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A Very Punchable Face
A Very Punchable Face: A Memoir | Colin Jost
32 posts | 46 read | 11 to read
In these hilarious essays, the Saturday Night Live head writer and Weekend Update co-anchor learns how to take a beating. Colin Jost has six sets of stitches on his face alone. Hes been punched in at least four different sketches on Saturday Night Live, including once by his boss, Lorne Michaels. But if theres one trait that makes someone well suited to comedy, its being able to take a punchmetaphorically and, occasionally, physically. From growing up as an overweight kid in a family of firefighters on Staten Island to commuting three hours a day to high school and seeing the sights (like watching a Russian woman throw a stroller off the back of a ferry) to attending Harvard while Facebook was created (and choosing comedy instead!), Colin shares how he has navigated the world like a slightly smarter Forrest Gump. Youll also discover things about Colin that will surprise and confuse you, like how Jimmy Buffett saved his life, how Czech teenagers attacked him with potato salad, how an insect laid eggs inside his legs, and how he competed in a twenty-five-man match at Wrestlemania (and almost won). Youll go behind the scenes at SNL (where hes written some of the most iconic sketches and characters of the past fifteen years) and Weekend Update (wheres hes been the white guy next to Leslie Jones.) And youll experience the life of a touring stand-up comedianfrom performing in rural cafeterias at noon to opening for Dave Chappelle at Radio City Music Hall. For every accomplishment (hosting the Emmys), there is a setback (hosting the Emmys). And for every absurd moment (watching paramedics give CPR to a raccoon), there is an honest, emotional one (recounting his mothers experience on the scene of the Twin Towers collapse on 9/11.) Told with a healthy dose of self-deprecation, A Very Punchable Face reveals the brilliant mind behind some of the dumbest sketches on television and lays bare the heart and humor of a hardworking guywith a face you cant help but want to punch.
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Zoe-h
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Pickpick

I love SNL and so when I found this book, obviously I had to read it. It was absolutely hilarious. This covered everything in Colin Jost‘s life that he thought was worth mentioning, from Wrestle mania to getting potato salad thrown at him by Scottish teenagers. Warning: do not read if you can‘t deal with gross photos because yes, he was kind enough to include the time botflies laid eggs in his leg (with photos). 5🌟

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MeganLindell
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Mehso-so

⭐️⭐️⭐️

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fredthemoose
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Nothing earth shattering but perfectly enjoyable.

Suet624 You‘re so right 1y
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WorldsOkayestStepMom
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Pickpick

Hilarious anecdotes from Colin Jost's life! I love him on SNL and he's just as funny throughout the memoir.

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MMFinck
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Laugh out loud funny. Highly recommend.

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ninergrl6
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Pickpick

Great road trip listen! I‘ve always liked Colin Jost on SNL — even when most people panned him. I loved getting a glimpse into what led him to where he is today as well as some interesting SNL BTS tidbits. I laughed out loud a lot, but the chapter about his mom made me cry. Can‘t wait to see the pictures in the physical book when I get home.

#teachersoflitsy #librofm

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readswellwithothers
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Pickpick

Dear Neighbors: *This* is why I was laughing while I was raking leaves today! So funny, what a great book. I admit that I had to Google his name when Colin Jost‘s popular memoir came across my radar this summer. I waited on the library hold list for months for the audiobook and when my turn to borrow it came around, I had forgotten I was on the list at all. Uproarious, touching, intelligent, fun. Highly recommend!

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CogsOfEncouragement
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Pickpick

My teen son and I enjoyed this audiobook in the car. Though filled with many funny stories, he said he learned more about 9-11 than he ever did in school.

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Chelsea.Poole
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Pickpick

A great audiobook narrated by the author, but having the physical book on-hand was great to see the photos of him as a child and his nasty, infected leg 😝
I really enjoy Colin Jost on SNL and these stories from his life were entertaining and funny.

AmyG I just read he had a son, Cosmo, with Scarlett Johanson. 3y
Chelsea.Poole @AmyG oh I didn‘t know that! He talks about her a little bit in the book and mentions his ultimate goal to have children. So sweet! I‘ll look it up 👶 3y
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Suet624
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Pickpick

A delightful compilation of personal essays by Jost. Stories about SNL, about traveling with his buddies, an incredible story about his mother. He‘s a sweetheart. This is one of those rare times where I would say it‘s best to listen to the audio. I read this one before reading Mary Trump‘s book about Donald‘s upbringing. I should have reversed the order.

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Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick
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Pickpick

Colin Jost is a freakin' delight! I can't say that I've seen every episode of SNL, but when I do watch them, Colin's Weekend Update with Michael Che is usually my favorite part of each one. Paired with the self-deprecating title of A Very Punchable Face, I knew I had to give this a listen. Colin narrates the book and even adds a few little ad-libs encouraging listeners to buy the book so you can SEE the pictures for yourself & you know what?⬇️

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick This was pretty great, I just might do that! Colin covers his youth in Staten Island, his time at Harvard, and the many years in Manhattan since. I love when I recognize the sights and quirks of nearby places in books, and having grown up in a small town right across the Arthur Kill from a Staten Island garbage dump, I could relate. I also like to think that Colin would appreciate that my view of his home borough was literal trash. Colin may ⬇️ 3y
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick have had a rather vanilla upbringing with still married parents, close relatives, an ivy league education, and a movie-star wife, but he has also gotten himself into enough wacky situations with comical people that his story is far from boring. Sure, it helps if you like some childish humor, and I do, so very much, so this was right up my alley. If you regularly poop your pants and feel self-conscious about the frequency, give this a listen. ⬇️ 3y
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick In the midst of his humor, he highlights his hero, his mother, and her role in the 9/11 aftermath. He was able to bring about a connection to Pete Davidson, who lost his dad that day, and the chapter brings some gravity to an otherwise humorous book.
Colin shares more personal anecdotes than gossiping about his co-workers and guest hosts (except a few) but I was happy to hear that some of his favorite bits & skits he developed are also ⬇️
3y
See All 7 Comments
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick some of my favorites - Porn Stars, Drunk Uncle, and The Girl You Wish You Never Started A Conversation With at a Party among them. Even if you're a passing fan, I suggest this book. Other memoirs by funny people have left me a bit or a lot underwhelmed, but this is a gem!
#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks #memoirmay
3y
kspenmoll Fabulous review! Makes me want to listen... 3y
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick @kspenmoll Thank you! This one was easy for me to rave about. 3y
Tera66 Yes!!! Very punchable face!!! You got to it! But I must say that is the most handsome punchable face!!😍 3y
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AvidReader25
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Pickpick

I needed something light after a run in with the flu and this provided the laughs. What I want expecting was the incredible story of his mom‘s actions on 9/11! I didn‘t really know anything about Just before this, but it was silly, self-deprecating, and an interesting look at how SNL works. I‘d recommend the audio of you‘re interested in it.

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Lauram
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Pickpick

I enjoyed listening to this audiobook during my work commute. It‘s been years since I watched SNL so I‘m not familiar with Jost‘s work on the show, but I enjoyed listening to stories about his family, growing up in NYC, and the work leading into his current role at SNL. His self-deprecating humor was charming.

Suet624 Did he talk about his girlfriend? 3y
Lauram @Suet624 He mentions his fiancé (I believe they‘re married now) a few times throughout the book. 3y
54 likes2 comments
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Annie1215
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Pickpick

As a fan of SNL, I have read several memoirs from cast members and usually enjoyed them so I figured this would be an easy win.

There were moments that made me cry laughing and even one chapter that made me almost flat out cry. If you‘re familiar with his voice from his comedy you know what you‘re getting and will enjoy

#bookspinbingo

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3y
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick I'm eagerly awaiting my place in line for the audiobook. I'm #47 with about 24 weeks wait time. 3y
Annie1215 @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick oh wow! If you have any interest in borrowing the physical version let me know 3y
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick Thanks so much for the offer! I have lots of physical books I'm trying to get through, so I'll just wait for the audiobook. It might be fun to hear his self-deprecating voice on it, too. I appreciate the offer, though. 3y
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RamsFan1963
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Pickpick

Colin Jost seems like a very nice guy. I wasn't sure about his humor at first, knowing nothing about him except his Weekend Update skits on SNL. He won me over quickly with his sly, self deprecating sense of humor. 4 🤣🤣🤣🤣
10th book #ShutdownReadathon #Round2 @Squidget (50:08:31)
2nd book #FabulousFebruary @Andrew65 (12:52:06)

mcctrish I really really enjoyed this book. I laughed so much ❤️ I hope I can see him irl some day perform 3y
DieAReader 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 3y
Andrew65 Brilliant 👏👏👏 3y
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick My library just added this on audio last month so I'm 51st in line. Looking forward to getting it in 6 months. 3y
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mcctrish
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Pickpick

I loved this book!!! I have laughed out loud the whole time, sometimes crying, listening. I will never think of the Lincoln and Holland Tunnels the same way.

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mcctrish
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Happy Monday ☕️ I have started a new audio book to get some house chores done

vivastory This mug 😂 3y
mcctrish @vivastory you‘d have to sing while using it 3y
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bourne.shell
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Pickpick

If you're a Jost fan, you'll love this. If you're a fan of dry wit and rhythmic timing, it's for you. If you want to feel like you're watching a giant SNL skit, listen to the audiobook narrated by Jost himself. Wait until you get to the section about lines that the network censors told them they could not say on TV:

.... Delete “God lives for Puss” and let‘s discuss options that are not centered on female/male genitalia.

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actualdisneyprincess
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Pickpick

It was way funnier than I expected, and while he and ScarJo still kind of seem - to an outsider - to make a peculiar pair, the dude is totally self-deprecating and charming and it was an entertaining read. 🤷🏻‍♀️ #averypunchableface #colinjost

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actualdisneyprincess
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Welp. I‘m charmed already. I think I like the dude. 🤷🏻‍♀️ #averypunchableface #colinjost

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actualdisneyprincess
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Honestly, I‘m just reading this to try to understand what ScarJo sees in him. 🤷🏻‍♀️ #averypunchableface #colinjost

StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego 😂 That's fair. 3y
actualdisneyprincess @StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego like I know nothing about him, honestly; I‘ve seen maybe five minutes‘ worth of him on SNL. so, I have no BAD feelings towards him, my impression of him is just “...but who ARE you???” and so I shall get to know him and see if I decide that I like him and if I approve. 😂😂😂 3y
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego Well keep us posted, I kind of feel the same way about him. 😆 3y
actualdisneyprincess @StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego WELP I‘M ON PAGE TWO AND I‘M PRETTY SOLIDLY CHARMED SO 🤷🏻‍♀️ I THINK I LIKE HIM 💖 3y
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rachelk
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Pickpick

Jost is a very funny and entertaining storyteller (although the heartfelt chapter about why he loves his mom will definitely choke you up). He has a great voice for audio but it would have been nice to see the photos he referred to in the physical book. Either way, I definitely recommend some version of this if you feel like laughing!

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Gaylagal2
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Pickpick

This audio book was so good, I don't even know where to start with my praise! Listening to Colin Jost on my way to and from work would make me laugh out loud...a lot! His honesty and candor in telling his story (struggles with speaking) is a very touching, humorous way. I highly recommend it🤙❤️
🌟🌟🌟🌟

DebinHawaii I wondered how this one was. Stacking! 📚 3y
rachelk I agree! It was so good, totally exceeded my expectations! 3y
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cariashley
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Pickpick

Very much enjoyed this audiobook. I‘m a loyal SNL fan so loved all the behind the scenes stuff, but the parts about growing up in NYC and commuting to Regis were the best (I went to one of the girls‘ schools with the fancy names he mentions - we were one year apart but sadly never ran into one another!). And the chapter on his mom and 9/11 was surprisingly poignant; it had me in tears.

JoyBlue I started this morning. I'm almost finished with the mom chapter right this minute. I had to stop and compose myself. 💙 4y
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Jen_Reads
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Pickpick

I highly enjoyed this and listening to it was fun. He (and probably mostly Michael Che) are the only reasons I watch Saturday Night Live.

I definitely would give recommend giving it a listen.

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick Kate McKinnon and Weekend Update have been the main reasons I watch SNL. 4y
25 likes1 comment
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bio_chem06
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Thought I would take on something light. I‘ve been tackling some deep books about race lately and decided why not try something easy. And the more I think about it, I do kind of want to punch him in the face....

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Jen_Reads
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This chapter is just making me want to cry.

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Jen_Reads
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Today‘s listening material.

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ReadingEnvy
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Pickpick

This was a fun memoir that was still coming out in April when I started it but now it's coming out in July. If you like Colin on SNL you will like his memoir, which I have summed up as Rescue Me meets the male version of Rory Gilmore. 🤪

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AJackets
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It must be exciting advanced copy season!

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Well-ReadNeck
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Panpan

Yeah, nope. So many other SNL memoirs out there that are (IMO) better. Very Bro. #netgalley #arc

rabbitprincess Was the title accurate? 😬 4y
Well-ReadNeck @rabbitprincess LOL! In fact, yes! (edited) 4y
BookishTrish He totally has a punchable face! 4y
98 likes3 comments
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rather_be_reading
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Pickpick

Book 35 of 2020
#ebook #netgalley #arc

mcctrish Oh I‘d like to listen to this ❤️ 4y
rather_be_reading @mcctrish it was an ebook but pretty good 4y
75 likes2 comments