A Load of Hooey

A Collection of New Short Humor Fiction, Odenkirk Memorial Library, Book 1

By: Bob Odenkirk

Narrated by: Bob Odenkirk, David Cross, Jay Johnston, Jerry Minor, Megan Amram, Paul F. Tompkins

Length: 2 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

Bob Odenkirk is a legend in the comedy-writing world, winning Emmys and acclaim for his work on Saturday Night Live, Mr. Show with Bob and David, and many other seminal television shows. This book, his first, is a spleen-bruisingly funny omnibus that ranges from absurdist monologues ("Martin Luther King Jr.'s Worst Speech Ever") to intentionally bad theater ("Hitler Dinner Party: A Play"), from avant-garde fiction ("Obit for the Creator of Mad Libs") to free-verse poetry that's funnier and more powerful than the work of Calvin Trillin, Jewel, and Robert Louis Stevenson combined.

Odenkirk's debut resembles nothing so much as a hilariousnew sketch comedy show that's exclusively available as a streaming video for your mind. As Odenkirk himself writes in "The Second Meeting of Jesus and Lazarus," it is a book "to be read aloud to yourself in the voice of Bob Newhart".

©2014 Bob Odenkirk (P)2014 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Funny, Often Enough

Any additional comments?

This is an odd book to listen to, probably an odd book to begin with. As the fairly funny introduction implies, the best place to read this is probably the toilet. It has fairly short, separated bits that ought to be read in 3-5 minute breaks.

So, listening to it is another matter. Many of these bits really made me laugh. The best, like the one in which Odenkirk talks about how to write stupid reviews on Amazon, are really funny. They're clever and angry in just the right mix.

On the plus side, there are very few (if any) clunkers. Many are in the same vein as one another, however, with the result that some are less good than others. The result is that there are times it feels as if you've heard something before.

Odenkirk himself has such a satisfying voice that it makes the material come alive. The other readers are good, too, but they aren't in it enough to sustain a rhythm, so sometimes they feel as if they're interrupting his shtick.

While I did enjoy this, I couldn't help thinking I'd have enjoyed it even more as a series of 15-20 minute podcasts, as a kind of variety show for the 21st century. Barring that, I think I'd have enjoyed it even more if I'd read it in the bathroom.

Still, this is clever and a lot of fun, and Odenkirk has earned the right to explore his madness in a form like this one.

Some nice, light silliness

Perfect for a car trip with a person who shares none of your interests. Great, theatrical reading of short comic "skits."

Not cup of tea.

It's a fine book, silly, but not my style.
Just too juvenile and "shocking," basically a load of hooey.

Not worth the time!

What I didn’t like:
Two things, it is not funny and the language is so blue, I just had to stop reading it. I mean, it’s ust like listening to a bunch of adolescents using bad language to prove they are all grown up. Not funny. Period!

Good but too short

Bob Odenkirk is always great, but this would have been better ( and cheaper) to buy in dead tree format. If only I could read, I might be able to leave a full review explaining the pros and cons of the various parts I liked or disliked. Note to self: learn how to read, it will save you money on audiobooks.

Love Bob Odenkirk!

Funny guy with a unique sense of humor. Highly recommend! I'll definitely be waiting for his next (hopefully there will be a next one).

Great highs

At its best, it's hilarious. At its worst, it's a bit dull and potentially misguided.

I'm a fan of Mr. Show and related projects, so I'm inclined to enjoy this quite a bit. This book definitely has great moments, but it's weighed down by some less impressive parts.

The Hitler sketch felt a bit sophomoric (as many Hitler sketches are bound to), and there are some questionable choices regarding gender here and there. The MLK bit didn't do much for me, either; it was pretty monotonous beyond what isn't even that great of a premise.

However, on the whole, it's a fun listen that's easy to recommend to fans of Mr. Show, Comedy Bang Bang, Birthday Boys, etc.

Not worth listening to

What disappointed you about A Load of Hooey?

It was difficult to follow. There was no common theme.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Anything else!

Would you listen to another book narrated by the narrators?

Perhaps.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Frustration

Any additional comments?

Do not waste your time listening to this book.

Mean, negative humor

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Fans of Tosh.O, bullies

Any additional comments?

Honestly wanted to give this 0 stars but there is one slightly clever skit but the narrator was so annoying that wasn't even funny. The person who wrote this seems just hateful and a bully.

Very funny!

I would recommend this book for anyone who loves Mr. Show or Bob Odenkirk's work on other shows. It reminds me of some of Steve Martin's essays.

Mildly Amusing. Unfortunately Transphobic

DNF at around 70%


I don't like giving one star, especially to someone whose work I greatly appreciate (seriously, Mr. Show is ridiculously funny and weird, his performances as Saul Goodman are sublime, and Nobody is one of the best John Wick movies), and I feel very self conscious whenever a book actually talks about reviews -- with appropriate mocking of ridiculous ones and the hilarious reviews of classics.

I realised early on that this wasn't my cup of tea and nothing like the humour I was used to and expecting of Odenkirk, but persisted hoping for the hidden treasure that are so often found in so so anthologies. The quality does vary with some being better than others, awkward and problematic (I'm not being puritanical and I'll discuss this shortly) to genuinely rather wry and amusing. The audiobook definitely helped in the delivery of some of the stories, particularly the piece to be read at the character's funeral with wild emphasis read by (I think) Paul F Thompkins doing a voice was actually great.

While this was cruising to be a competent, but not for me, three, then the sheer number of vaguely and less so transphobic elements in multiple stories and the not necessarily homophobic, but certainly seemingly exotifying and fetishising someone being gay and into kink. This book was published in 2014. There's never a excuse for bigotry, even when it's being used for comedy by somone not of that intersection. I'm not trying to be a buzzkill or wokescold and absolutely not trying to make more of it than what it is and saying Odenkirk is necessarily a bigot. It just sucks to be the butt of an unfunny joke. We have a sense of humour, but 'ha ha, man-woman' just doesn't cut it.

The audiobook performances were brilliant and any time I hear the dulcet tones of Paul F. Thompkins is a joy.

Disappointing.

Fine

It was okay as part of the membership when it was effectively free, but it's poorly written and not particularly well acted. I barely laughed.

Easy listening fun

Bob is a great guy to listen too and there is some great elements to these stories. Worth a listen if you’re fancying something a little different