Is there anything as comforting as re-watching old episodes of your favorite sitcom? When you love a TV show and follow it for seasons, it almost feels like the characters are old friends. That's why audiobooks and podcasts by fan-favorite sitcom stars can feel so uniquely engaging and intimate. Whether they're letting you in on behind-the-scenes stories about your favorite shows, recalling memories from their own lives and careers, or simply telling interesting or funny anecdotes, it's a joy to hear beloved actors share their points of view in their own voices.
Our picks for the best audiobooks by sitcom stars include memoirs, essay collections, and self-help titles that can be funny, emotional, informative, and so much more. For further listening, we’ve also gathered the best podcasts hosted by sitcom stars. Some of these podcasts are all about the sitcoms that brought the hosts into the public eye, while others include celebrity interviews, advice for listeners, and other fascinating conversations.
This essay collection by the creator and star of Abbott Elementary is laugh-out-loud funny but also thoughtful and heartfelt. Quinta Brunson is a child of the internet, and her thoughts on meme culture and viral comedy are fascinating. But there's much more to She Memes Well, including Brunson's experience growing up in Philly as the youngest of five kids, how she found her passion for comedy, and what Mario Kart can teach us about life. And if you, like all of us, are a fan of Abbott, you'll learn more about what inspired the show and how it was created.
Mindy Kaling has brought audiences big laughs on several sitcoms, from writing and acting in The Office to creating and starring in The Mindy Project to executive producing Never Have I Ever. And if you've seen how hilarious her writing is for the small screen, then you know her essays and memoirs are sure to make you laugh out loud! Nothing Like I Imagined (Except for Sometimes) is an Audible-exclusive essay collection that explores everything from Kaling's experiences as a single mom to social anxiety as an A-lister. If you love it, be sure to also check out her first two memoirs, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? and Why Not Me?.
Television fans will recognize Jenifer Lewis from her role as Ruby on Black-ish, or perhaps from her recurring roles on throwback faves The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Girlfriends. But her fame extends far beyond the small screen, to Broadway, music, film, and more. Lewis earned her title of "the mother of Black Hollywood" by playing countless lovable moms and aunties. In this memoir, she recounts her journey from growing up in the Midwest to becoming a beloved icon. There's simply no better way to hear Lewis's story than in her own voice.
Whether or not you keep up with celebrity couples, you've got to admit that Megan Mullally (Karen Walker in Will and Grace) and Nick Offerman (Ron Swanson in Parks and Recreation) are the funniest couple on TV. You can catch them gushing about their love for each other in their comedy special The Summer of '69 and learn more in Offerman's memoir, Paddle Your Own Canoe. But for the full scoop on their romance and what makes their relationship work, listen to The Greatest Love Story Ever Told. This delightful gem is best enjoyed in audio—after all, it's an oral history!
The late, universally adored Betty White was an absolute legend of the sitcom world, spending more than seven decades working in television. White was beloved for iconic roles like Rose in The Golden Girls and Elka in Hot in Cleveland, not to mention her influence on popular game shows. If you can't get enough of television history and White’s signature blend of humor and heart, then you'll absolutely love listening to Betty White share the story of her TV career in Here We Go Again. White's narration of her book will wrap you up like a warm hug.
From her stint on Saturday Night Live to the hilarious sitcoms she created, like 30 Rock and The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Tina Fey is responsible for some of the biggest laughs in American television. She keeps the laughter coming in her memoir Bossypants, which explores her life and journey in comedy. Pairing her signature sidesplitting writing and delivery, the audiobook is the absolute best way to experience Fey's story.
Will Smith's rollercoaster ride to fame started with beloved sitcom Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and included a career in rap music, comedic and dramatic acting, producing, and much more. But that’s not to say his life was free from mistakes or hard times—in fact, Smith’s life was full of ups and downs. This memoir, written with the help of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck author Mark Manson, is a deep and honest look at the human behind the celebrity, both good and bad. It's a sweeping and powerful story, and hearing it in Smith's own voice makes all the difference.
Throughout his 45 years in the comedy world, Jerry Seinfeld has kept a thorough collection of his best material. From standup to Seinfeld, the smash-hit show about nothing
that changed the future of sitcoms, he's got plenty of hilarious jokes stocked up. And in Is This Anything?, he shares a chronological collection of his funniest jokes and stories. You'll find time capsule jokes from the '70s that are almost more hilarious for how poorly they've aged, as well as fresh material sure to tickle your funny bone.
Amy Poehler is a master of mixing big laughs with big heart, as evidenced by her massively popular show, Parks and Recreation. And in her memoir Yes Please, Poehler serves up that perfect blend of funny and feels her fans love. With stories about family, relationships, parenthood, and her career in comedy, Poehler's writing is honest, playful, and full of practical advice to inspire you to work toward your dreams and demand the respect you deserve.
If you've seen her as Donna on Parks and Recreation or Ruby on Good Girls, you've probably already fallen in love with Retta—but her memoir shows she's got so much more to adore. From a glimpse of her early career as a chemist to behind-the-scenes looks at Parks, from accounts of fending off racist trolls on Twitter to her obsession with Hamilton, this book is honest, uplifting, and often hilarious. And Retta's unique narration of the audiobook makes listening an absolute joy.
Human ray of sunshine Ellie Kemper isn't only a great comic actor—she's a gifted and hilarious writer as well. This memoir is funny, upbeat, and includes some great behind-the-scenes stories from The Office, The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and Bridesmaids. Kemper's audiobook narration of her childhood stories, career in comedy, and attempts to befriend squirrels is sure to make you laugh and show you a different side of a beloved star.
Terry Crews played lovable tough guy Terry Jeffords on Brooklyn 99 and also showed off his strength during his NFL career. But eventually, Crews realized that his efforts to appear tough on the outside were making him weaker on the inside, threatening some of the most important relationships in his life. In this audiobook, Crews shares how he confronted toxic masculinity and his own insecurities, and found the courage to defy cultural expectations. It's a reassuring listen for those self-sabotaging themselves in order to be “tough.”
Broad City was an enormously popular sitcom about the chaos, messiness, and hilarity of being a woman in your 20s. Co-creator and star Abbi Jacobson was half of the team that made its magic, and if you loved her irreverent sense of humor and relatable weirdness on TV, then you're sure to enjoy her essay collection, I Might Regret This. After a devastating breakup, Jacobson set off on a solo road trip across the country. In this audiobook, she shares her rambling thoughts, fears, and realizations during her travels that forced her to reckon who she was with who she wanted to be. Funny and poignant, it's an inspiring listen for anyone looking to make a big life change.
As a child, actor Constance Wu was told she was too emotional, too reactive, too much. But then she discovered community theater, where she learned her emotions were not a weakness but a superpower. In her forthcoming memoir-in-essays Making a Scene, Wu describes her journey to fame in the sitcom Fresh Off the Boat and movies like Crazy Rich Asians, complete with how she confronted the sexism and racism that stood in her way while struggling with finding her voice and place in the public eye.
Matthew Perry was one of the stars of arguably the most famous sitcom of all time, Friends. But off camera, he was struggling with addiction and barely holding his personal life together. In this memoir, Perry shares the good, the bad, and the ugly during his years playing the wise-cracking, confident Chandler Bing. You can be among the first to hear his funny, earnest, and ultimately hopeful story when Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing comes out in November.
If you wished you could hang with the roomies in apartment 4D on New Girl, then you simply must listen to Welcome to Our Show. Hosted by IRL friends Zooey Deschanel (Jess), Hannah Simone (Cece), and Lamorne Morris (Winston), it's the perfect place to hear all the hijinks and ridiculous escapes behind your favorite show. Each week, the hosts watch an episode of New Girl and reminisce about what was going on behind the camera. And each week, they play a different version of True American, and you’re guaranteed to leave each round more confused about the rules of the game.
Jameela Jamil gained a massive following from her hilarious, endearing portrayal of Tahani Al-Jamil on The Good Place, and she used that fame to start some much-needed public conversations about mental health and body positivity. On her podcast I Weigh, Jamil brings more of those conversations to listeners. She interviews other performers, thought leaders, activists, and influencers about various topics related to their perspectives and personal experiences around mental health and self-acceptance. It's an honest and powerful show that celebrates progress over perfection.
If you've ever wished you could visit the Dunder Mifflin HQ to catch some ice cooler chat, then this is the perfect listen for you. On Office Ladies, actors and real-life best friends Jenna Fischer (Pam Beesly) and Angela Kinsey (Angela Martin) share their ultimate The Office re-watch with fans. Each week, Fischer and Kinsey focus on a different episode, with tons of behind-the-scenes stories and memories, and often answer fans' burning questions (including several about the hot coal walking scene in "Beach Games"). It's a total delight of a show and sure to bring you lots of laughs.
Anna Faris's memorable roles on the sitcom Mom and movies like House Bunny show she's an incredibly talented actress and comedian. When it comes to offering advice on life and love to strangers, she considers herself unqualified—but nonetheless enthusiastic. In this podcast, Faris interviews celebrity guests like Jennette McCurdy, Dominic Monaghan, Margaret Cho, Danny Trejo, and Kal Penn about their work. But you get to know those stars even better through the relationship advice they offer listeners and the open-hearted conversations those questions lead to. You can catch more advice from the podcast and personal stories from Faris in her book inspired by the show, Unqualified.
Look to SmartLess for hilarious banter between beloved sitcom stars and interviews with fascinating celebrity guests. The show is hosted by Will Arnett and Jason Bateman, known for their roles on Arrested Development, and Sean Hayes, one of the stars of Will and Grace. The three have great chemistry and could entertain listeners all on their own—but there's more. In each episode, one of the hosts brings a surprise guest, including big names like Sandra Bullock, Kerry Washington, and Jordan Peele. Their conversations are unscripted, and they're sure to stumble onto unpredictable and relatable topics.