Just the Funny Parts

...And a Few Hard Truths About Sneaking into the Hollywood Boys' Club

By: Nell Scovell

Narrated by: Amy Hohn

Length: 8 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's Summary

You’ve almost certainly laughed at Scovell’s jokes - you just didn’t know it until now.

Just the Funny Parts is a juicy and scathingly funny insider look at how pop culture gets made. For more than 30 years, writer, producer and director Nell Scovell worked behind the scenes of iconic TV shows, including The Simpsons, Late Night with David Letterman, Murphy Brown, NCIS, The Muppets, and Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, which she created and executive produced.

In 2009, Scovell gave up her behind-the-scenes status when the David Letterman sex scandal broke. Only the second woman ever to write for his show, Scovell used the moment to publicly call out the lack of gender diversity in late-night TV writers’ rooms. “One of the boys” came out hard for “all of the girls.” Her criticisms fueled a cultural debate. Two years later, Scovell was collaborating with Sheryl Sandberg on speeches and later on Lean In, which resulted in a worldwide movement.  

Now Scovell is opening up with this fun, honest, and often shocking account. Scovell knows what it’s like to put words in the mouths of President Barack Obama, Mark Harmon, Candice Bergen, Bob Newhart, Conan O’Brien, Alyssa Milano, and Kermit the Frog, among many others. Through her eyes, you’ll sit in the Simpson writers’ room…stand on the Oscar red carpet…pin a tail on Miss Piggy…bond with Star Trek’s Leonard Nimoy…and experience a Stephen King-like encounter with Stephen King.

Just the Funny Parts is a fast-paced account of a nerdy girl from New England who fought her way to the top of the highly-competitive, male-dominated entertainment field. The book delivers invaluable insights into the creative process and tricks for navigating a difficult workplace. It's part memoir, part how-to, and part survival story. Or, as Scovell puts it, “It’s like Unbroken, but funnier and with slightly less torture.” 

©2018 Nell Scovell (P)2018 HarperCollins Publishers

First return

I wanted to like this book, and I was enjoying the story. But the narrator was just awful. I never thought I would take advantage of Audible’s return policy, but I did for this one!

Kept waiting for the funny parts

Although I listened to the entire book and enjoyed some of the stories about writing for tv, movies, presidents, etc., I was disappointed that I didn't find any real humor.

Honey, she shrunk herself

I had such high hopes that this would be the dishy, feminist, hilarious and insightful MeToo-era take on Hollywood that I've been craving. Instead, Scovell writes her life like a cheesy sitcom. It's an endless parade of dad jokes. In person she is surely a brainy, edgy woman who has paid dearly to become the one female in the writers room. I want to meet that woman. But you won't find her in this book.

Good book, terrible reading.

While Nell Scovell's words about her life as a female comedy writer are compelling, Amy Hohn's reading is atrocious. It seemed far more suited to children's books and I almost expected to hear a "ding" to indicate when to turn the page. As a comedy writer, Scovell's memoir has frequent laughs, but you wouldn't know it to hear Hohn's delivery. She's managed to suck all the life from the pages.

Oh, Men!

This is an intriguing but not too heavy look at why media and entertainment tend to be so monolithically male - ideal for the #metoo age. The reader is a little flat compared to the zing of the writing but overall it was a positive and enlightening experience. Also, you won't BELIEVE all the legendary shows Nell worked on!

Funny, important and insightful

5 stars on all counts: feminism, writing, business of writing for entertainment, and more.
Fresh perspective.

Laughing, nodding, and cringing.

An insider’s guide to the life of a Hollywood TV writer, with plenty of insights and LOL moments... as well as cringe-worthy instances of sexism in action. A cautionary tale... and an inspiration.

Not just funny.

So greatful for Nell. There are so many thoughts worth sharing. Purchased additional copy as a present and requested my friend to pass to others. Truthful. Wishing her Nell a long career.

lots of funny parts!

timely memoir about the struggle of pre-millennial professional women and the uproarious success of one such woman.

excellent storytelling!

loved this candid portrait of a new writer making a success in Hollywood! go Nell!

honest, amusing, well delivered

interesting insights of the world of entertainment especially enjoyed the part about President Obama, Lily Tomlin and NCIS