Why Not: Lessons on Comedy, Courage, and Chutzpah

(Hardback)

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From master comedian Mark Schiff, a long-time touring partner of Jerry Seinfeld, comes a hilariousaccount of decades of foolery with comedyand actinglegends and how he honed his mensch skills in all of lifes arenas.

Pursuing a career in comedy has always taken a lot of chutzpah. Today Mark Schiff looks back at his fifty-year career as a stand-up comic, actor, and writer and knows hes laughed with the best of them. His comedy and character have been widely praised by everyone from Jerry Seinfeld to Bill Maher, Paul Reiser, and Colin Quinn as Seinfeld writes in his foreword, Mark is 'the greatest comedy pal a guy could ever wish for' but it hasnt always been easy.

In this brilliantly honest collection of essays inducing both heart tugs and deep belly laughs, Mark recounts growing up Jewish in the outer boroughs of New York Cityand shares howhe survived a harrowing childhood andmanaged health crises, aging, marriage, parenting, and career highs and lows. With wit and wisdom, Mark reminds us that no matter the troubles at-hand, the show must always go on. The result is an unforgettable and highly relatable account from one of the best humor writers of our time that will leave readers of all faiths energized and feeling like theyve schmoozed with the best of them.

'Comedy fans will come for the behind-the-scenes anecdotes and stay for the heart.' Publishers Weekly

'MarkSchiffis one of the funniest, the brightest, the best stage comics I have ever seen.' Jerry Seinfeld, comedian, actor, and creator ofSeinfeld,author ofIs This Anything and SeinLanguage

'Starting out in stand-up comedy withMarkSchiffwas a blast, and the humor he brought to the stage back then is now between the pages of this book, plus the wisdom you get when you add time.' Bill Maher, comedian, actor, and host ofReal Time with Bill Maher

'Marks book is funny, philosophical, and gentle.* And it makes sense because so isMark. *Not gentile, gentle.' Colin Quinn, comedian and actor, Saturday Night LiveandTough Crowd with Colin Quinn

'MarkSchiffknows how to tell a story andMarkSchiffknows how to write a book. I hope this is also an audiobook because nothing lulls me off to sleep more thanMarkSchiffreading hilarious stories.' Kevin Nealon, comedian and actor,Saturday Night LiveandWeeds

'Weve known for a long time that Mark Schiff is funny. Now we know that hes also thoughtful, empathic, and a great Jew.Why Notis an insightful look at the human condition. Poignant, bravely self-examining, and psychologically acute. Also funny. Jonathan Kellerman,New York Timesbest-selling author of the Alex Delaware series

'MarkSchiffis one of the funniest comedians I know. We came up together in the New York comedy club scene and he is endlessly entertaining and creative. This book will make you laugh, make you cry, and make you glad you bought it.' Carol Leifer, comedian, writer, and producer

'Mark and I started in comedy together at the exact same time, and year after year hes just gotten better and funnier, which irritates me to no end. And as youll see in this funny and uplifting book, hes a great writer too. Im just so annoyed. But you will love this book.' Paul Reiser, comedian, actor, and creator ofMad About You

'Ive always lovedSchiffs comedy and really love who he is as a person, especially his kindness...His wonderful book of essays...makes you laugh, think, and cry a little, thats actually something we should all do every day. Reading it made me miss him and appreciate him. Im calling him right now. Get this book.' Louie Anderson, comedian and actor,Baskets

'The word genius is overused, so I wont use it here. ButMarkSchiffs unique and honest insights on parenthood, childhood, husbandhood, and pet ownerhood are hilarious without being mean-spirited and sentimental without being mawkish.' Jeff Astrof, writer, showrunner, and producer,The New Adventures of Old Christine, Veronicas Closet,andTrial & Error

'Heart, comedy, soul, insight a treasure chest of wonderful moments await all who open these pages.' David Sacks, writer and producer, The Simpsons, 3rd Rock from the Sun, and Murphy Brown

'Is there nothing better than a book that is funny and sensitive Thats whatMarkSchiffhas created: a book thatll make you laugh and warm your heart.' Steve Bluestein, comedian and cofounder of the Groundlings comedy troupe and school

'MarkSchiffis a great comic, a one-of-a-kind singular voice in comedy. Everyone in our generation of the stand-up world can rattle offMarks best bits. This book perfectly captures and showcases his ghoulish, childish, Jewish, foolish, and hilarious style. The book reads fast and funny. Its just likeMark. Once youve read it and loved it, itll be very hard to get it out of your house.' Mike Binder, director and writer,The Mind of the Married Man, Reign Over Me,andThe Comedy Store

'If laughter is the best medicine, then Mark Schiff is a doctor. As a stand-up comedian, Mark has been dispensing laughter for decades. In his new book, Why Not, instead of going to a comedy club, you get to take his wit, wisdom, and lots of laughs home with you. The best part is there is no two-drink minimum.' Michael Platt, producer and writer,Grace and Frankie and Weeds

'Add outstanding author to Mark Schiffs previous credits of hilarious stand-up and quality notary public!' Jon Hayman, writer and producer,Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, andThe Chris Rock Show

'Mark Schiff writes irresistibly about friendship, family, faith, and the business of being funny, sprinkling his stories with wisdom and killer laugh lines. Oh, and hes also a genius and handsome to boot. There, Mark, I said it.' Judy Gruen, author ofThe Skeptic and the Rabbi

'Schiff may be known as a stand-up comic, but hes also a stand-up guy who really knows how to tell stories.' David Suissa, editor-in-chief of theJewish Journal

'Mark Schiffs comedy always seemed effortless to me. We met at The Improv in the 80s and his act is always funny, but nobody gets hurt, just like a pro bank robber. That hes from the Bronx makes that fact all the more amazing. The stories in his bookWhy Notare also very funny, yet show his deep humanity, and theyre a joy to read.' Mark Brazill, writer and producer,In Living Color,3rdRock from the Sun, andThat 70s Show

'Mark Schiffs stories of childhood and beyond make us feel as if they are happening to us in real time. The interweaving of wonder, confusion, rebelliousness, angst, strangeness, and humor speak to something deep within all of us. Unpretentious, insightful, and bristling with humanity, Schiff takes us on an unpredictable rollercoaster, tempered with resilience and compassion.' Bob Nickman, writer and producer, Freaks and Geeks,Mad About You,and The Drew Carey Show

'Markand I spent a lot of time together in our formative years in New York. He was always funny. Always kind. Always Jewish.' Rita Rudner, comedian, writer, and TV personality

'I loved reading this book. Schiff gives us a funny and inspiring look at his life.Part memoir, part Judaism guide, and part self-help book. Plus, mostimportantly, Seinfeld wrote the foreword.' Wayne Federman, comedian and author ofTheHistory of Stand-Up

'Mark Schiff is one of those legendary comedians we all looked up to, and now that hes grown old and decrepit we can finally look down to him. But hes still hilarious as always. He is a stellar comedian whos consistently at the top of his game, as you can see when hes on stage and in his writing. The best part of reading this book is that you get all of Marks comedic genius, and you dont have to stare at his stupid face.' Elon Gold, comedian and actor, StackedandChosen and Taken

'Marks humor combines a keen sense of observation with the wisdom hes gained while making his way from one end of life to the other. Hes a really good guy.Read this wonderful collection and youll agree.' Alan Zweibel, comedian, originalSaturday Night Livewriter, and author ofThe Other Schulman

Reviews

Comedy fans will come for the behind-the-scenes anecdotes and stay for the heart. Publishers Weekly

MarkSchiffis one of the funniest, the brightest, the best stage comics I have ever seen.Jerry Seinfeld, comedian, actor, and creator ofSeinfeld,author ofIs This Anything and SeinLanguage

Starting out in stand-up comedy withMarkSchiffwas a blast, and the humor he brought to the stage back then is now between the pages of this book, plus the wisdom you get when you add time. Bill Maher, comedian, actor, and host ofReal Time with Bill Maher

Marks book is funny, philosophical, and gentle.* And it makes sense because so isMark. *Not gentile, gentle. Colin Quinn, comedian and actor, Saturday Night LiveandTough Crowd with Colin Quinn

MarkSchiffknows how to tell a story andMarkSchiffknows how to write a book. I hope this is also an audiobook because nothing lulls me off to sleep more thanMarkSchiffreading hilarious stories. Kevin Nealon, comedian and actor,Saturday Night LiveandWeeds

Weve known for a long time that Mark Schiff is funny. Now we know that hes also thoughtful, empathic, and a great Jew.Why Notis an insightful look at the human condition. Poignant, bravely self-examining, and psychologically acute. Also funny. Jonathan Kellerman,New York Timesbest-selling author of the Alex Delaware series

MarkSchiffis one of the funniest comedians I know. We came up together in the New York comedy club scene and he is endlessly entertaining and creative. This book will make you laugh, make you cry, and make you glad you bought it.Carol Leifer, comedian, writer, and producer

Mark and I started in comedy together at the exact same time, and year after year hes just gotten better and funnier, which irritates me to no end. And as youll see in this funny and uplifting book, hes a great writer too. Im just so annoyed. But you will love this book. Paul Reiser, comedian, actor, and creator ofMad About You

Ive always lovedSchiffs comedy and really love who he is as a person, especially his kindness. . . . His wonderful book of essays . . . makes you laugh, think, and cry a little, thats actually something we should all do every day. Reading it made me miss him and appreciate him. Im calling him right now. Get this book. Louie Anderson, comedian and actor,Baskets

The word genius is overused, so I wont use it here. ButMarkSchiffs unique and honest insights on parenthood, childhood, husbandhood, and pet ownerhood are hilarious without being mean-spirited and sentimental without being mawkish. Jeff Astrof, writer, showrunner, and producer,The New Adventures of Old Christine, Veronicas Closet,andTrial & Error

Heart, comedy, soul, insighta treasure chest of wonderful moments await all who open these pages. David Sacks, writer and producer, The Simpsons, 3rd Rock from the Sun, and Murphy Brown

Is there nothing better than a book that is funny and sensitive Thats whatMarkSchiffhas created: a book thatll make you laugh and warm your heart. Steve Bluestein, comedian and cofounder of the Groundlings comedy troupe and school

MarkSchiffis a great comic, a one-of-a-kind singular voice in comedy. Everyone in our generation of the stand-up world can rattle offMarks best bits. This book perfectly captures and showcases his ghoulish, childish, Jewish, foolish, and hilarious style. The book reads fast and funny. Its just likeMark. Once youve read it and loved it, itll be very hard to get it out of your house. Mike Binder, director and writer,The Mind of the Married Man, Reign Over Me,andThe Comedy Store

If laughter is the best medicine, then Mark Schiff is a doctor. As a stand-up comedian, Mark has been dispensing laughter for decades. In his new book, Why Not, instead of going to a comedy club, you get to take his wit, wisdom, and lots of laughs home with you. The best part is there is no two-drink minimum. Michael Platt, producer and writer,Grace and Frankie and Weeds

Add outstanding author to Mark Schiffs previous credits of hilarious stand-up and quality notary public! Jon Hayman, writer and producer,Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, andThe Chris Rock Show

Mark Schiff writes irresistibly about friendship, family, faith, and the business of being funny, sprinkling his stories with wisdom and killer laugh lines. Oh, and hes also a genius and handsome to boot. There, Mark, I said it. Judy Gruen, author ofThe Skeptic and the Rabbi

Schiff may be known as a stand-up comic, but hes also a stand-up guy who really knows how to tell stories. David Suissa, editor-in-chief of theJewish Journal

Mark Schiffs comedy always seemed effortless to me. We met at The Improv in the 80s and his act is always funny, but nobody gets hurt, just like a pro bank robber. That hes from the Bronx makes that fact all the more amazing. The stories in his bookWhy Notare also very funny, yet show his deep humanity, and theyre a joy to read. Mark Brazill, writer and producer,In Living Color,3rdRock from the Sun, andThat 70s Show

Mark Schiffs stories of childhood and beyond make us feel as if they are happening to us in real time. The interweaving of wonder, confusion, rebelliousness, angst, strangeness, and humor speak to something deep within all of us. Unpretentious, insightful, and bristling with humanity, Schiff takes us on an unpredictable rollercoaster, tempered with resilience and compassion. Bob Nickman, writer and producer, Freaks and Geeks,Mad About You,and The Drew Carey Show

Markand I spent a lot of time together in our formative years in New York. He was always funny. Always kind. Always Jewish. Rita Rudner, comedian, writer, and TV personality

I loved reading this book. Schiff gives us a funny and inspiring look at his life.Part memoir, part Judaism guide, and part self-help book. Plus, mostimportantly, Seinfeld wrote the foreword. Wayne Federman, comedian and author ofTheHistory of Stand-Up

Mark Schiff is one of those legendary comedians we all looked up to, and now that hes grown old and decrepit we can finally look down to him. But hes still hilarious as always. He is a stellar comedian whos consistently at the top of his game, as you can see when hes on stage and in his writing. The best part of reading this book is that you get all of Marks comedic genius, and you dont have to stare at his stupid face.Elon Gold, comedian and actor, StackedandChosen and Taken

Marks humor combines a keen sense of observation with the wisdom hes gained while making his way from one end of life to the other. Hes a really good guy.Read this wonderful collection and youll agree. Alan Zweibel, comedian, originalSaturday Night Livewriter, and author ofThe Other Schulman

Author Bio

Mark Schiffis a stand-up comedianwho has headlined at comedy clubs nationwide, including all the major casinos in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, and toured worldwide with Jerry Seinfeld for fifteen years. Mark has specials on HBO and Showtime, has appeared onThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny CarsonandLate Night with David Letterman, is featured in Seinfelds Netflix specialJerry Before SeinfeldandLive from the Laugh Factory with Dom Irrera, and has been the featured act at the Montreal Just for Laughs Comedy Festival. He coeditedI Killed: True Stories of the Road from Americas Top Comicswith Ritch Shydner, is the playwright ofMarried People, cowritten with Steve Shaffer, which played to sold-out audiences in Los Angeles in 2019,andThe Comic, whichran in Los Angeles for ten months as well as at the Aspen Comedy Festival, a regular contributor to LAsJewish Journal, and the host of the podcastYou Dont Know Schiff.Marklives in Los Angeleswith his first wife, his fifth dog, and photos of his three sons who have all moved out and have good jobs, yet still manage to call and ask for money.

Jerry Seinfeldis an actor and comedian best-known as the creator of the TV showSeinfeld. He is the author of theNew York TimesbestsellersIs This AnythingandSeinLanguage, which reached #1 on the list. He lives in New York City and Los Angeles.