DADDY'S BOY: A Son's Shocking Account of Life with a Famous Father

by Chris with Bob Elliot Elliot ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 21, 1989

The warm yet heart-rending yet appalling story by the scion of a show-biz superstar that's enough to make you forget (or, worse, recall) the likes of Mommie Dearest. Shocking isn't the word for it, but funny certainly is. Chris Elliot is the son of The Great Bob Elliot, who is, according to the text, the famous actor, acrobat, song stylist, mime, dancer, producer, playwright, idol of millions--in short, Mr. Showbusiness (and the Bob of the comedy team of Bob and Ray). Daddy's boy has inherited the old man's waggishness as well as his cache of knee-high Gold Toe socks. Each has his own writing style. Chris, with inherited tongue in his cheek, feints with damned praise about the hellishness of growing up as the Son of the Great Bob. Bob, with similar tongue in original cheek, jabs back in completely distracted alternate chapters. Chris describes his youth in the family manse (later converted to the Metropolitan Museum of Art). Bob maunders on about the lore of lighthouses. Elliot the Younger painfully learns the craft of acting (in summer stock, opening ""with Oliver! starring little Ricky Schroeder in the title role and Charlie Callas as Fagin. Next was a musical drama entitled Dance, You Mother! starring Tommy Tune and Richard Roundtree""). Elliot the Elder responds with a poem about haddock and Jerry Lewis telethon gibberish (""Now, one of the infinitely foremost entertainers in the show-business syndrome. A terrific voice and an ultimately great talent, Sarah Vaughan!""). From the angst of Chris' sixth birthday celebration, to which Daddy's friends--including Dick Cavett, Al Hirschfeld, and Jerry Vale--were invited, through his ""twelve tumultous marriages (the worst being to character actress Kaye Ballard)"" the parody is delicious. Admittedly scheming to sell the pants off this volume of muddied metaphors, set speeches, and silly similies, the author and his dist ratted Daddy may achieve their goal and kill the genre at the same time. A fine valentine for Father's Day.

Pub Date: June 21, 1989

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Delacorte

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 1989

Categories: NONFICTION