Friday, December 21, 2007

Six To Eight Black Men

For today's Christmas video, I'm posting one of my new favorite holiday stories.

You probably already know it, and if you're like me, the first time you read it, you were sitting in a public place guffawing and laughing that "snort laugh" that you do while passersby stared and pulled their children a safe distance away from you.

I love David Sedaris and I especially love his book, The SantaLand Diaries...

...And if you're in Chicago and you haven't already seen it, my friend Mitchell Fain is tearing up the one-man show version of the main story from that holiday book at the Theatre Building until the end of the month, so go see him!!!...

...but have you read or heard Sedaris' Six To Eight Black Men?

This story is pure genius. Especially when read by the author.





11 comments:

Java said...

I read a lot of funny stuff on the internet, but this has been the funniest thing I've seen or heard in a long, long time. I've prompted a mild asthma attack by laughing so hard.
Excuse me while I go dry myself off.

Anonymous said...

totally loved it! thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Hmm, given the choice between the Arctic and Spain, I think I'd choose Spain, too.

Anonymous said...

I am so glad my roommate wasn't here; I know she would have thought I had lost my mind from laughing so hard.

Aaron said...

All of his stories are funniest when HE reads them...they're funny on the page, but some of them are funny in a chuckling, "isn't that something?" kind of way. His voice and timing are what make it hilarious...

Doug said...

Fantastic! I love David Sedaris, but I wasn't familiar with this piece. And to hear him reading it was a treat.

Enjoy your holidays, hon!

Love ya,
Doug

the joy said...

I have to go read this story again! One of his best by far. Usually I shy away from readings because I am taken back to myself reading my own stuff and instantly cringe, but I think being a sedaris brings its own flair.

Stephen R. said...

Java - I love all of what David Sedaris writes - - and all of what Amy Sedaris does - - but "Six To Eight Black Men" is one of my favorites. Glad you enjoyed it!

Shirley - You're welcome, cutie. Merry Christmas! Hope you have a wonderful holiday.

Cosmic Flurk - True, true, but Santa in Spain? As Mr. Sedaris says, that is "simply not true!" :)

Dana - I did the same thing the time I read it. I was on a plane and people were seriously staring at me because I was laughing so loud and so hard.

Aaron - His reading definitely adds to the comedy of his writing, but I seriously have made a fool of myself when I've read his books in public. I horse laugh. I really do.

Doug - Thanks, you too! Hope you're having a wonderful holiday!

The Joy - Being a Sedaris definitely bring it's own flair!!! And I'll bet that your readings of your stuff are brilliant. We're all our own worst critics. Hope you have a Merry Christmas!

cb said...

I generally do like his stuff. And it is definitely better when he reads it.

Mark in DE said...

A friend (who loves David Sedaris like me) and I have been wishing each other "a Merry Christmas and a gentle visit from six to eight black men".

Mark :-)

Stephen R. said...

cb - I like it when he and Amy read his stuff. That is sheer heaven!

mark - Hope the six to eight black men were good to you this year. :)