Colin Jost

"Saturday Night Live head writer and Weekend Update co-anchor, Colin Jost, has six sets of stitches on his face alone. He's been punched in at least four different sketches on Saturday Night Live, including once by his boss, Lorne Michaels. But if there's one trait that makes someone well suited to comedy, it's being able to take a punch-metaphorically and, occasionally, physically. From growing up as an overweight kid in a family of firefighters on Staten Island to commuting three hours a day to high school and "seeing the sights" (like watching a Russian woman throw a stroller off the back of a ferry) to attending Harvard while Facebook was created (and choosing comedy instead!), Colin shares how he has navigated the world like a "slightly smarter Forrest Gump." You'll also discover things about Colin that will surprise and confuse you. You'll go behind the scenes at SNL (where he's written some of the most iconic sketches and characters of the past fifteen years) and Weekend Update (where's he's been "the white guy next to Leslie Jones.") And you'll experience the life of a touring stand-up comedian-from performing in rural cafeterias at noon to opening for Dave Chappelle at Radio City Music Hall. For every accomplishment (hosting the Emmys), there is a setback (hosting the Emmys). And for every absurd moment (watching paramedics give CPR to a raccoon), there is an honest, emotional one (recounting his mother's experience on the scene of the Twin Towers' collapse on 9/11.) A Very Punchable Face reveals the brilliant mind behind some of the dumbest sketches on television and lays bare the heart and humor of a hardworking guy-with a face you can't help but want to punch."--

A Memoir

A Very Punchable Face

Patrick Book

This is a solid 3.75 stars; if you find him at all enjoyable on the show you’ll probably like this. Books by comedians tend to be very specific; if you like their comedy, you’ll probably like their book. This is leagues ahead of the books comedians released in the 90s and 00s where they were basically transcribing their stand up specials. Jost provides some very interesting insight into his SNL experience and some genuinely interesting stories from his “normal” life.

Kaelan Chambers

Not sure why I didn't have any expectations for a book by an SNL head writer but this was so smart, delightful and very laugh out loud funny.

Brooke Lonegan

Jun Angelo Cabuguas

 should be called “a collection of stories about colin jost hurting himself or others” i feel like if he waited a little longer to make this (like after he left snl) there would’ve been better stories with actual lessons. still love colin tho! 

Emily Files

Sveinbjörn Pálsson

Early in the book, Jost admits to a reluctance to doing interviews, an avoidance to opening up. I found this quite descriptive of the book. He describes himself as an incredibly hard worker, his approach to mastery is working harder, producing more than anyone. Having enough to edit, I guess. That is, I suspect, what informs the problem with the book. I’d describe it as an overarching lack of viewpoint. It’s all these stories of this guy, but you don’t feel like you know him any better after hearing them.
It doesn’t feel contemplative, and that’s a pretty big drawback for a bio. I suspect the gun was jumped a bit. He may be at the height of his fame, so a good time to cash in. Not as good a time to write that bio.

The seminal SNL bio, I think, is Tina Fey’s Bossypants. Published a good 5 years after her departure from the hectic position of SNL head writer and Weekend Update host, there’s space there to reflect, and some distance.

It’s not boring, as such, but the end was a bit of a slog, I was kinda glad to finish it.

I hope he doesn’t read this, as I quite like him. Hopefully he’ll wait a decade or two and then give it another go.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • In these hilarious essays, the Saturday Night Live head writer and Weekend Update co-anchor learns how to take a beating. “I always wanted to punch his face before I read this book. Now I just want to kick him in the balls.”—Larry David NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY Cosmopolitan • Vulture • Parade If there’s one trait that makes someone well suited to comedy, it’s being able to take a punch—metaphorically and, occasionally, physically. From growing up in a family of firefighters on Staten Island to commuting three hours a day to high school and “seeing the sights” (like watching a Russian woman throw a stroller off the back of a ferry), to attending Harvard while Facebook was created, Jost shares how he has navigated the world like a slightly smarter Forrest Gump. You’ll also discover things about Jost that will surprise and confuse you, like how Jimmy Buffett saved his life, how Czech teenagers attacked him with potato salad, how an insect laid eggs inside his legs, and how he competed in a twenty-five-man match at WrestleMania (and almost won). You'll go behind the scenes at SNL and Weekend Update (where he's written some of the most memorable sketches and jokes of the past fifteen years). And you’ll experience the life of a touring stand-up comedian—from performing in rural college cafeterias at noon to opening for Dave Chappelle at Radio City Music Hall. For every accomplishment (hosting the Emmys), there is a setback (hosting the Emmys). And for every absurd moment (watching paramedics give CPR to a raccoon), there is an honest, emotional one (recounting his mother’s experience on the scene of the Twin Towers’ collapse on 9/11). Told with a healthy dose of self-deprecation, A Very Punchable Face reveals the brilliant mind behind some of the dumbest sketches on television, and lays bare the heart and humor of a hardworking guy—with a face you can’t help but want to punch.

Vishwa

As an SNL fan, but not a dedicated Colin Jost fan, I was looking forward to the thoughts of a comedian and performer I hardly thought about consciously but thoroughly enjoyed on TV. And I was curious to learn more about life @ SNL. This turned out to be a wonderful read, and it even made me think about the direction of my creative pursuits. I almost found bits of it... relatable? Though that certainly feels like a stretch to say. Highly recommend even if you have no aspirations in comedy, theater, or performing arts, but you'll certainly enjoy it if you have even an inkling (like me)

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - In these hilarious essays, the Saturday Night Live head writer and Weekend Update co-anchor learns how to take a beating. "I always wanted to punch his face before I read this book. Now I just want to kick him in the balls."--Larry David NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY Cosmopolitan - Vulture - Parade If there's one trait that makes someone well suited to comedy, it's being able to take a punch--metaphorically and, occasionally, physically. From growing up in a family of firefighters on Staten Island to commuting three hours a day to high school and "seeing the sights" (like watching a Russian woman throw a stroller off the back of a ferry), to attending Harvard while Facebook was created, Jost shares how he has navigated the world like a slightly smarter Forrest Gump. You'll also discover things about Jost that will surprise and confuse you, like how Jimmy Buffett saved his life, how Czech teenagers attacked him with potato salad, how an insect laid eggs inside his legs, and how he competed in a twenty-five-man match at WrestleMania (and almost won). You'll go behind the scenes at SNL and Weekend Update (where he's written some of the most memorable sketches and jokes of the past fifteen years). And you'll experience the life of a touring stand-up comedian--from performing in rural college cafeterias at noon to opening for Dave Chappelle at Radio City Music Hall. For every accomplishment (hosting the Emmys), there is a setback (hosting the Emmys). And for every absurd moment (watching paramedics give CPR to a raccoon), there is an honest, emotional one (recounting his mother's experience on the scene of the Twin Towers' collapse on 9/11). Told with a healthy dose of self-deprecation, A Very Punchable Face reveals the brilliant mind behind some of the dumbest sketches on television, and lays bare the heart and humor of a hardworking guy--with a face you can't help but want to punch.

Amy Vicknair

Feels weird to rate a memoir but it was interesting. Only but ended with him saying he was ready to leave snl but he’s still there a few years later. Wonder why….pandemic maybe?

Isabela H 

I definitely admit that I'm biased because I already liked Colin Jost as a person before I read this (hence why I chose to read his book versus the book of a different celebrity) but I loved hearing him talking about his life and getting to hear his voice through writing. These kinds of books always humanize their subject and I loved getting to see all these parts of Jost that you wouldn't have normally been exposed to through seeing him on SNL or at other events. I also really appreciated the behind the scenes looks at SNL because I think that it's a show that a lot of people have assumptions about and tend to idolize it without remembering that it's a network tv show with very real people pushing it forward.

Kaitlyn Cortez

This was incredible. Colin had me laughing the whole time. This was made all the more better by listening to the audiobook, which he narrates. This made me a Weekend Update fan.

Sophia Rabon

Skye

Being funny on paper isn't easy, but Colin makes it look like it is. As an huge Colin Jost fan, as well as an SNL fiend, this book was everything I wanted — and more! I literally laughed out loud with almost every page. This was an enjoyable, quick, and easy read that I will be revisiting in the future. Highly recommend!

Archita Birla

i'm a fan of colin jost, and this was interesting to read as i'm not a huge SNL person, and know him more through michael che and just watching his interview. 

still, this book was sweet and interesting, and i liked hearing about his life. i also loved reading about SNL and the energy and feeling that it seems to carry.

Stephanie Midolo

RTC

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.

Amy Arthun Lorton 

I listened to this & enjoyed it. The part about 9/11 was so interesting, the section about Saturday Night Live had me pausing to watch every sketch he mentioned, and I did laugh out loud quite a bit. I had to listen at 1.25 speed but that’s how I roll. Plus, it made me like him. I would never even consider punching him!

Varun Khatri

Listened to this on Audible. I don't watch SNL and bought this book on a whim after having watched a few segments of the Weekend Update on YouTube and an episode of the Armchair Expert with Colin as the guest. Despite this unfamiliarity with him and SNL, I really enjoyed the book. The book is a fun memoir of Colin's life through his comedic lense. The audiobook was perhaps made better by having him read it too.

A Very Punchable Face A Memoir

Reviews