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Buddy Babylon: The Autobiography of Buddy Cole
His outrageous monologues made him a legend on tv's The Kids in the Hall. Now he's back--with the life story only he could tell.
"My goal is not to shock and horrify, but to tell the truth. And if that truth shocks and horrifies, well . . . maybe you should get out more."
Spinning martini-fueled tales from his stool in his favorite gay bar, acid-tongued raconteur Buddy Cole became one of The Kids in the Hall 's most beloved and enduring characters. Now, brought to you by Kids star Scott Thompson with series writer Paul Bellini, Buddy Babylon takes you on a jaw-dropping tour of Buddy's flashy, trashy life, filled with tales of poignant, heart-wrenching romance, lurid sexual debauchery, the birth of synchronized swimming, and the ugly, never-before-revealed truth behind the Prettiest Feet in Quebec contest.
Join Marco (Buddy's cosmetically challenged sidekick), Cornygirl (the loyal corncob doll who rarely leaves his side), and a cast of unforgettably offbeat characters as Buddy blazes a trail across the deep Canadian forest, through the darkest corners of the big city, and back to his signature barstool. From his humble beginnings as the twenty-third child of poor pig farmers, to his moment in the spotlight in the tabloids, Buddy Babylon lays bare a lifetime of madness, chaos, and things your mother warned you about--the essential Buddy Cole.
After Kids' six-year run on CBS, HBO, Comedy Central, and the CBC in Canada, Scott Thompson joined the cast of the critically acclaimed HBO series The Larry Sanders Show. He is also a frequent guest on Politically Incorrect and The Late Show, and continues to do stand-up comedy, which includes performances in the character of Buddy Cole.
"My goal is not to shock and horrify, but to tell the truth. And if that truth shocks and horrifies, well . . . maybe you should get out more."
Spinning martini-fueled tales from his stool in his favorite gay bar, acid-tongued raconteur Buddy Cole became one of The Kids in the Hall 's most beloved and enduring characters. Now, brought to you by Kids star Scott Thompson with series writer Paul Bellini, Buddy Babylon takes you on a jaw-dropping tour of Buddy's flashy, trashy life, filled with tales of poignant, heart-wrenching romance, lurid sexual debauchery, the birth of synchronized swimming, and the ugly, never-before-revealed truth behind the Prettiest Feet in Quebec contest.
Join Marco (Buddy's cosmetically challenged sidekick), Cornygirl (the loyal corncob doll who rarely leaves his side), and a cast of unforgettably offbeat characters as Buddy blazes a trail across the deep Canadian forest, through the darkest corners of the big city, and back to his signature barstool. From his humble beginnings as the twenty-third child of poor pig farmers, to his moment in the spotlight in the tabloids, Buddy Babylon lays bare a lifetime of madness, chaos, and things your mother warned you about--the essential Buddy Cole.
After Kids' six-year run on CBS, HBO, Comedy Central, and the CBC in Canada, Scott Thompson joined the cast of the critically acclaimed HBO series The Larry Sanders Show. He is also a frequent guest on Politically Incorrect and The Late Show, and continues to do stand-up comedy, which includes performances in the character of Buddy Cole.
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
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107 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 19, 2024
First thing's first - get the audiobook. It's written to be an audiobook, and Scott Thompson as Buddy Cole reading it makes this drag of a story infinitely easier to take. I recommend throwing it on 1.3 to 1.5 speed, because it barely feels like Buddy at the speed he reads it.
That aside, this still only gets a few stars. It has clever and funny bits peppered throughout the whole mass of anecdotes ranging from amusing childhood shenanigans, flings a-go-go, and downright absurd side-stories. But feels like they're breadcrumbs and small morsels amongst the whole thing, because it drags. It feels like they skipped editing; not in a grammar/syntax/etc way, but they just decided to keep EVERYTHING written, despite the uselessness of the scene. At one point, he has a handful of kids?? And they all get nosejobs that heal in a week. Why.
I definitely had some laugh-out-loud moments and a few chapters I felt invested in, but for the most part, the passing characters and half (or most of) the events are easily forgettable.
2.5 stars, but since Goodreads doesn't play by halfs, I'm rounding up, because come on, it's Buddy Cole.
That aside, this still only gets a few stars. It has clever and funny bits peppered throughout the whole mass of anecdotes ranging from amusing childhood shenanigans, flings a-go-go, and downright absurd side-stories. But feels like they're breadcrumbs and small morsels amongst the whole thing, because it drags. It feels like they skipped editing; not in a grammar/syntax/etc way, but they just decided to keep EVERYTHING written, despite the uselessness of the scene. At one point, he has a handful of kids?? And they all get nosejobs that heal in a week. Why.
I definitely had some laugh-out-loud moments and a few chapters I felt invested in, but for the most part, the passing characters and half (or most of) the events are easily forgettable.
2.5 stars, but since Goodreads doesn't play by halfs, I'm rounding up, because come on, it's Buddy Cole.
June 6, 2008
If you don't know Buddy Cole..move along. If you do know Buddy Cole you will love this book.
Honestly I was surprised how well written this was. Despite Buddy's TV skit claims of a adventurous life (parents as international diamond smugglers) the book shows him as a not necessarily, good Canadian gay boy. Don't get me wrong he does get up to his old hijinks with crazy characters and crazier situations. As always Scott Thompson uses Buddy Cole as a painfully sharp tool for social critique and yet still has fun. But there is more to him. Mixed among the one night stands and zippy one liners are long time lovers and deaths and all that real life stuff. Basically Scott Thompson does a great job of recreating the un-label-able-ness of Buddy Cole; a bitchy-loving, promiscuous-romantic, fem-alpha male.
My fav approximate Buddy quote, "In a crisis situation, fags will be the only ones not paying attention."
Honestly I was surprised how well written this was. Despite Buddy's TV skit claims of a adventurous life (parents as international diamond smugglers) the book shows him as a not necessarily, good Canadian gay boy. Don't get me wrong he does get up to his old hijinks with crazy characters and crazier situations. As always Scott Thompson uses Buddy Cole as a painfully sharp tool for social critique and yet still has fun. But there is more to him. Mixed among the one night stands and zippy one liners are long time lovers and deaths and all that real life stuff. Basically Scott Thompson does a great job of recreating the un-label-able-ness of Buddy Cole; a bitchy-loving, promiscuous-romantic, fem-alpha male.
My fav approximate Buddy quote, "In a crisis situation, fags will be the only ones not paying attention."
March 29, 2019
I remember watching Kids In The Hall at 2 in the morning on a local tv station and recording them on my vcr if I knew I wouldn't be able to stay up to watch them. Buddy was and still is one of my favorite reoccurring characters from the show.
Watching the show made you think that Buddy lived this glamours life and the tales he told were out of this world. Learning about his true past and where he came from makes you realize why he has a flair for the dramatic.
His discussion about gay culture, tinted with the threat of aids in the bath houses, and his marriage to a woman who is not who she seems to be wraps it up all nicely.
In fact Buddy talks about having a role in the movie "Millennium" and in real life Thompson had a line in the movie. Gotta love it.
Gay or not I think almost any open minded person can find humor in this book and get a real life view point of real life issues put into it.
Watching the show made you think that Buddy lived this glamours life and the tales he told were out of this world. Learning about his true past and where he came from makes you realize why he has a flair for the dramatic.
His discussion about gay culture, tinted with the threat of aids in the bath houses, and his marriage to a woman who is not who she seems to be wraps it up all nicely.
In fact Buddy talks about having a role in the movie "Millennium" and in real life Thompson had a line in the movie. Gotta love it.
Gay or not I think almost any open minded person can find humor in this book and get a real life view point of real life issues put into it.
May 26, 2018
I'm honestly sort of confused on why this book is poorly reviewed. I didn't grow up watching Bubby Babylon. I remember being a kid and catching a couple of episodes in the summer, I was real into sketch comedy at the time and found it great, but would never say I worshipped the show or this character.
This book is one of the funniest things I have ever read. I generally avoid comedy books because I find they can so often miss the mark, it's difficult to write an interesting and humorous narrative. The fictional biography is not only engrossing and filled with exaggeration like most autobiographies but is also so incredibly funny and weird. Reading this from the perspective of a queer Canadian boy makes it all the better. Buddy is all Canadian and apologetically queer. There are parts of the novel that are so over the top and in your face queer that it makes it all the better.
This book is one of the funniest things I have ever read. I generally avoid comedy books because I find they can so often miss the mark, it's difficult to write an interesting and humorous narrative. The fictional biography is not only engrossing and filled with exaggeration like most autobiographies but is also so incredibly funny and weird. Reading this from the perspective of a queer Canadian boy makes it all the better. Buddy is all Canadian and apologetically queer. There are parts of the novel that are so over the top and in your face queer that it makes it all the better.
June 10, 2007
This "autobiography" is hilarious start to finish I re-read it every so often and it always makes me laugh.
It may be weird but Scott Thompson's Buddy Cole character was a hugele important to me when I was growing up and watching Kids in the Hall, and even though he's not real he's one of the few queer men I consider an influence.
It may be weird but Scott Thompson's Buddy Cole character was a hugele important to me when I was growing up and watching Kids in the Hall, and even though he's not real he's one of the few queer men I consider an influence.
March 24, 2008
This is the gay bible, as far as I'm concerned. Scott Thompson and Buddy the Bartender (From Kids in the Hall) were the first gay role models that I encountered growing up. Not necessarily the first gay stereotype or gay character, but the first to be openly prideful and spriteful to anyone who dared question that. This book was given to me on my birthday by my gay role model, Patti.
May 8, 2011
I love Scott Thompson, and I love his character Buddy Cole. The Buddy Cole sketch was always my favorite on Kids in the Hall so I had high expectations for this book. It did not disappoint. It was funny, raunchy, and ridiculous. It is the perfect book to keep in your bathroom, right after Train Wreck: The life and death of Ana Nicole Smith.
June 27, 2014
I can't believe that I am about to say this...
I grew up watching the Kids in the Hall and Scott and Buddy have always been my favorites, but this book falls flat. Reading Buddy is not nearly as entertaining when Scott isn't there to bring him to fantastical life. I wanted to like this, but I just couldn't.
I grew up watching the Kids in the Hall and Scott and Buddy have always been my favorites, but this book falls flat. Reading Buddy is not nearly as entertaining when Scott isn't there to bring him to fantastical life. I wanted to like this, but I just couldn't.
January 23, 2009
A must read for fan's of Scott Thompson's "Buddy Cole" character from "Kid's in the Hall". It's all here -- from the humble beginnings to the meteoric rise to fame. I howled out loud!
July 7, 2013
Bawdy gay humor. Probably not for my Mormon friends.
January 16, 2018
Not as good as I was expecting. Funny in parts, and rather nostalgic now. If you love the character, you'll stick it to the end...so to speak.
April 29, 2021
If you know and appreciate Buddy Cole from "Kids in the Hall" you'll think this is hilarious.
July 28, 2022
One long Buddy Cole sketch but BETTER!!!!!
March 9, 2020
Surprisingly a fairly unfunny book by one of my favorite comedians. Was hoping for less of a blow by blow of the early years in a backwater Canadian town where the stories are rife with siblings (23 of them!) that I'll never remember and situations that were plainly absurd (prettiest feet pageant?). Quickly lost interest before he even made it to the big city to become the fabulous barfly that he is.
July 6, 2022
Buddy Cole is back!
I loved this book and the ONLY way to read it is through the wonderful story telling of Buddy himself! This book was highly entertaining. I found myself laughing out loud. In front of a bunch of ppl who didn’t know what the heck I was doing. Lol
I loved this book and the ONLY way to read it is through the wonderful story telling of Buddy himself! This book was highly entertaining. I found myself laughing out loud. In front of a bunch of ppl who didn’t know what the heck I was doing. Lol
May 6, 2024
The characters are many and the voices all so distinct and separate from each other. Pregnant with one liners and all of the babies have been put up for adoption. It’s as if John Waters signed on to write Jiminy Glick’s biography. Bonkers. And utterly Canadian. Recommend the audiobook.
April 22, 2023
a hilarious romp
Buddy Cole is a legend and delivers it all in this book! A perfect holiday read so easy to jump in and out of.
Buddy Cole is a legend and delivers it all in this book! A perfect holiday read so easy to jump in and out of.
December 30, 2016
Loved the show, love the character, love Scott's stand-up, but I can't recommend the book.
November 23, 2015
Buddy Cole, Thompson’s iconic character from the Canadian sketch comedy series “The Kids in the Hall,” dishes on his life and debauch adventures. Growing up on a pig farm in northern Quebec, Buddy was the last of 23 children. Everyone knew he was different from the very beginning. Outgrowing his childhood in a small town, Buddy wanted to pursue his dreams of being an actor and model. His ticket out of town came in the form of winning the Prettiest Feet in Quebec contest. Buddy then moved to Toronto where he met the colorful and trashy locals of the gay community. Hopping from bar to bar, drink to drink, and man to man, Buddy lives a life full of romance, raw sexuality, and the struggles of an inspiring artist.
Thompson is easily my favorite cast member of “The Kids in the Hall.” He was a very out homosexual man and, as a result, the show was very progressive for it’s time. Buddy Cole was his signature character. Buddy would be at the bar, martini in hand, and dish on that latest gossip and news. His monologues were always incredibly snarky and witty. Sure, the character of Buddy Cole embodied every stereotype associated with homosexual men. However, the approach of taking these stereotypes and reinforcing them to such extremes for comedic effects is actually quite progressive. It removes the hatred and vitriol that fuels discrimination. That was a common theme for many sketches in the show. Outside of the show, Thompson was a strong advocate for LGBT rights and continues that work to this day.
I often find books like this to be kind of boring and not very funny. And that is disappointing if I like the original source material. However, this book was incredibly funny and refreshing with a nice pace that didn’t exhaust a theme or the reader. After every book, I do some research. “Buddy Babylon” was not a very popular book. That is disappointing, but I’m not surprised. Though, I wish more people would read this book. Despite being published in 1998, the jokes and storyline translate well to the current day.
And with that, I will leave with you my favorite quote from the book: “It’s true what they say about gay life. It’s easy to get in, but it’s a bitch to get out.”
Thompson is easily my favorite cast member of “The Kids in the Hall.” He was a very out homosexual man and, as a result, the show was very progressive for it’s time. Buddy Cole was his signature character. Buddy would be at the bar, martini in hand, and dish on that latest gossip and news. His monologues were always incredibly snarky and witty. Sure, the character of Buddy Cole embodied every stereotype associated with homosexual men. However, the approach of taking these stereotypes and reinforcing them to such extremes for comedic effects is actually quite progressive. It removes the hatred and vitriol that fuels discrimination. That was a common theme for many sketches in the show. Outside of the show, Thompson was a strong advocate for LGBT rights and continues that work to this day.
I often find books like this to be kind of boring and not very funny. And that is disappointing if I like the original source material. However, this book was incredibly funny and refreshing with a nice pace that didn’t exhaust a theme or the reader. After every book, I do some research. “Buddy Babylon” was not a very popular book. That is disappointing, but I’m not surprised. Though, I wish more people would read this book. Despite being published in 1998, the jokes and storyline translate well to the current day.
And with that, I will leave with you my favorite quote from the book: “It’s true what they say about gay life. It’s easy to get in, but it’s a bitch to get out.”
December 31, 2019
I first read this book as the mythical under 17 year old that is mentioned in the introduction. I didn't skip ahead to the dirty parts but dutifully read... More like devoured...the book from stay to finish.
21 years later, I read it again. I was worried how this would hold up in our metoo world and the LGBTQ+ Revolution.
I needn't have worried. Sure there was some cringe but this Buddy freaking Cole. And the writ and wisdom that made him so funny on kids in the hall spills out all over the page. Scott Thompson and Paul Bellini are comedy magic.
21 years later, I read it again. I was worried how this would hold up in our metoo world and the LGBTQ+ Revolution.
I needn't have worried. Sure there was some cringe but this Buddy freaking Cole. And the writ and wisdom that made him so funny on kids in the hall spills out all over the page. Scott Thompson and Paul Bellini are comedy magic.
September 21, 2011
'Buddy Cole' was one of my all-time favorite 'Kids In The Hall' repeat characters, but this book fell flat as the episode of the show that was solely devoted to him. Maybe he's just better in short vignettes & monologues.
September 25, 2007
Hilarious book--always a great pick-me-upper! Makes me miss the Kids in the Hall though...
April 20, 2008
I love the Kids in the Hall, but this was a tough book to get through.
March 30, 2009
This book is incredibly stupid and I remember laughing out loud, which is rare for me for any book. If you are a fan of The Kids in the Hall, this book is worth checking out.
November 30, 2012
Only one of the best books ever written.
July 7, 2013
Bawdy gay humor. Probably not for my Mormon friends.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews