The Funny Thing Is...

After years of painstaking, round-the-clock research, surviving on a mere twenty minutes of sleep a night, and collaborating with lexicographers, plumbers, and mathematicians, DeGeneres has crafted a work that is both easy to use and very funny. Along with her trademark ramblings, The Funny Thing Is... contains hundreds of succinct insights into her psyche and offers innovative features including:

• More than 50,000 simple, short words arranged in sentences that form paragraphs.
• Thousands of observations on everyday life -- from terrible fashion trends to how to handle seating arrangements for a Sunday brunch with Paula Abdul, Diane Sawyer, and Eminem.
• All twenty-six letters of the alphabet.

Sure to make you laugh, The Funny Thing Is... is an indispensable reference for anyone who knows how to read or wants to fool people into thinking they do.

By all appearances, Ellen Degeneres is ready to accept the crown for the new queen of written comedy. This fun book reminded me so much of Erma Bombeck... funny, simple circumstances that we can all relate to. Expertly written, THE FUNNY THING IS... had me laughing from cover to cover.

5 stars for sure... my recommendation? BUY IT NOW! You rock, Ellen!


Audiobook is the way to go!   October 31, 2003
18 out of 19 found this review helpful

Ellen is once again brilliant with her witty insights and creativity. I bought this as an audiobook on CD, since I saw that it was "read by the author." It was great to hear her stories and joke the way she intended them to be heard! If you're planning on buying this book, audiobook is definitely the way to go!


Jellin With Ellen....   July 30, 2004
L. Shirley (fountain valley, ca United States)
12 out of 13 found this review helpful

This review refers to THE FUNNY THING IS...by Ellen Degeneres

The Funny Thing Is...that I'm not sure why everyone did not find this fabulous take on the everyday situations that life doles out to us, as well written, witty and uplifting as I did. On every page, Ellen Degeneres finds the humor, and gives incredibly funny solutions to dealing with all those little annoying, tedious and embarrassing events. Now the solutions may not be realistic...but we sure wish they were!

Ellen kept me great company, while sitting and waiting in various places. I took her with me all the time. I'm sure I garnered a few stares too, as I chuckled out loud reading about her take on everything from 'That's Why Prison Wouldn't Be So Bad'(where else could you get away from all the responsiblities?) to 'Things That Are Bothering Me This Week", her wonderful account of her tour('Dear Diary'), to 'Clothes I Have Regretted Wearing"(haven't we all seen pictures of ourselves from years ago that make us cringe?) and 'Naming My Book: The Odyssey'.

Her subtle wit sparkles with energy. Her style is down to earth and unpretentious. I felt like I was catching up with an old friend(a very funny old friend!).

I recieved this book as a gift at a very stressful time in my life. I needed a lift, and this book gave it to me. I have not as yet, read her first book, MY POINT...AND I DO HAVE ONE, so this review is not in comparison to that one, but I am now looking foward to reading that one as well.

Just kick back and chill to this very enjoyable read....Laurie

also recommended:
The Woman's Book of Movie Quotes
On the Road (Essential Edition): (Penguin Essential Edition)
Angela's Ashes: A Memoir of a Childhood




The thing is...this oneýs FUNNY!   November 12, 2003
Dianna Johnston (Joplin, MO)
9 out of 10 found this review helpful

For a knee-slapping good time, I always reach for the tried and true, and Ellen Degeneres has become that for me. I've been a fan of hers way before her popular TV sitcom, and own some of her stand-up comedy as well as her other book, My Point...and I Do Have One. And even though her writing isn't near as funny as her talking, I still find Ellen and anything Ellen-related top-notch comedy and will forever remain a fan.

The Funny Thing Is... is a riot! There is no one who can make me laugh quite like Ellen. And her book, full of short chapters of meandering thoughts about nothing in particular, is Ellen at her best. I can hear her "voice" come off the pages, especially in the chapters about her dad, the tour of her home, and the blurb about the CD packaging. Fans of Ellen will no doubt laugh on every page and will feel that every penny spent on this book is definitely worth it.


ELLEN IS A BORN WRITER-COMEDIAN, AU NATURELLE   November 11, 2003
juanita gutierrez (Bronx, NY United States)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

The first time I saw Ellen, (I mean really first time as she was not my favorite at all due to her lifestyle), was on her movie, "Mr. Wrong." I was laughing alone in my living room just seeing her face and listening at her dialogue. From then on, I surf the net for books or tapes of her and I discovered her website. I tell you, she is the only actress-commedianne, who can make me laugh as I am pretty critical or choosy. Her book,"The Funny Thing Is..." is basically what it says. Her personality comes right through. Her talent in writing coupled with her inviting persona makes this book and all her works worth your time and effort and investment. After my favorite, Carol Burnett in the 70's, Ellen is my "Queen of Comedy of the Millenium". Hurray, Ellen. Keep it up. "The Funny Thing Is....." soars to the heights!