Playing with Myself
Playing with Myself book cover

Playing with Myself

Hardcover – April 19, 2022

by
Price
$14.99
Format
Hardcover
Pages
256
Publisher
St. Martin's Press
Publication Date
ISBN-13
978-1250276254
Dimensions
6.55 x 1.05 x 9.5 inches
Weight
15.2 ounces

Description

“I was already a big fan of Randy’s commentary on American celebrity and culture. Always smart, always wickedly funny, with his tongue firmly planted in his cheek. I waited, as we all did, for his next target. Then he asked me to sing with him. His target, Donald Trump. Oh joy! I went to his apartment and met a shy, handsome young guy who just happens to have this enormous talent. It was a joyful two hours. I left his home with a huge smile and lots of swag. I wait patiently now, as we all do, for his next video that will make me laugh, make me feel not so alone in my thinking, make me wonder in awe at the audacious force of nature that is Randy Rainbow.”―Patti LuPone“Discovering Randy is one of my happiest memories. I don’t toss around the word ‘genius’ often, but there’s no other word to describe him. After being in touch with each other, I’m thrilled to call him my friend. He’s as nice as he is talented. Wow.” ―Carol Burnett“Brilliant . . . as good as anyone writing lyrics today.” ―Stephen Sondheim“I fall in love with Randy Rainbow a little bit more with each new video. Brilliant! And that voice!” ―RuPaul“Randy Rainbow is so damn important.” ―Lin Manuel Miranda"A rollicking debut . . . packed with well-timed zingers . . . Rainbow's gift for striking a well-honed phrase will have readers cackling. Fans are sure to be heartened and tickled by this entertaining account." ― Publishers Weekly "Buoyant and campy throughout, Rainbow’s revelations and lighthearted banter will entertain fans and newbies alike. A chatty autobiography brimming with heart and humor." ― Kirkus Reviews "Filled with the kind of anecdotes that anyone raised on a steady diet of Sex and the City and Broadway musicals will eat up with a spoon, Rainbow's memoir is pure, indulgent fun. Fans of Rainbow (there are millions, and they include big-name celebs, presidential candidates, and Broadway superstars) will want this book immediately, as will anyone who enjoys a good, dishy celebrity memoir." ― Booklist (starred) Randy Rainbow is a three-time Emmy-nominated comedian, actor, singer, writer, and satirist best known for his popular series of musical parodies and political spoofs, which have garnered him international acclaim. Randy tours the U.S. to sold-out audiences, and his viral comedy videos receive millions of views across all social media and digital platforms. He resides in New York City.

Features & Highlights

  • Instant
  • New York Times
  • ,
  • USA Today
  • , and
  • Wall Street Journal
  • Bestseller!
  • An intimate and light-hearted memoir by
  • viral
  • sensation and
  • three-time
  • Emmy-nominated musical comedian
  • Randy Rainbow that takes readers through his life―the highs, the lows, the lipstick, the pink glasses, and the
  • show tunes
  • .
  • Randy Rainbow, the man who conquered the Internet with a stylish pair of pink glasses, an inexhaustible knowledge of Broadway musicals, and the most gimlet-eyed view of American politics this side of Mark Twain finally tells all in
  • Playing with Myself,
  • a memoir sure to cause more than a few readers to begin singing one of his greatest hits like “A Spoonful of Clorox” or “Cover Your Freakin’ Face.” As Randy has said, “There’s so much fake news out there about me. I can’t wait to set the record straight and finally give people a peek behind the green screen.” And set the record straight he does.
  • Playing with Myself
  • is a first-hand account of the journey that led Randy Rainbow from his childhood as the over-imaginative, often misunderstood little boy who carried a purse in the second grade to his first job on Broadway as the host at Hooters and on to the creation of his trademark comedy character. In chapters titled “Pajama Bottoms” (a look back at the days when he wore pajama bottoms on his head to pretend he was Dorothy in
  • The Wizard of Oz
  • ), “Yes, It’s My Real Name, Shut Up!” (no explanation necessary...) and “Pink Glasses” (a rose-colored homage to his favorite accessory),
  • Playing with Myself
  • is a memoir that answers the question “Can an introverted musical theatre nerd with a MacBook and a dream save the world, one show tune at a time?”

Customer Reviews

Rating Breakdown

★★★★★
60%
(1.1K)
★★★★
25%
(455)
★★★
15%
(273)
★★
7%
(127)
★
-7%
(-127)

Most Helpful Reviews

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Do you want to laugh?

Admiring celebrities is an interesting part of life. I remind myself, 'they're only people who make news'. Some celebrities are not worth the time. Randy Rainbow is a special person!! This world needs more people like him...many more. I won't waste time with a book review...if you have seen even one of Randy's videos, well, you know....his autobiography, is unforgettable!!!! Do you want to laugh? I started laughing on page three, aloud, and didn't stop!!! The Rachel Maddow made me laugh so much I couldn't keep my eyes open, to keep reading! I also cried the ugly cry, and I wish I could hug Randy!!! I just love him!!! Do you want to laugh?
25 people found this helpful
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So Okay, Streisand IS a Religion!

Oh, if only I could reach out and embrace this chubby little child as he tries to grow into himself while innocently carrying a ladies’ handbag to first grade like a bully magnet, enduring mean-spirited father figures, put-downs from clueless adolescent crushes… What a dear true heart he is, and how wonderful of his mother and beloved grandma to give him ways to cope: Theatre! Show tunes! Dance lessons! Plus a precious boxed set of Barbra Streisandiana, sold with a gold rose on top of pink linen. Here’s a kid who could have put his head in the oven but didn’t, because he inhabited a fortress. Even when grief-stricken, he’d eventually bob back up to the surface like a cork, buoyed by music and magic and bright lights, love and laughter and snarky good humor. What a tremendous gift he’d been given, which he now continues to give the rest of us through his huge innate talent. So right now I just want to stand up and belt out a Sondheim ditty in tribute, and I’m in a wheelchair but that doesn’t matter. Thank you, Randy! You’re a beautiful man and an even beautifuller soul.
16 people found this helpful
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Gurl, hold onto your Pink Glasses - because Randy Rainbow Rules!

Okay, so I am a huge fan of Randy Rainbow and his funny and insightful viral videos. Having seen many, more than once - because let's face it folks, the guy is a genius at song parodies, with a wonderful singing voice to match - now we can add to his many achievements/talents - that of, writer.
His first-hand account of his journey from earliest childhood to present time is a fun read, yet he infuses honesty and heartfeltness, that reminds you under that enchanting stage persona (and those famous Pink Glasses!), Randy Rainbow continues to shine like a bright star.
Unfortunately, I did not discover Randy's videos until 2021, but having survived the 2016-2020 nightmarish, Dark Prehistoric Ages, thrust upon this country, I came to appreciate Randy's intelligent, yet clever and hysterically funny musical insights into American politics, world affairs, dealing with Covid, and also his imaginary dating life. So, what's not to love about this charming lad?
Thank you, Randy for saving my and no doubt, much of America's sanity.

"Playing with Myself" offers the reader a looksie into a wise, yet funny, and yet gentle soul of a man, who also made me cry unashamedly when he wrote about losing Mushi (his beloved cat), during the pandemic. His book is also a loving tribute to his much-adored Jewish mother. Randy, could you loan her out to the United States?
And I am a senior citizen "Gurl", who highly recommends Randy Rainbow's book.
Yes Kween!
10 people found this helpful
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The Importance of Humor

I found I needed some comic relief. Randy Rainbow’s book provided that. PLAYING WITH MYSELF is probably the campiest book you’ll ever read, but it provides insight into why Randy is like he is and the positive effects of humor in these desperate times. Randy gets serious on occasion, especially when dealing with the deaths of his beloved Nanny and his 17-year-old cat, but it’s mostly about the importance of humor and how Randy found his particular niche in the world. There’s way too much name-dropping for me, but then that’s part of the stereotype. Mostly it’s a fun read.
9 people found this helpful
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Randy Rainbow at his best

I became a fan of Randy Rainbow during the Trump years and the pandemic shutdown. I look forward to his new videos and am constantly amazed with his ability to weave words for today into show tunes. His live concert was our first venturing out masked and vaxxed from COVID. So this book was a special treat…to get a glimpse into who Rainbow really is and what forces shaped his career along the way. (Go Grandma!) The book has a large dose of the tongue in cheek humor Rainbow is known for, but also shares some very serious moments. Thank you, Randy, for sharing this part of yourself with us!
6 people found this helpful
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loved

I recently read Playing with Myself by Randy Rainbow. Randy is a popular personality on YouTube. He does parody videos with rewritten songs generally from Broadway shows. He is enormously gifted and if you have a sense of humor, he will brighten your day. I gave my speech about politics because once Trump became President, his administration was the subject of many videos. I thought this book would be about how Randy makes those videos, using a green and a computer, and it is, but there is much more substance, which surprised and delighted me. The book tells the story of when he was a child, figuring out he was gay, eventually telling his parents. He encounters plenty of mean kids in school, as we all do. Randy talks about wanting to be a performer but almost falling into his current career. There are loads of sarcasm, profanity, laughs galore and even a few tears. If you're interested in the people he's met and has worked with, the author does not hold back, naming them all specifically. He has charming stories about Carol Burnett, who I'm so happy to say is actually due the adoration I've had for her for years. You'll read about Stephen Sondheim, Steve Martin, Patti LuPone...the list of his admirers is endless and the stories amazing. Best of all, the reader is treated to a peek into Randy's relationship with his mother, which will make you choked up and smile at the same time. This is a feel-good book you'll be glad you read.

If reading nonfiction isn't your thing, I get it, in general it isn't mine. At the least do yourself a favor, put away your political affiliation, pull on your big boy/girl pants, and go look up Randy Rainbow on YouTube. You will be amazed at his talent.
5 people found this helpful
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Buy this book! Buy several!

Possibly one of the most enjoyable reads I have had in a long time. This is a fun book to read. It is emotional and at times it will touch your heart and make you cry but there are also so many times that it will make you laugh out loud. Randy Rainbow is an absolutely beautiful person and his story is the story of someone struggling to make it in a competitive field. It is the story of someone who has a dream and the struggles and sacrifices they make along the way to make their dream come true. If you've ever had a dream and you've struggled to make it come true this is the book for you to read. It is funny, emotional, inspirational and just all around good read. Buy this book and keep it on your coffee table. Read it again and again when you need a pickup, a laugh and some inspiration. This book delivers joy and love no matter who you are. In fact by several and give them for gifts. What a perfect Christmas gift this book makes. It is not political it is just funny. We need more Randy rainbows in our life. Randy Rainbow teaches us how to play when life becomes so overwhelming and ridiculous at the same time. I highly recommend this book and I would give it 10 Stars if I could.
5 people found this helpful
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Disappointing

Make no mistake: I love and adore Randy Rainbow. I have played and replayed each of his brilliant parodies, plus his Mel Gibson "crush" videos and even his recent interviews with the late Bob Saget. Knowing what a satiric genius Randy is, I was avidly looking forward to his reading his life story. Sadly, his autobiography doesn't remotely rise to the level of his parodies. It's short, barely covering more than his Wikipedia entry, and remarkably superficial. There's no soul-searching here, though readers will be touched by his devotion to his mother, grandmother, and cat. The book has no index; I wish that it had included a list of his parodies, indicating the year of their release and which song/musical they are based on. I wonder if Randy has read any autobiographies by other great comic actors, like Barry Humphries (brilliant both as himself and when writing as Dame Edna Everage), Stephen Fry, or even John Cleese. Although I was disappointed with Randy's facile autobiography, I continue to marvel at his musical parodies, which pulled me (and millions of others) through some very dark years.
5 people found this helpful
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I just read reviews, I don’t write them

I read A LOT of books. I immerse myself in the book as a read it, then at the ending I move on to the next. Rarely does a book continue to reach into my thoughts days after I finish it. This book has prompted me to write a *gasp* review. Playing with Myself takes you on a wonderful ride in roller coaster with the Nanny in your life riding shotgun. I laughed, cried, sometimes both at the same time. My cat was very confused. If you love Randy’s parody videos or you hate Randy’s parody videos, read this book. You will still be quoting this book days after you read it. Or writing a review on Amazon.
5 people found this helpful
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The story behind such a gifted entertainer

Absolutely LOVED this book! I was sad when I finished reading it, as it was like Randy was talking directly to me, telling me his story. It was very interesting to find out how he got his musical talents and where his sense of humor comes from.
4 people found this helpful

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