Joy Shtick or What is the Existential Vacuum and Does it Come with Attachments

by Joy Behar

Now in paperback! The View's raciest co-host shares her views on life and womanhood in a side-splitting scrapbook of reflection, rage, and raw honesty "One of the funniest women in America" (New York Post), irrepressible comedienne Joy Behar never minces words. Whether she's skewering popular culture as the co-host of ABC's The View, or offering her own skewed outlook on life in one of her sold-out standup routines, she's always candid about the way she feels. And this book is no exception. A no-holds-barred scrapbook of Joy's perspective on life, it includes rants on every topic--from aging to men, to family, to death--and features Q&As with Joy's take on every dilemma. Flip through her private, hilarious collection of family photos. Enter her weird imagination as she dreams up a feminist feud between Gloria Steinem and Camille Paglia. And discover why she's certain to remain one of America's most charming and disarming personalities.

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor

208 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Josephina Victoria "Joy" Behar (née Occhiuto) is an American comedian, writer, actress and co-host of the talk show The View.

Reviews

[William · Rating 3 out of 5]

Her humor seems to be aimed to older women. Well, at least I don't find it as funny as I had hoped. I have seen her on the View every once in awhile and I found her slightly humorous. Yet, her book gave me little to even smirk at. The topics seemed to have been overly done already and there was little added to them. Her speech at the Speaker Series was unorganized and very short. She did a somewhat better job while answering questions as she was able to feed off someone else.

[Kyle Kerns · Rating 3 out of 5]

There wasn't much to this book, and there's really not much more to say. I don't ever remember laughing out lound, and isn't that the real test of a humor book? I don't think that it was a waste of my time - it was relatively humorous at times - but I wouldn't do it ever again.

[Gato Negro · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this after the "When You Need a Lift" book that she put out in 2007. Not quite as funny as the new book, but good enough if you need a laugh. I gave it 2 stars, not because I didn't like it, but because it was just "okay".

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

She's hilarious and was always my favorite host of the view.

[Donna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not great, but some funny stuff.

[Anne Marshall · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I didn’t agree with all her thoughts, she writes a good book and I really enjoyed it.

[Val · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick, fun read.

[Dennis Littrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Belly laughs and wry photos

Ms. Behar, lately of ABC's "The View," gives us some standup shtick here along with a little flavor from her life, loves, relatives, and encounters with various show biz celebs. I liked the photos of her, especially the sexy one (p. 50) with the elbow pointing out and the pouty mouth. (That's mouth with a pout, not "potty mouth," although she can do that too.) I also like the shot of her (p. 6, "Coffee break from the bell jar") that makes her look like her mother played by Carol Burnett as Mary Hartman in an out take from "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman." Best piece: at the Friar's Roast, where she quips, "Welcome to the sixteenth century. Actually, it's quite an honor to be the first female roastmaster in ninety-three years. Which is ironic, because ninety-three is the average age of most of the Friars." Best exchange: (in therapy) "Joy: I hate Long Island. Shrink: Why? It's so lovely here. Have you visited the new outlet center? Joy: I shoplifted...I mean, I shopped, there. I know it well. Shrink: A Freudian slip. Joy: No, actually just a cute top."

Behar is a big city girl from Brooklyn who can conduct a lesbian hour and fawn over Harrison Ford at the same time. She manages to be both Jewish and Italian, a dumb brunette and a feminist icon. She can take apart Pat Buchanan with her bare hands while worrying about the cannoli she had with lunch. She can laugh at herself, which is what a comedian has to be able to do.

This little collection of uptown wit is like a box of cherry bon-bons: you'll devour the whole thing in an hour.

--Dennis Littrell, author of the mystery novel, “Teddy and Teri”

[Danton · Rating 3 out of 5]

insightful and informative book about the show hostess joy behar from daytime televisions the view