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The Union of the State by Corey Stulce
The State is perhaps the most-influential and prolific sketch-comedy troupe of the last quarter-century — and most of America has never heard of it as a whole. However, The State’s innovative members continue to make groundbreaking and celebrated films, television, online series and live shows.
“The Union of The State” is the oral history of the troupe’s creation, dissolution, reinvention and reunion over the last three decades, told by the members of the group: Kevin Allison, Michael Ian Black, Robert Ben Garant, Todd Holoubek, Michael Patrick Jann, Kerri Kenney-Silver, Thomas Lennon, Joe Lo Truglio, Ken Marino, Michael Showalter, and David Wain.
“The members of The State are my heroes, my peers and my friends. Individually and collectively they are responsible for an impressively large percentage of everything funny that currently exists in the world. For comedy nerds like me, it’s essential reading,” “Weird Al” Yankovic said about "The Union of The State."
The book follows the members of The State from their time as classmates at New York University in the late 1980s to their quick ascent to fame via their three-season, sketch-comedy series at MTV and through their post-MTV projects. It also includes histories of the movie-turned-Netflix-series, “Wet Hot American Summer;” the Comedy Central hit, “Reno 911!;” and cult favorite comedy show/series, Stella.
"The Union of The State also features commentary from The State's collaborators and cohorts such as, Paul Rudd, Keegan-Michael Key, Chris Meloni, Rob Corddry, A.D. Miles (Head Writer for “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon”), Doug Herzog (President of Viacom), James Dixon (agent for Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel), Mo Willems (best-selling children’s book author), cast and crew from “Wet Hot American Summer,” “Reno 911!”, and more.
“The State was the first time I’d ever seen ‘sarcastic sarcasm.’ They are the all-time champions of bum-out humor. They embodied the lameness of the lamest people and celebrated them for our enjoyment. Every time a comic does an intentionally lame joke and it makes you go, ‘Ewww’ with delight, you have them to thank.,” said Andy Samberg.
The projects the members of The State have written, directed or performed in leave no degree of separation between them and nearly everyone working in comedy today, such as Key and Peele. The book also features rare photos and illustrations from the troupe’s 25-year history.
“The Union of The State” will appeal not only to The State’s extensive fan base but also to comedy aficionados, showbiz biography fans and those who love an underdog success tale.
“The Union of The State” is the oral history of the troupe’s creation, dissolution, reinvention and reunion over the last three decades, told by the members of the group: Kevin Allison, Michael Ian Black, Robert Ben Garant, Todd Holoubek, Michael Patrick Jann, Kerri Kenney-Silver, Thomas Lennon, Joe Lo Truglio, Ken Marino, Michael Showalter, and David Wain.
“The members of The State are my heroes, my peers and my friends. Individually and collectively they are responsible for an impressively large percentage of everything funny that currently exists in the world. For comedy nerds like me, it’s essential reading,” “Weird Al” Yankovic said about "The Union of The State."
The book follows the members of The State from their time as classmates at New York University in the late 1980s to their quick ascent to fame via their three-season, sketch-comedy series at MTV and through their post-MTV projects. It also includes histories of the movie-turned-Netflix-series, “Wet Hot American Summer;” the Comedy Central hit, “Reno 911!;” and cult favorite comedy show/series, Stella.
"The Union of The State also features commentary from The State's collaborators and cohorts such as, Paul Rudd, Keegan-Michael Key, Chris Meloni, Rob Corddry, A.D. Miles (Head Writer for “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon”), Doug Herzog (President of Viacom), James Dixon (agent for Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel), Mo Willems (best-selling children’s book author), cast and crew from “Wet Hot American Summer,” “Reno 911!”, and more.
“The State was the first time I’d ever seen ‘sarcastic sarcasm.’ They are the all-time champions of bum-out humor. They embodied the lameness of the lamest people and celebrated them for our enjoyment. Every time a comic does an intentionally lame joke and it makes you go, ‘Ewww’ with delight, you have them to thank.,” said Andy Samberg.
The projects the members of The State have written, directed or performed in leave no degree of separation between them and nearly everyone working in comedy today, such as Key and Peele. The book also features rare photos and illustrations from the troupe’s 25-year history.
“The Union of The State” will appeal not only to The State’s extensive fan base but also to comedy aficionados, showbiz biography fans and those who love an underdog success tale.
Hardcover
Published January 1, 1790
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
May 5, 2016
This is an oral history of The State, starting (roughly) when they all got to NYU and going right up to the present, so things like Viva Variety and Wet Hot American Summer get their own chapters. Everyone participated, and since they're all basically still friends, they don't mind re-litigating old fights. Tom Lennon still seems angry that the phrase "fried poop" was used instead of "fried bumblebees." And they're not afraid to call out their own occasionally appalling behavior, because Very Serious 22-year-olds with their own TV show sometimes felt pretty entitled.
Did I like it? Let me put it this way: this book is 587 pages, and I read it in one day.
Did I like it? Let me put it this way: this book is 587 pages, and I read it in one day.
May 31, 2016
I didn't realize it was an oral history until it was in my hands, and I find those very taxing to read. But it was still an enjoyable read, mainly because I love The State and all the post State projects.
July 30, 2016
I was in college in the 1990s, watched a lot of MTV, so I adore the state. I follow everything their members do to this day, so this was a perfect book for me. Sure a lot of material in the book could be argued to be trivial or in the realms of minutia, but I ate every bite of it and said "Please, sir, I want some more." I only knew the basic sketch of their history before. This book covers the history of the formation of The State, in gory detail, their MTV years, the breakup, and even has chapters covering the history of their subsequent projects, such as Viva Variety, Wet Hot American Summer, Reno 911, Risk!, and more. It answered questions I've had for a long time. It was also the perfect excuse to go back and watch my DVDs of the show, following along as they covered the same material in the book.
If you're a fan of The State, this is a must have tome.
If you're a fan of The State, this is a must have tome.
May 28, 2017
Look, you already know if you're going to like this almost-600 page brick. If you're the type of obsessive State fan who awaits any news with baited breath, you're going to love this detailed look at the 11-member troupe and their pre and post State projects. If you're looking for a place to get a little background, this isn't a great place to start.
Me, though? I wanna dip my balls in it*! I'm outta heeeeeeeerrrrre....
(* "it" in this scenario is $240 of pudding.)
Me, though? I wanna dip my balls in it*! I'm outta heeeeeeeerrrrre....
(* "it" in this scenario is $240 of pudding.)
May 20, 2021
3 1/2 stars.
I’m a sketch comedy nerd now.
I’m a sketch comedy nerd now.
September 1, 2017
I'm a mega fan of many of the members of The State - specifically Stella Comedy. The book's insight into their thought process for comedy as well as the business side of their work is very intriguing. Since this is an "oral history" - i.e. the members of The State and friends being quoted as if in conversation for the entirety of the book - the read does become taxing and drawn out on occasion. Overall, I had a great time reading it and thinking about my time in sketch comedy in Chicago. Their work ethic is very admirable, and their comedy was and still is the foundation of my sense of humor. I am amazed they ever got a TV deal and am so happy they did.
July 5, 2016
Not a bad read. I wish the sections detailing the creative process of the series itself were more in depth--those seemed to degenerate into one paragraph comments concerning various sketches, and offered little enlightenment or entertainment.
I did think the sections detailing the time from the end of the MTV series and the transition to CBS were very well done, as were the looks at the Reno 911, Wet Hot American Summer and Stella projects.
On the whole, there's a lot of good info in the book, but its presentation is a mixed bag.
I did think the sections detailing the time from the end of the MTV series and the transition to CBS were very well done, as were the looks at the Reno 911, Wet Hot American Summer and Stella projects.
On the whole, there's a lot of good info in the book, but its presentation is a mixed bag.
March 30, 2017
Chances are, if you're interested in this book, you love The State. This story will make you fall in love with these people in a whole new way.
There's nothing pretentious or groundbreaking about the format, and that's perfect -- the structure stays out of the way of the fantastic (often hilarious, sometimes heartbreaking) content. The 11 members guide most of the story, but the supporting cast really helps contextualize the unique and sometimes impenetrable genius and friendship that bonded this crew.
There's nothing pretentious or groundbreaking about the format, and that's perfect -- the structure stays out of the way of the fantastic (often hilarious, sometimes heartbreaking) content. The 11 members guide most of the story, but the supporting cast really helps contextualize the unique and sometimes impenetrable genius and friendship that bonded this crew.
June 26, 2017
I don't normally read non-fiction, but this was a good deal when I bought it and I was interested in the subject. I watched The State as a teenager and have loosely followed most of their careers afterwards. This book filled in the blanks and made me want to go back and re-watch the original MTV series if I can get my hands on it. It was easy to read and written in a style that I could put it down for a week and pick back up easily without having to go back and reread things to remember where I left off.
May 6, 2016
A must read for fans of the State
For those of us with fond memories of the State, this book is an essential read. An oral history describing the formation of the group and the stories behind many of their beloved sketches, Stulce devotes equal time to the reasons for the group's breakup and what they've done since.
For those of us with fond memories of the State, this book is an essential read. An oral history describing the formation of the group and the stories behind many of their beloved sketches, Stulce devotes equal time to the reasons for the group's breakup and what they've done since.
January 9, 2017
Ha! I may never finish it so I'm just saying I've finished it. If you are obsessed with the show then you should own this - it's the story of the show. I would have given it five stars no matter what - it's an oral history written down, like an interview transcribed. Just so much background info for the complete nerd - I love it.
March 7, 2018
I'm going to quote Goodreads user Steve here: "An interesting look at one of my favorite shows from the 90s, but I wish more time had been spent exploring the show and the sketches themselves. My kindle version was plagued with spelling and formatting errors, too." I'd add that the author could have used a good editor.
July 14, 2016
Required reading
It's a complete and wonderful history of The State, and it adds another dimension to something we already know and love. Anyone who's a fan of The State, its many offshoots (wet hot, etc), or comedy in general, must read this.
It's a complete and wonderful history of The State, and it adds another dimension to something we already know and love. Anyone who's a fan of The State, its many offshoots (wet hot, etc), or comedy in general, must read this.
May 24, 2016
Love, love, loved this book. I love oral histories, I love biographies and I love The State. The author does a great job getting melding the interviews to tell a cohesive story and he gets very honest, straight answers from a pack of people who usually give hilarious but uninformative interviews.
June 2, 2016
An interesting look at one of my favorite shows from the 90s, but I wish more time had been spent exploring the show and the sketches themselves. My kindle version was plagued with spelling and formatting errors, too.
September 24, 2016
I enjoyed this but probably wouldn't recommend it unless you were super interested in the first place. The post-State stuff in it seemed to be a bit random in what was discussed (never mentioned Michael and Michael have issues, Ken Marino's broad scriptwriting career, etc).
June 13, 2016
A must-read for any die-hard fan of The State.
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May 26, 2016Please see my review here:
http://www.jesterjournal.com/StateBoo...
http://www.jesterjournal.com/StateBoo...
January 13, 2022
I wish it was longer so I could have had more to read!
July 22, 2016
Good stuff
Interesting but hoping for better about one of the best shows of all time. Still good though for an oral history
Interesting but hoping for better about one of the best shows of all time. Still good though for an oral history
March 9, 2018
Awesome for super fans, but probably not as interesting to anyone else.
January 15, 2024
I’ve been a fan of The State since the day it premiered on MTV 30 years ago. I’ve followed the careers of the members and if I saw a movie or TV show included any of them I watched it. I’m a fan of oral histories and gobbled up the one on SNL. That was highly entertaining, the State is highly entertaining, this book is not.
It was interesting to read how they formed, how they got on TV and where they went after. This book, however is bloated, full of grammatical errors, and errors in general. There’s a page with a picture that was to have writing next to it, but whoever did the overlay cut off the words. There isn’t a good flow. One member is talking about one thing and the next one is on about something else.
I got the feeling that no one really wanted to air dirty laundry about any other member of the group except in vague weird ways. I found that a bit odd because there’s ways to explain things respectfully but instead some situations are left weird and vague. 11 people didn’t get along all the time and I just wish this would have been a more honest retelling of the past.
I also could have done without the random interview, and random unaired sketch that was long and added nothing.
What I was left with was a book where everyone is congratulating each other and themselves. Even the author seems to congratulate himself.
It was interesting to read how they formed, how they got on TV and where they went after. This book, however is bloated, full of grammatical errors, and errors in general. There’s a page with a picture that was to have writing next to it, but whoever did the overlay cut off the words. There isn’t a good flow. One member is talking about one thing and the next one is on about something else.
I got the feeling that no one really wanted to air dirty laundry about any other member of the group except in vague weird ways. I found that a bit odd because there’s ways to explain things respectfully but instead some situations are left weird and vague. 11 people didn’t get along all the time and I just wish this would have been a more honest retelling of the past.
I also could have done without the random interview, and random unaired sketch that was long and added nothing.
What I was left with was a book where everyone is congratulating each other and themselves. Even the author seems to congratulate himself.
November 2, 2020
If you're a fan of the MTV cult sketch comedy show The State, or the many shows and movies that blossomed from it, such as Reno 911 or Wet Hot American Summer, then I can't recommend this book enough. The State had always been a blndspot for me. I watched it in bits and pieces back when it used to air, but never quite vibed with the surreal style of the show. As a teen, I had yet to develop a palette for absurdist comedy in the vein of Monty Python. While that would change (and how) during college, that was much too late for me to go back and appreciate The State in a new light.
So it was nice to read a book like this to educate myself on a show that was much more influential to modern comedy than I realized, at least insofar as how nearly all of the cast members have since branched off to do a wide variety of successful projects across the comedy spectrum. If you're interested in comedy, especially sketch comedy, than this book is a must read! It's surprisingly thick tome, but the interview format (similar to the SNL book Live from New York) makes it a quicker read than you'd think.
So it was nice to read a book like this to educate myself on a show that was much more influential to modern comedy than I realized, at least insofar as how nearly all of the cast members have since branched off to do a wide variety of successful projects across the comedy spectrum. If you're interested in comedy, especially sketch comedy, than this book is a must read! It's surprisingly thick tome, but the interview format (similar to the SNL book Live from New York) makes it a quicker read than you'd think.
September 8, 2019
Absolutely phenomenal and in-depth. This is how an oral history book should be written. This thing is around 600 pages long and covers so much of the history of The State, you'll basically be sick of them after reading (the book made me immediately order Stella and The Ten on DVD.)
My only criticism would be after spending 200 or more pages setting up the troupe's formation, the pitch to MTV, etc, they really breeze through the actual episodes of the show, with many, many, many sketches not said a word about. It would have been cool to do it like the Mr. Show oral history book, where just about every single sketch gets at least some comment from somebody. As the book is already 600 pages, I have no idea how they should have gone about doing this. But it does seem like the actual sketches on the MTV show should get more devoted to it than stuff like Reno 911, etc.
But that's a minor complaint as there is an unbelievable amount of stuff in this book. It's a must have if you're a fan of The State.
My only criticism would be after spending 200 or more pages setting up the troupe's formation, the pitch to MTV, etc, they really breeze through the actual episodes of the show, with many, many, many sketches not said a word about. It would have been cool to do it like the Mr. Show oral history book, where just about every single sketch gets at least some comment from somebody. As the book is already 600 pages, I have no idea how they should have gone about doing this. But it does seem like the actual sketches on the MTV show should get more devoted to it than stuff like Reno 911, etc.
But that's a minor complaint as there is an unbelievable amount of stuff in this book. It's a must have if you're a fan of The State.
December 19, 2019
A book i feel very conflicted about
At first I was upset if wasn't a real book, just a bunch of interviews, and I went back And forth on that a few times. At one point, when they break up I was so fucking mad at them especially about three people (not gonna say, one in particular that I thought I liked comes off, at times, As a complete asshole), but in he end I'm glad I read it. It was confusing (when there seems to be so much disagreement about how and why they left MTV... Did they know about the offer ornot goddammit?), heartbreaking (when they are shitheels to one another)but ultimately rewarding.
At first I was upset if wasn't a real book, just a bunch of interviews, and I went back And forth on that a few times. At one point, when they break up I was so fucking mad at them especially about three people (not gonna say, one in particular that I thought I liked comes off, at times, As a complete asshole), but in he end I'm glad I read it. It was confusing (when there seems to be so much disagreement about how and why they left MTV... Did they know about the offer ornot goddammit?), heartbreaking (when they are shitheels to one another)but ultimately rewarding.
November 19, 2018
If you love The State and have about 6 months of free time, I highly recommend reading this exhaustive history of the group. From their very beginnings of meeting each other, through every step of their careers, this book is packed with info straight from the mouths of The State and just about everyone they ever worked with.
March 3, 2021
Anyone who was a fan of The State should read this book. I love the oral history aspect(even though the timeline jumps around in certain places), and it really gives an in-depth perspective to everything. I never knew Mo Willems had a role in the very early days, and it was equally interesting to learn more about the post-State projects. Overall, fascinating book.
August 8, 2019
Lengthy but meticulously covers all eleven members of MTV's The State and their contributions to the legendary sketch comedy show. Interview style. Read this while watching the show for some great sketch commentary.
June 16, 2019
Needed more proofreading, but it was fun and interesting to learn more about The State!
August 18, 2019
Amazing biography. Long biography. Still amazing.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews