How Dare You Say How Dare Me!
Few comics today can say they have worked with the likes of George Burns, Frank Sinatra, and Tony Bennett--but Pat Cooper can. Brash, irreverent, and undeniably hilarious, his views have always been honest, unyielding, and colored by his "comedic anger," In this very frank memoir, Pat relates story after story of his life as a top entertainer, including the good, the bad, and the side-splitting! Like his sold-out live shows, How Dare You Say How Dare Me! will leave you roaring.
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\ Publishers WeeklyCooper begins his spirited memoir by discussing his early Italian family life in Brooklyn and his debut on the Fox Amateur Hour radio show, where his impressions won him first prize. He left school and worked as a brick layer and longshoreman before being drafted into the Army, and was the "man of the house" in his early 20s when his parents divorced and his father was mostly absent. Without much encouragement, Cooper never stopped performing, whether on the corner or at neighborhood events, and finally got his big break, at 32, on The Jackie Gleason Show. The Atlantic City and the Vegas of the Rat Pack era followed, with Cooper gaining notoriety as an "angry comic"; his routines were full of harsh wit that often cut close to home. Calling broadcasting the truth his version of therapy, Cooper cemented his status with regular appearances on The Howard Stern Show in the late ‘80s. But beneath the loud and relentless shtick was the darker side typical of many funny men, and he discusses strained relationships with his children, including a daughter who once called in to Stern's radio show to attack him. Still going strong at 81, Cooper believes "...in getting things out of my system", so the warts-and-all approach to his autobiography will come as no surprise to fans. (Nov.)\ \ \ \ \ Library JournalThis octogenarian rogue comedian (born Pasquale Caputo) shoots from the hip in a candid autobiography and shares his lifetime of ups and downs in the comedy business. From his early days in Brooklyn to his comedic development in the Catskills to becoming a major audience draw in Las Vegas, his no-holds-barred honesty has been his signature as a popular performer. Proud of his Italian heritage, the foundation of much of his stand-up routine since day one, Cooper isn't shy about letting anyone know just how difficult it was growing up with less than supportive parents and siblings. He has endured a plethora of fiascos, both personally and professionally, and he isn't afraid to share them with readers as lessons learned. He also here gives his opinions of numerous celebrities; those he admired and those he learned to loathe. Cooper fought for one important issue his entire life, that popular entertainers should always treat their opening acts (comedians in particular) with respect and dignity. VERDICT An enjoyable read that deserves a special place on any entertainment biography bookshelf.—Richard A. Dickey, Washington, DC\ \
