For Laughing Out Loud: My Life and Good Times

From bingo caller to fighter pilot, ditch digger to sweepstakes winner announcer, he's done it all. His familiar robust laugh filled America's living rooms every weeknight for 30 years when he was Johnny Carson's sidekick on The Tonight Show; he's jump-started the careers of Rosie O'Donnell, Dennis Miller, LeAnn Rimes, and many more as the host of Ed McMahon's Star Search. Now, take a behind-the-scenes look at a career that spans the lifetime of television in this warm, humorous, anecdote-filled memoir of a man who has become one of the most popular personalities in television history.

Ed McMahon--who reads the abridgment of the autobiography he cowrote with David Fisher--is first and foremost an entertainer, and as such, he peppers his life story with jokes. Since he lacks a live audience here, he also supplies the appropriate laughs. Always upbeat, McMahon skirts much of his personal life, which includes two divorces, and concentrates on his professional life, from his early days as Philadelphia's "Mr. Television" through his 30 years as Johnny Carson's sidekick on The Tonight Show. Those hoping for inside dirt on Johnny will have to listen elsewhere; these anecdotes are strictly flattering. But in his celebrated, booming voice, McMahon gladly shares the stories behind the creation of his trademark calls: "Heeeerrreee's Johnny" and "Hi-yoooo!" (Running time: three hours, two cassettes) --Kimberly Heinrichs