Still Foolin' 'Em

Where I've Been, Where I'm Going, and Where the Hell Are My Keys

By: Billy Crystal

Narrated by: Billy Crystal

Nominated for a 2014 Grammy in the Spoken Word category!

Hilarious and heartfelt observations on aging from one of America's favorite comedians, now that he's 65, and a look back at a remarkable career.

Billy Crystal is 65, and he's not happy about it. With his trademark wit and heart, he outlines the absurdities and challenges that come with growing old, from insomnia to memory loss to leaving dinners with half your meal on your shirt. In humorous chapters like "Buying the Plot" and "Nodding Off," Crystal not only catalogues his physical gripes, but offers a road map to his 77 million fellow baby boomers who are arriving at this milestone age with him. He also looks back at the most powerful and memorable moments of his long and storied life, from entertaining his relatives as a kid in Long Beach, Long Island, and his years doing stand-up in the Village, up through his legendary stint at Saturday Night Live, When Harry Met Sally, and his long run as host of the Academy Awards. Listeners get a front-row seat to his one-day career with the New York Yankees (he was the first player to ever "test positive for Maalox"), his love affair with Sophia Loren, and his enduring friendships with several of his idols, including Mickey Mantle and Muhammad Ali. He lends a light touch to more serious topics like religion ("the aging friends I know have turned to the Holy Trinity: Advil, bourbon, and Prozac"); grandparenting; and, of course, dentistry. As wise and poignant as they are funny, Crystal's reflections are an unforgettable look at an extraordinary life well lived.

Still Foolin' 'Em includes a portion recorded in front of a live studio audience.

©2013 Jennilind LLC (P)2013 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“At 65, Billy Crystal is a master of comic timing, as he demonstrates during his narration of Still Foolin' ‘Em. A fine actor and nine-time Oscar host, Crystal knows exactly how to deliver his artful blend of touching memoir and rueful riffs on the indignities of aging. Several chapters were recorded before a live audience, giving him the opportunity to exchange banter and charm a crowd – as he no doubt will many listeners…In both modes, however, he proves himself accomplished, nuanced, and – best of all – very funny.” —AudioFile Magazine

"Filled with hilarious and heartfelt observations on aging, Still Foolin' 'Em, the Grammy-nominated memoir by one of America's favorite comedians, outlines the absurdities and challenges that come with growing older. This 2014 Audie Audiobook of the Year is read by Billy Crystal himself, with his trademark wit and heart." - PopSugar.com

“Billy Crystal's new memoir is everything you'd expect from this acclaimed actor, writer, producer, film director and world-class comedian. Though the book is a great read, this audio version, performed by Crystal himself, is even better. His timing is perfect, he laughs, ad-libs a little and even chokes up as he talks about how much his wife of 43 years means to him…But be careful! Listening while driving, treading on a treadmill or stirring up a stir-fry could be hazardous to life and limb – this is unredacted, laugh-out-loud humor, Billy Crystal at his bravura best.” —BookPage

Disarmingly Honest

I enjoyed this book, and as expected, I laughed out loud multiple times. I can't imagine "reading" this book when you have the opportunity to listen to Billy Crystal read it to you. Having his voice truly made all the difference and brought the laughs.
The insights into the sports figures were especially interesting and getting a peek behind the scenes of movies like When Harry Met Sally and City Slickers was a treat.
Going back and forth between Crystal reading the book and reading it live in front of an audience was a really nice touch, I especially loved that.
Because Crystal is reading it to you, it feels intimate. So occasionally he drops facts, or lines, that are surprising, like how rich he is, or how much he dislikes someone, things that were really, very honest. I loved it. I love being surprised, and I love being surprised that I'm surprised.
I recommend this book.

Just loved it.

Just plain loved it. I was disappointed when it came to an end. Good use of credit.

Funny, Informative, Good Advise, and Funny

When I started this book I was concerned it was just going to be a long stand-up act. Then I thought, well how bad could that be if it were? As it turns out, Crystal brilliantly mixes the story of his life, with humor and some good advice. This is a book where the audible format far out performs the printed word. He keeps you on your toes all the time, chapters vary widely in length which I liked because he spent whatever time necessary to convey a thought. I laughed through the entire book but in the end I realized that I knew so much about Billy Crystal. I would summarize him as a bright man with all the insecurities of most comedians, who loves his wife, children and grandchildren deeply, he looks for humor in everything that happens and is an expert in finding it.
I read many good books but this is the first one that I said to myself that I needed to listen to it again in a year.
Good job Billy!

Can you dig it? I know that you will!

Would you listen to Still Foolin' 'Em again? Why?

Absolutely! Wonderful story told in a very entertaining way.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Billy! A consumate storyteller, he draws you in and you feel like you are sitting with him and he is personally telling the story. I could see him in my mind while he was talking.

Have you listened to any of Billy Crystal’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have had the pleasure of seeing him live and own some of his recordings. Just as engrossing as ever!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

His chapter on 9-11 brought me to tears, was so happy that his uncle got out. But his chapter on his daughter's wedding was beautiful and painful, since I have two daughters as well and can relate to his feelings at that time.

Any additional comments?

Some would think a story of a man who had a good childhood, a happy marriage, wonderful kids and a successful career would be boring. Where is the scandal, the addictions, the affairs!? Although his life wasn't perfect, Billy Crystal tells a engrossing, and very funny tale that should be read. Not everyone has to touch bottom before they reach the top and Billy has. Plus, he is still adorable after all these years!

Pure Billy Crystal

Would you listen to Still Foolin' 'Em again? Why?

I will definitely listen to this again.

What did you like best about this story?

I love the fact that he included live performances. It was wonderful to hear his timing in response to the audiences response to the book.

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

Everything. I cannot imagine just reading this book. It was like Billy Crystal was in my living room telling me the story of his life.

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

I definitely laughed. He has a way at looking at life that puts a funny spin on normal aging.

Any additional comments?

Again, I cannot imagine just reading this book. Billy's narration added so much. I will listen to this over and over. I am looking forward to a road trip next month so I can listen to this again.

Amazing Amazing Amazing

What made the experience of listening to Still Foolin' 'Em the most enjoyable?

Billy Crystal's ability to make me laugh and cry within a single chapter. He's funny and witty, but then takes you by surprise when he speaks so poetically about experiences in his life

What was one of the most memorable moments of Still Foolin' 'Em?

When he spoke about his wife. There's so much love in his life and it's refreshing to see that a big celebrity like him has stayed with the same woman he met before he became famous for so long

What about Billy Crystal’s performance did you like?

The voices! He brought to life everyone he spoke about because he impersonated them

Fantastic Audiobook!!

Personal, human, and well phrased. One of the Best books I've read in the last few years. No subject (worthwhile ) left untouched , and nothing is off-limits.

billy loves baseball

overall I really enjoyed this there was a lot of great stories throughout this book my only beef was that it switches from an intimate Studio reading to a live performance in front of a crowd I didn't like the stuff in front of the crowd so much I like my story time to be intimate

A must listen

I laughed, I cried...it was better than Cats. Will definitely tell all my friends to listen to this heartwarming memoir.

Didn't get fooled at all

Not being a huge fan of Billy Crystal's movie career but always enjoying his stand up work I decided to give this a try. Very glad I did. Crystal does a really nice job, as a writer and a reader. I like the addition of recording some of the book in front of a live audience but was glad it was a small part of the book. I loved the last 2 chapters because being 60 and looking at your mortality is a good thing. His loving description of his relationship with his wife is sweet, almost to sweet, but in this age of disposable marriage I think it's something that we don't see or hear enough of.