Joy Shtick: Or What is the Existential Vacuum and Does It Come with Attachments?

Comedian Behar, a co-host of ABC-TV's female talkfest The View, has an unusual story--coming to comedy in midlife--but this frustratingly disparate book doesn't mine that tale. A mix of memoir, stand-up shtick and bits written for the page, the book obviously seeks to capitalize on its author's newfound fame. But Behar offers no dish on The View--it's not even mentioned. Her first chapter reflects on her path to comedy, rising from an unhappy marriage, immobilizing lethargy and therapy. Instead of continuing the memoir, however, Behar opts for thin but entertaining enough anecdotes about her Italian-American family, a topic to which she returns several times. After a chapter on why Behar hates the beach, she returns to her story, relating how the death of a friend gave her the courage to risk ""dying onstage."" But what's next? A strained ""Ask Joy"" Q&A. (Q: What do you think of RuPaul? A: Loved him. Hated her."") A chapter on women over 50 contains a flat, Viagra-inspired ""Diary of a Mad Viagra Housewife,"" but ends with some bracingly funny observations about men: ""All we want now is a guy who's good in bed and not annoying when he's not in bed."" Behar fans may be entertained, but others will wish for more wisdom and wit. Photos not seen by PW. Author tour. (May)