Hello, Molly! – Molly Shannon with Sean Wilsey
It’s not often I decide to read a celebrity memoir, but I’ve always had an appreciation for Molly Shannon and love that she’s in the midst of a career renaissance (if you have not watched “The Other Two,” stream it immediately!).
What first intrigued me about her story are the headlines used to promote this book - the untimely death of mother, younger sister and cousin in a car accident when she was four, and the very late-in-life coming out of her father.
Those are two powerful and formative experiences, and I expected that Shannon would join the ranks of other well-known comedic actors who use laughs to mask depression, but her life story is about much more than sadness.
Two things really struck me about her: first, she seems to genuinely have a positive attitude and incredible work ethic; and two, her most well-known characters from “Saturday Night Live,” seemed to be an extension of her personality.
I’d highly encourage anyone interested in this book to listen to it. I laughed out loud frequently, and I don’t know if the humor behind certain situations would come across in the text. Additionally, she has a tendency for stream of consciousness thoughts — and jumped around ideas before landing on them — which I don’t think will translate well without hearing them.
Like Dolly Parton’s “Songteller,” the audiobook also felt like Shannon telling her stories/being interviewed by co-author Sean Wilsey, which made listening feel more intimate and like being at a dinner party.
And, she has some stories to tell.
From the somewhat feral upbringing in Shaker Heights, Ohio, which included everything from boarding a plane to New York City without a ticket, shoplifting sprees and partaking in unconventional activities, like practicing lying, it becomes clear she always had a flair for improvisation.
The early days of her career are equally as interesting. She struggled for years to get a break and observed Hollywood from a distance as a restaurant hostess obsessing over who ate what (FYI, Julia Roberts downed a plate of sausage).
People can find inspiration in her “by the bootstraps” rise to fame, and the fact she always believed in herself. Two stories that stuck out to me: her “Mamet Scam” as a way to get meetings with talent agents, and the cringeworthy but hilarious experience with Gary Coleman. I cannot even begin to write it in a way that will do justice to Shannon’s delivery.
There’s no celebrity gossip or score settling, but we do get an interesting behind-the-scenes view of her time on “Saturday Night Live,” and how she created iconic characters like Mary Catherine Gallagher, Sally O’Malley, Circe Nightshade and Miss Colleen. It was a great nostalgia trip.
She also addresses — but never really explores — the co-dependent relationship with her father, and the ways it made her successful while alternately holding her back. They had a unique relationship, to say the least, but Shannon speaks about him not with bitterness, but with admiration and respect.
This would be a great read/listen for those wanting something lighter and positive in these trying times. If you’re not a fan of Shannon before going in, you certainly will be by the time you finish.
Rating (story): 4/5 stars
Rating (narration): 5/5 stars
Formats: Audiobook (library loan)
Dates read: May 23 – May 27, 2022
Multi-tasking: Good to go. I mostly cooked and exercised while listening. Shannon is so engaging with her storytelling, it’s easy to follow along.
