From comedian and actor Sebastian Maniscalco—star of the film About My Father with Robert DeNiro—an inspiring, honest, uproarious collection of essays tracing his career from playing boxing rings and bowling alleys to reaching the pinnacles of comedy success.At twenty-four, Sebastian Maniscalco arrived in LA with a suitcase and saved up minimum wages. He knew no one and nothing about standup comedy, but he was determined to go for it anyway.Two decades later, he’s on the Forbes’ list of highest earning comedians, selling out arenas, and starring in numerous hit comedy specials including Why Would You Do That? and Is It Me?.Stay Hungry tells the story of the twenty years in between. On the way from clueless rube to standup superstar, Seb was booed off stages; survived on tips and stolen food; got advice from mentors Andrew Dice Clay, Vince Vaughn, Tony Danza, and Jerry Seinfeld; fell in love; and stayed true to his Italian-immigrant roots. The one code that always kept him stay hungry, keep focused, never give up, and one day, you’ll make it.
Sebastian Maniscalco (one of my favorite comics) shares his journey from just another funny guy to successful stand-up comedian.
I was so excited to see Sebastian had penned a memoir. If you've never had a chance to enjoy one of his specials or to see him live, I highly recommend it. He has a very physical style of comedy. You can see his emotions on his face while he runs all around the stage, mimicking other people and ridiculous situations for laughs. Sebastian is an observational comic who skewers the every day nonsense that others might miss because it's so mundane. It's a gift.
Unfortunately, it doesn't translate as well into a book. However, I was notified by Netflix that he has a special coming out this week with the same name as this book, Stay Hungry. You better believe I'm going to watch it to see if any of what was in here makes it on the screen. I think it might have a chance to shine that way.
As it is, the material just doesn't have the same flavor as the comedy I'm accustomed to from Sebastian.
For starters, I think Jim Gaffigan has the food angle of comedy pretty well sewn up. Sebastian apparently enjoys food too, but it didn't feel like his introduction was particularly strong because I associate food so heavily with Gaffigan.
Another thing about me: I'm constantly starving. My entire day is planning around food. What's for breakfast? Should I scramble a couple eggs like a normal human, or wolf down the dozen my appetite is telling me to do? pg 9, ebook.
See what I mean?
On the other hand, Sebastian quickly moves away from the "food" type of hungry into the real meaning of this work, which is to always keep looking and moving towards the next step of your career. This is more about "being hungry" for success, not resting on your laurels.
He's been a mover and a shaker almost his entire life, having worked multiple jobs from a very young age. Sebastian was kicked into the workforce by his father and supported by his large Italian family. This cocoon of family meant more to him than he realized, but its importance became clear when he moved to Los Angeles and his family was back in Chicago.
So I went from that environment, a welcoming, warm home with tons of people coming and going, to my one-bedroom in Hollywood with a naked man outside the only window. pg 20, ebook.
Success didn't come either quickly or easily to Sebastian, but he never gave up. He always kept reaching for it. And he relied on his friends and family back home to never let him forget where he came from.
I love to share what I'm doing with my family and old friends. That's where I get my enjoyment. No matter what, I can count on these guys to keep me grounded and rip me to shreds. pg 159, ebook.
In that way, this memoir is totally relatable. In other ways, Sebastian mingles with celebrities and lives an upper class lifestyle with his bride. He describes the first weeks of being a new parent and learning the ins-and-outs from a night nurse, who stayed with his baby so they could get some sleep. Not so relatable...
Recommended for readers who like memoirs about someone climbing the ladder to their dreams. Fans of Sebastian may want to stick to watching his stand up routines.
He's not everyone's cup of tea but he's another oNe that always cheers me up. Enjoyed hearing about his life and what he learned/picked up on along the way.
Literature this is not. But I always enjoy hearing people’s stories. And this guy is hilarious. The book not so much but watch his stand-up - he’s hilarious.
I've been a big Sebastian Maniscalco fan for years and was super excited to find out he was writing a book. One of the main reasons i love his comedy so much, is that he comes across as so relatable. He talks about his dysfunctional Italian family - a subject i completely relate to - a lot, and I challenge you to find a more visually funny comic around (watch one of his Showtime specials, or just one of his clips on You Tube and you'll see what i mean). Having said all that, i was slightly worried how his brand of humor would translate into a book. The answer to that is, while not exactly seamless and perfect....it still ended up being a funny, charming look at his life and career.
Probably the best parts from this book were the tidbits about his life he never talks about in interviews, or in his act (his parents sudden divorce after almost 40 years of marriage, the 2 miscarriages he and his wife endured before the birth of their daughter). In those sections, while not told in great detail, he shows a different side of his personality that his fans rarely if ever see. The fact that this was written more as a memoir than just as a typical collection of essays also worked in his favor, since SM is a born storyteller.
My only issue with the book, were the times Maniscalco came off sounding more cocky and arrogant than just the larger than life comedian we see onstage. Possibly these sections just didn't translate to the page as they would have if he had just been working them into his act. But they did pop up, especially towards the end, and were distracting.
Would i recommend this to people not already familiar with his work? Not really. I would instead suggest watching one of his specials, or even better....seeing him live on stage, to watch him truly shine.
Overall, this was an enjoyable look into the life and mind of one of the best comics out there.
I love Sebastian Maniscalco's stand-up. It's fun, hilarious and is far too relatable sometimes. I have family members who are Italian, so seeing Sebastian do spot on impressions of my family really makes me smile. Before the pandemic started, I had bought tickets to one of his shows. Unfortunately, I've never had the chance since to go see him live (which I saved up for YEARS to be able to go on a vacation and see a comedian live), but I'm sure eventually that opportunity will pop up again. For now, I will enjoy his specials on Netflix and grin as I watched him on my tv.
This book is a biography of Sebastian's life. It's a great read if you're interested in how he got to where he is today. His struggles, his family, and his work are all littered throughout the book. It was inspiring to read about how hard he worked and how he didn't just magically become famous. Sebastian had to work very hard to get where he is today. I had no idea all of his back story, so it made me very proud of him! Life anywhere it tough, but seeing him stick through it and do the hard work made me realize we're all in a similar boat. We all have to work hard, and some people just get lucky really early on.
His comments about his wife and kid made me smile too. He obviously loves his family! In many biographies I've read, the family always seems to be a source of "getting in the way" or "they totally helped my career take off." This book wasn't like that. Sebastian shared how he loves his family and funny anecdotes of being a new parent, or facing struggles with your significant other by your side. They didn't feel like accessories to the story - they are apart of his story.
I will say - if you read this book and haven't watched Sebastian live, - do it. Sebastian's comedy style has a lot of facial emotions and body language. The book is fantastic and you can totally hear him when you read it, but it's nothing without those visual cues. His comedy is hilarious, but the physical movements he portrays up the value by significant amounts.
Overall, this is a relatable memoir from a spectacular comedian. Sebastian Maniscalco has only just started, so you can be sure there will be more laughs and jokes to come. I can't wait to read the next memoir, to hear about his crazy family or wild tour hijinks.
The Bad: In serious need of an editor, or maybe just an honest friend, to say, hey Sebastian, plz don't bore the poor readers to death with wedding, childbirth and diet details. If you can't make it relevant, make it funny, or wait another 20yrs to publish.
The Good: The beginning was ok, and the netflix special with the same name is HILARIOUS.
I really wanted to love this book. I’ve been a fan of Mr. Maniscalco’s since his first comedy skit aired...being Italian, about his age, and growing up in suburbs not far from his hometown, I identify with his comedy so closely. In fact, I’ve introduced many friends and family to it over the years. This book was interesting enough to keep me reading to the end, but I guess I was hoping for more. I wanted comedy. I not only found it mostly void of laughs, but also found myself wondering...what’s the point? I don’t care if he is part of a wine club or has a wife who picks out his wardrobe. I was hoping for more of the guy who thinks sorbet samplers are annoying and who still jokes about snot rings around the face when coming up for air from the pool. Ah, such is life. It would be helpful as a motivator to up and coming comics, but otherwise, seemed trivial. So disappointed!
I listened to Sebastian read his memior and it was so funny! I love his voices. He is another secret introverted shy guy who doesn't want to have to "sell" himself. He is old school and charming. I loved hearing about how he courted his now wife. His stories about her pregnancy were sweet and touching. All the previous reviewers questioning the "point" of this book...it's a memoir on how he got into comedy and his stories. It is an extension of his stand-up. From one cat to another, like he said, we recognize each other, I like this cat even more. He is funny. He is surprisingly emotionally expressive and I enjoyed learning more about him. There is an editing issue with the audible, but the story and presentation were excellent. Anyone who enjoys his comedy should read this book.
First of all I love Sebastian’s ability to make me laugh - he is probably the funniest comedian I have ever seen. My first experience was a you tube video of his bit on “when someone knocks on the door” - I nearly peed myself. Having had the opportunity to see him in Atlantic City was fantastic!
So reading his book was a must. While it wasn’t meant to be a laugh a minute read it had its numerous moments and was able to tell the reader his story and how he got to this point.
I was happy reading it and look forward to seeing him on stage soon!
If you’re a fan of Sebastian Maniscalco you’ll appreciate this memoir that chronicles the 20 years it has taken him to rise to his current level. If you don’t know who he is, read this book and appreciate his work ethic, his love for his family and his appreciation of everything he has accomplished. I listened to the audiobook, read by the author, which made it even more of a personal story.
Love Sebastian! One of my favourite comedians running and I hope to see him live soon. I love his style of comedy, appreciate his personal story (from waiter to top of the charts), and I’m obsessed with his podcast alongside Pete Correale.
This was a nice book that I cruised through. Some fun stories, good insight into who Sebastian is, and a few laughs. I’m always left wanting more with these short bio’s and would love an even deeper look into the behind-the-scenes. These bio’s feel a bit like a pamphlet on his life when we’re looking for a deeper read.
I recommend this book to any comedy lovers however. You’ll cruise through it.
This was a fun read. I enjoyed learning about Sebastian's life story and his continual pursuit of a comedy career. The book is just a funny read, and I actually started to laugh out loud with chapter 8 - The Dry Swallow. This was just a plain fun book.
Like most of American Maniscalco has been my favorite comedian for years (youtube Sebastian Maniscalco navy seals). Stay Hungry is the authors story of his early start when he was paying boxing rings and bowling alleys, working as a bartender to now to selling out Radio City and other huge venues, reaching the ultimate pinnacles of comedy success. I have been looking forward to this book ever since I knew it was in the works and it did not disappoint. If at all possible, listen to the book on audio for the fullest effect.
My "read" shelf isn't exactly littered with biographies, memoirs and autobiographies. There are a few scattered about here and there--and others such as infamous figures like Andrew Jackson and Ty Cobb I navigated to no avail. There's something about celebrity and notoriety that is immaterial to me, unbecoming almost. Certainly talent is inspiring, but talent wears many masks. I am as likely to be impressed by a street performing blues guitarist as an Oscar winning actor as a halftime show contortionist. That being said, full disclosure, I was compelled to pick up this book because this particular celebrity, Sebastian Maniscalco, lived a mere two blocks down from me in Arlington Heights, Illinois, a place mentioned several times in the book. Now, you'll have to pardon the name-dropping in the review here but it's relevant to the write up. While I was not a close friend of Sebastian's, we hung in similar enough circles to play pick up football and end up on the same freshman B basketball team at Rolling Meadows High School. Why add this? In reading the book, I realized, the voice coming through in the text was clearly not ghostwritten. It was authentic and genuine; every story true, names accurate. The same guy I remember from school, remarkably quiet back then, brilliantly mixed humility and self-deprecation with some reserved arrogance. It really is, I believe, a Midwestern and in a lot of ways, a Chicagoan thing. The book really leaves nothing out in his quest to make it as a stand up comic in LA, leaving Illinois after college basically with nothing but some savings. Every misstep is included. Congrats to a Holmes Middle School and RMHS grad for working hard and being successful, and for not forgetting your roots. Thanks for dropping a John Papadia and an Ed Lobenhofer and for not forgetting about Fuddrucker's. Well done Seb.
I found this comedian flipping through the stand up comedy section of Netflix. I really enjoyed the special and so I searched for more specials. I, so far have seen 4/5 of his specials. Still need to see his very first one “Sebastian Live”. The four are still on Netflix I believe. I’ve seen them all multiple times. I even watched 3 during the reading of this memoir.
Speaking of this book, I didn’t even know this book existed until I was browsing the memoir section of Book Outlet. I’m happy I bought it. I love how down to earth this man is. I’m 8 years younger, but I definitely had the same upbringing. You worked young. I painted fences, mowed the grass and babysat since I was 9. Growing up in Hawaii poor you did what you could for the family. My grandpa taught me about work ethic. He said you always went into work if the boss called cause someone was sick. You were always dressed to impress. Each job was a reflection of you and your upbringing. Don’t embarrass us.
Stay Hungry has a great moral. I really enjoyed learning about how Sebastian got his start and his obstacles along the way. I’m also such a huge fan of comedy thanks to my late nights with my father. Almost every comic Sebastian talks about In this book, I have seen their specials countless times.
I highly recommend if you like memoirs and comics!
I haven’t seen him in person but love Sebastian Maniscalco’s comedy— I think he’s hilarious. I don’t remember how I happened across this book but I got it because I like his work. I started reading it and I thought hmmm, I dunno. I’m kind of new to Audible and I decided I think I’d rather listen to him than read it, so that’s what I did. I think if some people read/listen expecting a boatload of comedy that’s not what they’re going to get and they’ll be disappointed. Instead it’s about his incredible work ethic, his life, and how he came to be who he is today. I was pleasantly surprised that I didn’t read a book about excesses in sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll (yay! not my cup of tea). That’s not who he is. He’s a a workaholic with the eye on the prize — focused and driving. I thought it was interesting it frequently read (okay I listened to it) like a leadership book imparting skills for success. Impressive guy.
I’ve been watching his comedy for a few years and besides being the best comedian around in my opinion, apparently he is also a writer among many other things. This book is a funny, honest, inspiring, touching and heartfelt look into his life from the beginning. He really wasn’t just an overnight sensation. He worked damn hard to get to where he is now and that is very admirable. I look forward to seeing much more of his work/success! It’s a must read if you’re a fan!
I love this guy, but only liked the book. Enjoyed hearing his rise to fame ! Loved all the Italian references since we share that ethnicity. His family stories were very funny and I like how he gave guidelines to life throughout the book. Very funny.
I really took his advice because I am indeed currently hungry! But this book was quite the easy read, and I always find regular guy to stardom journeys fascinating.
I love Sebastian's humor and have been fortunate to see him perform live. The book was an interesting look into his path to fame. Biggest takeaways are his extremely impressive work ethic (should be mandatory reading for youth who are looking for easy climb to success) and his love of family.
A few years ago I heard Sebastian Maniscalco's bit about your doorbell ringing twenty years ago versus what happens when it rings today and I thought it was hilarious. As I heard more of his comedy I thought, "That guy's accent sounds familiar." Sure enough, he was born and raised in the Chicago area. He's a really funny guy and he has been at it a long time. I asked for and received his autobiography this past Christmas.
Maniscalco tells a good story of his life, constantly stressing how his work ethic and optimism got him where he is today, but he doesn't hesitate to share his missteps and failings and times when, by his own admission, his ego may have gotten the best of him. The book has funny parts, but it's not your typical comedian's book. That is, its primary purpose is to tell you his story, not necessarily to make you laugh.
Stay Hungry is worth reading if you're interested in comedy or a fan of Maniscalco's. It's nice to know that there are humble, hard-working, down-to-Earth people out there in Hollywood that have earned what their success. I anxiously await Maniscalo's new special!
Fun read! Sebastian takes readers through his life story from humble beginnings growing up in Chicago to how he spent his early 20's in Los Angeles waiting tables and cutting his teeth at Open Mic Nites to finally making it to the big time doing stand-up comedy tours around the country and occasionally appearing in Hollywood films and TV shows.
Sebastian also walks through his personal life. After reading this book, I came to admire his strong work ethic, the difficult sacrifices he made to get his career off the ground, and his never give-up attitude.
My favorite parts of this book were his stories of meeting and touring with comedy legend Andrew Dice Clay and movie star Vince Vaughn. Another highlight for me was his friendship with funnyman Jerry Seinfeld and Sebastian's appearance on Jerry's comedians in cars show. The book was definitely entertaining, but not what I'd call hilarious. He does mention a few bits from his stand-up act (which are indeed funny and available on YouTube), but most of the book is not a laugh out loud experience. In any case, it is entertaining and worth the read.