I Know I Am, But What Are You?

By: Samantha Bee

Narrated by: Samantha Bee

Candid, outspoken, laugh-out-loud funny essays from much-loved Samantha Bee, host of TBS's uproarious late-night show Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, executive producer and writer of TBS's comedy television series The Detour, and former The Daily Show with Jon Stewart’s Most Senior Correspondent.

In I Know I Am, But What Are You? she shares her unique and irreverent viewpoint on subjects as wide-ranging as:

BARBIE’S DREAM HOUSE
There were six main players in my coterie: G.I. Joe (macho, good-looking), Wonder Woman (hot, carpet-munching neighbor, busy with athletics), Marie Osmond (career gal, smart), Ken (gay, obviously), regular Barbie (slutty, dumb, eternally single), and an old-timey Barbie from the sixties (smoker’s cough, swinger).

HER CHILDHOOD CRUSH
I had a notebook dedicated to ironing out the details of my postmarital name change. Samantha Christ. Mrs. Jesus H. Christ. In fact, Jesus and I were so tight that if at any moment He should materialize, I knew we would listen to my disco records and eat Tang straight from the package, just like lovers did.

GYM CLASS
My grandmother would send me in a navy-blue, puffy-sleeved, one-piece cashmere sweat suit with a patent-leather belt, and warn me not to sweat in it, since it was dry-clean only.

FAMILY TIES
There’s really nothing creepier than going somewhere with one of your parents and having people think you are together, as a couple. Of lovers. Who do it. With each other.

Definitely not an autobiography

This memoir starts off with stories of her family history and childhood and progresses to stories about her first terrible jobs, roommate and relationships, and then ends with a rant about gift giving and a story about a trip she and Jason took to a dude ranch. They are mostly charming and funny, but I kind of assumed that we would progress to the start of her career and subsequent progression to first female late night comedy host and one of Time's 100 most influential people, sprinkled with insight about how she manages to be such a badass in the face of torrents of vitriol, institutional sexism, and maddening stupidity. I just found out that this book was originally published in 2010 (I wish audible listed original copyright dates anywhere!) so the last part wouldn't have possible, but she also just chose not to touch on her career at all. Just, you know, fyi.

Careful - you'll pee your pants

What did you love best about I Know I Am, But What Are You??

My teen daughter and I have listened to this book three times. She would kill me if she knew I told you this, but one time she peed her pants from laughing so hard. Luckily we were at home. I keep wanting to write Samantha Bee a love note telling her how much she has added to our mother/daughter bonding experience.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Probably the Manwich.

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

We laughed so much. Her voice and tone are perfect.

Any additional comments?

We checked this out at the library twice and finally had to buy it. Before, we only borrowed Samantha Bee. Now, we OWN Samantha Bee. But be careful - she is off the chain!

That explains so much!

This book is not for the socially conservative or those who are queasy about the seedier side of life. But anyone who watches the Daily Show should know that already. This book is an honest and funny - not pee in your pants funny, but good for several, sometimes uncomfortable, chuckles funny - memoir about growing up as Samantha Bee. Samantha opens her world to us without reservation and reveals the story behind how she became the person we see on television today.

I gotta ramble.

This book is so GD funny. I've listened to it twice, and both times I nearly had to pull off the side of the road because I was laughing so hard. Samantha tells the story of her twisted upbringing so well. The contrasts between her parental figures is just a recipe for hilarity. I loved this book and have recommended it to all of my friends. And truth be told, I peed a little during the last chapter, I was laughing so hard.

Kept me entertained while working around the house

Samantha Bee shares her fun, and not so fun times in just the way that had me enjoying them all. Even had to go back a few times so I wouldn't miss a word