Medallion Status

True Stories from Secret Rooms

By: John Hodgman

Narrated by: John Hodgman

Length: 8 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

"[An] affecting and hilarious meditation on fame and prestige as seen through the lens of an airline loyalty program." (The AV Club)

A hilarious and honest new audiobook in which John Hodgman, New York Times best-selling author of Vacationland, leaves vacation behind and gets back to work as a still somewhat famous person...and then loses his job. An uproarious listen.

After spending most of his 20s pursuing a career as a literary agent, John Hodgman decided to try his own hand at writing. Following an appearance to promote one of his books on The Daily Show, he was invited to return as a contributor. This led to an unexpected and, frankly, implausible career in front of the camera that has lasted to this very day, or at least until 2016.

In this audiobook, Hodgman explores the strangeness of his career, speaking plainly of fame, especially at the weird, marginal level he enjoyed it. Through these stories, you will learn many things that only John Hodgman knows, such as how to prepare for a nude scene with an oboe, or what it feels like to go to a Hollywood party and realize that you are not nearly as famous as the Property Brothers, or, for that matter, those two famous corgis from Instagram. And there are stories about how, when your television gig is canceled, you can console yourself with the fact that all of that travel that made your young son so sad at least left you with a prize: platinum medallion status with your airline.

Both unflinchingly funny and deeply heartfelt, Medallion Status is a thoughtful examination of status, fame, and identity - and about the way we all deal with those moments when we realize we aren't platinum status anymore and will have to get comfortable in that middle seat again.

©2019 John Hodgman (P)2019 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Boston-born, Yale-educated humorist/writer/actor John Hodgman has been blessed with a voice that makes him sound like a world-renowned authority and a nincompoop at the same time. It's a wonderful combination.... A must-listen for all those who appreciate breakfast and comic genius." (AudioFile Magazine)

"Conversational, funny...the focus is on the bizarre state of being liminally famous in a culture that so desperately celebrates fame.... Hodgman has dozens of funny stories to tell, ranging from recollections of early jobs to the time Benedict Cumberbatch messed with his mind." (The AV Club)

"This funny, sometimes delightfully absurd book offers sharp meditations on status, relevance, and age, and fame - or at least being fame-adjacent." (Publishers Weekly)

"Humorous and surprisingly poignant." (Kirkus Reviews)

Humor, melancholy, and insight

This book (like Vacationland) will be loved by anyone who is a fan of JJHo podcast or John Hodgman in general.

And like VL, this book is equal parts heart warming and soul crushing. Life is beautiful, funny, and everything dies. It’s a lot to take in, but it’s wrapped in a great narrative and humor, so it is enjoyable. Now I’ll go and contemplate my existence for a while. Thanks John.

It’s John Hoffman!

Now I know what to say if I bump into John in Maine or Boston. Such a fun book.

Fun, charming, deep, honest

I really enjoyed this listen. John Hodgman is a charming writer and narrator. Interesting, funny and heart warming stories.

I loved this book

I loved this book. I heard that the audio of this book syncs up with the movie Marathon Man, and while that may be a lie to get you to buy it, don’t you owe it to yourself to try nevertheless?

Hodgman is great

Probably my favorite comedian/performer. And great author. Hope there are more books to come

Hodgman is a true racentuer.

As with Vacationland, Mr. Hodgman tells small stories that manage to impart great wisdom. The final chapter brought me to tears, for the sheer beauty of it. At once, smart, funny, poignant. While he is relentlessly self-effacing, it is in that humility, his brilliance shines brightest.

sit back and let it wash over you.

I listened to the whole thing in one sitting.

I have loved all of John's previous work, but none of his previous writing had me on the verge of tears so many times. I had a Petey of my own... 😢
I can't wait to share this work with my parents and friends.

hi

great story but could of used less trump complaining. great work John. lookimg for more work

If you love storytelling you’ll enjoy!

I’ve been listening to John’s stories and made up facts for years. He’s clever and funny but wish he was not so hard on himself 😀. These stories are personal and one or too a little embarrassing but so fun.

Didn't want it to end

I just finished the audiobook version of John Hodgman's "Medallion Status". It's been a long time since I loved a book enough that it made me sad when it ended. It was the same combination of intelligence, nerdiness, humor and enormous wisdom about the human condition that makes me love his work so much. The story is wonderful, and made even better with Hodgman himself as the narrator.
(If you're not listening to his podcast, "Judge John Hodgman", you should be.)