Review: Not Tobo's best, but still funny, witty, and a genuine delight
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 03 12, 2011
I've gone on at length to anyone who will listen about how wonderful The Tobolowsky Files (a podcast of stories told by character actor Stephen Tobolowsky) is to listen to, how it may be one of the best podcasts available out there, and how Tobo's stories are funny, moving, profound, and always engaging. So it's no surprise to find that Tobo's writing debut - a short piece available at a low rate through Amazon's new Kindle Singles program - has a lot of that same joy and storytelling talent. In telling his "cautionary tales," Tobo tells a few stories of sexual misadventures (don't worry - these are PG-13 at worst), all while expounding on his theory that our brain contains impulses that force us to choose between what we want, what we need, and what the Rolling Stones would do while they're on tour. To be fair, the end result isn't one Tobo's best tales. It's all very funny (I laughed out loud more than once) and enjoyable, but it lacks the cohesion and thematic complexity of his best works, to say nothing of his willingness to explore darker material. All of that being said, it's still a lot of fun to read, the price can't be beaten, and it's nice to find that Tobo's stories are just as well told on the page as they are verbally. And, of course, if you're a fan of the podcast, you'll find a lot to love here. As for those of you who don't listen to the podcast....what's wrong with you? Go subscribe and take the time to go through the archives. You won't be disappointed.