No Encore for the Donkey

By: Doug Stanhope

Narrated by: Doug Stanhope

Misanthrope. Iconoclast. Apostate. Drunk. Many words have been used to describe Doug Stanhope, but rarely has “hopeful” been one of them. However, heading into 2016, Stanhope peered through the apocalyptic fog and saw a forecast that was more rainbows than acid rain: His first book was set for release, his new stand-up special was in the can, and he was about to film a television pilot with his friend and confidant Johnny Depp. The sharks of Hollywood were circling, and Stanhope’s pockets were filled with chum. The only thing that could stop Doug was himself, and that’s exactly what he did.

First came the booze, then came the pills, then came the stripper, and then, Doug came. A tryst aboard a cruise ship leaves him literally and figuratively adrift when his scorned wife, Bingo, reveals she is in love with another man: a jug-sippin’, guitar-pickin’ hobo. A simple, black-out fling turns out to be a pebble tossed into the lake of you-know-what named 2016, and in No Encore for the Donkey, Stanhope traces the resulting rings.

Written and performed by Stanhope, his third memoir follows the veteran comedian on a quest to save his marriage, his wife, and eventually his wife’s life. Our hero's journey finds Stanhope cuddling with Johnny Depp in his Los Angeles mansion, receiving some much-needed TLC from Marilyn Manson, and - most daunting - building a new hour of comedy in the rusted-out hellscapes of post-industrial America.

Equal parts love letter, road romp, and harrowing condemnation of the failures of America’s mental health care system, No Encore for the Donkey is a hilarious and heartbreaking account of a man balancing on the edge of damnation. With Bingo in a coma and Trump about to be elected, Stanhope sifts through the ruins of his own personal cataclysm in order to answer the big questions: What does it mean to love someone when you can’t love yourself? What is the point of success if you have no one to share it with? And is the end of the world BYOB?

- Sam Tallent, August 2020

©2020 Doug Stanhope (P)2020 Audible Originals, LLC.

A Command Performance!

This true life yarn of such a tumultuous year in the life of one of the last true comedians really pulls you in from the first sentence, makes you run through the gambit of emotions, and tugs at your heart and rapes your funny bone... at the same time. Hearing Doug tell his story in his own voice draws you in deep and leaves you happily melancholic at the end and wanting more.

Killing the Brand

Douglas is without question the great American mind of the 21st century. And much like American, he is drinking himself into an early unmarked grave. Hemingway, Bukowski, & your God, what do these have in common with Stanhope tiny erect penis to a cross made of popsicle sticks, with their dribble. Doug Stanhope's No Encore For The Donkey is his best written work yet and that's hard to do when you start matricide. He also made this audio only which is fan service considering we Killer Termites where helmets and lick windows on our best days.

if you love Doug Stanhope you'll love this.

I love Doug Stanhope and truly enjoy his outlook on life. He doesn't care about getting cancelled or how you feel about anything. He simply states the things the way he sees them and let's you decide how to take what he says. He also has no problems defending his friends and colleagues no matter how you or the media feels about them. I will definitely be listening to this again along with his other audiobooks. Only buy this book if you want a no nonsense look at the year in the life of Doug Stanhope. If you're really offended or easily angered or take life too seriously this book is not for you.

Doug Hits Another Homerun

Though a bit short by traditional standards, this is probably just as personal, if not more so, than Digging Up Mother. Excellently crafted with just the right amount of detail, this story about he and Bingo’s commitment to each other is heart warming; but unlike most love stories you know this one is honest.

Message to the crazies.

Loved it. Thanks for the ear pleasure and the best seven, always look up son.

Doug’s Audiobooks are the best!!

This was my 3rd audiobook by Doug and every one was a fantastic ride full of zany, off the wall and heartfelt memories and experiences! Maybe it’s just me but I think there’s a large part, a missing hole in many of us that yearns for a ‘life lived to it’s fullest.’ Maybe it’s too late for many of us but I can at least enjoy the ride vicariously.
Thanks Doug!

Funny, but more depth than you might be used to

The genuineness of Doug comes through on this audiobook. He might be a verbal arsonist, but he is still more brilliant than most people realize. Some people might question how much more he could’ve accomplished if sober, but they are missing the point. People with this level of brilliance will blow their brains out if they don’t have a way to dull the voices in their head. He is an American treasure in the same vein as Hunter S. Thompson, just with less firearms and explosives.

the best from the best. the last living legend

good book funny honest and brutal from the living hunter s thompson in his own words.

No Encore For The Donkey is a must read (listen)

Thank you for sharing this story!! I loved this book. I laughed and cried. The level of love and community for Doug and Bingo is what life should be for everyone.

Heartfelt and honest

Doug is always raw in the stories he tells on stage. They can be brutally unflattering, tough to hear- but I love him. This book deals a lot with when Bingo was in a coma, and he is so humbled and vulnerable in the way he describes what happened.
I’ve met him in person, and he is basically what you would expect. This book, along with his stand up, is not just for show, it’s real.
Of course, don’t listen to this around young kids, but the book is great!