This book is the culmination of 25 years as a professional comedian. Comedy is the most singular thing I can think of doing for a living, yet I could not have done it without the help of many generous and talented people. I thank the following people for their inspiration, encouragement, accommodation, and love.
My wife Stef Zamorano, I am indebted to her for so many things, not the least of which is the support and encouragement she gave me throughout this entire process. She is my right hand, my other self, and the best wife in the world.
My manager Alex Murray, who continues to make my dreams come true. While others doubted me, he expected me to succeed and showed me how to think big. This book is a tribute to his mindset.
This book is an outgrowth of doing a satirical news show for KPFK radio in Los Angeles. That show is the result of the courage, sharp eyes, and hard work of Ali Lexa and Alan Minsky.
Every week on The Jimmy Dore Show, I have the amazing good fortune to work with some of the brightest minds in comedy. Robert Yasumura, a brilliantly funny writer with a wonderful imagination and an amazing gift for perfectly framing complicated issues. His humor and help with this project was instrumental, I will forever be grateful.
Steve Rosenfield packs a lot of humanity into his sardonic sense of humor. He writes the greatest one-liners since Henny Youngman and has the ability to pillory the world’s biggest douchebags with one sentence.
Frank Conniff, a true comedy savant, the most quick-witted comedian around, who speaks in perfectly formed jokes and raises puns to high art. Eliciting a laugh from Frank will always be the highest compliment a joke can receive.
The brilliantly funny Marc Van Landuyt, his writing is not only hilarious, but he takes down targets with pin point accuracy. His insight, guidance, and constant hand-holding were integral to the making of this book. He is always a pure delight, his outrages are as entertaining as his joys. I wish everyone a friend like Marc.
Mike MacRae is the funniest impressionist who ever lived. That is not an overstatement. Not only does he capture people’s voices, but by some unexplainable voodoo, captures a piece of their dark souls as well. He makes comedy work a pure joy.
Jim Earl, who is so funny he makes us laugh at death on a regular basis. His sketches and jokes are always a welcomed treat.
Paul Gilmartin for lending his talent and making his outrage a highpoint of the show. And my sincerest gratitude goes to all the writers and performers who have made The Jimmy Dore Show possible, I am truly indebted and proud to know you all.
The friend who literally drove me to Los Angeles on January 1st 1995 was John Bongiorno. He then drove to New York and stayed, and I have missed him ever since.
Ben Mankiewicz- who had nothing to do with the writing of this book, and when I say nothing, I mean zero. But his friendship, humor, and masterful telling of the greatest Hollywood stories of all time, were around when I needed it.
Guys like Cenk Uygar make guys like me possible. You can find inspiration in many places but none better than the life and career of Cenk Uygar. He has made a life out of doing things others said could not be done. The Young Turks is the future of media, which assures that the future is bright.
Steve Oh, for his support and friendship, for having a first rate sense of humor, and for putting The Jimmy Dore Show in front of cameras. My never ending gratitude to Tom Hank and Hank Thompson for introducing me to The Young Turks.
Anna Kasparian, Dave Kohler, Irina Nichita, Jesus Godoy, Jayar Jackson, Johnny Iadarola, Dave Rubin, Edwin Umana, Tim Collins and everyone at TYT who make it such a great place.
My deepest gratitude goes to the hilarious and supremely talented Patton Oswalt, for letting people know that he listens to The Jimmy Dore show. His magnanimous help in spreading the word about the show has been invaluable.
Thanks to the best improv-er's in the world—Matt Besser, Matt Walsh, Seth Morris, and everyone at the UCB Theater, for giving me the opportunity to do my own show. It was a very generous offer that ended up being a turning point in my career as I discovered what I really wanted to talk about.
My editor Jennifer Kasius and everyone at Running Press for believing in the book and making this dream happen.
And thanks to Donkey Hotey, for classing up the book with his wonderful artwork. I am a huge fan and beyond thrilled he was able to work on this project.
Andi Smith, for being the best person to bounce ideas off of and for always making me scream with laughter.
Tadzio Wellisz and Carolyn Feruzzi for their love and support always, and for making sure I was well fed to the point of being out of my mind throughout this process.
Special thanks to my brothers Tony and Miles for their humor, support, and love. They were my first comedy teachers and the laughs we shared are forever treasured.
Nothing made me grow as a performer more than doing The Marijuana-logues with three hilarious and wonderfully generous comedians, Doug Benson, Tony Camin, and Arj Barker. I am forever thankful for being part of something so great as a hit Off-Broadway show.
I will always remember the much needed helping hand and fantastic opportunities afforded to me by the lovely Lisa Leingang. Thank you for helping make my early years in LA so fun and worthwhile.
Tom Griswold, a man at the top of his profession who did not have to make time for me, but did anyway. Thank you for your incredible support when I most needed it, and for the most generous gift of producing my first cd.
To the fine folks who so graciously invited me on their stages and television shows and let me tell my jokes. From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU! Jamie Flam, Roger Feeney, Burt Haas, Cyndi Nelson, Burt Borth, Mike Kurtz, Dave Dennison, Richard Barrett, Mike Lacey, Dave Reinitz, Barbara Holliday, Jamie Masada, Ron Lynch, Paul Kozlowski, Matt Behrens, Matt Chavez, Joaquin Trujillo, Molly Schminke, Lisa Young, Don Learned, Heather Woodhull, Dee Burdett, Cliff Diedrich, Erin Pooler-von Schonfeldt, Bob Fisher, Andrew Unger, Andy Wood, Chick & Patty, Linda Turk, Zoe Friedman, Dave Rath, Bart Coleman, Marshall Chiles, Colleen Quinn, Bud Friedman, Flannigan.
I have no idea how anyone gets through life without the companionship of a dog. I have been blessed to have experienced the love of Bubba and Brownie, the sweetest and most gentle souls I have ever known. To god's most perfect creatures, thank you.
As hard as it may be to believe, this is only a pa rtial list of all the many generous souls who lent a helping hand to me along my journey. To all those friends who I met in comedy clubs and morning radio shows across the nation, thank you!