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Make 'Em Laugh
Make 'Em Laugh: Short-Term Memories of Longtime Friends | Debbie Reynolds, Dorian Hannaway
22 posts | 14 read | 16 to read
The beloved Hollywood star and New York Times bestselling author of Unsinkable continues her intimate chat with fans in this entertaining collection of anecdotes, stories, jokes, and random musings from a woman who has seen it alland done most of it. From her acclaimed performances to her headline-making divorce from Eddie Fisher, raising a famous daughter to hitting the road with a successful one-woman show, Debbie Reynolds has been in the spotlight for decades. Shes met presidents, performed for the Queen of England, and partied with kings. A show business icon, she continues to sing and danceand can drop more names than Andy Cohen. In this fabulous personal tour, she recalls wonderful moments with the greats of the entertainment worldLucille Ball, Frank Sinatra, Bette Davis, Phyllis Diller, and many, many moresharing stories that shed new light on her life and career and the glittering world of Hollywood then and now. Debbie has plenty to telland in Make Em Laugh, she dishes it in the warm, down-to-earth voice her fans adore. Debbie shares memories of late night pals and some of the greatest comedians of all time, stories from the big screen and small, and tales of marriage, motherhood, and children. Combining her wicked sense of humor and appealing charm, she reveals the personal side of show business and fame in funny, poignant, and delightful reminiscences. Nothing is off limits: Debbie talks about her sex life, her family dramaand even shares a few secret recipes. As irresistible as the woman at its heart, this collection shows the consummate skill of a beloved entertainer who truly knows how to Make Em Laugh.
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EclecticBookLover
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Pickpick

This was enjoyable. There are some good stories in here, but I think expected to hear more stories about the golden age of Hollywood and those weren't as many. Still it was fun and the narrator sounds a bit like Debbie Reynolds.

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EclecticBookLover
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For my next #audiobook, I hope to have something happier. I'm disappointed that Debbie Reynolds doesn't narrate this, but I appreciate that the woman does sound a bit like her. #LitsyAtoZ

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Andrew65
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Given what tragically happened over Last Christmas, has to be this book by Debbie Reynolds. A big part in a truly classic film, so sad how she died hours after her daughter. They may have had a love hate relationship at times but she was clearly broken hearted! #MakeEmLaugh #SingingInTheRain #MelodiousMusicals
Hope you noticed the embedded reference to George Michael who also tragically and mysteriously died over the same Christmas.

CrowCAH Nice catch and perfect book title for today‘s prompt! 😁 7y
Andrew65 @CrowCAH I thought so 😊 7y
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JacintaMCarter
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This isn't something I would usually post on social media, but I consider Litsy a safe space, and I know a lot of you can relate. I suffer from extreme anxiety and mild depression, but lately the depression seems to be taking center stage. (If you need an indication of how it's affecting me, I haven't read in over a week.) So, if y'all are willing, could you offer some recommendations for books that are guaranteed to inspire some laughter?

moranadatter My favorites are Phoebe and Her Unicorn and anything by Jenny Lawson. 8y
Robothugs I wish I read more funny books so I could make recommends. I suffer from anxiety/panic attacks and depression as well. I'll be sending good vibes your way. 8y
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saresmoore So sorry to hear it and I understand. @Booksandcooks just posted about this one as a hilarious antidote: 8y
minkyb I have no solid suggestions except to suggest a bookworld (series) you could lose yourself in. For me it would be a mystery series or vampire books. In any case, sending love. 8y
DGRachel Allie Brosh struggles as well, and her book is relatable and hilarious. Thanks to Litsy, I've also discovered the joy of Lumberjanes - they are great, fun comics. Hang in there! 8y
DGRachel The early Stephanie Plum series were hysterical, too. Not strictly a comedy, but fun and funny. 8y
DGRachel Oh, and this one also made me laugh last year... 8y
PurpleyPumpkin For quick & fun reads, you can't beat Sarah Andersen! Hope you feel better soon. 8y
KCorter I second @moranadatter and @OrangeMooseReads! The Princess Bride is a good choice for a fun, lighthearted read. If you're okay with the humor being a bit wry, the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is one of my personal favorites. 8y
Notafraidofwords I tend to stay away from funny books, but my sense of humor is weird. But, I am sending positive vibes! 8y
Megabooks Yes, definitely You Can't Touch My Hair also 8y
Megabooks I hope we both feel better and less anxious soon!! 8y
mjdowens So sorry you are going through such a hard time. I cannot think of any book off of the top of my head at the moment, but just wanted you to we are here for👍💐 8y
Hollie I think I may have seen that you've read this one, but my go-to when feeling anxious is 8y
Hollie Also, by the same author, a book about living with anxiety and depression 8y
Jas16 I am so sorry that you are going through this but we are all here for you. Sending you love 8y
Hestapleton Ditto to Furiously Happy and Let's Pretend This Never Happened! I also really enjoyed 8y
TheBookAddict I hope that you feel better! Suggestions: Born A Crime by Trevor Noah (while it's regard some tough subjects it is unite uplifting and funny when you listen to the audiobook which he narrated), Adulthood is a Myth by Sarah Andersen, Lumberjanes, and Ms. Marvel. 8y
CouronneDhiver This is definitely a safe space... thinking about you today! 8y
Kerouacthedog We love you friend! Furiously Happy always makes me feel less alone in my darker moments. 8y
Ubookquitous Sorry your having a tough time now. Anything by Carrie Fisher, David Sedaris, and 8y
Michelle_mck This Hating Game, I felt wonderful after reading it, chic lit is the best at that for me 8y
SharonGoforth 💗💗 8y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I hope you get to feeling better soon ❤️ 8y
Tnovo 💖💖💖 feel better soon! 8y
Chelsibno I always enjoy reading comics when I'm in need of a good laugh. My current favorites are Lumberjanes and Ms. Marvel. They're both full of nerd-tastic humor and friendship to the max. 8y
Chelsibno I hope you feel better soon. 8y
GypsyKat I don't have any recommendations, but I can relate. Feel better soon 💗 8y
EllieDottie I haven't read anything super light recently, so I don't have any recommendations, but I am sending you good vibes! I hope you feel better soon! 8y
whatsjennareading I have to reiterate the suggestions for Furiously Happy and Let's Pretend This Never Happened. 8y
Lizpixie There's a book just released in Australia by a tv presenter who has extreme anxiety & depression and how she deals with it. It's very good, and may help. 8y
megt I hope you're feeling better soon. Reiterating suggestions for anything by Jenny Lawson, the Phoebe and her Unicorn series, and the early books in the Stephanie Plum series. 8y
39 likes37 comments
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saholmes
Pickpick

I loved this book!! She is one of my favorite actresses! I loved hearing all of the amazingly hilarious stories. She is proof that you don't have to make stuff up because life is crazy enough.

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Bookishbroadway
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Pickpick

A beautiful and hilarious recount of Debbie Reynolds' antics with friends. Bittersweet to read from beginning to end; starting with a foreword written by Carrie Fisher and ending with Debbie's hopes for the future.

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beccaeve
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I've been off Litsy all weekend because I was travelling out of town to throw friends a toddler shower (they're adopting). My mom and I listened to part of this on the drive.

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JenlovesJT47
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Pickpick

I've always been a big fan of Debbie Reynolds, and really enjoyed her 2013 memoir, Unsinkable. Still need to get my hands on her first book. Make 'Em Laugh was very surreal to read only a month after her passing. It is full of anecdotes about her famous and non famous friends alike. Debbie had a remarkable life, which makes me happy. She was a class act all the way. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Recommended!

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JenlovesJT47
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Yes! I'm with you Debbie!

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JenlovesJT47
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This just in from the library! 📚I'm a big fan of Debbie, and still can't wrap my brain around her and Carrie both being gone like that. Has anyone seen the HBO documentary? It was amazing and sad all rolled into one. #sigh #debbiereynolds #carriefisher #libraryhaul

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beccaeve
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I got to see Singing in the Rain in the theater today! (Now I just to find time to read this book!)

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Susannah
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Current reading. The Six is on audio, which is proving to have its ups and downs. The book's narrative could flow better and the upper crust accents the narrator puts on are over the top, but I will stick with it.

And I couldn't resist the Debbie Reynolds book last week when I made a bookstore run to spend some Christmas money. It reads a little bit like it could use a ba-dum-bump-chhh at the end of each anecdote, but it's speedy and painless.

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ThatNeilGuy
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Pickpick

Enjoyed listening to this. But the last chapter or two, in which she describes her hopes for the future, were heartbreaking in light of recent events.

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ThatNeilGuy
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Listening to this book as I dig through an old box to find this.

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thereadingwomen
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Such strength and grace. 💔 #debbiereynolds

Dragon 💔 8y
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dogra
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😢

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Bookish_B
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I saw Ms. Reynolds at the Festival of Books a few years ago. She was bubbly, funny & adorable. She told lots of stories, very much aware of what the people wanted to know most about & told them as though it was the first time. She was a pro through & through. It was obvious she had come up in the time of The Movie Star. She was always aware of the cameras, smiling & waving, never complaining despite the heat, even after she left the stage.

Bookish_B I am heartbroken for her family and fans. 8y
Cinfhen So sad 💔 8y
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EmMcCarter21
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"O what a broken heart can do..." ?

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BookishFeminist
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Together again. You can't tell me it's impossible to die from grief. What an impactful, dynamic duo that challenged the status quo of women and advocated for being happy and true to ourselves in the face of challenges. Truly heartbroken for their family. May we push ourselves to laugh as much as they did. 🌹

TheBookStacker I firmly believe you can die from a broken heart. 8y
Gezemice So sad. 😥💔 8y
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ScientistSam So sad 8y
Lola 😞 8y
Sydsavvy 🌹💔🌹💔🌹💔😥 8y
Megabooks Well put! 8y
AshHisson Beautifully said. 😢 8y
EKonrad 💔💔💔 8y
Dragon 💔 8y
Cinfhen Beyond sad. My heart goes out to the family 😥 8y
Mimi28 I worried about Carrie's daughter. So sad 😢 8y
Gayan 😖 8y
BarbaraTheBibliophage I'm so sad for Carrie's brother and daughter. I can't imagine the pain. 💔 8y
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UnabridgedTomes
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Pickpick

GTFO this year. I'm so totally done with you.

Susannah Seriously! I just heard about this. So, so sad. I feel so horrible for their family. 😢 8y
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Evann
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I love her.

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Leelee08
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I just bought this e-book for $1.99, and I realized, "I would have LOVED to have been her best friend!" So many of my favorite movies growing up starred this incredible performer. #octphotochallenge #bestfriend ???

MemoirsForMe Yay! 😊👍🏻 thx for letting us know! I loved her memoir Unsinkable. What a cool person she is! 8y
Leelee08 @UwannaPublishme No problem! I ❤️ her, too! 8y
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