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See You on the Way Down, Catch You on the Way Back Up
In See You on the Way Down… Catch You on the Way Back Up!, comedian and #1 New York Times bestselling author Greg Behrendt opens up about his rise to the top and the high-speed rollercoaster of ups and downs that followed.
You may know him best as the co-author of He’s Just Not That Into You, but sometimes he wishes you didn’t. During a serendipitous opportunity to serve as a consultant on the hugely successful television series Sex and the City (which was brought about by a lack of straight men in the writers’ room), Behrendt passed along what would become pop culture-defining relationship advice to a colleague: “He’s into you, he’s just not that into you.”
What was intended to be a casual conversation soon exploded into a phenomenon for women around the globe and landed Behrendt multiple appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show, changing the trajectory of his career. Grateful for the success that the book (and later, movie) brought him, Behrendt did not intend — nor expect — to be a relationship expert. The stark adjustment to this new level of fame led to emotional struggles as Behrendt tried to remain true to himself and advance his other career goals. Stand-up shows at famed comedy clubs would be interrupted by fans of HJNTIY, and interview appearances would focus solely on the popular relationship advice rather than his new stand-up specials. Through it all, Behrendt grappled with getting people to focus on the work he loved most — comedy.
As he managed professional hiccups, Behrendt was also battling personal difficulties. In the span of a few years, he would receive not one but two cancer diagnoses and fight to overcome prescription drug addiction, all while grieving the loss of two beloved family members who had struggled with their own addictions. As the stress mounted for himself, so it did for his wife and daughters.
Behrendt is the first to admit that he’s made mistakes and that he will — like all humans — make more in the future. See You on the Way Down may not have all the answers, but it shows how resilience, time, and a sense of self can get someone back up after a hard punch… or a few. Humble and hopeful, Behrendt’s story will show you that while the high moments may not last forever, neither do the low ones. All it takes is the right help.
You may know him best as the co-author of He’s Just Not That Into You, but sometimes he wishes you didn’t. During a serendipitous opportunity to serve as a consultant on the hugely successful television series Sex and the City (which was brought about by a lack of straight men in the writers’ room), Behrendt passed along what would become pop culture-defining relationship advice to a colleague: “He’s into you, he’s just not that into you.”
What was intended to be a casual conversation soon exploded into a phenomenon for women around the globe and landed Behrendt multiple appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show, changing the trajectory of his career. Grateful for the success that the book (and later, movie) brought him, Behrendt did not intend — nor expect — to be a relationship expert. The stark adjustment to this new level of fame led to emotional struggles as Behrendt tried to remain true to himself and advance his other career goals. Stand-up shows at famed comedy clubs would be interrupted by fans of HJNTIY, and interview appearances would focus solely on the popular relationship advice rather than his new stand-up specials. Through it all, Behrendt grappled with getting people to focus on the work he loved most — comedy.
As he managed professional hiccups, Behrendt was also battling personal difficulties. In the span of a few years, he would receive not one but two cancer diagnoses and fight to overcome prescription drug addiction, all while grieving the loss of two beloved family members who had struggled with their own addictions. As the stress mounted for himself, so it did for his wife and daughters.
Behrendt is the first to admit that he’s made mistakes and that he will — like all humans — make more in the future. See You on the Way Down may not have all the answers, but it shows how resilience, time, and a sense of self can get someone back up after a hard punch… or a few. Humble and hopeful, Behrendt’s story will show you that while the high moments may not last forever, neither do the low ones. All it takes is the right help.
- GenresMemoirNonfiction
98 pages, ebook
Published February 15, 2024
1 person is currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
Greg Behrendt
28 books836 followersGregory Behrendt is an American stand-up comedian and author. His work as a script consultant to the HBO sitcom Sex and the City, starring Sarah Jessica Parker, paved the way for co-authoring of the New York Times bestseller He's Just Not That into You (2004), later adapted into a film by the same name. Apart from that he also hosted two short-lived talk shows, The Greg Behrendt Show (2006) and Greg Behrendt's Wake Up Call (2009).
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 6, 2024
I read the previous books by Greg Behrendt on relationship and dating for the sheer humor since the very beginning, and when I found his memoir, I was intrigued. It's not a light-read at all but it gave me glimpses on his struggles and the battles he endured.
May 14, 2025
I very much enjoyed this memoir, it was deep for someone who spends his time trying to make others laugh. He really put his soul out there and it was refreshing to hear him talk candidly about the ups and downs of celebrity and his 15 minutes of fame.
One piece that really stuck with me was when he was talking about his cancer treatments and he stated something like "you don't fight cancer, science does" and then goes on to say that doctors, caregivers and medicines fight the war, you are just the battleground. And that really resonates, as it is so true, without modern medicine we are not able to even treat these, and the fight would be lost to begin with. As well, I've known many people who are caregivers who have just lost their way, as it is almost harder than being sick to many. His acknowledgement of those sacrifices were just amazing.
I laughed a bit when he mentioned that he was writing this while on one of the largest cruise ships in the world, as this was where I was introduced to him (watching his comedy show on the Allure of the Seas).
Overall a great memoir and definitely listen to the audiobook - he has a great narration
One piece that really stuck with me was when he was talking about his cancer treatments and he stated something like "you don't fight cancer, science does" and then goes on to say that doctors, caregivers and medicines fight the war, you are just the battleground. And that really resonates, as it is so true, without modern medicine we are not able to even treat these, and the fight would be lost to begin with. As well, I've known many people who are caregivers who have just lost their way, as it is almost harder than being sick to many. His acknowledgement of those sacrifices were just amazing.
I laughed a bit when he mentioned that he was writing this while on one of the largest cruise ships in the world, as this was where I was introduced to him (watching his comedy show on the Allure of the Seas).
Overall a great memoir and definitely listen to the audiobook - he has a great narration
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July 7, 2025I loved this book. Greg continues to be a wordsmith. He writes with vulnerability and humor, the same as he does with his stand-up comedy.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews