Maybe We'll Have You Back

The Life of a Perennial TV Guest Star

By: Fred Stoller

Narrated by: Ray Chase

Length: 7 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

Fred Stoller has played the annoying schnook in just about every sitcom you’ve seen on TV - Friends, Everybody Loves Raymond, Scrubs, Hannah Montana, My Name Is Earl - and was even a staff writer for Seinfeld, but he’s never found a solid gig. When it comes to Hollywood, it’s a case of always the bridesmaid and never the bride, except in his case he’s always the snarky waiter, the mopey cousin, or Man Number Two.

This hilarious and bittersweet rags-to-rags story of the hardest-working guy in showbiz follows Fred, who started his career as a stand-up comic, from set to set as he tries to find a permanent home for his oddball character. With candor, Fred shares stories of his great adventures pounding the Hollywood pavement, including a humiliating encounter with Billy Crystal, a disastrous one-night stand with Kathy Griffin, and plenty of awkward run-ins at craft service tables. And he always shares his ups and downs with his skeptical yet loving mother waiting by the phone in Brooklyn.

Everyone can relate to searching for a dream job or their next big break, and will root for Fred as he weaves his way through the cutthroat world of Tinseltown.

©2013 Fred Stoller (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"I don’t know why Fred was never a regular on a show. Maybe because he’s annoying...just kidding!" (Ray Romano)

Gret book with disappointing narration

The content of this book is great, I loved all the stories and the insider perspective. What I didn't like is the narration. Listening to this at 1.0x speed is arduous. The narration is so slooooow. I had to jack the speed way up to get the cadence to sound normal. But there was a shocking ending to this book... If Barack Obama can narate his own book (and he's not an actor) then one would assume Fred Stoller isn't too much of a hot shot to read his own audible book too. The whole time I was listening to the book I was deceived into thinking it was Fred reading the book but at the end I was shocked to hear it is harrated by Ray Chase? I've never had a bigger WTF moment since I started listening to Audible.

And if you're going to have someone else read it, it should be someone more barable than Ray Chase.

Anyway, I still recommend this book even with Ray Chase reading it but I recommend you crank up the speed.

Kind of depressing

I was expecting something funnier and a little more lighthearted. It was funny in parts but generally pretty much a downer. It’s interesting and entertaining, just not what I expected.

The format was a little all over the place at times. It would sometimes jump from situation to situation without a comprehensive segue. Other than a few of those instances, it’s pretty good.

Who in the world is Fred Stoller?

I like hearing stories about different kinds of jobs but who in the world was Fred Stoller? Well as it turns out everyone has seen him in as least some the hundreds of appearances he has made as a guest star but (as I learned from this book) guest stars should never outshines the lead actors. Fred is a regular guy who act and writes, he takes us through his career and what it takes to get these guest spots. It's really not about gossip but there is just the right amount sprinkled into the story. When you hear lead actors talk about their shows they certainly don't talk about what the lunch caterer served or if the crew was invited to eat of just the regulars. I laughed many times with his deadpan style as he would make fun of himself. My favorite was when he went up for a part that was described as a "Fred Stoller type" in the description and he didn't get the part! We learn about the casts of Murphy Brown, Everyone Loves Raymond and many others. Because he is also a writer, we also learn about what it is like from that standpoint. As a member of the Screenwriters Guild he was able to see movies for free for a short time every year, it was hilarious to hear how people who never spoke to him would try to get him to take them to movies or flat out ask for his pass.

This book kept pulling me back, I think I finished it in three days. In the end, I really liked this guy. I'll admit I YouTube'd him to see who he was, then; "oh yeah, I remember him". It was delightful to see the television business from the unique angle

I would have preferred Fred reading it himself but the narrator did a great job and I often had to remind myself that in was not Stoller speaking.

Good job Fred!

Surprise. Surprise, Surprise!!!

I can identify with Freddie the looser. Maybe that's why I love his book so much😄

Wonderful memoir

This Audible memoir vividly describes what it is like to be a person lacking in self confidence. At the same time it provides a detailed and interesting description of what the life of an actor is like if you are not a perennial top star. I enjoyed the honest portrayal, and the poignancy and humor of the story. The narration perfectly captures Mr. Stoller’s personality and style.

Captivating biography of one of my favorite actors

Great book from start to finish. Thoroughly enjoyable and informative, a great insight into not only Mr. Strollers career but a peek into the world of TV and movie "behind the scenes " that is sure to entertain anyone with even the slightest curiosity about Hollywood.

Insightful and Heartbreaking

The narrator was good but I wish the author would have read the book since he has such a distinctive and unique voice. The book was great and insightful. I loved it. It made me want to buy Fred Stoller a jacket.

Unexpectedly Funny Laugh Out loud fun

I remember seeing Fred Stoller in various guest star spots. I like him as an actor, comic and now as a writer. I highly recommend this book. He's self depreciating in the greatest of ways.

A man who overcomes obstacles to realize his dream

It was an enjoyable experience listening to the ups and downs of carving out a unique niche in Hollywood.

As Good As It Gets

Where does Maybe We'll Have You Back rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This audiobook ranks near the top of the dozens I have in my Audible collection.

I worked with Fred Stoller for a few days twenty years ago and picked this book up on a whim when I saw it listed.

It far exceeded any expectations I might have had.

"Maybe We'll Have You Back" is funny, revealing, poignant and extremely informative; I can't imagine that a better book has ever been written about what life is like for a character actor in the TV trenches.

Not incidentally, I was a bit concerned that the audiobook is read by Ray Chase and not Fred - but I quickly discovered that Chase reads the material with a perfect approximation of the author's Brooklyn cadence and inflections. I think he does Fred better than Fred.

A must listen.

Who was your favorite character and why?

It's a toss-up between Fred and Fred's mom...

What about Ray Chase’s performance did you like?

His performance is natural, fluid and perfectly captures Fred Stoller's comedy rhythms.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me laugh several times. It did not make me cry at all.

Any additional comments?

Well-done!