I'm Chevy Chase... and You're Not

Too often, and since I never have met Chevy Chase, more negative things have been written about him than positives. The press and many people automatically jump on the bandwagon, like little kids in school, by reviling Chevy in any way they can just because "he can't act or host a talk show." I am a self-admitted loyal and devoted fan of Chevy Chase for 30 years for better and for worse, just like how Chevy's wife, Jayni, is with him. Author Rena Fruchter has written about Chevy in a manner that is more sensitive than anyone can imagine. She does write about his faults here and there, but she stresses more on the positives than the negatives. Fruchter does start out with Chevy being a victim of child abuse in the hands of a demented mother and stepfather. When he became a father, he went the opposite way - he is more loving and devoted to all three daughters. Then she writes more about him where if he isn't the most versatile actor in town, then he is versatile with his talents outside of acting - tennis, playing playing iano, politics, and the environment - all of which Chevy has been passionate about over the years. According to Goldie Hawn, Chevy can talk about anything and everything. Let this be a lesson to all those Chevy "bashers" the next time they think he is "stupid." After all, he was valedictorian of his high school, so there are at least his school smarts. Sounds like I'm sticking up for Chevy. Someone has to. I myself can easily relate to many of Chevy's faults and embarrassments. I can bungle in many social situations, for instance, and I'm all too good at that. Fans admire stars who they can identify with and have a lot of characteristics in common. For me, it is definitely Chevy Chase. I'm a devoted fan of Goldie Hawn, too, but I seem to share more characteristics with Chevy than I do with Goldie. So throw out all the "Saturday Night Live" books. Fruchter writes that "they abused him, not that he abused them." Forget much of the tabloids about him. Some of it sounds exaggerated. If you really feel for Chevy, as I do, read this book.

I met Chevy Chase as a fan in the summer of '76. He was in the process of leaving SNL and allowed 4 giggly gals visiting the Big Apple the chance to tour the 17th floor at 30 Rock one summer night. He and his companion, Alan Zweibel, were so very nice to us. After reading Shales & Miller's "Live From New York" book, I can't help but wonder about the jealous, insecure souls intimidated by a talented guy who clearly had issues with his biological family as well as subsequent cast families born from a show he helped breath life into from day one, as much as Michaels, O'Donoghue or Downey. "I'm Chevy Chase...and You're Not" confirms the guy I met when he had just become a household name was and is a very decent guy.

I bought this book because I have always liked Chevy Chase. I heard he could be kind of a jerk to people and I remember when I watched the Friars Club Roast of him nobody showed up. In fact they had to get random comedians and other people to show up and talk about him. Reading the book you will find out that a lot of people are mad at/hate him. You will also find out why. It really shocked me as to why so many people don't like him as I sure it will you. All I can say is that this man had such a neat life. He had so many chances to become well known or famous. From writing, shows and even bands he was in. One of which had members that started a famous group. But you will have to read to find out more on that. There is no way I am going to ruin it for you. You will learn about his family struggles. From those who did drugs. (up until like 12 years ago) To people to hurt him in more ways than one. You will feel so bad when you find out everything he has had to go through. The things that happened in his childhood also effected him in his 20s- 30s. You will see the proof of this when you read about his thoughts, arguments and even his marriage. I am almost sure that before you are even finished this book, you will be mad at yourself for ever being mad at him. I got really inspired when reading this book. People always tell me I can think fast and that I am funny. So I just yesterday started writing the jokes and ideas I get down. As well as recording songs I thinks of right after I think of them. I know that you will feel inspired in your own way. Whether it be with something in your future, in you present or in you past. You will want to work harder to be he best that you can be at the things you do. In the end you will get to learn some personal details about a man who has been doing things for people almost his entire life. From the man who was one of the founders of Saturday Night Live to the father and husband who puts the Christmas tree up every Christmas eve on so many televisions. You will really be surprised at all he has went through and all he has had a chance to do. The neat thing is that he really just got lucky A LOT. Through all these lucky breaks a man who is amazing at so many things that are important to so many people emerged. You may see that he is not all that different from you. You then will start to understand the man that is Chevy Chase as if you were there with him through his entire life. I know I did. I would like to end all this thanking Chevy Chase and the author Rena Fruchter. Side note I see many have given this a bad review. I can't understand why. You learn a lot about Chase and the entire time you are interested in finding out more. I guess there is always someone that could do something better but I am happy with what I have. It's like people are mad because the book does not talk bad about him. The poor guy made us laugh for decades. He may have made some mistakes in his

As a college literature professor, I plan to use this fine book as an example of a non-traditional biography that establishes the subject brilliantly without droning on and on with a thousand boring elements that nobody really wants to read. "I'm Chevy Chase...And You're Not" gives the reader a full understanding of Chevy Chase's background, personality, career and quirks--all the elements that make him the intriguing figure that he is. The reader learns of his disturbing childhood, his political views, his musicianship, his year on SNL, his film career, and his drug use---and how he used all the difficult experiences of his earlier years to pull his life together, against all odds, and to create a strong family life for his wife and three daughters. I strongly recommend this book. It cuts right to the heart of Mr. Chase, and keeps the reader involved from start to finish. More biographers should follow this superb author's example.

I have read both the hardcover and the new and revised paperback version of "I'm Chevy Chase...And You're Not." This is an excellent book which gives the reader a fascinating portrait of the subject, showing how Chevy Chase's early years influenced his life and career as an adult, and how he maintained his values despite dealing with the worst aspects of Hollywood. The paperback edition covers his more recent films, as well as Chase's emotional return to the set of SNL's "Weekend Update," in one episode as Senior Political Correspondent. People seem either to love or hate Chevy Chase. Readers of this book will understand him. I felt I knew his personality and struggles after reading this book, and I was very impressed with his honesty, and the skill of the author in helping his story to be told without getting in the way.