I'm Hosting as Fast as I Can!: Zen and the Art of Staying Sane in Hollywood

by Tom Bergeron

Book Overview

For readers of John O'Hurley's It's Okay to Miss the Bed on the First Jump and Chelsea Handler's Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea, Daytime Emmy-winner Tom Bergeronhost of ABC's Dancing with the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0061765872
• ISBN13: 9780061765872
• Release Date: April 2009
• Publisher: HarperOne
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Fun, exciting and a great read!!

if you like tom Bergeron and his sense of humor then you will love this book.

Why Hasn't He Won An Emmy?

Written in the same style with which Mr. Bergeron speaks, I just love this book! His down to Earth tone and self deprecation brings the reader into his comical monologue so much so that you feel as if you are sitting having coffee with Tom and listening to his stories face to face. Saving the rest of it for a beach read this April.

Enlightening Memoir

I am an avid fan of Dancing With The Stars and have admired Tom Bergeron's cool demeanor, ad lib humor, and friendly banter with the contestants, dancers and judges whom he clearly cares about. I heard about this memoir and was excited to read it to understand how Tom became so talented. Is he just a natural and when did he discover his talent? Did he get a lucky break or great training? How did he come to be who he is on stage? The book did not disappoint! He answers all those questions and more. His sense of humor comes through loud and clear and the book is a fun read even if you aren't a regular viewer of his shows. He also has more solid advice about living than multiple self-help books rolled in one ... enlightening readers with real life examples about making career choices, taking risks, doing what you love, meditating, being present, balancing work/family, etc., etc. Mostly I was impressed by the years of hard work on radio and tv and the years he spent studying mime and improv. He may be a "natural," but he also worked hard, took chances, and learned along the way. This is a delightful and inspiring memoir and now I will enjoy watching one of my favorite TV shows even more, knowing the back story of his life. P.S. It's also refreshing that he speaks well of his wife and children and unlike most celebrity books it is not filled with depressing stories about substance abuse and toxic relationships. Bravo, Tom! Hope to enjoy many more years of your sense of humor ...

Growing up on tv and radio

Tom Bergeron is probably best known for hosting "Dancing with the Stars," but he has a long history of work in radio and television. This history is explored in brief chapters in pretty much chronological order throughout the book. The book is part memoir, part advice to others in pursuing a career while maintaining a happy home life, and part meditation guide (in that Bergeron frequently emphasizes how meditating has helped him to lose a nasty temper and to stay cool under pressure). One of my favorite parts of the books was near the end when Bergeron discusses how one night he basically flopped hosting the Emmy's. He manages to laugh at himself but to also put the situation in perspective and to move on to the next thing, which happened to be a much more successful night hosting DWTS. As a fan of DWTS, I've always wondered where Bergeron learned to be so cool on air and how he came up with such quick one-liners on the spot. After reading this book, I feel like I got to know much more about this down-to-earth television host.

Laugh Out Loud Funny and Insightful

I bought this as an audio download just so I could hear Tom's sense of humor and love it. His quick wit translates well, but his deep insight is truly surprising. I've enjoyed every minute of this book and will be truly sorry when it's over, I'm savoring every chapter. I enjoy watching his live performances and now know where his unique quirky senses come from. Great book, well worth it. Would make a great Mother's or Father's Day gift!!

Love it

Tom Bergeron, currently best known for hosting shows like Dancing With The Stars and America's Funniest Videos, has written a laugh-out-loud memoir about his career in television, titled "I'm Hosting as Fast as I Can! Zen and the Art of Staying Sane in Hollywood." Bergeron's writing is both hilarious and self-deprecating--a much needed antidote to the current dark mood sweeping the nation in the wake of the economy. His first media exposure was a DJ position at a local radio station, while still in high school. Ironically enough, his boss at the time warned Bergeron that there was no career in radio. Fast forward several years and Tom was not only still hosting radio shows, but alternating between a string of TV jobs. Through his narrative, Bergeron takes us on a wonderful journey from a small radio station in Haverhill, Massachusetts to Hollywood, California. Ultimately, each job opportunity stems from his previous experience as Bergeron's star is on the rise. What I find most admirable about Tom's story is that he is not born with a so-called silver spoon, but truly achieves his modern success through old fashioned hard work--and manages to laugh at himself in the process. Various gigs at a Boston television station include hosting a kids show, a crazy talk show, and even reading lottery numbers which leads to hosting an improvisational breakfast show in New York whose most popular character is a sock puppet called Bob. This ironically becomes Bergeron's ticket into national television. Also mentioned is Bergeron's following brief stint in Good Morning America (a catty co-host included), the reason why he will never be a guest on Regis and Kelly, his time on Hollywood Squares, the surprising reason he was chosen as the host for America's Funniest Videos, and why Tom almost turned down the chance to host Dancing With the Stars. Besides his successful TV resume and various backstage gossip, Tom frankly reveals the struggles he has to endure along the way --health scares, bicoastal existence, the conflict between family and career, as well as many hilarious mishaps. In the face of constant change and personal turmoil, Bergeron shares his Zen philosophy of staying calm and looking at life from a glass-half-full perspective. Generously interspersed throughout Bergeron's narrative, are intriguing parables and comedic conversations with himself--which serve to underscore this optimistic way of interpreting life. As Tom puts it, Zen is essentially about acknowledging that all events in life are connected--a philosophy that can certainly be applied to events in Tom Bergeron's captivating life. Overall, Tom Bergeron's memoir is both highly entertaining and inspirational--a story that anyone can relate to, regardless of demographic, and one I would highly recommend at least for a good laugh.