Confessions of a Late-night Talk-show Host: The Autobiography of Larry Sanders

If you're a devoted fan of The Larry Sanders Show--the HBO program that wrapped up its award-filled run in May 1998--you've already got a copy. However, it was nice to find that this book, written by Sanders's comic alter ego Garry Shandling (assisted by the über-ghostwriter David Rensin), stands on its own as an ironic, tongue-deeply-in-cheek look at talk-showdom. Here are a few samples: Here is a photo of Jennie Garth from Beverly Hill 90210. I had sex with her a dozen times, but she never reciprocated. Her excuse was, "I like men." Unbeknownst to most everyone except those of you who regularly read those trashy tabloids--and that would be all of you--I have suffered through many personal tragedies: an unhappy and abusive childhood, two divorces, many empty love affairs, a venereal disease that nearly took my right leg, feuds, substance dependencies, a palimony suit from my mother, who said, "You live with me for twenty years and move out just like that? This will cost you," and worst of all, the horror of being rear-ended backstage by one of Siegfried and Roy's big white leopards. Confessions of a Late Night Talk Show Host is an enjoyable tour through stardom with a truly sleazy Hollywood character. Anybody who relishes celebrity bios will get the joke and engage in delicious snickers of recognition. Larry Sanders is dead, long live Larry Sanders! --Michael Gerber