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

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.

Nice guy

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

A great audio book read by Billy. Includes some stand up as well. I preferred the parts just read by Billy rather than the stand up. An amazing story - he has achieved so much and is still is a down to earth person, Some swearing but in context. Very funny and sad in parts - Highly recommend.

What did you like best about this story?

The humor.

What does Billy Crystal bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

BIlly is a great comic and does some wonderful voices

Best book I heard in a long time

If you could sum up Still Foolin' 'Em in three words, what would they be?

Could not stop listening

What was one of the most memorable moments of Still Foolin' 'Em?

When he talked about keeping the horse from City Slickers and his meeting with Mickey Mantel for the first time.

What about Billy Crystal’s performance did you like?

The performance was easy to listen to and showed a lot of emotion.

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

When he talked about the love he had for his family, his wife and his mother.

Any additional comments?

I do not usually write reviews but I had to with this book. I recommend it to anyone. Great book and narration. I could not stop listening. The book is easy to listen to and entertaining. May times I had to stop the narration because I was laughing so hard. It also has very personal moments that are easy to relate with.

She asked him to kiss her twice

What did you love best about Still Foolin' 'Em?

Billy Crystal has always been one of my favorite entertainers. Reading the book might be fine and well, but listening to him in the studio or to an audience reading the chapters of this spirited biography is a joy and good medicine. I hope he feels like writing and reading what he writes more and more. Also, I hope he brings his play to San Francisco. I had to work over the holidays with hardly anybody in the office. Having his voice in my head for the last 3 hours on the Friday after Christmas while I worked on org charts and calculated numbers made me happy and sorry it ended. I love hearing about his family and famous friends. I had a ball listening to him describe meeting his dream girl (You will have to read or hear it. I am not spoiling anything.) He is so poignant it imitating people to comic and poetic effect. I didn't want to miss a word and will listen again.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Still Foolin' 'Em?

This whole book is wonderful. He is a talented, rich, famous guy who has talented, rich, famous friends. However, he is a guy who loves his family. Also, I giggled a lot when he talked about his dream girl.

What about Billy Crystal’s performance did you like?

You want to hear him reading this book. He has a great voice. Then there are all the other voices - including his dream girl. His writing communicated love and joy, but you hear him live it.

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

I love what he writes about his mom and how she would call him on his birthday. I love every mention of his wife. What a partnership! That had me welling up while I was trying to move an org chart around. I giggled a few times and imagine giggling more when I remember him meeting his dream girl. I felt chills in the chapter about "letting him go."

Good humorous listen

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

Self narrated autobiographical humour.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Still Foolin' 'Em?

Not anyone thing. Overall excellent.

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

No

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Life at 65

Any additional comments?

Not a prude however way too many uses of the f__ word. Detracts from humour and not necessary for impact.

Made driving to work very enjoyable!

Didn't know much about Billy until now. But since I liked several of his performance decide to give it a chanche and I am happy I did. This book took me in a journey of laughs and tears which is what I expect from a good book. Made driving ro work fun.

Simply Amazing.

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

Yes, a real " pick me up". Good Laughs, and really shows Billys true colors.

What other book might you compare Still Foolin' 'Em to and why?

None. Has its very own and unique style.

What about Billy Crystal’s performance did you like?

Very engaging, Live audience listening to him read the book and really grasps their attention

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. Only I tried to save it for when I am at work. Makes the day fly by.

Any additional comments?

A Must read.. Never really knew much about Billy Crystal, so I am glad that I listened to this book, because it gave me a lot more insight as to why people adore him so much!!!

Awesome Book

So well done.So very funny.I really hope I can read more of his books.Thank you,BC!!

Very nice

What did you love best about Still Foolin' 'Em?

I enjoyed this book very much. It's not a laugh out loud type of listen but a little more serious. Billy Crystal does a great job telling his story that is full of normal life lessons and people.

He's still got it!!

What did you love best about Still Foolin' 'Em?

This book takes to "backstage" to many of Billy's great career moments - as well as touching personal stories. It made me laugh until I couldn't breathe and at times, it brought tears to my eyes with the poignant, personal stories he shares. Presented in his own voice it feels like an old friend sharing a story over a bottle of wine (or two).

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

Stories of his appearances on SNL, in movies like When Harry Met Sally, The Princess Bride and Analyze This - brought those movie memories to life.