"I’m not like a regular mom; I’m a cool mom, right Regina?"
Regina George’s mother is one of the many characters Amy Poehler has played that demonstrates just how amazing she is. In "Parks and Recreation," she plays Leslie Knope, Deputy Director of the Pawnee City Department of Parks and Recreation. Her quirky personality and dedication to all things Pawnee combine to make one hilarious character. She and Tina Fey team up in Baby Mama to prove that surrogacy, Red Bull and karaoke video games can lead to a lasting friendship. Speaking of Tina Fey, let’s not forget Poehler’s long run with Saturday Night Live.
Amy Poehler does a lot more than acting. She is also a producer and a writer. On Oct. 28, she released her highly anticipated first book Yes Please. While I haven’t had a chance to pick up my own copy yet, I cannot wait to see what this comedic mastermind has in store. Entertainment Weekly recently interviewed the author about the writing process and her thoughts behind the title. She said, “It’s something I say a lot, and it’s also kind of a motto or a theory I subscribe to.” She later adds, “I liked it because it felt vulnerable and strong, a polite way of asking for what you want and responding to when people ask you what you need.”
On the process of writing, Poehler notes that it was “interesting to tackle the expectations and weird societal pressures of what writing a book meant.” She “likes hard work” and “doesn’t like to pretend that things are easy or perfect.” In this sense, Amy Poehler acknowledges all of the pressures from the entertainment industry in her book. The content has a very genuine, honest feel. In the book, she talks about the improv business, her years with SNL (there’s a whole chapter about Justin Timberlake), motherhood, hosting the Golden Globes, her love for "Law & Order" and how "Parks and Recreation" has made an impact on her life.
Whether or not you’re a huge Amy Poehler fan, I strongly urge you to read at least a little bit of Yes Please. From the reviews I’ve read, including one from Rolling Stone, the book carries all of the humor and wit that she brings to everything she does. Looking for a break from those scholarly articles you read for class? Then pick up a copy and see for yourself why Amy Poehler is one the biggest queens of comedy.
