Review of "David Spade is Almost Interesting: The Memoir" by David Spade

David Spade

I know David Spade best from his stint on Saturday Night Live (SNL) in the 1990s. He's also a stand-up comedian, actor, and writer. In this memoir Spade provides a glimpse of his childhood and the long road to success, which - though not easy - was fueled by support from family and friends.

I listened to the audiobook version of this memoir - narrated by the author - with appropriate sound effects that add to the fun.

*****

Spade was born in Michigan, but his family moved to Scottsdale, Arizona when he was very young.


Young David Spade

Spade's father left soon afterwards, leaving his mother to raise her three boys - Bryan, Andy, and David - alone.....without a cent of alimony or child support. David grew up as a mama's boy, but enjoyed the rare visits from his dad - who was a fun guy with an outsize personality.


Young David Spade with his mother and brothers

When David was nine his mother married again, her new husband being a quiet doctor who was 'strange but nice.' David's stepdad gave him a shotgun on his tenth birthday, and the Spade boys regularly carried guns as they played in the deserts of Arizona.

David was a smart youngster. He made it to the chess state finals, was the reading champion in sixth grade (47 books), and won the school spelling bee. Unfortunately, David wiped out in the first round at state - on the word apparatus. (I guess you remember that kind of thing. 😊)

Spade's stepfather was a troubled man with PTSD, and he committed suicide when David was a teen - another sad event in the youth's life.

Spade's nice-looking brother Andy was well-liked in high school, and David shamelessly rode Andy's coattails.


Andy Spade

Thus David - nicknamed Mini-Spade - was a popular student, though this didn't translate to sex with girls. [FYI: Sex is one of Spade's favorite topics, and - in the course of the book - David relates anecdotes about his endless quest to get laid; losing his virginity; his first (accidental) hooker; inadvertently using his 'fame' to attract girls; and so on. For details you'll have to read the book. LOL]

In high school David was intent on being a cool funny guy, and his grades slipped. One class, though, was a blessing. From sophomore through senior year, David took 'Motivational Speaking', a course that let him show off his comedy skills - and led to sketches in the high school 'Extravaganza' show.


David Spade in high school

By the time Spade was in college, he was doing the rounds of local comedy clubs - and won the comedy contest at Arizona State University. Thus, David was on a 'slow rise to medium fame' and - after graduation - moved to Los Angeles to do spots in improv clubs. He also worked the New York comedy scene, traveling back and forth from coast to coast. During these lean years, Spade was constantly broke, often borrowed money from friends, and slept on people's couches.


David Spade doing stand-up early in his career

In 1989 Spade got a spot on HBO's 'Young Comedians Special', a huge deal that led to a job as a writer/performer on Saturday Night Live (SNL) - where he worked from 1990 to 1996. David also got to do the 'Johnny Carson Show' one time - shortly before the famous host retired.


David Spade became a regular on Saturday Night Live

David talks A LOT about his years on SNL: the friendly(ish) rivalry; how hard it was to get sketches accepted for the show; attempts to write skits featuring himself - so he'd get to perform; some memorable guest hosts (Alec Baldwin, Roseanne Barr, Patrick Swayze; Tom Hanks; Andrew Dice Clay, Candace Bergen, and others); his best friends in the cast - Chris Farley and Chris Rock; and much more. This is easily the most interesting - and funniest - part of the book.


David Spade (left) with Chris Rock (middle) and Chris Farley (right)

Spade describes some memorable SNL sketches, like the one that made Chris Farley famous. In the skit, Farley and Patrick Swayze are both auditioning for an available spot with the Chippendale dancers (male strippers). Swayze is ripped (and a professional dancer) and Farley is chubby and out of shape, but the judges are dead serious - closely watching them both. It's hilarious (and available on YouTube if you want to see).


Patrick Swayze (left) and Chris Farley 'auditioning' to be Chippendale dancers in SNL skit

In a memorable skit Spade developed for himself, he's a haughty receptionist for Dick Clark, and gives visitors a VERY hard time. For instance, when Roseanne Barr walks in, Spade acts like he doesn't know who she is - though 'Roseanne' is the #1 comedy show in the nation. Spade even tells Clark's biological mother - and Jesus - to 'take a seat.' It's very funny.


SNL skit with Roseanne Barr and David Spade

In Spade's best known role, he's the regular host of Weekend Update's 'Hollywood Minute' - where he disses celebrities.


David Spade doing the Hollywood Minute on SNL

For instance: "Michael Bolton - hey, your hair's really long in the back, but we all know what's happening on top. It's called Rogaine....look into it." Egged on by cast mates, Spade riffed on anybody and everybody.....which led to the Eddie Murphy fiasco.

Eddie had been in two flop movies in a row, 'Harlem Nights' and 'Vampire in Brooklyn." So, on the 'Hollywood Minute' - with Eddie's photo in the background - Spade said: "Look kids - a falling star......make a wish." Murphy was FURIOUS. He reamed Spade out and didn't return to SNL for more than 20 years, when he made a brief appearance on the 40 year anniversary special.


Eddie Murphy fiasco on SNL

During his SNL years Spade also started to make movies, and regularly contributed ideas for the scripts and scenes. 'Tommy Boy' was probably David's most successful film, but he's also proud of his work in 'Joe Dirt', 'The Emperor's New Groove', and others. David went on to do TV sitcoms, an HBO special, etc. - and crafted a very successful career.







Spade comes across as a quirky, good-natured guy who doesn't have a bad word to say about anyone. He doesn't dish any dirt or name any names. Even when David got beaten to a pulp by his personal assistant - who was disappointed about not getting a role in 'Joe Dirt', or robbed by his cleaning ladies - who stole thousands of dollars in cash.....Spade didn't press charges.

Spade's a great story teller, and his anecdotes are amusing and - if you're a SNL fan - very informative about how the show works. I'd highly recommend the book to readers who enjoy celebrity memoirs. 

Rating: 3.5 stars