COMEDY COMEDY COMEDY DRAMA Bob Odenkirk's Autobiography

Bob Odenkirk, the actor who portrayed Saul Goodman in "Breaking Bad" and then starred in the spin-off "Better Call Saul" questions why he should be writing his autobiography, what could he have to impart?  Frankly, I wondered the same despite being a huge fan of his from both shows.  It turns out he has a lot to share with aspiring comedians and actors. in that order.  In fact, his real passion is comedy, then comedy and then drama.  But, "now I find myself in "drama," of all things-comedy's enemy."  Odenkirk is surprised that his breakthrough success has come through acting, not comedy or comedy writing.  Odenkirk had an Emmy-winning gig on SNL of where he insists he was the lackey in the room, lucky to be there and where he learned a lot.  He's a small town guy south of Chicago where he went to be part of the comedy scene and a member of Second City.  In writing his story Odenkirk says, "It was ludicrous to imagine going into showbiz.  Beyond insane imagining it.  Yet what the hell else would I do?"  Odenkirk was focused on comedy and his break on "Breaking Bad" turned into extra episodes and his own show.  This we all know.  What we wouldn't have known are the many lean years trying to break into comedy.  The writing and the all hits and misses were detailed in more detail than I cared for, nonetheless, his writing reflects a keen sense of self-effacing humor and shared wisdom from his years in show business.  He advises making a lot of close friends with whom you can attach your wagon.  And, "karma is a bitch! Be nice to people!  You Can be right without being a dick about it." The comedy shows he did work on gained a cultish following.  "Our greatest impact was inspiring young performers and writers to like a sketch a little more, and mislead them into following their passions."  Bob's main passion was and is comedy.  Those familiar with Odenkirk's lesser known comedy shows/sketches will get a lot of enjoyment from his autobiography.  I was more interested in his work on the HBO series and his dramatic acting on Spielberg's film "The Post."   Bob's folksy midwestern charm comes through in his direct narrative and his appreciation for all his good fortune is abundantly clear.   "Failure is where it's at!  It tells you more about anyone's talent and drive and self than anything that works.  Pay attention-it all works out in the end."