Bob Saget Headlines MJCCA Book Festival

The 23^rd annual book festival of the MJCCA kicks off on a high note November 1, as Comedy Legend Bob Saget will present his book; “Dirty Daddy” on opening night. The book, which focuses on Saget’s life as a “family man turned filthy comedian” is his first foray into publishing.

Recently “Dirty Daddy” made the New York Times Best Sellers list in the humor category. According to Saget though, the book isn’t strictly rooted in comedy.

“The book is really about coping with death through humor.” Saget told the AJT, “It details some of my obvious history and childhood. I think that anybody who has been touched by a loss and had trouble dealing with it will enjoy this book.”

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Bob Saget was born in Philadelphia to a Jewish family. He says he discovered his gift for comedy in an unlikely place, Temple Israel in Norfolk, Virginia. It was there that he took to comedy as a means to cope with the structure of Hebrew school.

“Well a lot of it was rebellion.” Saget says, “In my Hebrew school training I would spend more time trying to impress the girls in the class. I remember the Rabbi taking me up to his office and saying ‘Saget, you’re not an entertainer; you have to stop doing this.’ I couldn’t stop.”

Saget says he was heavily influenced by his Jewish upbringing and when asked, he told the AJT that his three favorite Jewish comics are Jerry Seinfeld, Billy Crystal, Don Rickles.

Also detailed in the book are Saget’s long list of influences, from his mother Dolly and father Ben to legendary comedians Don Rickles, Rodney Dangerfield and Richard Pryor.

“Well most of the people that I worshiped were Jewish people.” He says, “It’s funny I always say ‘worshipped’ people instead of worship. I should be worshiping in the eternal light but I worship Alan King.”

On November 1, Saget will present his book at the MJCCA to open the 23rd edition of the Book festival. The event will provide a chance for fans to come together and have a discussion about the connection between humor, pain, grief and comedy. There will also be a book signing at the conclusion of the event.

“Dirty Daddy: The Chronicles of a Family Man Turned Filthy Comedian” is available now online and at bookstores nationwide.

“Go to my event if you want to go to it.” Says Saget, “No couples should be arguing; ‘I don’t want to see him, he’s dirty’ or ‘I don’t want to see him, I never watched that show.’ If they’d like to have a nice conversation for a little while and discuss the book. I would say that it will definitely be entertaining.”

Bob Saget, “Dirty Daddy: The Chronicles of a Family Man Turned Filthy Comedian” – Saturday, November 1, 8:15 pm – (Member: $18/Community: $24)

The 23rd Book Festival of the MJCCA runs from November 1-19 at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta. For more information and to purchase tickets call 678.812.4005 or go to: www.atlantajcc.org/bookfestival.