Jamie's New Favorite Book: Bossypants

The title of this blog may be a slight exaggeration, but at a minimum, reading Tina Fey’s comedic memoir Bossypants elevated my already high opinion of her.  Not only that, but I have discovered that we are basically the same person.  Okay, so Fey is a brilliant and talented comedic writer, who has her self-proclaimed dream job writing and staring in her own TV show, and I, well, am not.  But after laughing my way through the first couple hundred pages of Bossypants, I came across the revelation that cuts to core of what really matters.  Tina Fey does not drive, and she does not have an affinity for animals.  SEE!  We are exactly the same.  We don’t wish them harm, but we’re just not looking to be friends.  And we ride in cars, we just let someone else drive.

I know, you’re thinking, is that all you got out of this book?  No, but it’s the most important thing, what more could you want?  Wait, don’t leave.  It’s possible that these revealing similarities between Tina & I (we’re on the same page with driving and dogs, so I feel I can call her Tina), don’t appeal to you on the same level that they appeal to me.  I mean, you could read this book because it’s hilarious.  Everything from her awkward youth filled with summers of theatre with diva teenagers to her awkward college years and eventual career starting with Second City, moving on to Saturday Night Live, and finally creating 30 Rock is told via amusing anecdotes in her own voice that is both empowered and self-deprecating.  Because yes, you can be both. It’s pretty damn funny when pulled off properly.

And in case the whole “it’s funny” thing doesn’t work for you, then perhaps you can be drawn to the underlying theme (yes, I’m going to say this comedic memoir has an underlying theme) that women are funny, dammit.  And also capable of being in charge, and the world will not end.  And unless you are going to ask the same question of her male counterparts, please don’t ask Fey (in reference to career and family) how she “does it all,” she might punch you in the face.  There is this ridiculous notion that women are not funny, or that very few women are funny. (Kacey will soon be posting about this nonsense and she has a plethora of examples ready to go.)  Fey deals with these biases in the best way possible, by ignoring them and being both funny and in charge.  While thinking about this aspect of Bossypants, I was reminded of an Emerald City Comicon panel I attended last year with Felicia Day, another funny and talented women, who is in charge as the creator/writer/star of the incredibly successful internet series, The Guild.  The question of how to deal with jackasses who think that women are incapable of being serious and/or good gamers came up, and Day gave her standard answer, which was something along the lines of don’t whine and sulk, just play harder and beat them.   Now, it’s not always that simple, but you can’t argue with the attitude. Both Fey & Day (yes, I am aware that rhymes) are of the mentality that things won’t progress by sitting around and complaining, but by working hard, ignoring the bullshit, and just getting it done.  This idea is clear throughout Bossypants, and gives what is a very silly and amusing memoir a little more heft. 

So, to sum up, Bossypants confirmed that Tina Fey is hilarious, badass, and most importantly, just like me.  Except the foot thing.  I am pro-foot.  I hope this isn’t an issue.

Books read: 16

Coming Soon: Sarah will attempt to write a bittersweet evocative song, that doesn’t remind us of Musetta’s Waltz.