I Must Say

My Life as a Humble Comedy Legend

By: Martin Short

Narrated by: Martin Short

“Short’s endearing memoir is, of course, funny, but it’s also a rare thing: the tale of a genuine human being who’s thrived on planet Hollywood.” — Washington Post

In this engagingly witty, wise, and heartfelt memoir, Martin Short tells the tale of how a showbiz-obsessed kid from Canada transformed himself into one of Hollywood's favorite funnymen, known to his famous peers as the ""comedian's comedian.""

Short takes the reader on a rich, hilarious, and occasionally heartbreaking ride through his life and times, from his early years in Toronto as a member of the fabled improvisational troupe Second City to the all-American comic big time of Saturday Night Live, and from memorable roles in such movies as ¡Three Amigos! and Father of the Bride to Broadway stardom in Fame Becomes Me and the Tony-winning Little Me.

He reveals how he created his most indelible comedic characters, among them the manic man-child Ed Grimley, the slimy corporate lawyer Nathan Thurm, and the bizarrely insensitive interviewer Jiminy Glick. Throughout, Short freely shares the spotlight with friends, colleagues, and collaborators, among them Steve Martin, Tom Hanks, Gilda Radner, Mel Brooks, Nora Ephron, Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Paul Shaffer, and David Letterman.

But there is another side to Short's life that he has long kept private. He lost his eldest brother and both parents by the time he turned twenty, and, more recently, he lost his wife of thirty years to cancer. In I Must Say, Short talks for the first time about the pain that these losses inflicted and the upbeat life philosophy that has kept him resilient and carried him through.

In the grand tradition of comedy legends, Martin Short offers a show-business memoir densely populated with boldface names and rife with retellable tales: a hugely entertaining yet surprisingly moving self-portrait that will keep you laughing—and crying—from the first page to the last.

Funny memoir

Martin Short's memoir is very entertaining. His ability to imitate voices makes this audible version a must-have! I love his Katherine Hepburn story and his stories of his family (particularly his Dad.) So Good!

You respect the man

What made the experience of listening to I Must Say the most enjoyable?

Short's performance of his book is excellent. He tells his story without being pompous.

What does Martin Short bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Martin sings, does his impersonations and brings a warmth to his own story.

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

The description of his relationship with his wife is impossible to not appreciate.

Any additional comments?

I'm not a Martin Short fan. His comedy eludes me and his characters are more irritants than inspired. When Martin Short is on the screen, I don't laugh. But this book made me respect him. I'd like to have lunch with this guy and talk over family. He sounds like a truly wonderful friend. I ended still not a fan of his comedy, but definitely an admirer of his journey.

Awesome

After reading this book - I feel like i understand so much more - about Marty, SNL, SCTV, its a wonder book and funny - very funny

Marty and his many characters are delightful

This book let me hold my world at bay for a little while. Thanks for making me laugh and for letting me listen.

Must you?

Martin Short, you are such a name dropper. Did you have to make always about you?