TCOP Book Shelf - The Cultute of Pop, DVD, Movie, TV, Pop Culture Review

TCOP Book Shelf

Posted: Fri, 3 Jun 2011 21:38:52 PDT

The Best Thing About My *** Is That It's Behind Me

-by Lisa Ann Walter; 256 pages; published by HarperOne

Although it's being promoted at female demographic groups having body issues, romantic hardships or both, stand-up comic/movie actress Lisa Ann Walter's literary debut is a book that men should embrace, too.

A breezy 250 page plus read that benefits from tight pacing, The Best Thing About My *** Is That It's Behind Me is equal turns self depreciating, warm, witty and laced with biting candor. Going from a overweight bullied teenager who used humor to win detractors over to a seemingly confident female comic wunderkind on stage, one might think such a transformation led to an unseen angelic chorus with orchestral accompaniment with the words The End/Made In Hollywood, USA superimposed on the TV screens in our minds; she lived happily ever after, and all that generic Lifetime Movie Network crap.

If only reality turned out to be so simple...in Walter's case, fame and fortune didn't simplify or solve her problems. Thus an already obsessive problem with her body image took hold for over a quarter of a century...and oh, did I mention the two divorces that occurred during this period? (one owing to her second husband's infidelity/mental cruelty and her first marriage partner coming out of the closet).

Fortunately, Best Thing isn't always so maudlin...In addition to many a pep talk, theories and commentary on matters ranging from obsession with body perfection to thoughts on many a diet trend test driven with failure, Walter's energetic, alternately earthy and curt tone will keep readers entranced. One minute you'll be laughing, the next you'll sympathize with her plight, and at times, you may find yourself completely at odds with her opinions. Yet, I admire Walters for pulling no punches and being completely honest with her audience rather than play patronizing or making nice just for the sake of book sales.

All this and cameos from the likes of Dennis Quaid, Jennifer Aniston, the late great Robert Urich, Tom “Here I Come To Save The Day (!)” Cruise and Richard Gere...Plus an exclusive Walter family recipe for meat sauce and meatballs that will supposedly make you so full at only a half a serving, you'll play the home game version of doggie bag. In these tough economic times, any kind of leftovers rule!

Know of someone who thinks their butt's too big, or a young 'un contemplating asking Mummy and Daddy for plastic surgery gift cards, or in danger of becoming a plastic surgery addict? Lisa Ann's “**”stastic book may not have all the answers, but it offers more than a heapin' helping of emotional and funny salve that will not only give you the impetus to be happy, but also feeling beyond blessed with what the good Lord's given you.

In other words, strut what you've got because “you're too hot to trot, now bay-beh”...Geez, giving away clues to my age with such pop culture factoidage.

-Jeffrey Rosado