My Stupidity Is Your Gain!

Today, because I was stupid, I’m giving away a book.

Now, if every time I was stupid I gave away a book, the world’s libraries would be filled to overflowing. There are extenuating circumstances involved in this stupidity. The stupidity involves the book itself.

A couple of weeks ago, I was searching the internet for information concerning a comedian. I googled the name of this performer, and came upon a website devoted to him. I found out that the person who ran the website had written a biography of said comedian, and that the book was available at Amazon. I went to Amazon, where I had the opportunity to read the introduction and the prologue. It seemed to be fairly well written, and I decided to buy the book.

I inadvertently ordered it twice.

I got the book – the first time – and I’ve enjoyed reading about this entertainer. The book has given me a lot of background information I never knew, it contains numerous photos and family memorabilia that I wouldn’t have seen elsewhere, and it’s generally a good job by the author. If you’ve enjoyed this comedian’s work, you’ll find the book a pleasure.

But, DUH! I ordered the book twice. After having had the book for three days, another one arrived on my front porch today. I realize what I did. I had gone to Amazon, put the book in my shopping cart, and then went somewhere else on the internet before completing my order. I came back to Amazon, ordered a different book about something else altogether, and then said to myself, “Self, remember that book about the comedian? You should remember to get that book, too.” And so, I clicked it into my shopping cart a second time. I don’t know why I didn’t see the quantity ordered when I checked out, but I didn’t, and so the second copy – which had been on backorder - is now in my hands, and it’s lovely, but I have no earthly use for it.

My stupidity is your gain. You have a chance to own the book, for free.

My problem, though, is how to get the book into the hands of someone who really cares about this comedian. I could give you the name of the performer, but that would make it less likely that a real die-hard fan would get the book. Someone who merely likes the comedian might win the book, while someone who dearly loves him could be left out in the cold. So, that’s why I haven’t given any clue as to the performer’s name.

Here’s what you have to do to win the book. In the comments section, I want you to name a favorite comedian of yours. The first one of you to name this particular comedian will win the book. It’s that simple.

You may as well take a shot at it. It’s free, and you’ve got nothing to lose. Go ahead – name a comedian you like. You never know!

Truthfully, however, I don’t expect any of you to name this performer. His name is relatively obscure these days, recalled fondly by those, like myself, who heroicize old-time comedians. If you do name this person, you certainly deserve the book and you’ll treasure it.

ONE guess per comment, please, and only one guess per reader.

I’ll give some rudimentary clues:

1 – Although his name is fairly obscure now, he appeared in hundreds of films.

2 – He worked in films by some of the most famous comedy teams of all-time, some names you’d immediately recognize.

That’s as much information as I can give you without giving too much away, I think. If I gave you some of his physical characteristics, or specific comic bits for which he was known, that might make it too easy.

So, think of a film comedian you like - someone from the past - and take a guess. First person to name him wins the book!

Soon, with the answer and the winner.

P.S. If nobody wins the book right now, I’ll give more clues tomorrow and fix it so that somebody will definitely win the book. So, you may as well take a guess now and see if you can win the book before I do that! What have you got to lose?