First thing first I know this book came out a long time ago. So sue me.
About the book and little about me:
When I first started thinking about doing comedy Louie Anderson was one of the guys I remember seeing on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. I think I saw him on HBO and a bunch of other comedy specials they had at the time. This week I’m working a cruise ship so I actually had the time to read his book Dear Dad- Letters from and Adult Child and as luck would have it, it was in the ships library. In this book Louie writes letters to his dad now deceased. Many stories about himself and his family, growing up a poor. Child number ten out of eleven in a house with an alcoholic dad. I read this book in one night and wished I had saved a few pages for the following day. I was very touched by Louie Anderson’s honest and sometimes courageous telling of his growing up and unresolved issues with his dad. He talked about not wanting to do fat jokes any more in his act. I must say I remember he impressions of his mom and dad the most and torturing his little brother something I did and still feel guilty about. I completely connected with his inability to communicate with his mom and dad and how the family used comedy as a shield against expressing their feelings.
A few years ago I got the chance to be on a show with him at the Johnny Carson Comedy Festival in Nebraska. I had a chance to talk to him back stage and he was very cool. I was in the finals of a contest with all pro comedians. I was very happy that he was as funny and approachable as you hope he would be. If you are a comedy fan or like me have some unresolved family issues this book is a great read. Great job Louie Anderson I think your dad would be proud!