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Living in Color: What's Funny About Me: Stories from In Living Color, Pop Culture, and the Stand-Up Comedy Scene of the 80s & 90s
In 1990, Tommy Davidson burst onto the scene in the Emmy Award-winning show In Living Color , a pioneering sketch comedy show, featuring a multi-racial cast of actors and dancers who spoke to an underrepresented new generation created by Hip Hop Nation.
A story of black excellence, in this revealing memoir, Tommy shares his unique perspective on making it in Hollywood, being an integral part of television history, on fame and family, and on living a life that has never been black and white—just funny and true . . .
Abandoned as an infant on the streets of Greenville, Mississippi, and rescued by a loving white family, Tommy Davidson spent most of his childhood unaware that he was different from his brother and sister. All that changed as he came of age in a society of racial barriers—ones that he was soon to help break. On a fledgling network, Tommy joined the cast of In Living Color , alongside other relative newcomers including Jim Carrey, Rosie Perez, Jamie Foxx and Jennifer Lopez—all united by an ingenious throng of Wayans siblings (Keenen, Damon, Kim, Shawn, and Marlon), poised to break new ground.
Now Tommy gives readers the never-before-told behind-the-scenes story of the first show born of the Hip Hop from its incredible rise, to his own creation of such unforgettable characters as Sweet Tooth Jones and dead-on impressions of Sammy Davis, Jr., Michael Jackson, M.C. Hammer and Sugar Ray Leonard, and appearing in such classic sketches as “Homie The Clown,” the “Hey Mon, family,” and the unforgettable “Ugly Woman,” through guest-star skirmishes (and black eyes) to backstage tensions and the eventual fall of this pop-culture touchstone. He reveals his own nascent career on the stand-up circuit with Adam Sandler, Jerry Seinfeld, Louie Anderson and performing with Eddie Murphy and Richard Pryor, as well as reflections on working with Spike Lee, Halle Berry, Sam Jackson, Chris Rock and Jada Pinkett Smith. And he also shares his very personal story of living with—and being inspired and empowered by—two distinct family histories.
Told with humor and hard-won honesty by a singular voice whose family and friendships help him navigate a life of personal and professional highs and lows, Living in Color is a bracing, illuminating, and remarkable success story.
An homage to the groundbreaking series In Living Color was featured in Bruno Mars’s music video for his hit song Finesse , a remixed collaboration with Cardi B. It was a loving tribute that exemplified the sustained cultural impact of the show, and now 90s kids can dig into their nostalgia through this humorous memoir of one of its stars!
A story of black excellence, in this revealing memoir, Tommy shares his unique perspective on making it in Hollywood, being an integral part of television history, on fame and family, and on living a life that has never been black and white—just funny and true . . .
Abandoned as an infant on the streets of Greenville, Mississippi, and rescued by a loving white family, Tommy Davidson spent most of his childhood unaware that he was different from his brother and sister. All that changed as he came of age in a society of racial barriers—ones that he was soon to help break. On a fledgling network, Tommy joined the cast of In Living Color , alongside other relative newcomers including Jim Carrey, Rosie Perez, Jamie Foxx and Jennifer Lopez—all united by an ingenious throng of Wayans siblings (Keenen, Damon, Kim, Shawn, and Marlon), poised to break new ground.
Now Tommy gives readers the never-before-told behind-the-scenes story of the first show born of the Hip Hop from its incredible rise, to his own creation of such unforgettable characters as Sweet Tooth Jones and dead-on impressions of Sammy Davis, Jr., Michael Jackson, M.C. Hammer and Sugar Ray Leonard, and appearing in such classic sketches as “Homie The Clown,” the “Hey Mon, family,” and the unforgettable “Ugly Woman,” through guest-star skirmishes (and black eyes) to backstage tensions and the eventual fall of this pop-culture touchstone. He reveals his own nascent career on the stand-up circuit with Adam Sandler, Jerry Seinfeld, Louie Anderson and performing with Eddie Murphy and Richard Pryor, as well as reflections on working with Spike Lee, Halle Berry, Sam Jackson, Chris Rock and Jada Pinkett Smith. And he also shares his very personal story of living with—and being inspired and empowered by—two distinct family histories.
Told with humor and hard-won honesty by a singular voice whose family and friendships help him navigate a life of personal and professional highs and lows, Living in Color is a bracing, illuminating, and remarkable success story.
An homage to the groundbreaking series In Living Color was featured in Bruno Mars’s music video for his hit song Finesse , a remixed collaboration with Cardi B. It was a loving tribute that exemplified the sustained cultural impact of the show, and now 90s kids can dig into their nostalgia through this humorous memoir of one of its stars!
256 pages, Hardcover
Published January 28, 2020
139 people are currently reading
2538 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
November 25, 2019
pretty funny and interesting at first, but I don't use or want to hear bad language and cusswords, so I certainly don't want to read them. I read about 40 pages and it was getting worse, so I'm done.
May 3, 2020
Wow, this book was bad! First, let me say I loved Tommy Davidson’s comedy, and I watched In Living Color faithfully, so I was really looking forward to reading this book. But instead of telling all about his life, he spent most of the chapters giving detailed synopses of every show and movie he’s ever been in. I’m sorry, but that’s what IMDB is for! Plus he gives more bio info for his co-stars than he does for himself. And I swear he had a beef with everyone he worked with. He’s had a rough life and has gone through things most of us can even imagine. It’s too bad he didn’t write more about all the tragedies he’s overcome and less time bad-mouthing everyone in Hollywood.
January 31, 2020
Anyone who was a teenager or older in the 90's probably watched In Living Color. Now one of the stars, Tommy Davidson tells his truth, from the way his adopted mother found him in a trash can, to his time on the show, his family life as well as his addictions. Mr. Davidson gives his truth, in a raw and honest way. I especially appreciated the way his mother made sure he knew the African American part of him (She did a much better job than Lynn's sister did on that episode of Girlfriends). He didn't seem to throw anyone under the bus, he just gave his honest truth. The way he felt and the way things happened through his eyes. I really enjoyed this book.
I received a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All Thoughts and opinions are my own.
I received a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All Thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 21, 2022
Something about this book rubs me the wrong way. Tommy Davidson is what I would call a 'cultural mulatto', meaning he isn't a person that is mixed, but shares a lot of his experiences akin to a mixed person due to his experience and his environment.
He starts the book off explaining how he was adopted by a woman who found him in a pile of garbage and how she shaped his life when it comes to social issues. Many of his jokes in the book aren't shaped or based on reality when it comes to certain groups of people based on his upbringing. There is a weird savior type of worship in my opinion that makes Tommy Davidson awkward when it comes to the race topic. He even writes the book in a way that is through the lens of a white gaze. This really isn't a fault of his, because this is how his world was shaped since a baby, but it's impossible to ignore if you are relatively conscious about race.
The highlight or what really carries this book is his experiences on the set of 'In Living Color' and working on the set with comedic legends Jim Carrey and Jamie Foxx. These parts of the book are what really stand out. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone under the age of 38, because a lot of the great parts of the book are based around movies and shows in the 90s and early 2000s.
He starts the book off explaining how he was adopted by a woman who found him in a pile of garbage and how she shaped his life when it comes to social issues. Many of his jokes in the book aren't shaped or based on reality when it comes to certain groups of people based on his upbringing. There is a weird savior type of worship in my opinion that makes Tommy Davidson awkward when it comes to the race topic. He even writes the book in a way that is through the lens of a white gaze. This really isn't a fault of his, because this is how his world was shaped since a baby, but it's impossible to ignore if you are relatively conscious about race.
The highlight or what really carries this book is his experiences on the set of 'In Living Color' and working on the set with comedic legends Jim Carrey and Jamie Foxx. These parts of the book are what really stand out. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone under the age of 38, because a lot of the great parts of the book are based around movies and shows in the 90s and early 2000s.
April 26, 2020
This memoir was way overdue! In Living Color was Tommy Davidson's big break. As an infant abandoned in the trash, discovered and raised by a white family, who stumbled into comedy as a child, this man has a deeply personal story to tell. This book was a blunt and honest revelation for a behind the scenes account of the 90s hit show. The book also briefly hints on Tommy Davidson's career as a whole, racism, nepotism in the industry, family life, and addiction. There was a lot to unpack with this one, but Tommy Davidson tells it in a way that will still make you laugh from time to time.
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I encourage you to check this out ( FYI, this contains explicit language here and there).
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I encourage you to check this out ( FYI, this contains explicit language here and there).
May 7, 2020
Its a vague look into his life. Fun to reminisce about funny ILC sketches, but the drama and work struggles seem irrelevant now (imo). He seems like a nice guy, but I can't recommend this one to friends.
January 21, 2020
In Tommy Davidson's LIVING IN COLOR, Davidson recounts his unique family structure and how it was for him as a child. He explains through the many talents of his young person how he enjoyed making people happy. Davidson's growth from his early days in standup to the comedic powerhouse he has become is covered in detail. Along the way, Davidson discusses how addiction, forgiveness, parenthood, and loyalty shaped the person he is now.
There is an overarching feeling throughout the book that Davidson, without much bravado or arrogance, knew he was talented as a comedian from his early days in the business. He respectfully refrains from trying to rank himself amongst other funny celebrities and in fact spends plenty of time praising their talent throughout the book. Even people who Davidson has conflicted with, he still shows reverence to their comedic craft. This book is told from a very real and gritty place. Davidson constantly admits his faults and how they created setbacks and raising tension in the entertainment workplace he was in at a given time. He does point a few fingers as to problems others created, but the maliciousness and anger are kept to a minimum. There are some really great and unique stories from his years in the industry.
Certainly for fans of Davidson and the In Living Color series, but really for anyone interested in reading about a one-of-a-kind life like the one Davidson has lived, you won't be disappointed with LIVING IN COLOR. It was a real treat to read.
Thank you to Kensington Books, Tommy Davidson, and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion!
There is an overarching feeling throughout the book that Davidson, without much bravado or arrogance, knew he was talented as a comedian from his early days in the business. He respectfully refrains from trying to rank himself amongst other funny celebrities and in fact spends plenty of time praising their talent throughout the book. Even people who Davidson has conflicted with, he still shows reverence to their comedic craft. This book is told from a very real and gritty place. Davidson constantly admits his faults and how they created setbacks and raising tension in the entertainment workplace he was in at a given time. He does point a few fingers as to problems others created, but the maliciousness and anger are kept to a minimum. There are some really great and unique stories from his years in the industry.
Certainly for fans of Davidson and the In Living Color series, but really for anyone interested in reading about a one-of-a-kind life like the one Davidson has lived, you won't be disappointed with LIVING IN COLOR. It was a real treat to read.
Thank you to Kensington Books, Tommy Davidson, and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion!
October 28, 2020
Entertaining memoir from comedian/actor Tommy Davidson (In Living Color, Strictly Business, The Proud Family).
February 6, 2020
Tommy Davidson's memoir is a deeply emotional, inspiring and uplifting discovery of himself. The challenges that he faced throughout his life made him the person that he is today. Davidson gives readers a glimpse of what happened during his years on the TV show "In Living Color.", his comedy roots, and a life of personal and professional highs and lows.
His past was a emotional one, he was abandoned as an Infant on the streets of Greenville, Mississippi, and rescued by a loving white family, he spent most of his childhood unaware that he was different from his siblings. Davidson shares his personal story of living with and being inspired and empowered by two distinct family histories. This two quotes was inspiring and empowering to me:
"To me, "black" is not a color. It's a cultural phenomenon." and "For me, my comedy, my art, my life, is not putting people down, it's about bringing people together, Finding what we all know, but don't always say." Thank you Tommy Davidson for your humor and sharing your personal story with the world.
His past was a emotional one, he was abandoned as an Infant on the streets of Greenville, Mississippi, and rescued by a loving white family, he spent most of his childhood unaware that he was different from his siblings. Davidson shares his personal story of living with and being inspired and empowered by two distinct family histories. This two quotes was inspiring and empowering to me:
"To me, "black" is not a color. It's a cultural phenomenon." and "For me, my comedy, my art, my life, is not putting people down, it's about bringing people together, Finding what we all know, but don't always say." Thank you Tommy Davidson for your humor and sharing your personal story with the world.
August 26, 2020
Very revealing and interesting read.
Enjoyed reading the book! Highly recommended. There are currently some comedians with more fame than Tommy, but none of them are funnier, in my personal opinion.
Enjoyed reading the book! Highly recommended. There are currently some comedians with more fame than Tommy, but none of them are funnier, in my personal opinion.
June 14, 2025
Real raw deep dive into his life. Appreciate his vulnerability to share, connect, unpack, his identity/ race and overall grasp a better understanding of him as a human. One hell of a story and upbringing as an adopted child found in the garbage alleyway. It’s one thing to see it in movies, but knowing that was his circumstance, hit different; despite the odds he still paved away for himself. One of the greats comedy has been blessed with. 💯
March 24, 2020
What a fun book! It was great to be reminded of classic "In Loving Color" sketches like "Homey the Clown" and "Fire Marshall Bill" (and I had to check them out on YouTube to laugh again). And I appreciated hearing about the behind-the-scenes look at the show and other aspects of Davidson's career.
April 6, 2020
Nice bio. It has its moments. There are times I couldnt help but laugh. Tommy Davidson even has a great sense of humor when writing about his life. It tells of is childhood and all hes been thru. He tells what it was like when he was doing In Living Color.
March 9, 2020
LOVE THIS autobiography.
It was simple and to the point. It wasnt alot of name dropping nor was it putting alot of poeple down and making himself look good. Just telling his life from his point of view.
He's a very good story teller.
It was simple and to the point. It wasnt alot of name dropping nor was it putting alot of poeple down and making himself look good. Just telling his life from his point of view.
He's a very good story teller.
August 22, 2025
I've always liked Tommy Davidson. I hate that he had to go through so much, but he has come out strong. I appreciated his vulnerability and honesty. It cannot be easy to do that when you are in the spotlight. Coodos
May 6, 2020
This was really good. I always liked Tommy from his time on In Living Color. He definitely spills some behind the scenes tea from the show. It was interesting to hear about his upbringing and how his drug addiction. Despite it all he is still with us and still making many laugh. I love to see it!
May 5, 2020
Great self-biography of Tommy's life filled with alot of adversity.
August 17, 2020
Login color
Mr Davidson holds nothing back,funny honest real reminds people of not what one person heart can do in saving someone's life and transforms your world and outcome excellent bio open book
Mr Davidson holds nothing back,funny honest real reminds people of not what one person heart can do in saving someone's life and transforms your world and outcome excellent bio open book
January 14, 2020
In this book, Tommy Davidson talks about his life. He talks about how he was adopted, his accomplishments, his career, racism and his struggle with addictions. All in all i give this book five stars.
Here is why: First i love to read stories like this that are written by celebrities because it gives us a chance to see their true selves. He was on in Living color from the start of it until it ended. i re watched some of the episodes and it was a good idea because i needed a laugh. lastly, Whenever i read memoirs or autobiographies i always look for the pictures in them because i love to see how they grow up to where they are now. i have to say he has not changed his looks which is really good.
I am glad I got the chance to receive this as an advanced copy from netgalley. i recommend this book to anyone :)
August 30, 2020
Tommy Davidson is an interesting individual. There are humorous parts of the book, but this is not a book of laughs. It’s a book of learning how his art of making people laugh came to be. It’s not what I was expecting but very much worth the read.
November 26, 2020
I enjoyed this book. I couldn't put it down. This book wasn't funny to me. If you like shows like In Living Color, Saturday Night Live and MAD TV then this book will probably be funny for you. Comedians on stage and shows like Saturday Night Live and In Living Color are okay but I prefer a funny tv show, book or movie.
I thought this book was entertaining, but not funny. I did laugh out loud during one part of the book. The part when Tommy guest starred on a tv show and he accidentally knocked one of the actors teeth out - that part made me literally laugh out loud. Then I felt bad, because someones teeth were knocked out... but it was funny!
Of course I have heard of the tv show In Living Color and the actor Tommy Davidson. Would I have read this book if I didn't? I am not sure. But I am not a "fan" of Tommy Davidson or a “fan” of In Living Color. I learned so much about his life from this book, and about the tv shows and movies he has been in. I still plan to Google him because I have some unanswered questions.
I plan to watch a couple of movies he has been in, some of his stand up shows he mentioned in the book and I want to see the episodes of Martin, and Roc that he guest starred in.
What had me sucked in the book from the very beginning was when he thought he came out of his adoptive mothers body. He was about five years old. He didn’t know yet that he had been adopted. He mentioned that animals have different colored babies and that is what he thought happened to him. He thought his white mother had two white children and one black child. He thought human mothers have different colored babies. This does make since. He did have a point. I think some humans do have different colored children sometimes. Do you remember the black and white twins? So I understand why he would feel this way. I do like the idea of referring to people as brown and peach because calling people black and white never made since to me. What about the people of other ethnicities? What about the people who are not white or black? Why do we call only black and white people black and white? People have brown and peach colored skin, not black and white skin. I went to Google and I did see that some people have black skin. Maybe some people might have white skin. I personally have never seen anyone in person with white colored skin or black colored skin.
This book was entertaining and informative. I really enjoyed it. It would have been nice to laugh but that’s okay that I didn’t. I recently read a book with laugh in the title that I regret reading, and it didn’t make me laugh at all. This book was much better than that one.
I thought this book was entertaining, but not funny. I did laugh out loud during one part of the book. The part when Tommy guest starred on a tv show and he accidentally knocked one of the actors teeth out - that part made me literally laugh out loud. Then I felt bad, because someones teeth were knocked out... but it was funny!
Of course I have heard of the tv show In Living Color and the actor Tommy Davidson. Would I have read this book if I didn't? I am not sure. But I am not a "fan" of Tommy Davidson or a “fan” of In Living Color. I learned so much about his life from this book, and about the tv shows and movies he has been in. I still plan to Google him because I have some unanswered questions.
I plan to watch a couple of movies he has been in, some of his stand up shows he mentioned in the book and I want to see the episodes of Martin, and Roc that he guest starred in.
What had me sucked in the book from the very beginning was when he thought he came out of his adoptive mothers body. He was about five years old. He didn’t know yet that he had been adopted. He mentioned that animals have different colored babies and that is what he thought happened to him. He thought his white mother had two white children and one black child. He thought human mothers have different colored babies. This does make since. He did have a point. I think some humans do have different colored children sometimes. Do you remember the black and white twins? So I understand why he would feel this way. I do like the idea of referring to people as brown and peach because calling people black and white never made since to me. What about the people of other ethnicities? What about the people who are not white or black? Why do we call only black and white people black and white? People have brown and peach colored skin, not black and white skin. I went to Google and I did see that some people have black skin. Maybe some people might have white skin. I personally have never seen anyone in person with white colored skin or black colored skin.
This book was entertaining and informative. I really enjoyed it. It would have been nice to laugh but that’s okay that I didn’t. I recently read a book with laugh in the title that I regret reading, and it didn’t make me laugh at all. This book was much better than that one.
January 28, 2020
Living in Color by Tommy Davidson with Tom Teicholz is honest and candid without being sordid or mean-spirited. There are some revealing details and a few behind the scenes tidbits that will probably result in some bruised egos but nothing likely to cause any great scandal.
Comedian Tommy Davidson came to prominence in the late '80s and early '90s during a time when stand-up comedy was experiencing an all time high due in part to major societal and cultural changes. He also had significant involvement in a television show that was at the forefront of a new movement, a movement of inclusion, one that gave notice of intent that changes were being made to the face of entertainment and that the face it reflected was no longer such a homogenized mix of predictability. Hip hop culture was breaking through to the mainstream and shaking things up.
The fact that Davidson was a young black man raised in a loving white family made him uniquely qualified to be a representative part of that cultural shift.
I'm not really a major fan of Tommy Davidson. I'm not the opposite of that either - I have nothing at all against the man. I think he is very talented. It's just that seeing his name attached to something (movie, concert, TV show) doesn't immediately make it a "must see" for me. I picked up this book because I remember In Living Color as having a subversive, irreverent sensibility and thought it might be a fun read. It wasn't bad.
There is the linear stuff. His origins from a baby that had literally been put out with the garbage to his rise as a stand-up (sharing the same bill with both Richard Pryor and Eddie Murphy on the same night!) on into television and film success with all the bumps and setbacks along the way.
Then there are sort of random parts about this, that and the other. Some of the legends he met and worked with, struggles with addiction, anecdotes and whatnot. Sometimes the "grateful for everything" " glad my life is finally in order" stuff gets a little overplayed. I am truly happy for the man but it gets to the point where it's a bit like trying to escape from a recently converted missionary who is overcome with wanting you to share in their revelation.
The book was interesting. I liked it ok.
I suspect some will find it too tame (not gossipy enough) while others will take issue with some of the more racial content (racial NOT racist). If you want to be offended you probably will be. If you want to be disappointed you might be. If you're looking for an interesting story about a truly unique individual and the experiences he had making television shows and movies then this might just be the one for you.
There is rough language. F-bombs, racial jargon, etc. (Honestly, if Richard Pryor told you "You is a funny %#&*!?% " wouldn't you share it? I'd get a tattoo of it!)
***Thanks to NetGalley, Kensington Books, and authors Tommy Davidson; Tom Teicholz for providing me with a free digital copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
Comedian Tommy Davidson came to prominence in the late '80s and early '90s during a time when stand-up comedy was experiencing an all time high due in part to major societal and cultural changes. He also had significant involvement in a television show that was at the forefront of a new movement, a movement of inclusion, one that gave notice of intent that changes were being made to the face of entertainment and that the face it reflected was no longer such a homogenized mix of predictability. Hip hop culture was breaking through to the mainstream and shaking things up.
The fact that Davidson was a young black man raised in a loving white family made him uniquely qualified to be a representative part of that cultural shift.
I'm not really a major fan of Tommy Davidson. I'm not the opposite of that either - I have nothing at all against the man. I think he is very talented. It's just that seeing his name attached to something (movie, concert, TV show) doesn't immediately make it a "must see" for me. I picked up this book because I remember In Living Color as having a subversive, irreverent sensibility and thought it might be a fun read. It wasn't bad.
There is the linear stuff. His origins from a baby that had literally been put out with the garbage to his rise as a stand-up (sharing the same bill with both Richard Pryor and Eddie Murphy on the same night!) on into television and film success with all the bumps and setbacks along the way.
Then there are sort of random parts about this, that and the other. Some of the legends he met and worked with, struggles with addiction, anecdotes and whatnot. Sometimes the "grateful for everything" " glad my life is finally in order" stuff gets a little overplayed. I am truly happy for the man but it gets to the point where it's a bit like trying to escape from a recently converted missionary who is overcome with wanting you to share in their revelation.
The book was interesting. I liked it ok.
I suspect some will find it too tame (not gossipy enough) while others will take issue with some of the more racial content (racial NOT racist). If you want to be offended you probably will be. If you want to be disappointed you might be. If you're looking for an interesting story about a truly unique individual and the experiences he had making television shows and movies then this might just be the one for you.
There is rough language. F-bombs, racial jargon, etc. (Honestly, if Richard Pryor told you "You is a funny %#&*!?% " wouldn't you share it? I'd get a tattoo of it!)
***Thanks to NetGalley, Kensington Books, and authors Tommy Davidson; Tom Teicholz for providing me with a free digital copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
August 7, 2020
Great memoir of sorts! Great to learn about such a great comedy icon from the 90s. I enjoyed learning about his upbringing and his career. His story also shows how important it is to get therapy to resolve underlined issues from childhood to avoid major issues.
December 30, 2024
This book was equally as funny as it was heartbreaking and inspiring. I listened to the Audible version and hearing his story in his own words hit me in a way I was not expecting.
July 24, 2020
A quick and easy read. Being a huge fan of In Living Color, I decided to read Tommy’s story. I am glad I did!!! A really good story. Amazing on where he came from to what he accomplished! Just read it!
January 21, 2020
This memoir from one of the funniest comedians of all time, Tommy Davidson, delves into not only his time on In Living Color, but deeper into his life. From his rather tragic childhood - being literally picked up out of the trash to his drive to comedy stardom, Davidson holds no punches.
Some of the other reviews mention language and racial issues....what did you think you were going to read? This isn't a fluff piece with funny backstage stories. This is the story of a man, living in American today. This is the story of a hard worker who still, even years after success, still has to deal with racial issues. Not wanting to read about something doesn't mean it doesn't happen. Tommy Davidson does an excellent job of being open about everything.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and Tommy Davidson for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Some of the other reviews mention language and racial issues....what did you think you were going to read? This isn't a fluff piece with funny backstage stories. This is the story of a man, living in American today. This is the story of a hard worker who still, even years after success, still has to deal with racial issues. Not wanting to read about something doesn't mean it doesn't happen. Tommy Davidson does an excellent job of being open about everything.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and Tommy Davidson for the opportunity to read and review this book.
April 20, 2020
Good read
Although due to the pandemic it took me longer to read still getting used to online reading I am now complete. This book truly broke down the life of Tommy from beginning wow to the present. I learned a lot of things about the young entertainer and so it was a good read especially the behind the scenes In Living Color stories.
Although due to the pandemic it took me longer to read still getting used to online reading I am now complete. This book truly broke down the life of Tommy from beginning wow to the present. I learned a lot of things about the young entertainer and so it was a good read especially the behind the scenes In Living Color stories.
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March 3, 2023Living In Color
Reading this took me back. I want I now want to go back and watch all the seasons of In Living Color. I have some episodes. For a minute, it was on Hulu. Tho I’m not quite sure they had all the complete seasons. This is what I learned about Tommy Davidson.
1.
Tommy Davidson’s birth name is Anthony Reed and was found by his adopted mother Barbara as an infant with his foot sticking out of a trash can.
As I’ve read these celebrity bios, it’s always stuck out to me how God-awful these “fathers” were. (I use that word loosely). But I’m starting to see in some of the biographies I’ve read (Mariah Carey, Tashera Simmons, I Tina) interestingly, some of the mother’s weren’t that much better. So, I guess it wasn’t *just* the men and how they were raised (as my friend told me)
2. In the past Tommy Davidson stole and did drugs as a teenager and during and after In Living Color.
You just never know. Reading these autobiographies just proves it over and over and over about the hardships people face before we see them on television, or on videos, or hear their voices on the radio, or see them do an act at a comedy show. I was shocked to find out that Tommy said that he’d been abused by men as a small kid, that a police put his gun in his mouth and put his vicious dog in his face, and that he got hit in the head by someone with a cinder block. Because I’ve always been sheltered and protected sometimes it’s hard to wrap my head around these kinds of extremes in life.
3. Tommy Davidson initially said no to In Living Color
I just find it interesting that half the time (most of the time) when you read auto-biographies some of the things that BLOW UP the most, the main star involved usually doesn’t want anything to do with it and turns it down at first. Then someone has to go back and press them to do it and then it’s a HUGE success.
4. It talks about the most popular skits and how some of them came to be made.
Even though I hadn’t watched In Livng Color in many years (and this is even with having some of the shows recorded) I could remember practically all the skits he’d described. If you don’t know what In Living Color was it was a television show with a predominately black cast that did spoofs (skits) that made fun of pop culture and famous celebrities. Between the skits were dancers “The Fly Girls” and sometimes they’d have performances by up-and-coming stars.
5. Puff and Tupac were the background dancers when Heavy Dee preformed “If You Can’t See What I Can see” on In Living Color
I just may have to go back and see if I have this one. As hard as I try to see it I just can’t. Puff maybe Tupac as a background dancer NAH! This is one of those things I have to actually see to believe.
6. A few people weren’t so happy with the skits (Spike Lee, Arsenio Hall)
At the time, I didn’t think about this because they were just funny. I was brought up to have a tough shell and in time I learned not to care when family members would tease me for certain things. BUT I can see where some of the skits might be considered a little mean-spirited by the celebrities they goofed on. I probably would have seen the twisted humor in it tho and laughed it off and not took it too seriously;u.
7. This book did NOT make Keenan Ivory Wayans look good. In fact, it made him come off as a jerk.
He didn’t have a lot of time for other people's problems. He had a mean cold side. If your lasr name wasn’t Wayans you didn’t get your sketches on the show. He turned a happy, creative, workplace into a place where some of the original cast felt neglected and didn’t get invited to events. He shunned Tommy Davidson when stepped out on his own to do the movie Strictly Business. He replaced him (Davidson) with Jamie Foxx and constantly let him harass him on set
8. Jamie Foxx also sounded like a jerk.
But then again, I always got the impression that he was kind of full of himself so this really wasn’t a surprise. I heard somewhere he doesn’t even let you look at him.
9. Tommy Davidson claims he was abducted by aliens and that’s as true as he spent a year going from rehab to rehab.
Umm YEEEAH okaaay. Was he still under the influence when he included this part. I REALLY would have left that out1
10. There were some shows mentioned I’d either forgotten he was in or didn’t pay attention to at the time.
In mentioned he was in ROC as a homeless man with a pregnant wife. He was also on Martin and played Vernell. I’d also known him as the voice of Oscar on The Proud Family (the animated series). He also made Martin sound like a jerk (by the way he treated his cast). He says “this happens” as a way of celebrities having overinflated ego’s BUT I don’t think this always *has* to be the case. Some of them *do* stay humble and grounded, I also didn’t remember him being in Cell Block 4
11. He talked about his close friendship with Jada Pinkett and how he and Will Smith almost came to blows over an unrehearsed kiss.
Why the hell would Will Smith AN ACTOR whose been in TELEVISION and MOVIES get pissed off over a screen kiss? I’m sure by this point he’d had his share of love scenes that involved a kiss so this was NO EXCUSE and made no sense. Reading this made me think COME ON WILL! I KNOOOW YOU KNOW BETTER THAN THAT! But It’s really starting to show that he’s VERY OVER PROTECTIVE when it comes to Jadea Pinkett Smith.
12. Last but not least he mentions the charity work he’s been involved in. Such as getting involved with everything from Habitat For Humanity to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. He’s worked with the OK program which saves young, black kids from gangs and drug use through mentorship programs. And he’s entertained troops globally.
Rating: 10
May 12, 2020
It'll keep you hooked
I happened to get this book as a freebie, but from page one to now, it sucked me in and once I liked to miss a whole night sleep. This was one cool, sobering, interesting book. One thing I loved is how he try not to bash the stars he was with through the years. That isn't easy but he kept it positive and nothing but love for this Tommy.
I happened to get this book as a freebie, but from page one to now, it sucked me in and once I liked to miss a whole night sleep. This was one cool, sobering, interesting book. One thing I loved is how he try not to bash the stars he was with through the years. That isn't easy but he kept it positive and nothing but love for this Tommy.
May 15, 2020
I won this book at a giveaway from Goodreads. I was interested in this book because I always liked his comedy and the work he did on television and movies. It was interesting to find out his background, the things that drove him, and the things he did to almost break his career. It’s well written and it’s not super long or boring at all. Overall, I enjoyed the book.
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