Hear the One About ... Me?

By Jeremy Caplan

With the season for mindless tomes upon us, a clutch of books by comedians offer memories and quips in equal measure. Before you head to the beach, here's a sampler. -By Jeremy Caplan

LEWIS BLACK

The Daily Show commentator riffs on his suburban upbringing:

"I was raised in Silver Spring, Maryland ... We were too lazy to govern ourselves. Our town motto was 'I'd like to vote, but I don't feel like driving.'"

PHYLLIS DILLER

Writing with biographer Richard Buskin, the comic recounts her rise to the top:

"I've been told my tan is too dark, my hair is too light ... I wonder if people tell Lassie he's panting too much."

KEVIN SMITH

Rants from the director and talk-show regular: "[Ben] Affleck is right for almost every role. Trying to fly a new Superman flick? Cast Affleck ... They're making another Jaws? Affleck can play the shark."

ROBERT KLEIN

The comedian recalls his days as The Amorous Busboy of Decatur Avenue, including a summer job in the Catskills: "The key dynamic in the frenzied kitchen was that everyone hated everyone else ... [The chef] would habitually refer to us by screaming what our order was. 'Hey, tuna salad, pick up already! You too, pickled herring!'"