I have been watching SNL since I was a kid in the 90's. In the 2000's my favorite part has long been "Weekend Update", probably because it was dominated for a while by my favorite cast member at the time Jimmy Fallon and then another favorite Bill Hader, while not a host, became my favorite SNL Weekend Update recurring character Stefan. I was Skeptical when Colin Jost started doing update, but Tiny Fey and Seth Meyers had both transitioned from writing room to Update desk so I gave him the benefit of the doubt. I know a lot of people didn't like him in the early days, and even though it took him a bit to hit his stride (he just needed the right Update partner to bounce off of and that was Michael Che) I have always enjoyed him at the Update Desk. I loved this memoir. I didn't know a lot about Colin Jost outside of SNL besides his very famous relationship with Scarlett Johansson so it was fun learning about his days growing up on Staten Island and attending school in NYC, his college days at Harvard, and his various escapades throughout life. Some of the things that have happened to him sound like something that would happen in a movie to someone, not to a real life person (see the incredibly laugh out loud essay about Jimmy Buffet saving his life). There are also touching moments like the essay about his mom and her heroic work saving lives at Ground Zero during the September 11th Terrorist attacks. I loved the behind the scenes peeks about SNL as well. I thought this was an incredibly well written memoir. I would recommend it to any fan of Saturday Night Live.

It may be an unpopular opinion, but this one was just ok. Jost is certainly funny and getting a little behind the scenes at SNL is fun. But, with the memoirs of Tina Fey and Amy Poehler recently on bookshelves, this one doesn’t quite make the grade. And, comedian Trevor Noah’s Born A Crime gives humor, an interesting and compelling memoir and political substance.

I absolutely adored this book and I laughed out loud multiple times while reading it. What a fun journey! If you are an avid watcher of SNL, or just appreciate hilarious comedy, then please do yourself a favor and read this book! Just a really fun journey.

Thank you Net Galley for the free ARC. Enjoyed this witty memoir by Colin Jost. It is interesting how some of the SNL regulars get to be on the show and what their background is. I enjoyed the puns and jokes and even the potty humor.

Colin Jost gives us a book full of humor. It’s nice to encounter his perspective outside of SNL. Well worth the read.

Thanks, Netgalley for the advanced copy!

As my fiancee will tell you - I literally laughed out loud in bed reading this book. I guess I'm getting to the point where people my age are writing these memoirs and I can see a lot of myself in their experiences. It's always fun to see how much of celebs normal lives can mirror your own (well right up till that getting famous part).

I know there is a lot of Colin Jost hate out there, but really it's unfound. Though he does have a very punchable face to be completely honest.

A Very Punchable Face is a memoir of sorts from comedian/writer Colin Jost, the current co-anchor on Weekend Update and co-lead writer for Saturday Night Live. Jost presents a series of essays that takes the reader through various points in his life from his early years through to his current position both behind and in front of the camera on Saturday nights.

Jost rarely lets his past self’s behavior slide in the opening chapters. Stories of his years growing up on Staten Island, recurring incidents where he would require stitches and his journey into Harvard were essays filled with laughs from beginning to end. One heartbreaking chapter details his Mother’s position as Chief Medical Officer for the New York Fire Department and her near-death experiences on 9/11. Very powerful stuff inside a book that also speaks of drinking, debauchery and soiling oneself.

I found the most interesting bits to be about the behind-the-scenes structure of SNL and how a machine like that operates. He discusses the hectic Monday-Saturday schedule that involves pitching to the host, writing, re-writing, re-re-writing and planning out the show. We’re talking eighty hour work weeks where the staff will sometimes sleep at the offices at 30 Rock rather than making the trek home after a long night.

Speaking of SNL, one of the first things I was surprised to learn was that Jost has been a part of the crew since 2005. I wasn’t aware he was even involved with the show until they put him in front of the camera in mid-2014 as a part of the Weekend Update team with Cecily Strong. Apparently he was not a fan-favorite, to put it lightly. I had no problem with him from the beginning but I agree with Jost that it likely took him a while to become comfortable in the role. He and co-anchor Michael Che have been mainstays for a few years now and their chemistry continues to make the Update segment the best part of the show each week.

I haven’t read a book in quite a while where I laughed as often as I did with this one. Jost is especially charming in his ability to undercut both his career accomplishments as well as the awkwardness of his youth that gives him a very relatable, earnest quality that should endear him to anyone who picks up this book.

I quite enjoyed this book! Although it started a bit slow and seemed a little disjointed with random tangents (and too many parenthetical sidebars) it really found its rhythm in the second half and I couldn’t put it down. Has some really funny SNL anecdotes and behind the scenes intel that fans of the show will appreciate. Same time, Colin’s self deprecating stories were hilarious and found myself laughing out loud on many occasions. I loved that it turned out to be essentially a resignation letter from SNL which put the entire book into nostalgic perspective. I would recommend to all my friends who enjoy comedian-authored books or are fans of SNL in general!

Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book. I love watching Jost on Saturday Night Live so I was very excited about this one. I definitely learned a lot about him, even though he is barely 37 years old, and I really enjoyed that his comedy came through the pages on this one. There are some politics in it, but it did not take over the book and you can easily skip that chapter. This is exactly what I wanted and expected from a book on Colin Jost.

A Very Punchable Face by Colin Jost is a funny, irreverent, and self-deprecating memoir that is every bit as joyful and enlightening as you would hope it to be. I am always wary of reading a memoir penned by a celebrity whose work I admire for fear of being disillusioned by the person behind the celebrity, but my concerns were totally unfounded here.

I have always believed, in a non-creepy fangirl way, that Colin Jost is someone who is not only relatable, but approachable, and the total lack of ego displayed in this collection of essays further affirm this idea. This book is a must read for any SNL fan, as Colin peels back the curtain to reveal some surprising revelations, not only about himself, but about castmates past and present, along with some memorable hosts, during his fifteen year tenure on the show. I heartily recommend giving this one a read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Crown Publishing for this ARC.

Funny honest real revealing boyish. I really enjoyed it each essay kept my interest found myself reading one after another.Will be gifting this to friends who will really enjoy getting to know the man behind the SNL Star.#netgalley#Crownbooks

I have to start by saying that I am a huge SNL fan. When I saw Colin Jost was writing a book, I knew I’d have to read it. And I’m so glad I did!
Josh’s voice comes across loud and clear in his writing. He is so relatable and open, somewhat self deprecating, and his stories all felt very authentic. I found myself laughing out loud during a few stories and thinking “awww, what a sweetheart” during others.
His behind the scenes peek at the world of Saturday Night Live was fascinating and his stories about his co-workers were hilarious. Encompassing his early years growing up on Staten Island, to his life today, as a head writer on Saturday Night Live, this book had it all. Heart, humor, and a ton of hilarity.

I love Weekend Update, though I’ve always gone back and forth on an essential question: is Colin a total douche bag IRL or a really nice guy? I’m glad to report that after reading his memoir, it’s the latter.

In some ways, this reads as a “coming of age” story; Colin even admits that he feels he’s just having a quarter life crisis due to spending the past 15 years on SNL.

Many celebrities admittedly use ghost writers for memoirs, but that isn’t the case here. Colin’s voice is extremely prominent. While much of the narrative is silly and sarcastic, it maintains sincerity. He’s genuine, and dare I say, relatable.

The chapters are short but focused. He never provides so many details that your eyes will glaze over. There’s a nice balance of humor and intellectual insight.

The book is for a wide audience, which will serve Colin well upon publication. SNL fans will be thrilled to see so many chapters dedicated to “behind the scenes” life and a section dedicated to FAQs. Aspiring writers and comedians will enjoy Colin’s candor and anecdotes of the “behind the scenes” of his life as a creator.

I feel he treaded a little too carefully in the chapter about Trump hosting SNL. It felt like he was holding back, which was the opposite of the tone of the rest of the book. I get the feeling he may have had more to say, but was advised otherwise.

And yes, he does talk about his future with SNL... but that’s not for me to spoil.

You look at Colin Jost and think, "Oh yeah he's the guy engaged to Scarlett Johansson."
Then you think, "Geez, guess that's the most exciting thing to happen to him."

You'd be so, so, so incorrect.

This book is filled with hilarious antedotes, written with honesty, humour, and self awareness. I won't spoil any of the stories, but the deeper you get into this book the more you're wondering how one guy could ever get into so much misfortune, yet so much luck in getting the perfect job.

Jost also takes us inside the modern SNL, and his job of head writer, Weekend News Update, and regular player.

Highly recommend for any SNL fan.

This was an awesome read, as it gave a lot of background about what goes on behind the scenes at Saturday Night Live. The author’s ability to transition from the hilarious to the heartbreaking moments of his life makes this author relatable. It was enlightening to read about the early successes and failures on the way to success as well. Overall, this was a great read!