Low-Hanging Fruit

With Donald Trump landing a second term in the election last week, it would sure seem that comedian Randy Rainbow will have ample opportunity to continue his long-running YouTube success as a singing and dancing comedian and political provocateur. Rainbow is famous for his snarky takes on current events from the first Trump administration. He often started his YouTube videos as an interviewer asking questions of “Donald Jessica Trump”. If your friend group is anything like mine, news of his latest videos were spread quickly by text or messenger during the pandemic. Rainbow, along with Sarah Cooper, were two bright spots in an otherwise dark time for many.

Over the Biden administration Rainbow has branched out, taking his routines on tour across America, and writing his first book, called Playing with Myself, which became an instant bestseller.

If you’ve loved Rainbow’s videos his new book is in the same vein, though the subjects of his humor are different. The subtitle “Sparkling Whines, Champagne Problems, and Pressing Issues from My Gay Agenda” lets you know that Rainbow’s snark is here again, this time in book form.

The book is a series of essays, comedy sketches really. Each of the 23 chapters covers a different topic, some autobiographical, a few political. One chapter is devoted to an interview with his mother, a sequel to the interview in his first book.

Because it’s a series of sketches it’s easy to put the book down and pick it back up again. While the chapters vary in length and quality, they all share Rainbow’s trademark style, and each one made me laugh, or at least brought a smile to my face.

My favorite chapters were the ones that were most autobiographical. Rainbow gives us a peek into his comedy touring routine and his dating life, touches on his body image issues and his introverted personality and gives us a view of his home life through the eyes of his cat Tippi. After reading the book I have a better appreciation for who Randy Rainbow is. An enjoyable read.

RATING: Three and a Half Stars ⭐⭐⭐🌠

RATING COMMENTS: Rainbow brings his signature wit to the written page with a series of comedic sketches - some autobiographical, some political. An enjoyable book.

WHERE I GOT MY COPY: I read an advanced reviewer’s copy of the book provided by NetGalley and the publisher, St Martin’s Press. The book was published in early October.