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Huffington Post contributor and standup comedian John DeBellis has written for David Letterman, Johnny Carson, Joan Rivers, Rodney Dangerfield, Joe Piscopo, Elayne Boosler, Jenny Jones, Billy Crystal, Bill Maher, Dennis Miller, and Gabe Kaplan. John has done staff writing for Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show, Politically Incorrect, The Billy Crystal Comedy Hour, and several sitcoms. He was head writer for the critically acclaimed syndicated satire, D.C. Follies, and was the supervising producer and writer for the ACE Award-winning Joe Piscopo special on HBO.
DeBellis produced what many critics say was the best TV special ever done about standup comedy, Comedy Club Super Stars. The show aired on ABC and featured Jerry Seinfeld, Paul Reiser, Richard Lewis, Richard Belzer, Bill Maher, Rita Rudner, Paula Poundstone, Larry Miller, and Tim Allen.
John just completed writing and directing his first feature film, The Last Request, starring T.R. Knight, Danny Aiello, Frankie Vincent, Vinnie Pastore, Gilbert Gottfried, Mario Cantone, Joe Piscopo, Tony Lo Bianco, and Barbara Feldon.
Follow John’s blog and connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, LinkedIn and GoodReads.
Reviewed by Robert Rose for Readers' Favorite
Ever heard a joke that you enjoyed so much that you had to share it? Then, when you tried to emulate the way it was told to your listeners, family, friends or co-workers they looked at you blankly or shook their heads - you BOMBED! According to John DeBellis, this is an example of what comics experience continuously. Why would anyone in his right mind expose himself to such devastating pain? John’s hilarious depictions of he and his comic cohorts give ample proof that none are sane. Their individual neuroses and (for some) borderline psychotic behaviors are told in anecdotal fashion as you meet them all. John doesn’t go into any deep psychological analysis of the need to get recognition by being funny, but you are reminded of Red Skelton’s tragic clown persona. Each works out, not always successfully, his need to be accepted on his terms as each finds the format and style that fits his personality. John is almost always kind and aware of the lengths each goes through on his journey to self expression. His detailed descriptions of incidents were, at times, a little too much for me, but the humor and affection for each balanced it out. It is the camaraderie and unselfish love between them that makes the book such an easy, delightful read. He does emphasize that their group was unique and that nowadays, in the cutthroat world of comedy, it would be difficult to duplicate their experiences.
John DeBellis has “made it” as a standup comic and as a comedy writer, but he has written a story of friendship that goes beyond any profession or discipline. His story demonstrates what many young couples relate about their difficult struggles in the early years of their marriage. It created the bond that carried them into more comfortable lives, but overcoming adversity is its own reward. John retells the happiest times of these comedians’ lives - before they were famous. Good job, John.
