God's Favorite: A New Comedy

by Neil Simon

Consequent to the midnight visit of a weird Queens movie buff claiming to be God's messenger, affluent Long Islander Joe Benjamin undergoes a comic devastation of tribulations that would test the patience of Job

Genres: Plays, Theatre, Humor, Fiction, Comedy, Drama

88 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1975

About the author

Marvin Neil Simon was an American playwright and screenwriter. He wrote more than 30 plays and he received more combined Oscar and Tony nominations than any other writer. He was one of the most reliable hitmakers in Broadway history, as well as one of the most performed playwrights in the world. Though primarily a comic writer, some of his plays, particularly the Eugene Trilogy and The Sunshine Boys, reflect on the twentieth century Jewish-American experience.

Reviews

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

“You think so little of man that he would renounce God in the face of adversity?” (2.5 stars)

Having recently read Neil Simon’s memoirs I decided to read one of his plays. The premise of this one intrigued me. “God’s Favorite” is a modern retelling of the biblical story of Job. A story filled with dramatic and comedic possibilities.
The play has a few chuckles, I laughed out loud when the entire city of Detroit (plus 300 tourists passing through) renounces God. But as a reading experience it is lacking. I think however, in performance it would be quite entertaining to see what business talented actors could bring to the roles.
The resolution of the play happens in literally two pages and is way too tidy for such a short amount of space, but it is pleasing so what can ya do?
In all, a quick read. I would see “God’s Favorite” if it was being performed near me.
I end with two lines from the text that jumped out at me.
“Sure would be a waste if all this misery was nothin’ but misery.”
“I am an infinitesimal speck on the eyelash of the universe…but God sees me.”

[Micah Hebert · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid take on a great concept. The dialogue is witty and it manages to convey a powerful message even with a comedic tone.

[Daniel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was not familiar with this Neil Simon play, and I thought I knew most of them. As I began, I wondered even more as to why it has stayed so unfamilair. The set-up was well established, the lines humorous, in typical Simon fashion, and the characters quite real (despite some quirkiness).

But then the plot developed. And let's face it ... the story of Job is not funny. No matter what lines Simon put into his character's mouths, watching a man suffer from a multitude of physical ailments just isn't funny, or pleasant, and I actually felt some revulsion toward the action in the play. I can't imagine seeing this, and perhaps that's why this had stayed in relative obscurity.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Story of Job is modernized with lots of Simon-ized zingers and product name references used in comic comebacks. The characterizations are great especially having God's messenger as a lowly office worker from a NY Borough. The third, however, seems to hit a wall that crumbles much like the structure of the Long Island estate of Joe Benjamin, the rich man that God and The Devil have a wager on regarding his faith. The ending is a true abrupt let-down.

[Edward Cheer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've never been the biggest fan of Neil Simon. He exists. He writes stuff. It's usually pretty funny. But "pretty funny" never cuts it for me. Which is honestly better? The really good quip, or the thought-provoking statement that sticks with you for years?

Anyways, let's talk about God's Favorite. I picked this one up hearing that it was loosely based around the story of Job from the Bible. Hey, Wikipedia? Yeah, you got that wrong. It's the same damn thing. It's just a modernization of Job.

The characters are never that interesting Joe (the obvious translation of Job) was never fleshed-out that much, so when the proverbial sh** hit the fan... I didn't really care about him. His family is also pretty forgettable. David spouts one-liners, Ben and Rose are stupid, and his wife... um... she exists? And she gets mad at the end.

Honestly, the biggest problem with God's Favorite is that it's based on one of the weakest stories in the Bible. If you were a Christian trying to win over someone to your faith, you wouldn't bring up the story where your all-powerful all-loving God decides to make a bet with his enemy by making his favorite person in the world lose his property, animals, wife, kids, and even his health... just to prove to Satan that he actually loves his god. Even the ending to the real story of Job sounded bittersweet. "Oh, sorry about all that Job. Here's your property back and then some. What? You miss your wife? Here, have a new one! What's that? You miss your old wife? Eh, who cares? I got my five bucks from Lucifer."

I won't deny that there is certainly some good humor in this, just enough to save it from being truly cringe-worthy and terrible. But the overly-obvious story rip-off, boring characters, and terribly rushed ending make this sound like a sketch on Saturday Night Life that goes on for too long, and your least favorite crew members are all cast in it.

[Cathi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this Neil Simon play a long time ago, and it cracked me up. It's a modern-day story of Job, and it's filled with heartache galore, yet it's also got the typical Simon wit and humor that make it delightful. I've never seen it performed, but I certainly enjoyed reading it. Most people don't enjoy reading plays, but I always have. The writing is spare, and I'm allowed to envision things my way and move quickly. I love thick, meaty, incredibly-detailed Dickens novels, but I also love sparse, open plays. They're both good in different ways, I suppose. (Or do I just have a split personality, when it comes to reading?)

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joe Benjamin (get it? JoB) has everything. Wealth, family, a roaring business, and faith in God. His one desire: to have his son David, a well-educated wastrel with no scruples and a serious drinking problem, to come to faith in God and know that he is loved.
A mysterious messenger informs Joe that he is God's favorite and that God and the Devil have a wager going on whether Joe will renounce God even if he loses everything but his own life.
Ironic, worthy without being either sappy or dull, irreverent without being blasphemous. A modern look at what a man's soul and family are worth to him.

[Mezzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second act is better than the first, which drags. The main problem, though, is the plot-point (that is a SPOILER -- you have been warned!) that Joe KNOWS he's being tested. Each thing he suffers is further proof that God exists, so it's hardly a test of faith. Willpower, maybe, but not faith -- and if the faith is not tested, then it's pretty reasonable to hold out.

Also, rape jokes just don't land for me, ever. This may be more of a me thing than a play thing, but that was a problem.

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I felt like this play was pretty good at retelling the Job story but not being sac-religious. There was plenty of humor. But the ending didn’t quite satisfy. Maybe it was too quick of a resolution? I did like that Joe’s son David and David’s faith in God were paramount to Joe. Overall not a bad story or play and breezy at less than 100 pages.

[Morgan Biscup · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was actually a book I read in high school, but it was so hilarious, I needed to own my own copy. Who'd have thought the Book of Job would make a good comedy? I also generally don't like reading books written in play format.

It didn't matter here. Just thinking about it makes me laugh again. So many fond memories, so many hilarious lines. Definitely a good read.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although there are many jokes, God's Favorite has a clunky script and attempts to delight but brutally punishing our main character a la The Book of Job.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of Neil Simon's best!

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh.

[Blake English · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neil Simon’s comedic genius is always a delight.

[Andrea Janov · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun satire. At times I thought that it was going to go over the top, but Simon stopped just short of "too much". I would love to see this one stages..

[Jake Van Hoorn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really weak retelling of story of Job, anticlimactic ending on top of the show feeling very dated in todays world.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Comedic retelling of the story of Job - a product of its time.

[Henry Greber · Rating 3 out of 5]

there's a handful of great duo scenes in this short play that would be a blast to perform, but as a whole it was fine.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you ever wondered why bad things happen to you? Did it ever cross your mind that God and the devil made a bet about your faith? The worse your situation gets, the More God is showing you that your his favorite! This play is based on the book of Job. After Joe watches his factory burn down, then his house, and has difficulties with his son, we meet God's messenger. Sidney. Joe begins to experience every ailment imaginable, and all he has to do to make it stop, is renounce God. Sidney reappears from time to time, ready to take the message to God, but Joe refuses. How does the suffering stop, and does he reconcile with his son? God's favorite answers both questions at the same time. A humorous read.

[Kat · Rating 1 out of 5]

Basic plot: the Book of Job, 1970's style.

This play did not do anything for me. The jokes, such as they are, didn't seem funny to me. Not being a follower of Judaism or Christianity makes these religious stories fall flat with me. There is nothing here that transcends individual religions. It just makes me wonder about people who would follow a deity who beats up on them just to see if they'll take it.

Side note: I grew up hearing that Neil Simon was essentially "the man" in theatre and that his scripts were the best. Either I'm reading the wrong damned scripts, he really isn't that good, or his writing is so dated that it doesn't work anymore. :P

[Jessica López-Barkl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this play a lot. It was written in the 1970s and has the structure of the Book of Job. This play is being produced at the Little Theater of Walla Walla this season, and I read it because I've never read it. I thought about auditioning, but...I was working...and I don't think I would be good in any of the parts. Anyway, it is a great comedy and I think it would be an amazing set design project for someone...so...if you want an oldy, but a goody, take a look. It's not dated.

[FlibBityFLooB · Rating 4 out of 5]

I last read this play by Neil Simon when I was in high school eighteen years ago. I remembered it being very funny and decided to re-read it to fulfill a challenge to read a book published in 1975.

This play is Neil Simon's version of the book of Job in the bible. It was an amusing story and makes me want to read more plays by Simon.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I laughed out loud while reading this play. Neil Simon is soooo funny and clever. He missed some opportunities to go deeper with the Job parallels, but clearly that was not his purpose in writing. His purpose was to be hilarious, and he achieved that purpose! I definitely want to read more Neil Simon now.

[Lee Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

this may be cheating...i read the play. still, i did read it and i loved it!

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Falling in love with Sidney Lipton. Finally have the lines somewhat in my head! Now, to run them with my love Kristin!

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Neil Simon classic.

[Brendan · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite Neil Simon plays, probably because it was one of the first I ever saw. Mostly I love the interchange between Joe and Sidney.

[Ceridwyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun to revisit neil Simon after many years. His voice is still entertaining. Reminded me of days gone by.