The Awkward Thoughts of W. Kamau Bell

April 3, 2017
With insight and aplomb, stand-up comedian Bell recounts his career arc, including numerous asides on personal and political topics such as why most black superheroes are boring, the casual racism that African-Americans have to contend with every day, and the ramifications of Trump being elected president. Bell grew up in Chicago in the 1980s, an unathletic and asthmatic kid who was way more interested in superheroes and Bruce Lee than football or baseball. He floundered until he found his calling: stand-up comedy. Though his career went moderately well, he didn’t find his footing until he created The W. Kamau Bell Curve: Ending Racism in About an Hour, a solo show that was a mix of social commentary and stand-up. It not only refined his point of view but eventually led to his current stint hosting CNN’s United Shades of America. Those unfamiliar with Bell’s work or expecting a lighthearted read from a popular comedian will be surprised by the book’s breadth and depth as he details the Machiavellian machinations (and general ineptitude) of agents and media moguls and offers prescient social commentary. This informative read will be illuminating and worthwhile for aspiring comedians and general readers.

June 5, 2017
Comedian and political gadfly Bell, who hosts CNN’s United Shades of America, reflects on his place in the world and the challenges facing both marginalized and dominant cultures in the 21st century, while charting the arc of his comedy career and early influencers. With television and stand-up comedy experience, Bell makes the perfect narrator. His baritone voice is convivial and he reads in a fluid, conversational manner. Whether recounting growing up in Chicago in the 1980s or his experiences as a black man married to a white woman, Bell livens his narrative with impersonations of family and friends and strong comedic timing. He reads at a satisfying pace while subtly building up toward more serious and humorous moments in his memoir. A Dutton hardcover.

April 1, 2017
The "sociopolitical comedian" shares his opinions and stories from his life.Best known for his socially conscious, political style, Bell, the host of CNN's United Shades of America, offers readers more of the same in his first book. The author riffs on pop-culture topics such as being a "blerd"--i.e., black nerd--his childhood love of superheroes, why Denzel Washington is the greatest actor of all time (an idea he originally discussed in a podcast series), the film Creed, and social issues such as sexism and racism from personal experiences. Fittingly, he also dedicates chapters to his thoughts on the recent presidential election and the state of the Democratic Party. Bell's brand of comedy is insightful at times, but oftentimes the punch line or message is immediately obvious from the outset, and there is a one-dimensional tendency to many of his bits that begins to grow tiresome after a few chapters. The author is at his best when he recounts his early stand-up career in the 1990s and the comedy business in general. He recalls how the comedy boom of the '80s had burst, and he was left trying to find his personal and professional identity in this new era. It was then that Bell learned to use current events as source material--though during his first experience doing so, in which he joked about the Rodney King beating, he was booed offstage. It wasn't until 2007 that Bell began to truly find his voice with his one-man show The W. Kamau Bell Curve: Ending Racism in About an Hour, which mixed "personal stories, late night theories, and topical news stories" and incorporated what would become his signature social critique. Though Bell's social commentary is hit-or-miss, he is establishing himself as one of the most outspoken comedians of our time. A unique perspective of the development of identity comedy in the 21st century.

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April 15, 2017

Comedian and TV host Bell tells a candid story of being an outsider, a "weirdo with a weird name." This story involves the author moving frequently as a child: Boston, Indianapolis, Chicago, and Mobile, AL, to name a few places he lived. A constant, though, was Bell's passion for superheroes such as the Incredible Hulk and the films of Bruce Lee. Chapters offer musings on pop culture, such as Bell's podcast devoted to Denzel Washington and affection for the Rocky franchise. There are also meditations on race and racism, including reactions to his interracial marriage. But this is also a personal story of what the author perceives as his failure; being a college dropout and a struggling stand-up comedian. Bell draws in readers as he shares the winding path from his unsuccessful TV series Totally Biased to newfound victory with CNN's United Shades of America. Often asked what the best way is to work toward antiracism, Bell suggests not being afraid to talk about racism directly. VERDICT At times funny, at times somber, this debut will be enjoyed by fans of United Shades, Issa Rae's TV series Insecure, and anyone who enjoys comedy with a personal touch.--Stephanie Sendaula, Library Journal

Copyright 2017 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2017

The host of CNN's Emmy-nominated United Shades of America, Bell uses his own life--e.g., his interracial marriage and early career struggles--to discuss major issues from race relations to right-wing politics. A keynote speaker at ALA Midwinter.

Copyright 2017 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.