Born Standing Up: A Comic's Life Cover
Podcast Mentions

Born Standing Up A Comic's Life

Steve Martin

In the midseventies, Steve Martin exploded onto the comedy scene. By 1978 he was the biggest concert draw in the history of stand-up. In 1981 he quit forever. This book is, in his own words, the story of "why I did stand-up and why I walked away."

Podcasts 8
Quotes 38
Get on Amazon Listen on Audible
SmartLess

Podcast

SmartLess

Sean Hayes (and Jason) repeatedly praised Steve Martin’s memoir, saying they had read it years earlier and found the Audible version, narrated by Martin himself, even better than the print. They highlighted the clever title and called it one of the best books about comedy, noting its insight into a comic’s life. Mike Birbiglia also referred to it as one of the great books on comedy, reflecting a strong endorsement from the hosts.

Highly Recommended

Episode: "3 Presidents"

It was mentioned as a good book that was read years ago and then listened to on Audible, the speaker enjoyed hearing Steve Martin read it, and it was said to be better than reading it. The speaker also liked the title.

"

And I read his book years ago called Born Standing Up.

And then when I saw it on Audible, I was like, oh my God, I have to hear Steve read it.

And it's fantastic.

And it's even better than reading it.

You get to listen to the guy, one of your idols actually read his book that you love.

It's such a good book and such a fantastic, clever title.

Born Standing Up, I love that.

Episode: "Larry David"

Sean Hayes said he read Steve Martin's book 'Born Standing Up' years ago and then heard Steve Martin read it on Audible, and it was even better than reading it.

"

I read his book years ago called Born Standing Up and then when I saw it on Audible I was like oh my god, I have to hear Steve read it and it's fantastic and it's even better than reading it.

It's such a good book and such a fantastic, clever title. Born Standing Up, I love that.

Episode: "3 Presidents"

It was mentioned as a book that Jason had read years ago and that he relistened to on Audible. He found it fantastic and even better than reading it.

"

And I read his book years ago called Born Standing Up.

And it's even better than reading it.

It's such a good book and such a fantastic, clever title.

Born Standing Up, I love that.

Episode: "Larry David"

Sean mentioned that he read Steve Martin's book 'Born Standing Up' years ago, and that he was excited to hear Steve Martin read it on Audible, saying it was even better than reading it.

"

You get to listen to the guy, one of your idols actually read his book that you love.

It's such a good book and such a fantastic, clever title.

Born Standing Up, I love that.

Episode: "Mike Birbiglia"

It was described as one of the best books about comedy, and the speaker had read it while starting out and listening to Steve Martin's albums.

"

One of the best, I read it. Yeah, one of the two books I read. It's one of the great books about comedy.

Pod Save America

Podcast

Pod Save America

The same remark noted a second title, "Stan," as another of the speaker's published books.

"

I have written two books, one called United, one called Stan. So together, Stan's United.

— Episode: Taxing Cory Booker's Patience

Episode: Taxing Cory Booker's Patience

The same remark noted a second title, "Stan," as another of the speaker's published books.

"

I have written two books, one called United, one called Stan. So together, Stan's United.

Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend

Podcast

Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend

It was discussed in the context of Steve Martin's career and how much thought he put into his work, in contrast to Letterman's approach.

"

Did you read the Steve Martin book, Born Standing Up?

— Episode: David Letterman

Episode: David Letterman

It was discussed in the context of Steve Martin's career and how much thought he put into his work, in contrast to Letterman's approach.

"

Did you read the Steve Martin book, Born Standing Up?

He put into his career more thought on a daily basis and continues to do so than I did my entire life.

Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade

Podcast

Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade

The book was mentioned in the context of Steve Martin's career and the mysterious picture on the album cover. The picture had been used on the book cover.

"

I've used it before on the cover of my book, Born Standing Up.

— Episode: Steve Martin and Martin Short

Episode: Steve Martin and Martin Short

The book was mentioned in the context of Steve Martin's career and the mysterious picture on the album cover. The picture had been used on the book cover.

"

I've used it before on the cover of my book, Born Standing Up.

Monday Morning Podcast

Podcast

Monday Morning Podcast

It was mentioned in passing as Steve Martin discussed his standup beginnings and co-headlining with Richard Pryor at the Troubadour.

"

That's another thing from Steve Martin's book. He was talking to one of the members of the band and they said, we're putting, we're putting together a band and he goes, what's it called?

— Episode: Monday Morning Podcast 6-19-23

Episode: Monday Morning Podcast 6-19-23

It was mentioned in passing as Steve Martin discussed his standup beginnings and co-headlining with Richard Pryor at the Troubadour.

"

That's another thing from Steve Martin's book. He was talking to one of the members of the band and they said, we're putting, we're putting together a band and he goes, what's it called?

Episode: Thursday Afternoon Monday Morning Podcast 5-11-17

It was mentioned as a hardcover book that Bill Burr had loaned to his neighbor and never received back. The book detailed Steve Martin's experiences growing up in Orange County and riding his bicycle past orange groves, painting a beautiful picture of the area.

"

I had the hardcover original version. I loaned it to my neighbor and I never got it back What a fucking asshole that still bugs me that I did that

But He was talking about how he grew up in Orange County and riding his bicycle to Disneyland past all the orange groves and Just the way he painted the picture was like wow That sounded like a beautiful place and now you go down there and it's just you know, one fucking strip mall after another.

Episode: Thursday Afternoon Monday Morning Podcast 5-11-17

It was mentioned in relation to Steve Martin's upbringing in Orange County, described as a beautiful place in contrast to its current appearance.

"

I had the hardcover original version. I loaned it to my neighbor and I never got it back. What a fucking asshole that still bugs me that I did that.

Episode: Thursday Afternoon Monday Morning Podcast 5-11-17

Bill Burr mentioned reading Steve Martin's book, "Born Standing Up", in hardcover, and how it portrayed Orange County as a beautiful place in contrast to his current perception of it as a strip mall-filled area.

"

I had the hardcover original version. I loaned it to my neighbor and I never got it back. What a fucking asshole that still bugs me that I did that

But he was talking about how he grew up in Orange County and riding his bicycle to Disneyland past all the orange groves and just the way he painted the picture was like wow. That sounded like a beautiful place and now you go down there and it's just, you know, one fucking strip mall after another.

Episode: Thursday Afternoon Monday Morning Podcast 5-11-17

It was described as a hardcover book that the speaker had loaned to a neighbor and never received back. The book contained a vivid description of Orange County that was in contrast to the speaker's current perception of it.

"

I had the hardcover original version. I loaned it to my neighbor and I never got it back. What a fucking asshole that still bugs me that I did that

But he was talking about how he grew up in Orange County and riding his bicycle to Disneyland past all the orange groves and just the way he painted the picture was like wow. That sounded like a beautiful place and now you go down there and it's just, you know, one fucking strip mall after another.

The Bobby Bones Show

Podcast

The Bobby Bones Show

Bobby Bones mentioned reading Steve Martin's book "Born Standing Up" more than any other book except "How to Win Friends and Influence People". He was impressed by how Steve Martin was the first comedian to do stadiums, even without the technology and equipment they have today.

"

I've read his book Born Standing Up probably more than any other book, except how to make friends and influence people.

— Episode: Fri Part 1: Bobby's Top 5 Dream Intervie...

Episode: Fri Part 1: Bobby's Top 5 Dream Interviews + Eddie...

Bobby Bones mentioned reading Steve Martin's book "Born Standing Up" more than any other book except "How to Win Friends and Influence People". He was impressed by how Steve Martin was the first comedian to do stadiums, even without the technology and equipment they have today.

"

I've read his book Born Standing Up probably more than any other book, except how to make friends and influence people.

Born standing up.

Born standing up. That's genius.

Episode: Mon Part 1: Tigirlily Gold Is In Studio! + Amy’s N...

It was mentioned as Bobby Bones' favorite book and he said he's read it twice or three times.

"

The book I've read the most is called Born Standing Up by Steve Martin.

This Is Important

Podcast

This Is Important

Adam praised the memoir for offering an engaging glimpse into the comedian's life, highlighting the striking anecdote about his childhood blackface performance and the symbolic decision to dye his hair white. He expressed that he especially liked hearing these personal stories, indicating strong appreciation for the book.

Highly Recommended

Episode: Ep 147: Ted Talk Dirty To Me

Adam enjoyed hearing Steve Martin's story about his life, especially the part where he talked about his childhood experience with blackface and the decision to dye his hair white as an act of solidarity.

"

I liked his book because I liked hearing his story.

You specifically told me you liked the part that where he was like, I used to wear blackface.

Yeah, I loved.

I really leaned into that.

I really leaned into that part.

Note: The book recommendations on this page are discovered automatically from podcast transcripts, and may be incorrect or incomplete.