The Chris Farley Show

March 10, 2008
Chris Farley’s older brother Tom is director of the Chris Farley Foundation, an institution dedicated to educating young people about addiction and inspired by the tragic early death of his comedian sibling. Farley has teamed up with Colby (coauthor of Belushi: A Biography
and also a National Lampoon Radio Hour
 head writer) for this rip-roaring memory mosaic, talking to “all the people who either knew Chris the best or were there at the important moments in his life.” The interview quotes have been rearranged into a chronological narrative, which starts with Farley’s childhood pranks in Madison, Wis., and moves on to the Marquette University theatricals that revealed Farley’s flair for improv. Chicago’s Second City catapulted him to Saturday Night Live
, where he performed many well-remembered characters. Next came movies, but drugs, alcohol and rehab lurked in the background of his rise to fame. Molly Shannon recalled: “He was just indulging in everything: girls, Chinese food, drugs, booze, cold syrup. Everything.” With talents such as Mike Myers, Chris Rock, Conan O’Brien and David Spade analyzing his humor and detailing Farley’s escapades and hijinks, this is a boisterous book the comedian’s fans will want to buy, borrow or steal.

March 15, 2008
Chris Farley's unique comedic talents catapulted him to national fame via television's "Saturday Night Live" and films such as the popular "Tommy Boy". His flair for improvisation and his ability to connect with people were outstanding. His life, however, was eclipsed and ultimately cut short by ongoing alcohol and drug addiction. Here, his brother, Tom Farley Jr., and Colby (coauthor, "Belushi") provide an honest and compelling portrait of Farley from his early years until his death in 1997. The unusual structure of the book adds to its poignancy; each chapter contained in the three acts of Farley's life is a well-organized compilation of vivid reminiscences from family and former schoolmates, TV and film personalities, and community center workers. A heartbreaking story of a complex man emerges: the popular public figure, the kindhearted private onea religious man, caring friend, and dedicated volunteer to the aged and homelessand an insecure, troubled individual, who, despite a supportive network and wholehearted attempts at rehab, succumbed to his addictions. Essential for fans.Carol J. Binkowski, Bloomfield, NJ

Copyright 2008 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2008
Older brother Tom presents an oral-history biography of the wild and crazy fat man from Madison, Wisconsin, who became a Saturday Night Live star performing exuberant physical comedy in loosely scripted skits. That he had a taste for recreational substances not unlike that of earlier tub-o-guts SNL headliner John Belushi didnt surprise his fans, nor did his Belushi-ish premature death, apparently from too many speedballs (i.e., heroin-cocaine combos). The voices heard in his brothers compilation express love for the comic, who apparently had a gold heart. John Goodman mentions that Farley seemed genuinely thrilled to meet Goodman and didnt just treat it as a celebrity type of thing. A nonstar adds that Farley was so respectful of everyone, like he always had something to learn from you. Additional testimonialists include David Spade, Alec Baldwin, Farleys brothers, and SNL alums Mike Myers, Norm MacDonald, Kevin Nealon, Chris Rock, and Spinal Tapper Michael McKean. A bittersweet, unabashedly fond remembrance of a troubled funnyman.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)