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So, Anyway...
So, Anyway... | John Cleese
John Cleeses huge comedic influence has stretched across generations; his sharp irreverent eye and the unique brand of physical comedy he perfected with Monty Python, on Fawlty Towers, and beyond now seem written into comedys DNA. In this rollicking memoir, So, Anyway, Cleese takes readers on a Grand Tour of his ascent in the entertainment world, from his humble beginnings in a sleepy English town and his early comedic days at Cambridge University (with future Python partner Graham Chapman), to the founding of the landmark comedy troupe that would propel him to worldwide renown. Cleese was just days away from graduating Cambridge and setting off on a law career when he was visited by two BBC executives, who offered him a job writing comedy for radio. That fateful momentand a near-simultaneous offer to take his university humor revue to Londons famed West Endpropelled him down a different path, cutting his teeth writing for stars like David Frost and Peter Sellers, and eventually joining the five other Pythons to pioneer a new kind of comedy that prized invention, silliness, and absurdity. Along the way, he found his first true love with the actress Connie Booth and transformed himself from a reluctant performer to a world class actor and back again. Twisting and turning through surprising stories and hilarious digressionswith some brief pauses along the way that comprise a fascinating primer on whats funny and whythis story of a young mans journey to the pinnacle of comedy is a masterly performance by a master performer. From the Hardcover edition.
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JoyBlue
So, Anyway... | John Cleese
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Mehso-so

I needed something light to read. This was a fine solution. It was occasionally very funny. Often, it was like listening to your grandpa's old stories for the millionth time. I'm glad enough to have read it, but I wouldn't rush to recommend it.

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JoyBlue
So, Anyway... | John Cleese
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This is what I picked to lighten the mood/de-stress after Mr. Nobody. It's working pretty well!

TheAromaofBooks I really enjoyed this one, although was a bit sad that he didn't delve into the Python/Fawlty Towers years. 5y
JoyBlue @TheAromaofBooks That seems to be a common reaction. 5y
60 likes1 stack add2 comments
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GondorGirl
So, Anyway... | John Cleese
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Here I am at Motor City Comic Con, fighting off the last stages of a horrible cold. But hey- I'm actually not working a show for once!

Actually, we're here so that my husband can meet John Cleese (his early birthday gift from me). The signing line is INSANELY long, so I've found a chair and an busy catching up on litsy!

#MCCC

cobwebmoth Hope you're feeling better soon! 5y
rretzler So jealous! Have a wonderful time! 5y
BookmarkTavern Your hair is completely gorgeous! Have fun! 💜 5y
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GondorGirl @blamethestardust Thanks! This is my favourite wig! 5y
LibrarianRyan Love your hair. 5y
jmtrivera Great wig!!!! 💜 5y
65 likes1 stack add6 comments
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janeycanuck
So, Anyway... | John Cleese
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I was looking back at my 2017 in Books on Goodreads and couldn‘t stop giggling at how these two books lined up with each other 😂

DivineDiana 😂 6y
Tkgbjenn1 I think John Cleese would love this! 6y
27 likes2 comments
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StellarDoc
So, Anyway... | John Cleese
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I did not get to meet the man himself, but I did pick these up at the merch booth.

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StellarDoc
So, Anyway... | John Cleese
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Forbidden photo of John Cleese being interviewed by his daughter, Camilla.

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StellarDoc
So, Anyway... | John Cleese
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Seeing John Cleese tonight. Photos are prohibited, so this is likely the only photo I'll have from the event.

LiteraryinPA Have so much fun! 7y
StellarDoc @LiteraryinLititz I did! As you might imagine, Mr. Cleese is very funny. 7y
16 likes2 comments
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Birdsong28
So, Anyway... | John Cleese
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JennyM
So, Anyway... | John Cleese
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For a small town, my local librarians have an awesome sense of humour.

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janeycanuck
So, Anyway... | John Cleese
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Pickpick

The delay in the audio for Cleese to record it was worth every minute

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janeycanuck
So, Anyway... | John Cleese
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This is such a joy to listen to. Cleese narrates it himself - recorded quite some time after the book was finished and he keeps laughing as he gets to particularly fond & humourous memories. It's so great!

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azulaco
So, Anyway... | John Cleese
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Pickpick

This book started off with some laugh-out-loud funny moments from John Cleese's childhood and early youth, but there were less as the book moved along. I can see why Cleese sometimes has the reputation of being a jerk. 😜 He comes across that way occasionally, especially evident in the audiobook, narrated by Cleese himself. I still found this book entertaining and interesting. I didn't know much about Cleese's career before Monty Python.

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Suelizbeth
So, Anyway... | John Cleese
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This audiobook should come with a warning: CAUTION. Do not listen while driving. Bouts of hilarity may impair vision.

Laura317 Your PSA! 😂😂😂 8y
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tracyrowanreads
So, Anyway... | John Cleese
Pickpick

As read by Cleese, it's hilarious. Listening was like a tonic for the world's craziness.

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skrishna
So, Anyway... | John Cleese
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Pickpick

That's right, I got to interview John Cleese for @bookriot about his wonderful and hilarious memoir! I genuinely adored this book, and chatting with him over the phone just made me love him more. http://bookriot.com/2017/02/01/anyway-interview-john-cleese/

LeahBergen Lucky you! 💗 8y
reneelyons Absolutely amazing!! 8y
Doresik Love John Cleese. 8y
78 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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azulaco
So, Anyway... | John Cleese
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#feistyfeb day 7: #alltheworldsastage. Couldn't resist posting about this one again. I'm now up to the part about John Cleese's early experiences onstage with the Footlights Club at Cambridge. This book continues to delight me. He also has very good tips about writing and performing comedy, for those interested.

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LittleWonder
So, Anyway... | John Cleese
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Taking a break from books (well, not really...lol) to enjoy a viewing of Monty Python and the Holy Grail with a Q&A after with John Cleese!

JoeStalksBeck Love them! Life of Brian is my fav! 8y
KellyMuser It was a great show! He's a wonderful storyteller. 8y
15 likes2 comments
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azulaco
So, Anyway... | John Cleese
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#readjanuary day 26: #autobiography. I just keep posting about John Cleese's book, don't I? I'm loving it. I only wish I had more time for listening to it. I'm experiencing daily snippets of its hilarity on the short drive to work in the morning. It's so enhanced by Cleese's narration!

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azulaco
So, Anyway... | John Cleese
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I had to take a screenshot because the book I'm currently reading is this audiobook, via Scribd. And boy is it helping my mood. I have laughed hard, sometimes to the point of tears, every day that I have listened to this book. #allisnotlost

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skrishna
So, Anyway... | John Cleese
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Pickpick

I'm a huge fan of John Cleese, so this memoir was an utter delight. He's a great writer, and his memoir is thoughtful and, of course, hilarious. It actually focuses on his years before Python, so here's hoping for a second installment!

rachelm Love the book face! 8y
Sarah83 Cool pic 🖒 8y
Varshitha Nice pic😄 8y
86 likes9 stack adds3 comments
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BethwithBooks
So, Anyway... | John Cleese
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Last year I gave my dad a copy of So, Anyway for his birthday ... this year I got to take him to see John Cleese live and it was pretty perfect that the show just happened to be today. Humor cures all (especially British humor) #fleshwound

Leelee08 Awesome! I saw John Cleese and Eric Idle in Atlanta in 2015?and looooooved it. #montypythonrules😍 8y
BethwithBooks We were just discussing how awesome it would have been if Eric Idle was there as well but the host guy did a pretty good job and kept the conversation rolling #pythonlove 8y
10 likes2 comments
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skrishna
So, Anyway... | John Cleese
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I am laughing so hard I'm crying.

Gayan I have that on my reading list, I can't wait. 8y
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azulaco
So, Anyway... | John Cleese
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I just started this audiobook on Scribd. You guys. It's delightful and funny, and I'm not even an hour into it. Highly recommend! Of course it helps if you have a Pythonesque sense of humor...

Laura317 I will check it out. 8y
azulaco It's just wonderful to hear John Cleese actually reading it. He's great. It adds to my enjoyment so much. 8y
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Amandajoy
So, Anyway... | John Cleese
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Something that makes me happy (besides books)? The theater, musicals in particular. Tonight I got to see one of my favs at my community theatre. Remember: 🎶always look on the bright side of life! 🎶#funfridayphoto @Liberty

ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled 😗😗😗🎶🎶 (that's me whistling along now) 8y
40 likes1 comment
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Katja
So, Anyway... | John Cleese
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Pickpick

After only a few pages of this John Cleese autobiography, I'd already laughed out loud so much I had to keep reading. It turns out he's funny.

The most interesting part isn't his comedy career; those chapters fall flat compared to the enchanting way he sketches his childhood. He paints the flawed characters from his youth with charm and love.

Cleese says he's always felt himself to be more writer than actor; this book made me believe him.

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Lexeegee
So, Anyway... | John Cleese
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Pickpick

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Cleese's personality came through in his writing. I think I may hit YouTube and look up some Monty Python clips.

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Lexeegee
So, Anyway... | John Cleese
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I love this book. From the first line I could hear John Cleese's voice in my head.

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Lexeegee
So, Anyway... | John Cleese

I am loving this book! I can hear Cleese in my head reading!

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Lexeegee
So, Anyway... | John Cleese
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And now for something completely different.

Gayan This has been on my TBR list for far too long. 8y
8 likes1 comment
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CherylDeFranceschi
So, Anyway... | John Cleese
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That time last year when I went to see John Cleese talk about his book and he was exactly as awesome as you would expect him to be. Also- he was barefoot. #TBT

Lauren_reading That is awesome 😂 8y
LiteraryinPA Wow, what a memorable person to see! 8y
Gezemice I love the pic and John Cleese! 8y
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CherylDeFranceschi @Gezemice Thanks! I love him, too. And he was SO nice! 8y
rachelm I wanted to read this! 8y
TheLondonBookworm That's amazing I've idolised John Cleese my entire life. I'm so jealous! 😊😊 8y
MrBook 😂👍🏻 Lucky you! 8y
Trav Ha! Absolutely brilliant -- I love John Cleese. 8y
Lizpixie I've loved Monty Python since I was about seven in the 70s! My brother had their albums (actual records) and used to play them all the time. The parrot sketch and the job interview are my all time favorites. Plus the movies! Sigh. 8y
CherylDeFranceschi @trav @Lizpixie I have loved Monty Python and John Cleese for 40 years plus! It was really special to hear him and to know that he is a warm and kind and hilarious person to everyone. So amazing to meet him! 8y
Trav @CherylDeFranceschi It's always nice when you get to see/meet someone in the flesh who you've adored for years; and also an added bonus when they turn out to be genuinely likeable and not a pompous ass. Monty Python is the greatest! 8y
74 likes4 stack adds12 comments
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SiriGuruDevSingh
So, Anyway... | John Cleese
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Pickpick

I challenge you to read about 'The Unfortunate Rabbit Incident' and not laugh. You'll hurt your precious stomach.

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TheApesOfWrath
So, Anyway... | John Cleese
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The one successful #bookfacefriday I ever did, starring my husband.