Billy Eichner stopped by the Today show to discuss his new audiobook.
Eichner’s memoir, Billy on Billy, released exclusively in audiobook format, was published Tuesday by Macmillan Audio. The book tells the story of his life and career as a comedian and actor, known for his game show Billy on the Street and for his roles on television shows including Parks and Recreation and Difficult People; a critic for Kirkus called it “an immensely entertaining tribute to love and resilience.”
Today show co-host Al Roker noted that some people believe that Eichner is the same person as the frenetic, unfiltered character he played on Billy on the Street.
“That’s one of the reasons I wanted my book to be an audiobook,” Eicher said. “It was a rare opportunity for me to really show people my real voice and the distinction between the character and the person who created the character.”
Co-host Craig Melvin said that Eichner’s book is a “love letter” to his late parents.
“It started off as the Billy on the Street origin story,” Eichner said. “We start off with the question, What kind of child could create such a crazy character and have the confidence to do it? But then what it becomes is a love letter to how supportive and loving my parents were, because you can trace all the success I’ve had back to how much they loved me. And even though they’re not around to see it, they are the reason for everything, and I wanted to pay tribute to them in the book.”
Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.
