Average Joe: The Memoirs of a Blue-Collar Entertainer

by Joe Piscopo, Scott Lamb

The inside story of award-winning, popular entertainer and actor who discovered that the key to success in the entertainment industry is a strong work ethic and a willingness to reinvent, never quit, and keep learning to survive.

Joe Piscopo has made both live and living room audiences laugh for five decades, winning the acclaim and affection of millions of fans. Often recognized as one of the actors who replaced the original cast on Saturday Night Live, he helped rescue the show from cancellation.

In Average Joe, Piscopo shares behind-the-scenes stories from an impressive, multi-faceted career. As a new entertainer, he performed stand-up and hosted at the famous Improv in New York City, where he got to know comics who were just starting out, including Jerry Seinfeld, Larry David, and Gilbert Gottfried. On SNL, he often paired with newcomer Eddie Murphy, writing and performing now classic skits. He saw himself as the utility guy, the one who could jump in, get something done, and get a laugh. His often uncanny impersonations ranged from President Ronald Reagan to Joan Rivers to his hero Frank Sinatra—all of whom he met in person. Beyond SNL, his career spans from car and beer commercials to roles in major movies.

A self-proclaimed Dork Dad, Joe found that celebrity can sidetrack a person from the pursuit of what’s really important in life. After focusing on fitness for his own health, he was featured on the cover of body-building magazines, which had a notable impact on his career. Today, Joe is still a hardworking entertainer, hosting his own radio show, The Joe Piscopo Show, and performing comedy, song, and dance live across the US and Canada. Joe sums it all up “I’m part of the blue-collar of show business, baby.”

Genres: Audiobook, Autobiography, Nonfiction, Biography

Audible Audio

Published May 27, 2025

Reviews

[Cathy Panik]

Good book about comedian and entertainer Joe Piscopo. While reading this book, I watched some of his comedy sketches on SNL, and he is quite funny!

[Ken Lowenstein]

Honestly I feel bad giving this book only 2 stars. Had I read it, instead of listening to it, or not listened to the postscript, which is 6:13 of Joe kissing up to Donald Trump, it probably would have been a 4 or 5 star review. I loved the book and loved listening to Joe read it. He added some additional things as can be done when reading your own book after it's been published. Joe does an outstanding job. It's funny. It's heartwarming. I saw a side of him that I didn't know. His relationship with his family. And if you are from NJ, as I am, some of it hits home even more. His stories about going Down The Shore right true. For 6 hours and 21 minutes I was fully entertained. And then...BOOM! It sunk like a battleship, for me. Had I known ahead of time, I might have just turned it off. So, maybe, just maybe, if someone reads this and has the same opinion about Trump; just stop after Chapter 24 and you will love it. If, you feel differently than I do about him, enjoy the last 6+ minutes. But for me, it went from throughly enjoyable to OMFG what am I listening to, very quickly. So, chapter 1-24, kudos to the author!!! But that ending left an awful image of him that I wish I didn't know.

[Susan Tunis]

I was a teenager during the Eddie Murphy/Joe Piscopo heyday on SNL. God, they were funny! And we all saw Murphy move on to bigger and brighter projects. But Piscopo sort of disappeared. Then, he reappeared looking like a body-builder. Then he disappeared for good from my consciousness.

So, it was a mixture of nostalgia and genuine curiosity that had me read this book. In the end, I guess some of my curiosity was satisfied, but it was all fairly meh. I don't especially appreciate Piscopo s man-of-the-people persona. What I value most in "celebrity" memoirs is candor. I didn't find it here.

And I definitely could have done without his pro-Trump opining in the final chapter. And yet, it was sort of telling. He acknowledges that his vocal support of Trump will hurt his career. Well, he's been making pretty awful career choices all the way back to his SNL days. Apparently, that's who he is. I'm happy to let him sink back into obscurity.

[September Withers]

Average Joe is an engaging and heartfelt memoir that chronicles Joe Piscopo’s remarkable journey through the entertainment industry with honesty, humor, and humility. Rather than focusing solely on celebrity, Piscopo emphasizes the values of perseverance, discipline, adaptability, and continuous self-improvement that sustained his decades-long career. The behind-the-scenes stories from Saturday Night Live, stand-up comedy, film, and broadcasting provide fascinating insight into a changing industry while revealing the character behind the performer. Warm, entertaining, and genuinely inspiring, this memoir reminds readers that lasting success is built on resilience, hard work, and a willingness to embrace every new opportunity.

[Carlos West]

If you want to know what it’s like being a versatile entertainer, this is the book for you! Jersey Joe has done it all, from TV, movies, broadway, concerts, radio and hosting an annual parade. With all that work, he relates in the book the importance of time with the family as well. Yes, you will also read a little about the world famous celebrities he has met. If you have listened or watched Joe for a few years he soon feels like family and when reading his autobiography it feels like you are reading the words of a friend. It is a very fast read! The only complaint may be that it could have been at least 10 pages longer! An index also would have been nice. Many color photos too!

[Aimee Briggs]

This only gets 3 stars because it was a quick, breezy read. The problem is that he still comes across as less than likeable. I just don't believe his denials about drugs and steroids. I've seen his 1987 HBO Halloween special. Was he simply high on hubris? Perhaps. I also find his timeline questionable. He just started dating Kimberly in 1987 but dedicated that same Halloween special to her? Right. I was also mildly disturbed by how he said he should have stayed married to his first wife....but loves the four kids he subsequently had without her so much. Which way do you want it? In other words, this book went the way I expected. And yes, I skipped the chapter about 47.

[Joe Besserfan]

I enjoyed "Average Joe: Memoirs of a Blue-Collar Entertainer" by Joe Piscopo. I've read a lot of celebrity memoirs. They can be dangerous waters to enter. A lot of times I end up liking the author less than I did before I started reading the book (Exhibit A: Henry Winkler). Other times, I become I bigger fan than I was before I started the book. That's the case with Joe Piscopo. Piscopo's book is a fun read by a guy who has managed to survive the ups and downs of a long career. "Average Joe" is worth reading.

[Tim Kretschmann]

Quick read on someone I've not kept up with since 1990. Interesting view of his career and background. Shines when he discusses his father near the top of the book and insights into the meteoric rise of Eddie Murphy midway in the text. His frank admissions as to career mistakes while owning them and actually admitting he would do it all over again the same way was noteworthy and a welcome change from many autobio's where the celebrity is frequently the victim. Worth the time.

[Airihi Day]

I enjoyed listening to this on audiobook. I really respected what he had to say and many of his views on life though I disagree with his more recent (last 10 yrs or so) political views, he was very open and honest. I also liked that he didn't badmouth or throw anyone under the bus or play the blame game. If something negative happened he viewed it as something he could work on or learn from. It was really refreshing.

[Lisa Huppert]

1.5 stars for this one. The only interesting part was about his stint on SNL. The rest was just “eh”. And the postscript totally left a bad taste in my mouth. Not sure why he felt the need to add his ass-kissing of Trump to his book.

[Gail]

Interesting bio.

[Scott Degraff]

I really liked this book, a true class act

[Stephanie Mills]

Excellent! Inspiring and encouraging. One of the best memories I’ve ever read. It was a page turner. ❤️

[Kristy]

Random book pick due to availability. I quite enjoyed his life's story and the storytelling until it turned into a political advertisement. Really, really weird way to end.

[Jeff Olson]

This guy could really make you laugh...Thanks for the memories average Joe!

[Cory Snyder]

Skipped the chapter on Donald Trump; I’m going to pretend it wasn’t in there.