Bossypants - Tina Fey

I’m a big fan of Tina Fey. I thought her impersonation of Sarah Palin for Saturday Night Live was one of the highlights of the 2008 American Presidential elections.

And I also loved 30 Rock, especially the first three seasons. So there was no doubt that I would be reading her biography, Bossypants.

The good news is that the book is just like an episode of 30 Rock: smart, funny, heavy on the political humour and sarcasm, plus a couple of laugh out loud moments.

Particularly funny is her chapter on what she calls the biggest issue facing women in America at the moment: the evils of photoshop.

Worth the price of entry alone.

That and the chapter on her honeymoon cruise disaster.

Although the book tracks her career, including working on SNL and 30 Rock, it is particularly light on in terms of any revelations. Indeed, there is I think a conscious lack of any Oprah moments.

Here is her description of why 30 Rock got supported by NBC:

"NBC executives must have seen something of value in my quirky and unique pilot (Alec Baldwin) because they decided for some reason (Alec Baldwin) to 'pick it up.' This means they agreed to make eleven more episodes and maybe show them on TV."

Every time the stories veer towards any sentimentality Fey throws in a very funny, self-depreciating line.

That being, said one of my gripes is that I would definitely have liked some more backstage goss and naming of names!

The book is very readable. I finished it in one sitting and it was a highly enjoyable way to spend an afternoon.