Girl Walks into a Bar...

Comedy Calamities, Dating Disasters, and a Midlife Miracle

De: Rachel Dratch

Narrado por: Rachel Dratch

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

Girl walks into your heart.....

This is the most human "Hollywood" story I've ever heard. While we like to pretend that talent and fortitude will always win out, we know when we say it that's not necessarily true. And this story of someone trying and succeeding and failing and trying and getting depressed and trying some more just hits home with sincerity and comic timing that is flawless. Could not have been performed by anyone else, and reminds us that maybe, just maybe, talent IS enough to get us to prevail.

Could not stop listening

If you could sum up Girl Walks into a Bar... in three words, what would they be?

Funny, Funny & Heartwarming

Who was your favorite character and why?

Rachel of course.

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

Was not aware that she has read or written other books. I loved her voice and would listen to her read menu.

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

Yes, and could have if I had not started so late at night and needed to get to bed.

Any additional comments?

I have a feeling I will listen to this again and again over the next few years. It was just really that enjoyable of a book.

Now, I really like this girl

What did you love best about Girl Walks into a Bar...?

She is such a down to earth person, with real people problems, and she really can make you laugh about it. Also, there's one specific part, talking about motherhood, really beautiful! it can make you cry a lot!

What about Rachel Dratch’s performance did you like?

With the tone of her voice, you could really feel what was going on with her at every minute of the story.

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

Yes

Comfortable listen with a handful of laughs

This is definitely not your typical comedian book. It's more of an autobiography with some funny parts, but still worth a listen. My only complaint would be that some of the parts went on a little long and with a bit more detail than I needed, but just about as soon as I was reaching my "annoyed" point, she moved on so no harm no foul.

Hoping for a sequel

I've seen Dratch on Snl and 30 Rock but never gave her much thought so it was pretty random that I end up listening to her book. After listening to this book I came away with one overwhelming thought: "This book needs a sequel!" Dratch was hilarious and so accessible that at times it was easy to forget we weren't two friends chatting over coffee. I love how real she was and how honest and revealing she was. I recently saw her Amazon pilot and I hope it gets picked up to give her more book material. It's safe to say she can add one more straight guy to her list of fans.

Sincere and heartwarming

Rachel's story is easy to relate to, from the struggles of dating and parenting. And I enjoyed the humour and how she performed it.

A Fairly Enjoyable Light listen

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I'm not necessarily sure this book was necessary but I enjoyed Dratch's tales enough. Especially towards the end it does seem like there's a lot padding to get a story, which is already pretty short. I'm not sure I would have enjoyed this as a book, it would probably seem too flimsy, but Dratch's performance on the audiobook adds to it. It's not a ton of insider SNL info so if that's what you're after don't look here. This is really her story of her experiences and rejections from the entertainment industry, and her relationship with her baby daddy and experiences of motherhood in her 40's.

Any additional comments?

Based on her book I don't want to compare Dratch to Tina Fey but I did listen to Bossypants first then this based on the Audible recommendation. It is in the same vein as Bossypants but shorter and focuses more on her more recent personal life - but they have had very different experiences. There are stories of early improv days and SNL but That's not the focus.

not as good as i wanted it to be

Is there anything you would change about this book?

She thinks she is funnier than she is, which makes for a kind of painful listening experience.

Would you be willing to try another book from Rachel Dratch? Why or why not?

Her insights and observations into the world are surprisingly dull, and now that she has talked about showbiz and SNL, there is nothing else I care to hear her opinion about. Tina Fey: please write 50 more books! I want to hear your thoughts on anything. R.D. does not have the same genius for writing, just some similarities in life experience.

Amusing, even if you are half a fan.

Love Rachel's take on life, love and Hollywood BS. Recommend to all women with even a little sense of humor.

Hilarious!

What did you love best about Girl Walks into a Bar...?

The honesty in the book is great. Rachel Dratch has a self depreciating style that doesn't make you feel bad for her or question her confidence. She also answers a question I had been wondering...."What have you been doing since SNL?"

What other book might you compare Girl Walks into a Bar... to and why?

Tina Fey's Bossypants. Rachel talks about Tina in the book & they're friends.

Which scene was your favorite?

Phone calls from her agent reenacted.

Any additional comments?

I listened to this book on the train & had to keep myself from cracking up out loud. At times I had to pause the book so I could enjoy a good laugh without missing anything!