Rating: 
Summary: Excellent anecdotes, good insights, questionable narrative
Review: One thing Zmuda's book does that "Man on the Moon" did not is outline the M.O. for Andy's stunts, although it still doesn't really establish a reason for them. Of course, maybe there wasn't one. Andy tried to erase the boundary between comedy on the screen and comedy in the field, but whether or not there was a point to his efforts isn't completely decided in this book -- he still could have just been an idiot savant for all we know. The stories behind Andy's best-known antics are wonderful; he and Zmuda really did operate a precise machine of real-life theatre that, for better or worse, set a lot of precedents in show business. The Jerry Lawlor passage puts to rest one of the entertainment questions I've been wracking myself about for many years. I also liked Zmuda's chapter on his adventures with Mr. X (btw, Mr. X is allegedly Norman Wexler, who wrote "Serpico" and "Saturday Night Fever," according to Roger Ebert); if it doesn't obviously show the inspiration for Tony Clifton, it's still a great story. But I also agree with many other readers that Zmuda intrudes a bit too much of his own biography upon the story of Kaufman's, and succumbs to cliches, and sometimes embarassing details, about his own sex/love lives too much for my taste. I haven't read the other bio on Kaufman yet, but I suspect that seeing "Man on the Moon" and reading this book might provide you with a good summary of Kaufman's life and importance. Of course, what's really needed is a comprehensive video release of his television history -- a great idea would be a compilation of his appearances on "Saturday Night Live" and "Fridays" if such a deal could be worked out. Not a bad reference, and definitely an entertaining and quick, if flawed, read.
Rating: 
Summary: An Important Insight into the Nature of the Artist
Review: Only those who are unaware of Mr. Zmuda's often integral involvement in Andy Kaufman's work would be put off by the stories here of the two working closely together on their next prank. Bob Zmuda was there, and the stories he tells are simply a "data dump" of some important (to any researcher wishing the complete picture) behind-the-scenes insight into the whys and wherefores of Andy Kaufman's career milestones. Read with confidence. Mr. Zmuda is not a post-mortem self-promoter. In fact, Zmuda (later the producer of the "Comic Relief" fundraisers) undoubtedly couldn't tell this story any other way. Anyone who doubts Mr. Zmuda's collaboration with Andy from very early in his celebrity should review the tape of Andy's various on-stage appearances, and look closely at Andy's victims, shocked or harried TV engineers, and most especially Andy's hecklers -- and you will find that quite often you are looking at none other than Bob Zmuda. Fifteen years ago, Bob was a friend of mine. I worked backstage when he donned the Tony Clifton make-up and resurrected the character for an evening at the Comedy Store one year after Andy's untimely death. I'm glad he finally wrote this book. If he made a little something on it, fine -- he was there, he played a role, and he knows whereof he speaks.
Rating:
Summary: A fun and fast read.
Review: This book gives a highly entertaining account of Andy Kaufman's antics with the book's author, Bob Zmuda. If you you've only seen _Man on the Moon_ and _Andy Kaufman: I'm From Hollywood!_ (both recommended), you don't have even half of the story. If you enjoyed those at all, you will probably love this book. It is true that some considerable space is dedicated to details of Zmuda's life separate from Kaufman. Most of that material, however, ties in to the larger story. I'd say the story of "Mr. X," an extremely eccentric screenwriter who paid Zmuda thousands of dollars to follow him around all day, is worth the cost of admission in itself, and one can clearly see how Mr. X inspired Kaufman alter-ego Tony Clifton. In fact, Mr. X really deserves more attention in a book and movie all his own. Some reviewers below think Zmuda gives himself too much credit for Kaufman's material, but I wasn't bothered. There's no question that Zmuda was in on some of Kaufman's biggest and best stunts, so what he says is credible. Maybe he calls more attention to his own contributions than necessary, and he mentions that he was Kaufman's "best friend" a few too many times. On the other hand, it's clear that he thinks Kaufman was brilliant and one of a kind. Anyway, this book was more fun than any I've read in a long time. I strongly recommend it to Kaufman fans.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent read...
Review: This is a great book on the life of Andy Kaufman, through the eyes of his best friend Bob Zmuda. I am not a big book reader, but I have read this like 5 times already. Any book that will make you laugh out loud one minute, shake my head in disbelief another is a good read. I actully cried reading the last 2 chapters every time I do read the book (quite embarrasing when I am on a bus to work!!). Zmuda has alot of stories on Andy's life. Other reviews state that he is writing all about himself, that is not the case, as he is writing about the 2 of them, as they worked on everything together. Who better to write a book on Andy than the guy who knew him best?? Unfortunatly the movie, "Man On The Moon", which was based on this book, dosent do this justice, I was very disapointed. If your a fan, and saw the movie and didnt quite like it, read the book...you wont be dissapionted.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent read...
Review: This is a great book on the life of Andy Kaufman, through the eyes of his best friend Bob Zmuda. I am not a big book reader, but I have read this like 5 times already. Any book that will make you laugh out loud one minute, shake my head in disbelief another is a good read. I actully cried reading the last 2 chapters every time I do read the book (quite embarrasing when I am on a bus to work!!). Zmuda has alot of stories on Andy's life. Other reviews state that he is writing all about himself, that is not the case, as he is writing about the 2 of them, as they worked on everything together. Who better to write a book on Andy than the guy who knew him best?? Unfortunatly the movie, "Man On The Moon", which was based on this book, dosent do this justice, I was very disapointed. If your a fan, and saw the movie and didnt quite like it, read the book...you wont be dissapionted.
Rating: 
Summary: Revisionist History
Review: While this book is certainly a must read for diehard Kaufman fans (myself included), as it offers a few tidbits on Andy not found elsewhere, it serves mostly as a vehicle for Zmuda to attempt to overcome his feeling slighted at not receiving enough credit for Kaufman's work. Apparently, Zmuda was the brainchild behind most of Kaufman's schemes. I don't doubt that Zmuda was an important person in Andy's life and collaborated with Andy, yet Zmuda makes it known that Andy wouldn't be anything without him--an idea I find ludicrous. A better book is Bill Zehme's biography of Kaufman, Lost in the Funhouse, which seems more even handed in its treatment of Zmuda's and Kaufman's collaboration. So, read Zmuda if you must, but know that Zmuda's book is of firstmost importance to Zmuda himself.
| 
