean to other people, but it's the story of doggedness, determination, and struggle that fascinated me.

[Thirstyicon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really good book. However, if you are looking for a non-stop laugh riot, look elsewhere. There are plenty of jokes, but this is Joan's Origin Story. These are the tails of slumming it with all the up and comers, and watching her friends get gigs while she was still temping and working for free (a lot). You learn all about her parents dysfunctional relationship, and her own strained relationship with them.

It is a good story and only made me like her more. In short, if you want to know more than what you see in "A Piece of Work", you should get a copy!

On a LBGT note, I found it really... inspiring how much she talks about loving gay audiences, and in particular gay men. She never made it a secret, certainly in the 90s and beyond; but I can only assume some people were scandalized by it in the mid 80s.

[Shirley · Rating 2 out of 5]

After watching old Tonight Shows starring Jonny Carson recently, I was moved to order this book, which Joan pitched on one of the old shows. For one dollar plus shipping, I got the hardcover, first edition. Although I found the details of her struggle interesting, it was much too long and drawn out. I thought it would be funny and that I would be laughing throughout the story. It was not funny. I was actually kind of shocked at what she went through to achieve success in a cruel business. Why would anyone want to torture themselves this way....

[Elaine Cougler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enter Talking by Joan Rivers I bought because I like Joan's humour and thought the book would be funny. Rather it is sad, unbelievable at times, and drawn out. I thought she would never make it to success! But of course she did and she tells about her Johnny Carson appearance after seven years of grovelling. Many good sections on humour, has an index which is useful, and gives an insight into the person.

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was interesting but kind of dragged. In some ways, that was the point: she paid and paid and paid her dues, and it wasn't a meteoric rise by any means. But in other ways it was a function of me not really being the target audience: the book is from the 80s and a lot of the names that are dropped are not famous to me anymore.