Not Funny

Essays on Life, Comedy, Culture, Etcetera

By: Jena Friedman

Narrated by: Jena Friedman

Length: 7 hrs

Publisher's summary

NATIONAL BESTSELLER

“In fact very funny.” —Cosmopolitan

“[A] hilarious and much-needed book.” —Samantha Bee, Emmy Award–winning comedian, author, and host of Full Frontal with Samantha Bee

For fans of the perceptive comedy of Hannah Gadsby, Lindy West, and Sarah Silverman, Academy Award–nominated and acclaimed stand-up comedian Jena Friedman presents a witty and insightful collection of essays on the cultural flashpoints of today.

Growing up, Jena Friedman didn’t care about being likable. And she never wanted to be a comedian, either. A child of the 90s, she wouldn’t discover her knack for the funny business until research for her college thesis led her to take an improv class in Chicago.

That anthropology paper, written on race, class, and gender in the city’s comedy scene, was, in Jena’s own words, “just as funny as it sounds.” But it did lay the groundwork for a career that has seen her write and produce for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, the Late Show with David Letterman, and the Oscar nominated Borat Subsequent Moviefilm.

Friedman’s debut collection, Not Funny, takes on the third rails of modern life in Jena’s bold and subversive style, with essays that explore cancel culture, sexism, work, celebrity worship, and…dead baby jokes.

In a moment where women’s rights are being rolled back, fascism is on the rise, and so many of us could use a breather as we struggle to get by, Jena applies her unique gifts to pull a laugh from things deemed too raw, too precious, and too scary to joke about. She shares her stories of taking on those who told her she was too brash, too edgy, and too “unlikable” to make it. She deftly dissects how we get coerced into silence on the issues that matter most, until they’ve gone too far afield to be turned back around again. And she shares her struggles to make it (-ish) in a world that, more often than not, would rather tune out than listen to a woman confronting the indignities we’ve been told to bear.

©2023 Jena Friedman. All rights reserved. (P)2023 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

Not funny. Exactly

I was looking forward to this book, written by a well known comedian, thinking I would be laughing all the way through. While somewhat entertaining. It certainly wasn’t funny. Nor was it any more enlightening as to the plights of female performers preyed on by misogynistic male counterparts. There was no insight on how to curb these actions, just complaints. Sorry Jena, but it seemed like this was a sloppy, contrived attempt just to make more money rather than an artistic, funny work of genius that you are obviously capable of. Anyway, be comforted knowing I fell for it and bought the book. Oh, and being a sucker for your work, I’ll probably buy your next one too.

Not funny

Didn’t laugh at all. Also no one is a fan of baby murder. Also I hate mandates on minimum words.

Profound insights

The author, which I didn’t know, is a “comic” in the lingo, but I have often admired these professional “communicators” ( my lingo) and this lady comic surpassed my initial hopes as I chose this audiobook in a haphazard way. This lady gave me an insider look at the life and hardships of a fine example of this important job/social/function. I will search and try to find her performances online…. And I’m glad to add her name to my list (Samantha Bee, Rachel Maddow, …)

Delightful and very funny

Well-written trip through life in comedy pre- and post pandemic. I enjoyed the inside look at the business and description of bias still present in that workplace.

Meh

I didn’t really enjoy this book. The stories weren’t interesting to me. I do agree that it’s not funny, I guess I should have taken that as a true warning, rather than thinking it was a misnomer.

A Must Read For Conservatives

She mentions Trump in the book and I know a certain portion of Americans really really really like that garbage…um.. ex-President.
Jena Friedman is one of my favorite comedians. As a human comedian, she shows a tremendous amount of range in her book and her stand up performances. She can tell a nuanced dick joke as easily as she explores inequality and injustice in American Society making you laugh, only to immediately reflect on the joke and go “ahh..damn”.
This isn’t a joke book or a biography, although the majority of content is autobiographical. It’s an assortment of essays about her career as a FEMALE comedian. The word “FEMALE” matters here bc so much of the book focuses on her experience as a woman in her industry. I’d say that this book IS an answer to the dumb question interviewers ask lady comedians “What’s it like being a female comedian?” Now Jena can say “Just read my book.” Bc if someone asks her that, it’s obvious they in fact DID NOT read her book. And, it lends itself to plugging her book, which is kind of genius.
I listened to this book in one day bc I found her stories so interesting. There’s a great section where she interviews funny humans such as John Stewart, who she worked for as a field producer on the Daily Show, Patton Oswalt, BOB “FRICKIN” Odenkirk(dudes a comedic hero and a damn fine actor) as well as Jim Gaffigan, “America’s Daddy”, In which she asks them real questions that only women comics often get asked in interviews. Their reactions to the questions are often funnier than their answers. John Stewart’s answer about how comics are by nature, offended by everything really struck me.
This book is an insightful look into the world of comedy over the last 20 or so years, how it’s changed and how we as a culture have shaped the comedic landscape. Her views on cancel culture changed my perspective on the subject. She even admits that in her career she’s made insensitive jokes, that at the time, seemed acceptable but she has since grown as a person and understands why the jokes might be hurtful to the marginalized people she joked about.
Anyway, I rarely leave reviews but I think Jena Friedman’s journey through the industry is interesting and I love that she makes her stories even more poignant by sharing her own experiences when faced with misogyny and discrimination, but you know…in a funny way.
All of that being said, what the hell do I know? I just listen to books instead of reading, like a stupid, mouth breathing idiot!! Follow me on instagram @thechadhudsonshow (shameless SM plug!)
Enjoy!

Laugh out loud

This is the funniest book I’ve ever read. It is laugh out loud FUNNY! I couldn’t breathe. I was turning blue. I was afraid I would throw up. But I think Jena should change the name to: Filter is broken. Proceed with caution.

Fabulous, as always!

I wish I had known about Jena sooner, but loved her show Indefensible and was eager to read more of her work via this book. She is fearless (ish) and incredibly brave and persistent for giving voice to the experience of the majority of women living in today’s mad world. Please, please, please keep working and producing more content. We need you!

motivating and hilarious

I absolutely love this book. no book by a comic based on real life comes anywhere close to being as entertaining and informative. Jena is a great talent without compare.

So not funny, I cried, but in a good way

I absolutely loved this book. Jenna is hilarious and raw and exactly what I needed right now. Just like every other project of hers, I was fully invested and now I'm sad it's over and in need of more Jena. Definitely not for everyone, maybe check out her other works before investing if unsure. A true portrait of realistic feminism.