Taking this book in hand is the same as requesting a front row seat at Saturday Night Live with a few important differences: the comedic frenzies you will be exposed to will not always be funny; one might recall similar personal associations the author experienced that were painful; everyone does not always leave laughing but is left with the feeling that the best is yet to come if one does not give up hope. Rachel Dratch, formerly of SNL and 30 ROCK, is convincingly adept at conveying these scenarios. She is very funny on paper and was successful at her craft on television, as well. However, in addition to the comedic episodes she recalls, she is also very distinct in terms of her personal life and how her lack of social adaptation made relationships almost impossible in so many situations. She seemed able to forget all barriers on stage, yet had difficulty making small talk, paving the way toward something more tangible. Rachel is painfully honest about this aspect of her personality and, aside from the fact that you often have great difficulty breathing due to the outbursts of laughter at her candid recollections, you may find yourself feeling a twinge of trepidation hidden between the lines.
Ms. Dratch is very skillful in bringing to the surface the fact that being a comedienne is one of the most difficult parts to play, and the ‘dog eat dog’ atmosphere that surrounds one in this field is forever present and all-encompassing. At times, Rachel had to deal with not only being consistently productive but in some circles, did not pass the test for baring a comely appearance. Crude remarks were not infrequent and did nothing except make her feel she was constantly on a tightrope. Perhaps this is true in all facets of the entertainment business, but if you are doing a stand-up comedy routine that somehow does not seem to resonate on all levels with the audience, ‘forgetaboutit’. (Are you smiling?) Most importantly, however, in this memoir Rachel delves into the fact that we are, after all is said and done, the masters of our destiny. She never slept with despair and was eventually blessed with one of the greatest gifts one can receive…parenthood! This presents some of the most endearing parts of this book when, at forty-four, she experiences all the fears and anxieties about becoming a parent, giving birth and especially when she talks about her parents, who, with this advent, become grandparents for the first time. It will touch your soul.
This is a forthright, extremely amusing and encouraging chronicle. With all of the setbacks, unexpected pitfalls and disappointments she experienced, Rachel Dratch never resisted trying to get to that place in her life where everything seemed to mesh together. It is an ageless lesson to be learned that, “where there is life, there is hope!”