FAME-ISH: My Life at the Edge of Stardom

by Mary Lynn Rajskub

Stand-up comedian and Chloe of the television series 24 , Mary Lynn Rajskub shares her debut collection of hilarious essays and endearing missteps on the road to becoming FAME-ISH .

It’s not easy being kind of famous. Fortune. Younger men. Exclusive invites. Being mistaken for different actresses who are slightly prettier and more famous than you. It’s all part of the gig, and Mary Lynn Rajskub is a pro. Hilarious and self-deprecating, FAME-ISH is Mary Lynn Rajskub’s debut collection of riotously funny essays.

Smart, satirical, and relatable, this book gives new meaning to the word icon as Rajskub navigates the entertainment world against the backdrop of her own quirky idiosyncrasies. She describes what it’s like to make out with Tom Cruise, be a waitress at Denny’s, and find your life’s purpose in 300 indecipherable, not-easy steps—all in a day’s work. Rajskub is honest about her experiences with bisexuality, her college years as a slug, and the bright lights of stardom, ultimately giving the people what they an endearing, hilarious look at what it’s like to almost make a name for yourself in Hollywood.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Biography, Humor, Biography Memoir

224 pages, Hardcover

First published May 17, 2022

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yikes! I was expecting a funny, slightly acerbic take on behind the scenes Hollywood, not a chronicle of someone’s terrible decision making and where it leads to.

I’ve seen Mary Lynn give interviews, though I have never watched her biggest hit 24, and she is charming and funny, and offbeat in a smart endearing way. There is that voice here, and there are some show biz tidbits, but not enough of either. Things go off the rails about halfway through when the book veers to every bad relationship she has had….and, um, there are a lot. It’s a lot. There’s clearly a lot of things happening below the surface, but we never get deep enough to explore them or much of anything really.

Personally, I would have liked less personal/private life between the book’s cover and more absurd anecdotes from the business side of her life.

[Kristen · Rating 2 out of 5]

wtf did I just read

This was a really random and disjointed collection of essays about a person’s life who doesn’t want you to know anything about their life. Also she mocked my job and my favorite hotel chain and i would get it if she made jokes, but she just sounded kind of entitled. I think she’s trying to be funny but sounds super full of herself and narcissistic with attachment issues. I hope she’s in therapy.

[Chet · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was a big fan of 24 when it was on the air and still watch it from time to time. Chloe was a great character, so I was happy to see a book from one of the stars. After finishing said book though, I wish I hadn’t. Mary Lynn Rajskub may be a great person, but in this memoir, she comes across as terribly shallow and I completely out of touch with what average people have to deal with. She complains constantly without ever realizing that she herself is toxic and causes most of the drama she has to deal with. Every man she meets wants to sleep with her (maybe it’s true…she is attractive, but c’mon). She never gets paid enough. She had to fly on Frontier airlines (the HORROR!). I hate to tell you this, Mary Lynn, but nobody makes enough money. Everybody would rather fly first class on a great airline. These are not things that make for interesting reading. It also doesn’t help that Rajskub constantly talks shit about pretty much everyone she’s ever met who isn’t an A-list celebrity. Honestly, pretty much the only people that don’t get talked about like they’re trash are Harrison Ford and Kiefer. So, basically, everyone in the world is beneath her except the people that might be able to advance her career.

Maybe I’m being too hard on Mary Lynn, but the entire time I was reading Fame-ish, all I thought was, “Why am I reading this? This woman is awful”. I finished the book for two reasons. The first was that I felt obligated to do so because the publisher was kind enough to provide me with an ARC. The second was that I hoped to see Mary Lynn see some personal growth by the end. Sadly, that was not the case. Rajskub continues complaining, throwing some self-deprecating humor in as a deflection. Still, there were some interesting bits. The essays showing behind the scenes of movie and TV creation were interesting. I wish the book had more of this instead of the author trying to convince me that she has been terribly put upon her whole life. Overall, memoirs are supposed to be interesting, heartbreaking, funny…any number of things. Unfortunately, this wasn’t any of those things. It was annoying and kind of sad to be honest, because Rajskub doesn’t seem to realize how she is coming across.

Finally, I’d like to thank Netgalley and Abrams Publishing for providing me with an ARC. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to give it a good review.

[Alfred · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 / 5 - Probably for the diehard fan less the casual fan. Some enjoyable moments but overall skippable. I did like the behind the scenes anecdotes and her candor.

[Esther Csorba · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very well written book. Mary Lynn Rajskub is a fantastic comic, if you ever listened to her podcasts or saw her stand-up, this is a great addition. It was interesting to read and I definitely recommend it to anyone who wonders what it is like to be one of those actresses you recognize, but does not become someone who gets nominated for awards every single day: there is more actors like her out there.

It blows my mind to see some of the reviews... I don't understand why people are deciding if this is a good book based on the content: it is not a murder mystery, it is the life story of a comedian turned actress. My favorite review was someone claiming she made "bad" life decisions... as if none of us have ever fallen in love with the wrong person, worked a job we didn't like, took classes that were useless, and found ourselves questioning the decisions we made in life.

[Sara Goldenberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was cute and fun. I didn't realize I knew her work until I started reading it!

[Violet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Celebrity memoirs are my jam. I am a sucker for the behind the scenes sneak peeks, juicy tell all tidbits, and simply a look into a world generally very much different than my own.

Fame-ish: My Life at the Edge of Stardom offers only a handful of sneak peeks into Hollywood, the entertainment industry, and even less in the way of juicy tidbits. Unless you count Mary Lynn calling out Courtney Cox for not being very personable during their brief encounter at the Golden Globes.

With a career spanning almost 30 years and 100+ movie and television shows to her credit I think I was just expecting a bit more. More inside info. More behind the scenes insight into some of her biggest roles. Just more overall.

Sweet Home Alabama and Sunshine Cleaning are the two roles I know the author from the most, and I have never watched 24. As luck would have it almost every single chapter references 24 in one way or another. Maybe that was part of the disconnect. The last few chapters detailing her marriage and son were sweet. & I totally respect the fact that she chased her dreams and sought out more than a Midwest Denny's management position and a brocade vest. Thank you to NetGalley and Abrams Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. 2.5 stars.

[Jennifer MacMaster · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would give this book 4 stars. This was a good read but took me way longer to finish due to my schedule. The book took you on a journey of an actor and her path to "fame". She wasn't as big as Tom Cruise but I do recall her from at least one of the movies she was in. I think most of us think actors have it together and live some glamorous life but she's able to show the reality of it. She made a bunch of young, stupid choices in her life much like regular everyday people. She definitely had relationships and encounters that could have gone horribly wrong but thankfully, they didn't. Scary but I guess we've all had situations that make us thankful we made it through unscathed. From reading the story, I found that she's a little soft and doesn't speak up for herself much until she's to the breaking point. A question she should have asked herself was why was she always footing the bill. You ever wonder why some actors are broke after making lots of money? Look no further. This will give you a bird's eye view of how money just disappears. Sure she has experiences from those bad choices but it would have been better had she invested it. It also talked about the Hollywood, artist drug scene which is way more common than I would have thought.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you #Netgalley for the advanced copy!

I have loved watching Mary Lynn Rajskub in so many shows but had no idea what she has been through. I enjoyed her casual writing style and short essays about her acting history, her life in the Midwest and eventually in Hollywood. I also appreciated her honesty when discussing her finances and how people that she was a millionaire just because she became a regular on 24. I always love learning more abut the backstory and how actors get to where they are now, because it is often a difficult road with so many uncertainties. I was surprised to learn that she was living in an Airbnb during covid while trying to get her house ready to sell after her divorce. You never know what people are and have gone though, thank you to Rajskub for your honesty and sharing the good and the bad!

[Kristen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Though interesting, this book is poorly written. The timeline is broken and jumps around, the diction is juvenile, and the voice is thinly-veiled bitterness instead of comedic as I think she wanted it to be. Meh. Unless you love her as an actress and need to know about her life, don't waste your time.

[Dawn Ford · Rating 2 out of 5]

The timeline of the story was too jumbled. There didn't seem to be a good progression to a story. Very random.

[Karla · Rating 3 out of 5]

**Goodreads giveaway

Funny anecdotes, some behind the scenes of acting, somewhat scattered - each chapter could probably be read in any order without confusion

[Thrillers R Us · Rating 5 out of 5]

Believed to be fairy castles floating above water at the tip of the boot, the Italian interpretation of the Arthurian sorceress Morgan le Fay unwittingly put a name to an optical illusion, a super mirage, that can be seen on sea, air, and land and can be any distant object, such as ships, islands, fame, or terra firma. Grossly distorting source objects, refracted light forms a false image at the point of observation and would never be quite accessible when pursued. Longfellow waxed poetic about forever before him gleams, the shining city...in the beautiful land of dreams, clearly aware of the temperature inversion that is required for successful production. Lots of hot air and cold shoulder is also an observable event that results before the interaction of camera light and matter for anyone who's made that first step on the long journey to Hollywood fame. FAME-ISH by Mary Lynn Rajskub, rhymes with rice cup, chronicles her ODYSSEY in reverse, going from humble beginnings to the chaos of fame, all while making Costco plaid look Gucci.

Running parallel to a sort of modern day Pygmalion, MLR narrates from the angst at a truck stop in Trenton, Michigan to the fearless Chloe O'Brian on the hit TV-show 24, all the while dishing on the likes of Kirstie Allie, Angelina Jolie, J.Lo, Jenna Fischer, Daniel Day Lewis, Kiefer Sutherland (ofc), Guy Fieri, Rush Limbaugh, Robin Williams, the Stray Cats, tenacious D, Bob Odenkirk, Puff Daddy, Sheryl Crow, Emily Watson, and Adam Sandler. Given that FAME-ISH is a postcard from the edge of stardom, there are many more and are actually too many to mention them all. Amongst the name dropping, MLR makes an endearing case of what it takes to make it in show business and marks the long, and arduous road that it takes to get there. For those who only know her as Chloe O'Brian from 24 and can't be bothered to IMdb MLR, there is a quick refresher early on, sampling just some of her work: Veronica's Closet, 24, It's always sunny in Philadelphia, Brooklyn-99, Sweet Home Alabama, etc. The interactions with famous people are sometimes awkward, funny, and interesting, ironically illustrating what it feels like to be famous, and how people feel like they know you and have the right to tread all over you. Cruising right along, there are tales from the relationship crypt, a Wilson W. Wilson, Jr.-like moment, and casting couch conundrums all tempered with a half century of feelings, perspectives, and funny insights. Rainbows and Unicorns.

The overall impression that MLR conveys is that everything is comedy, especially poetry. Sporting a good sense of delivery and excellent wit, FAME-ISH reminds that it shouldn't be taken quite so seriously. Spending the early turns of her career as a stand-up comedian shines through, making the veiled shout-out to the Tracey Ullman Show even that more special. Ya gotta love it. While pursuing fame and being a star, Mary Lynn Rajskub is always relatable, and the story enchanting. Digging up details the likes of 'Dine and ditch', Rain stick, principality, back end, and tree sap are only topped by a hilarious walk-through of the magic of prepping ranch dressing restaurant style. Going into more description than you ever thought you needed about a Brocade vest (you'll google it!!!), MLR'll make ya go out and buy one right away. All in all, FAME-ISH serves as a vehicle for MLR to come to terms with who she is. Not a superstar with a glam lifestyle, but a divorced parent with diminishing returns of a career in acting trying to keep it all together and hoping for a job in show business. Sound almost like a resume objective line, doesn't it? You're hired, MLR!!! And why not, Mary Lynn Rajskub is funny and, in fact, so powerful, her words "Shut it down" ended the 8-season-run of 24. If you're looking for follies and fun, get FAME-ISH--it's cathartic, uplifting, therapeutic, and entertaining.

[Melanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mary Lynn Rajskub's memoir is a cautionary tale to not get involved with anyone who is or might become famous one day and then write about you. She is one of those people who sees the worst of everyone--her bosses, coworkers, friends, lovers, and people she meets in public--and is happy to share her mocking criticisms of them with others--in this case, anyone who unwittingly buys this lightweight collection of bitter snark and bellyaching.

When not being critical about people, Mary Lynn complains about anything and everything, including a slew of everyday, ordinary frustrations. Even if this was a book by an A-list superstar, these incidents would still be boring. Where was her editor's guidance?

I listened to this book on Audible. The duration of narration is 5:47 but seemed to go on about very little for far too long. I stopped after every couple of hours to listen to another book to get a break from the dislike I felt for her perspective and choices in life. I stuck it out, hoping for something redeemable by the end. The one thing I learned from listening to her is to avoid anything connected to her writing in the future.

My questions for Mary Lynn Rajskub would be: what brings you joy in life? Why did you not focus more on those things and tell us about people who make you happy and inspire you? Would you be happy to spend time with someone for almost six hours of mostly complaints and backbiting? No? Me, neither. Would you trust someone who talked down nearly everyone she knew to others, particularly in such a public way? I don't and you shouldn't.

Maybe Mary Lynn needed the cash right now, but I think she should have waited until she had something substantial and cohesive to say before publishing.

There is very little to recommend here. Target audience: those who enjoy insult gossip and want to keep misery company.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a wild ride. I learned too much about her ex-partner’s sex life but I did learn a lot about the finances of a character actor/comedian. I am always curious about how being a side character in a big show works and how people who aren’t big names/working continuously handle finances. It seems like it is rough!

She does seem to be a victim of a scam at one point with her ex-girlfriend who also I felt was implied to have robbed her house? I would of have liked to have more details on that.

She says she is a people pleaser a lot but I didn’t get that impression. She does seem unable to speak up in the moment but that isn’t quite the same thing.

Really an interesting book and unlike any other memoir I’ve read and I’ve read dozens.

[Bargle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before I read this book, I had no idea who the author was. Surprisingly, I'd never watched anything she had appeared in. Still, I greatly enjoyed the book. Her personal stories are the stuff humor and tragedy spring from. Her constant poor choices for romance make me feel better about being inept at it myself. I feel this book could been much longer and I wouldn't minded. Thanks for the fun, Mary Lynn.

Oh, I've now watched her video with Weezer.

Correction. I had seen her on Weird Al's TV series, but didn't remember it. So, now it's 2 things I've seen her in.

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I mostly remember Mary Lynn Rajskub from her brief cameo of a Stars Hollow troubadour on Gilmore Girls. Her snippet of a song was one I always wished was a full song! I heard her on a recent episode of Bad With Money and decided to read this book. The book is a collection of anecdotes across Mary Lynn’s life, including how she got her start as a performer, some professional experiences, and a little bit of her personal life. A quick read and fairly funny throughout. Some standouts: job at Denny’s, working with Harrison Ford, COVID movie shoot, black dildo.

[Amber Dyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 star reviews are normally reserved for books I would read again and again. However, since Rajskub was kind enough to include the answer to my lifelong question, “Do celebrities have a say on how they’re represented/do they get a kickback when they appear on slot machines?”, I gotta do my girl a solid here and give her the full five.

NO, I WILL NOT TELL YOU THE ANSWER. READ IT YOURSELF.

On to the next!

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I became familiar with the actress Mary Lynn Rajskub from her time on the show 24. She shows a side of the entertainment business that isn’t all glitz and glamour. I really enjoyed her humor and the behind the scenes look at TV and movie production. I would recommend this for someone who wants to peek behind the curtain, but at the minor characters.

[Pam Mooney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and funny in places.

I could not relate to or bond with this author. Perhaps West Coast humor doesn't play well in the Midwest. Just say "Butte Montana" and they are laughing out loud. Insult an Inn owner in Lincoln, Nebraska and they are rolling on the floor. I just don't get it. I could say more but I don't want to write the author's next set.

[Kenneth Fairfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. A lot of haters reviewing this book negatively. Who cares how much she trash talks? It's hilarious! Get over it. I am not a fan of 24. If I did watch it it'd be only to see what Mary Lynn did. I used to watch her perform at Largo and Mr. Show is my favorite sketch comedy show. I wish we had dated so she could make fun of all of my short comings and idiosyncrasies! One should be so lucky!

[Mandy Hazen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is pretty rare that I have run into anyone in my life who has not heard of the show 24. This main actress from it is a riot. Her story of her life is hilarious and I never knew she was a comedian! What a page turner I would highly recommend. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a bit of a weird review. The author is a comedian, but I didn't laugh. The book wasn't boring, but it wasn't exciting either. It was a quick read, but it still took me almost two weeks.

It's like the book was.... it's just there. It's a book, no more, no less.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining, but only slightly insightful. Not the background or insight I would prefer from a memoir. Funny, but not worthy of a reread in the future. 24 and Chole are excellent. THis book is just average.

[Patricia Wright · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bit of a downer. Bad life choices over and over. You don't root for her or feel sorry for her. She has talent but waisted it with bad decisions.

[Erin Nudi · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of a collection of stories from her life told in an amusing way, than a deep dive into her life memoir (pretty much nothing on childhood). But entertaining.

[Matthew Fitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very similar to Rutayna Alda’s bio but with much more humor. Plus, she responded to my tweet so that has be four stars alone…..😊

[Jana · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love a celebrity memoir, but this is both boring and hard to follow.

[Sarah Jamieson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read but a good one. These musings from Mary Lynn are way better than a full out memoir. She's just quirky funny and knows what she wants

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

okay at best. shares some, no pictures. does not talk about much about the movies she has been in. I don't expect a "tell all" book but damn talk a bit more about your career.