Girl Walks into a Bar...

Comedy Calamities, Dating Disasters, and a Midlife Miracle

By: Rachel Dratch

Narrated by: Rachel Dratch

Length: 5 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

In this side-splitting memoir, the former Saturday Night Live star recounts the hilarious adventures and unexpected joy of dating and becoming a mother when she least expected it - at the age of 44.

Anyone who saw an episode of Saturday Night Live between 1999 and 2006 knows Rachel Dratch. She was hilarious! So what happened to her? After a misbegotten part as Jenna on the pilot of 30 Rock, Dratch was only getting offered roles as "Lesbians. Secretaries. Sometimes secretaries who are lesbians."

Her career at a low point, Dratch suddenly had time for yoga, dog-sitting, learning Spanish - and dating. After all, what did a forty-something single woman living in New York have to lose? Resigned to childlessness but still hoping for romance, Dratch was out for drinks with a friend when she met John.

Handsome and funny, after only six months of dating long-distance, he became the inadvertent father of her wholly unplanned, undreamed-of child and moved to New York to be a dad. With riotous humor, Dratch recounts breaking the news to her bewildered parents, the awe of her single friends, and the awkwardness of a baby-care class where the instructor kept tossing out the f-word.

Filled with great behind-the-scenes anecdotes from Dratch's time on SNL, Girl Walks into a Bar is a refreshing version of the "happily ever after" story that proves female comics - like best sellers Tina Fey and Chelsea Handler - are truly having their moment.

©2012 Rachel Dratch (P)2012 Penguin Audio

Terrifically told, but runs out of steam

What made the experience of listening to Girl Walks into a Bar... the most enjoyable?

Rachel Dratch is hilariously funny. She does voices, etc., that really brings her own words and stories alive. I laughed out loud many times. Listening to her is like listening to a good friend.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Ultimately, the book loses steam. Rachel herself admits her story doesn't have much of an ending.

Any additional comments?

This isn't exactly a "memoir" but I enjoyed the sections more about her comedy days, SNL, and her dating life. MINOR SPOILER: then it becomes a book about having a baby. I felt like that material was less fresh, she didn't really have any new, funny or insightful take on motherhood. But worth the read for the first half.

Disappointed

It was extremely difficult to listen to this. I enjoyed Tina Fey's and Amy Poehler's books which were the products of critical reflection of life events and circumstances that made them who they are today. This book was just senseless whining about trivial problems. Only buy this if you worship Rachel Dratch

Pretty Good

Rachel Dratch is not surprisingly, really funny in this autobiographical work as she takes us through her life and her career as an entertainer. Her misfit youth and the poor choices she invariably makes in choosing men that evidently began in the eighth grade. She takes us through her years as an undergraduate at Dartmouth, then the years she spent learning her craft working with the Second City comedy troupe. She covers her auditions for SNL and finally getting on the classic late night show as a cast member on the third try. Like most successful comics she has the ability to turn her pain into humor. She's able to describe some painful situations in a way that come off as humorous; though at times there is pain in her voice that belies the light touch she attempts to use throughout the book. An easy way to pass five hours; a pleasant and humorous listen.

Hard to get through

The beginning was tough. It sounded like the author was just complaining and ungrateful. It almost made me stop listening. It wasn't quite so bad toward the end.

Sure I am Getting Looks in D.C. Traffic!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is a wonderful book and a highlight of my day (with 3 hours commuting). Rachel is really a fantastic writer. It is so real, yet HYSTERICAL. There are times when I would be laughing out loud, window down . . . . I want to just say to those looking. . . get Rachel Dratch's book!!!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Girl Walks into a Bar...?

There are too many. . . . I have referred to Rachel's description of getting kicked off of 30 Rock and how she and Tina processed feelings. Paraphrased - Rachel is a Pices and well. . . Tina is German. Really funny.

Any additional comments?

Rachel's funny yet serious discussion about contemplating motherhood in her late 30's, early 40's is absolutely on point. She really nails the fact that even though we are perceived as "self actualized" and "mature," . . . embarking on this journey is still absolutely nuts.

and then what?

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I always ask myself, if I had to do it all over, would I listen to this again? Probably--at least the first half to two-thirds of the book. Once the book veers into life after Saturday Night Live, Rachel Dratch becomes one of us: out of work, looking for love, and trying to figure out what to do with the rest of her life. I got a little annoyed with the assumption that she is somehow special toward the end of the book.

Would you recommend Girl Walks into a Bar... to your friends? Why or why not?

I would recommend the book for a couple reasons: It's an interesting take on how she got where she is now, and it is humorous.

Which character – as performed by Rachel Dratch – was your favorite?

One of the funniest aspects of the book was how she wove the question about "30 Rock" into the fabric of the entire book. I had forgotten that she was ever on the show, but clearly from her perspective, others have not.

Did Girl Walks into a Bar... inspire you to do anything?

Yes, laugh out loud in my car.

Just ok..

Personally I did not enjoy this, would've liked more SNL or Comedy stories.. I can listen to my friends talk about their kids and relationships.. Eh..

Its a good story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend it to every girl that feels really aware in the dating world. It really happens to every girl. So its good to know that you are not alone there, that there is someone else feeling the same insecurities, it don`t matter if it`s a famous person.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The letter that Rachel received from her boyfriend`s brother was great, so thoughtful.

Not bad

I like Rachel dratch and had wondered what happened with her since I never saw her on anymore.
Listening to this book felt like catching up with a high school friend, except I didn’t have to tell my story in return. She performs it well.
The story is basically most Netflix movies, it was ok, it passed the time and provided some entertainment, and I considered turning it off at least once...but it wasn’t bad.

So good

Definitely not a Debbie downer. This book was awesome. Her honesty was incredible and her story was really remarkable.