With understated naturalism, Rob Shapiro introduces listeners to Sid Caesar, the first comic superstar of television. From 1949 to 1957, as many as 60 million viewers tuned in weekly to Caesar's inspired improvisational sketch comedy juggernauts, "Your Show of Shows" and "Caesar's Hour." Caesar's writers' room of protégés such as Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner, and Neil Simon went on to influence the entertainment world for close to 70 years. Shapiro's delivery reflects the author's emphatic, almost argumentative, opinion that even with his volatile temper, self-doubt, addictions, and professional burnout, Caesar should be fondly remembered. Who's forgetting? The rags-to-riches story of a Jewish boy from Yonkers practically inventing television comedy is the stuff of legend.
Pub Date: Nov. 11, 2025
Duration: 13 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217165575
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Minnelli tells her story her way, one-on-one, in a wonderful performance.
For this memoir, Minnelli worked with her best friend, Michael Feinstein, to offer an extraordinary glimpse into her life both in front of and behind the camera. At 80, Minnelli performs her own audiobook in high style. The content is candid, funny, and revealing, if slightly sanitized. It’s all here—Minnelli’s collaborations with songwriters Kander and Ebb and her many marriages and affairs, triumphs, disasters, substance use, and, most recently, 11 years of sobriety. The only drawback when listening is that it’s not always clear when the narrative is moving on to a new theme.
Minnelli tells her story her way, one-on-one, in a wonderful performance.Pub Date: March 10, 2026
Duration: 9 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668653418
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: March 16, 2026
Bellantoni’s rich baritone shines the spotlight on a remarkable woman capable of constantly reinventing herself.
Paul Bellantoni’s narration is a treat. This audiobook revisits many of Jane Fonda’s movie successes and some of her lesser films before offering details of her evolution into a force for good. While some attention is paid to the multifaceted Fonda’s early life, the focus is on her political films, including her memorable work in such films as The China Syndrome and Coming Home. Bellantoni’s narration becomes most engaging as he recounts her growth from sex kitten to “Hanoi Jane” to workout queen to political activist. His energy intensifies for anecdotes about her confrontations with Hollywood producers and Washington power brokers.
Bellantoni’s rich baritone shines the spotlight on a remarkable woman capable of constantly reinventing herself.Pub Date: March 3, 2026
Duration: 9 hrs, 31 mins
DD ISBN: 9798228742390
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Review Posted Online: April 1, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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