It Never Ends, Tom Scharpling
It Never Ends, Tom Scharpling
List: $19.95 | Sale: $13.97
Club: $9.97

It Never Ends
A Memoir with Nice Memories!

Author: Tom Scharpling

Narrator: Tom Scharpling

Unabridged: 8 hr 53 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 07/06/2021


Synopsis

From the comedian, television writer, and host of The Best Show with Tom Scharpling, a revealing and powerful memoir exploring a life of struggle and reinvention.Tom Scharpling is good at being funny, which is a miracle, considering what he’s survived. Like hitting a deer and narrowly escaping with his life on the night of the 2016 election. But that’s nothing compared to the struggles he had earlier in his life.It Never Ends is his memoir of a life writing comedy amidst a lifelong struggle with mental illness, a story he has never told before. It’s the heartbreaking account of his intense coming-of-age, and the lengths he’s undertaken to pull away from the brink of self-destruction. Scharpling brought himself back to life first with punk zines and NBA coverage, then through the world of comedy, writing, and executive producing Monk, and creating one of the most beloved, longest running comedy radio broadcasts/podcasts, The Best Show with Tom Scharpling. Of course, there are also the tangents into auditioning for the New Monkees, why Billy Joel sucks, the siren call of the Sex and the City slot machines, and how he made a fool of himself in an elevator with Patti Smith.Tom is the quintessential underdog, and he wears that status on his sleeve as a badge of honor. With this memoir, he lifts the curtain to let the light in on the turmoil that still follows him, even as he racks up accolades and achievements. But most importantly, he reminds us that while many of us carry trauma and shame, we are not alone. It Never Ends is about rising above whatever circumstance you find yourself in and getting the most out of your life, while steamrolling the chumps along the way.

About Tom Scharpling

Tom Scharpling is a comedian, television writer, producer, music video director, and radio host. For eighteen years he has hosted the weekly radio call-in comedy program The Best Show with Tom Scharpling. He is also known as the voice of Greg Universe on the hit Cartoon Network animated series Steven Universe. Previously he was a writer–executive producer for the Emmy Award–winning show Monk.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Tavie on July 18, 2021

This is the most relatable book I've ever read. I'm not a man. I'm not from New Jersey. I possess virtually no comedic skill. I can't improvise; I certainly can't speak on the radio. I know precious little about most popular music. I can't voice a cartoon character, I've never been a writer for telev......more

Goodreads review by Scott on January 15, 2021

I must start this review by revealing a heavy bias: I've been a listener and follower of Tom's work for 15+ years. He sent me a care package when I was in the hospital with cancer without even knowing who I was. I've met him a few times since and he's been one of the kindest people I've met. Like Tom......more

Goodreads review by Chris on April 12, 2021

Tom Scharpling declared to listeners of The Best Show that when he tells his life story, there won't be a dry eye left in the house. I thought he was kidding! He has now revealed more of that story, and the joke's on me. I expected this book to be laugh out loud funny, and it is. It's open and hones......more

Goodreads review by Greg on July 31, 2021

Good read for fans of the Best Show, but probably has limited appeal to a broader audience. In this book, Tom is most successful when talking about his traumatic childhood and early adulthood. Then the rest is just a blur, mostly covered by relatively brief anecdotes which are funnier when told on t......more

Goodreads review by Kirsten on July 08, 2021

This one went by so quickly and there were so so many revelations (Giuliano?!) but it definitely feels like Scharpling is just scratching the surface here. Towards the end, there are a few references to “the next book”, which, although I think they’re meant as jokes, I really hope happens. This was......more


Quotes

“In his brilliant memoir…Tom places his story of breaking into comedy—hilarious as you’d expect—within a larger story of growing up in serious emotional turmoil.” Chicago Review of Books

“Scharpling careens with reckless abandon around the curves life has thrown him in his sidesplitting debut…Scharpling uses his struggles to offer poignant life lessons…about the importance of putting ideas into action and overcoming shame.” Publishers Weekly

“It’ll break your heart in the best way.” Kurt Vile, musician

“Moving, hilarious, honest, and inspiring!” Rebecca Sugar, creator of the Emmy Award–winning show Steven Universe

“It Never Ends is hilarious and harrowing. I laughed a lot. I cried a bit. I even laughed/cried a few times.” Marc Maron, stand-up comedian, actor, author, and host of the podcast WTF with Marc Maron

“This book is unflinchingly honest, deeply affecting, and just relentlessly funny.” John Oliver, Emmy Award winner and host of HBO’s Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

“A funny, angry, sensitive saga about an outsider who rose above it all without ever losing his touch for the everyday, the poetic, and the misfit music of reality.” Patton Oswalt, comedian, actor, and New York Times bestselling author


Awards

  • Publishers Weekly bestseller
  • American Booksellers Association
  • California Independent Booksellers Alliance