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Bob Newhart‘s 2006 memoir has returned to the bestsellers chart, following the actor and comedian’s passing on Thursday.
Originally released by Hyperion Books, “I Shouldn’t Even Be Doing This” is currently the number-one title on Amazon’s Kindle charts for comedian biographies, and in the the top five of Amazon’s television biographies chart.
“I Shouldn’t Even Be Doing This”
The 256-page book was released by the comedian in 2006, shortly after he began a memorable guest arc on “Desperate Housewives.” With the full title, “I Shouldn’t Even Be Doing This!: And Other Things That Strike Me as Funny,” the book is part-autobiography, part-memoir and part-comedy routine, with many of Newhart’s classic monologues woven alongside anecdotes from his life and career.
One review heralds the book for having “the same hilarious, conversational style” that has made Newhart one of the most beloved comics of his time, while another calls it a “charming recollection of his life story.”
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As the publisher notes state, “Never a punch-line comic, always more of a storyteller, he tells anecdotes from throughout his life and career, including his beginnings as an accountant and the groundbreaking success of his comedy albums and “The Bob Newhart Show” and “Newhart,” which gave him 15 years on primetime television.”
“I Shouldn’t Even Be Doing This!”
Newhart’s memoir is also available online as an audiobook, narrated by the comic himself. Clocking in at just over three hours in length, you can listen to Newhart’s audiobook for free right now with a free trial to Audible here. The trial offer gets you two months of free access to Audible Premium Plus, for unlimited listening to select audiobooks, Audible Originals, and podcasts.
In addition to his eponymous network shows, Newhart was known for starring in films like “Elf,” guesting on “The Big Bang Theory” (which won him his only Emmy, in 2013) and his frequent appearances on the “Tonight Show With Johnny Carson.” Newhart was honored with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2002.
Newhart died Thursday in Los Angeles after what his publicist said was a series of short illnesses. He was 94.
