Still Foolin' 'Em

Where I've Been, Where I'm Going, and Where the Hell Are My Keys

By: Billy Crystal

Narrated by: Billy Crystal

Length: 8 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

Nominated for a 2014 Grammy in the Spoken Word category!

Hilarious and heartfelt observations on aging from one of America's favorite comedians, now that he's 65, and a look back at a remarkable career.

Billy Crystal is 65, and he's not happy about it. With his trademark wit and heart, he outlines the absurdities and challenges that come with growing old, from insomnia to memory loss to leaving dinners with half your meal on your shirt. In humorous chapters like "Buying the Plot" and "Nodding Off," Crystal not only catalogues his physical gripes, but offers a road map to his 77 million fellow baby boomers who are arriving at this milestone age with him. He also looks back at the most powerful and memorable moments of his long and storied life, from entertaining his relatives as a kid in Long Beach, Long Island, and his years doing stand-up in the Village, up through his legendary stint at Saturday Night Live, When Harry Met Sally, and his long run as host of the Academy Awards. Listeners get a front-row seat to his one-day career with the New York Yankees (he was the first player to ever "test positive for Maalox"), his love affair with Sophia Loren, and his enduring friendships with several of his idols, including Mickey Mantle and Muhammad Ali. He lends a light touch to more serious topics like religion ("the aging friends I know have turned to the Holy Trinity: Advil, bourbon, and Prozac"); grandparenting; and, of course, dentistry. As wise and poignant as they are funny, Crystal's reflections are an unforgettable look at an extraordinary life well lived.

Still Foolin' 'Em includes a portion recorded in front of a live studio audience.

©2013 Jennilind LLC (P)2013 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“At 65, Billy Crystal is a master of comic timing, as he demonstrates during his narration of Still Foolin' ‘Em. A fine actor and nine-time Oscar host, Crystal knows exactly how to deliver his artful blend of touching memoir and rueful riffs on the indignities of aging. Several chapters were recorded before a live audience, giving him the opportunity to exchange banter and charm a crowd – as he no doubt will many listeners…In both modes, however, he proves himself accomplished, nuanced, and – best of all – very funny.” —AudioFile Magazine

"Filled with hilarious and heartfelt observations on aging, Still Foolin' 'Em, the Grammy-nominated memoir by one of America's favorite comedians, outlines the absurdities and challenges that come with growing older. This 2014 Audie Audiobook of the Year is read by Billy Crystal himself, with his trademark wit and heart." - PopSugar.com

“Billy Crystal's new memoir is everything you'd expect from this acclaimed actor, writer, producer, film director and world-class comedian. Though the book is a great read, this audio version, performed by Crystal himself, is even better. His timing is perfect, he laughs, ad-libs a little and even chokes up as he talks about how much his wife of 43 years means to him…But be careful! Listening while driving, treading on a treadmill or stirring up a stir-fry could be hazardous to life and limb – this is unredacted, laugh-out-loud humor, Billy Crystal at his bravura best.” —BookPage

I loved it.

It will make you laugh, it will make you cry, it will make you think and it will make you grow. Truly Inspirational.

Love Billy Crystal ... Loved "Still Foolin' 'Em"

Love Billy Crystal ... Loved "Still Foolin' 'Em" ... while I listened I laughed and laughed. Thank you, Billy for entertaining us all these years!

Growing up with Billy Crystal

I hesitated at first because I really don't need a comedian, even an excellent one like Crystal, to tell me what aging feels like. This is much, much beyond that. Truly laugh out loud funny and surprisingly poignant, the decades of Billy's life are full of colorful (and often famous) characters that will fascinate you if you're acquainted with them or not. Yes, there are the old guy jokes, and they're funny, but it's when he's playing straight man to what is happening to him and around him when this book really zings. This is a book that you should NOT read on paper (or screen), but listen to performed by a master joker. Great fun.

Uplifting, Funny, Heartfelt

Would you consider the audio edition of Still Foolin' 'Em to be better than the print version?

The audio is DEFINITELY better than hard copy would have been for this book, with Billy Crystal reading.... it was like an 8 hour AMAZING show.

What about Billy Crystal’s performance did you like?

He was genuine, funny, transparent. I'm not sure if I sniffled and got choked up any less than I laughed out loud. Very moving story, wonderful writing, incredible performance. Highly recommend.

For the Billy Crystal fan in all of us

This is a fun diversion from the history / lecture series' I normally listen to. A warm uplifting book fill with Billy's memories.

The BEST part of this book are Mr. Crystal's stories of the great Micky Mantle and Muhammad Ali. A human face is painted on these sports legends that very few have seen. The chapter on the filming of his HBO movie 61 was probably the best chapter in the book. As a youngster, my father took me to Yankee Stadium to watch these very same legends play. Tears swelled up inside.

The book also has its slow chapters. One can sense that Mr. Crystal has a preoccupation with death. He deals alot with dying which detracts from the otherwise brisk flow of the book.

This book is highly recommended,

BTW, you look marvelous

Fantastic!

Where does Still Foolin' 'Em rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Right at the top. I listen to many different types of books. This one ranks right at the top.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Billy....

Which character – as performed by Billy Crystal – was your favorite?

Mickey Mantel

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

There were definitely some sad moments. I think Billy was looking for the ....I laughed, I cried book. I am not easily moved to tears and I was not here however I could see where some might be.

Any additional comments?

When I finish a good book a part of me gets sad its over, wishing for maybe one more chapter! This book was no different.
Thanks for sharing your life Billy!

This is absolute magic

What a way to listen to an autobiography - told by the author himself. And when the author is brilliant comedian Billy Crystal, I was hooked from the first few words. I actually laughed out loud at some of the narrative, fortunately I was listening at home.

Billy, I have always loved your work; now I know a bit about behind the scenes I admire you even more.

A Crystal Fan since he first Ali!

What made the experience of listening to Still Foolin' 'Em the most enjoyable?

It was a real joy listening to this comic genius, Being only 5 years older than me, his walk on the path to fame and the paralleled real life made me feel like he is a friend! I still remember him doing Ali and Cosell on a show I never missed, Dean Martin's Celebrity Roast. Of course there was Soap, which was brilliant and his stint on SNL. He will always be remembered for his role opposite Meg Ryan in "When Harry Met Sally", However, hands down, my favorite Crystal film role was his "Mitch" (also my best friend and Army buddy's name) opposite Jack Palance's "Curly". I am an old movie buff and I was thrilled to see Jack get the oscar, finally, for his body of work shows his real talent, even when the script were "B" rate material. There is so much this man has accomplished in his 65 years, I could write for hours. His delivery alone, made this a 5 star performance on audiobooks and I think he never fooled anyone. Billy, you are a genius!!

Who was your favorite character and why?

His character "Mitch Robbins" from "City Slickers". It was playing opposite "Curly" (Jack Palance) that gave this movie teeth. There was a chemistry which was palpable.

Have you listened to any of Billy Crystal’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is one of his best! But it is like asking a classic rock fan, like myself, what was Led Zeppelin's greatest song!

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

His moments, both comical and otherwise, with his friend of one of my own boyhood idols, Mickey Mantle. I too was devastated, which Billy handled so well, which hit us all so hard, the demise of an American legend.

Any additional comments?

BUY IT!!!!

Hilarious, yet sentimental

This is the first audiobook I have ever purchased and it was one of the best decisions I've made. Mr. Crystal is sentimental yet hilarious, making me cry through both the up's and the down's. If you are a fan of his wit, crass, and uncensored humor, then you will love this book. If you have a love for family, friendship, and all things sentimental you will have a place for it as well. It does not disappoint.

Have a long drive ahead? Great listen

Would you consider the audio edition of Still Foolin' 'Em to be better than the print version?

With a quick up and back that was 6 hours each way Billy kept us entertained and reflective upon our own path as he shared his life, career, friendships, family and lessons learned, missed, and forgotten along the way. My wife suggested he could leave a few f-bombs out and achieve the same message...I would concur but that applies in most instances of the word's use nevertheless that's the comment she wanted to add. Nice work and far more chuckles and laughs as we too reach the age where the rear view mirror has quite a bit longer view than the road ahead.

Which character – as performed by Billy Crystal – was your favorite?

Great to hear Fernando again, and the entire story around Mickey Mantle and of course his family.