The Playboy Interviews: The Comedians

by Stephen Randall, Playboy Enterprises

For fifty years, Playboy has been asking the candid questions, letting the comedians give a straight response. In this collection of The Playboy Interviews, Jim Carrey talks about life in Hollywood, and George Carlin talks about life in the fast lane. Jon Stewart tackles politics as humor, while Jerry Seinfeld takes on the comedy of socks, sneakers, and cereal. Bill Cosby explains his position on race and entertainment, while Chris Rock tells about his big break. The Comedians digs deep into the heart of comedy, one of America's most vibrant art forms, offering a side-splitting chance to spend time with America's greatest wits.

448 pages, Paperback

First published September 17, 2007

Reviews

[Rob LeDonne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for Q&As and this was full of them with some of the brightest comedic minds ever. Where else can you read a book featuring Groucho Marx and Tina Fey? One aspect that was interesting was how they included multiple interviews with the same subjects through the years, showing how their point of view may have changed. There were so many great anecdotes and tidbits, including Chris Rock saying Lorne Michaels always told him you blow the first big money you've ever made. As a comedy fan, a lot of the insight I already knew. Having said that, at nearly 500 pages I did wind up getting restless; like reading a really long magazine. But I guess that's a given..

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sure, I knew it -- comedians are a depressing bunch -- so why was I so surprised to see it confirmed here? There's Steve Martin (defensive and prickly, unconvinced he ever deserved his success), Bill Cosby (as certain the White Guy was out to get him after his Cosby Show success as when he was a just-out-of-the-projects comic in the 60s), Jim Carrey (paranoid and skittish), and George Carlin (angry, then angrier). At least Carlin is consistent with his comic persona.

Other comics--Don Rickles, early Woody Allen, and Groucho--only speak in worn-out punchlines recycled from their acts. You have no more idea who these guys are post-interview than you did going in.

Thank God for Tina Fey. She at least seems like the sort you'd want to sit down and have coffee with.