Girl Walks into a Bar...

Comedy Calamities, Dating Disasters, and a Midlife Miracle

By: Rachel Dratch

Narrated by: 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 forty-four.

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 bestsellers Tina Fey and Chelsea Handler-are truly having their moment.

Critic reviews

“Rachel Dratch has written a memoir that is funny, honest and optimistic. It's like spending a delightful evening with Rachel, but in a format that allows you put her in your purse and enjoy her on the bus. (Rachel, I think Lynda Carter should play you in the movie and you should play your son.)” — Tina Fey

"A hilarious look at how unpredictable and beautiful life can be. Like Dratch, Girl Walks into a Bar... is honest, surprising and always funny." — Amy Poehler

"This is one of those books where a woman tells of her struggles with life and love. But here's the caveat: the struggles are hilarious and the woman is Rachel Dratch." — Sarah Silverman

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.