Comedian and Actor Michael Ian Black releases memoir “Navel Gazing”
January 5, 2016 Mark Says Hi! Books, Features, Michael Ian Black
Today sees the release of comedian and actor Michael Ian Black’s new book entitled Navel Gazing: True Tales of Bodies, Mostly Mine (but also my mom’s, which I know sounds weird). Quite the title yes, and quite the read also. Whether it’s family history, religion, aging, or his parents, Ian Black always has something to say in the dry, irreverent voice that has captured a fan base of millions. When a medical diagnosis forces him to realize he’s not getting any younger, he reexamines his life as a middle-aged guy—of course, in the deadpan wit and self-deprecating vignettes that have become trademarks of his humor.
The alt-comedy take on getting older, Navel Gazing is a funny-because-it’s-true memoir about looking around when you’re forty and realizing that life is about more than receding hairlines and proving one’s manliness on Twitter—it’s about laughing at yourself.
Michael Ian Black has starred in several TV comedy series, including The Jim Gaffigan Show, Another Period, The State, Ed, Viva Variety, Stella, Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp and Michael & Michael Have Issues. His film credits include The Baxter, Wet Hot American Summer, The Ten, Take Me Home Tonight, and This is 40. But he doesn’t stop there. As a writer, he’s penned the films Run, Fatboy, Run and Wedding Daze while directing episodes of his television show Michael & Michael Have Issues.
As for Ian Black’s stand-up career, he’s released two stand-up albums to date including 2007’s I am a Wonderful Man and the follow-up Very Famous in 2011. 2016 will see the release of his as-of-yet titled stand-up special which he taped back in November for EPIX. “I am so excited to tape my second stand-up special, in which I will meet your every need. It will be like having sex with me if I were good at having sex.” says Ian Black.
The multi-talented comedy veteran has also released a children’s book, Chicken Cheeks, in 2009 while becoming a New York Times bestselling author for his book You’re Not Doing It Right: Tales of Marriage, Sex, Death, and Other Humiliations.