Maybe We'll Have You Back: The Life of a Perennial TV Guest Star
Maybe We'll Have You Back: The Life of a Perennial TV Guest Star book cover

Maybe We'll Have You Back: The Life of a Perennial TV Guest Star

Paperback – September 22, 2015

Price
$5.06
Format
Paperback
Pages
280
Publisher
Skyhorse
Publication Date
ISBN-13
978-1629145679
Dimensions
6 x 0.9 x 9 inches
Weight
13.7 ounces

Description

“This book is a gem. It resonates with humanity. Any actor, writer, or human being should read it!” — Jerry Stiller “I got a big kick out of Fred’s funny, personal, tale of showbiz ups and downs.” — Bob Odenkirk , star of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul “Unlike any kind of ‘show biz’ book you’ll likely ever read. There’s a level of honesty to Fred’s work that makes you realize how seldom people bring you along in this way, give you such an unvarnished insider’s perspective. Not only should Fred’s work be required reading for anyone thinking of entering acting, or any career in the arts, but it should be read by anyone looking to be held spellbound by a gifted and funny story-teller with a big heart. Fred’s a real mensch.” — Jonathan Goldstein , host of Wiretap “Fred Stoller’s painfully honest and truly funny memoir of his career as a character actor has become one of my all-time favorite reads. It’s as accurate and amusing a depiction of the life of a working-class actor as you’ll ever come across.” — Bill Prady , executive producer of The Big Bang Theory “Do yourself a favor and pick up [Fred Stoller’s] book. Chances are, he’s made you laugh several times over the last couple decades, even if you never knew his name.” — Whitney Matheson , USA Today “Fred is funny and unique, but still an everyman trying to get ahead we can all relate to. His outsider/insider look at showbiz makes for a fantastic funny read.” — Tom Snyder “Fred is as good at writing jokes as anyone in the business in any era. He’s also quite an underrated storyteller. He won't be after you read this book. Great writer, great comic, exceptional friend.” — Jay Mohr “Freddie Stoller is smart and handsome. As a matter fact the handsomeness gets in the way of the smart and funny. While reading this book, I couldn’t help but think of Freddie’s good looks.” — Jeff Garlin “I always liked Fred Stoller. Now I love Fred Stoller. Read this book, and call me after. I want to talk to someone about it.” — Loren Bouchard “I’ve listened to Fred Stoller’s stand up for years and he’s always made me laugh. I just read Fred Stoller’s book and I laughed even more. I eagerly await his singing debut.” — Paul Feig “A view from the trenches of show business by a comic actor straddling the line between success and obscurity.” — Kirkus Reviews “Comedic actor Stoller might not be a household name, but he’s been working in Hollywood for 25 years, making a living by scoring guest stints on sitcoms like Friends , Everybody Loves Raymond , and Seinfeld . After getting his start doing stand-up in New York, Stoller made his way to Los Angeles hoping to land the holy grail of acting jobs: a regular role on a television show. The quest proved harder than he’d imagined, but the numerous guest roles he booked involved playing characters that ran the gamut from scrawny construction worker to pesky suitor to goofy waiter. Stoller gets an unexpected break when Larry David offers him a job writing on Seinfeld, but the gig only lasts a season and serves to reinforce Stoller’s passion for acting. He finally lands a regular role on an animated show called Handy Manny playing a talking tool. Stoller’s stories about his experiences on the various studio sets, as well as his brushes with fame, make his memoir an enlightening and entertaining look into the life of a working actor.” — Kristine Huntley , Booklist Fred Stoller was raised in Brooklyn and started out as a stand-up comedian, known for his dating woes and his thrill-seeker persona (I drank milk that expired yesterday!). He appeared on many late night shows and has guest-starred in more than seventy TV shows and films such as Dumb and Dumber . Fred & Vinnie , the indie feature he wrote and starred in, won the Audience award at the Austin Film Festival. He chronicled his experience writing for Seinfeld in the bestselling Amazon Kindle Single My Seinfeld Year . He lives in Los Angeles, California.

Features & Highlights

  • “I don’t know why Fred was never a regular on a show. Maybe because he’s annoying . . . just kidding!” —Ray Romano
  • Fred Stoller has played the annoying schnook in just about every sitcom you’ve seen on TV—
  • Friends
  • ,
  • Everybody Loves Raymond
  • ,
  • Scrubs
  • ,
  • Hannah Montana
  • ,
  • My Name Is Earl
  • —and was even a staff writer for Seinfeld, but he’s never found a solid gig. When it comes to Hollywood, it’s a case of always the bridesmaid and never the bride, except in his case he’s always the snarky waiter, the mopey cousin, or Man #2.This hilarious and bittersweet rags to rags story of the hardest-working guy in showbiz follows Fred, who started his career as a stand-up comic, from set to set as he tries to find a permanent home for his oddball character. With candor, Fred shares stories of his great adventures pounding the Hollywood pavement, including a humiliating encounter with Billy Crystal, a disastrous one-night stand with Kathy Griffin, and plenty of awkward run-ins at craft service tables. And he always shares his ups and downs with his skeptical, yet loving, mother waiting by the phone in Brooklyn.Everyone can relate to searching for a dream job or waiting for the next big break, and will root for Fred as he weaves his way through the cutthroat world of Tinseltown.

Customer Reviews

Rating Breakdown

★★★★★
30%
(83)
★★★★
25%
(69)
★★★
15%
(41)
★★
7%
(19)
23%
(64)

Most Helpful Reviews

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trying to be funny; but I thought to myself - "You know ...

I went to Sheepshead Bay High School in Brooklyn NY with Fred back in the mid-70's and he told me that one day he was going to be a professional comedian and "show them all" - he was an extremely withdrawn, thin, nervous, quiet kid - the LEAST likely to EVER stand up in front of an audience of MILLIONS, trying to be funny; but I thought to myself - "You know - this is an upside-down world! I think that somehow this guy is gonna pull this off!!!" And HE DID!!! I have to tell you - what you read here IS the real man; what you see is what you get with Fred Stoller - and this book is a joy to read! Ya gotta love this guy!!
3 people found this helpful
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Great Book!

Tells the inside story of a hollywood face that most everyone knows, but “where have i seen him?” they ask. A great book for aspiring actors looking for a glimpse into the realities of trying to make it. Stoller writes shamelessly about his experiences and it makes him a lot more relatable and personable. Fred Stoller is just a regular guy trying to make a living acting. Definitely recommend!
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Great book

Excellent book. Literally never a dull moment.
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Easy read. Lots of funny stories about his career.

Easy read that you won’t want to put down. Lots of funny stories about Fred’s up and down career on television.
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Fans of 90s sitcoms must read this book.

I have been a fan of “you know, that guy” Fred Stoller for many years. When I discovered this book I was excited to know the backstory of his career. I couldn’t put the book down once I started it. I’m not a cinephile by any means, but for anyone a fan of 90’s/early 00’s sitcoms, this book is a must.
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Very Entertaining

I’ve always liked Stollers brand of sad sack comedy. It translates well in his book. And he’s a lot like the guy you see on TV. A lovable loser, if you will. His stories are very entertaining and he’s not afraid to dish a little dirt, which is refreshing. I like how Seinfeld and Larry David come across as kind of jerks. And Kathy Griffin is out to lunch loony.
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A welcome and humble insight into show business.

A welcome and humble insight into Fred Stoller's life in show business. Very entertaining. I am not in show business, but, I would recommend this to anyone considering a career in it.
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Loved this book

Loved this book. Read it really fast.
Hilarious behind the scenes stories from sitcoms and
from the perspective of a not so famous actor. Stoller is
a really great story teller and I love the self deprecating stuff.
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Hilarious insight on shows

Hilarious. You know what else is funny? Fred Stoller's other books. I read this in about 4 sessions, would of been one but my boss doesn't know a good book when he sees it. "Maybe We'll Have You Back" is an entertaining read and is a must read for anyone who enjoys the behind the scenes of TV shows and movies.
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Five Stars

good s*** fred