I’ve been listening to the second half of Michael J. Fox’s memoirs, entitled “Always Looking Up.” The audiobook, narrated by the Spin City star himself, covers mostly the past decade of his life, from the time that he left the political sitcom, and documents many of the political and personal battles that he fought since announcing his Parkinson’s Disease diagnosis to the public. The story is well-written, witty and beautifully told. Without a touch of self-pity or grandiose prose, Fox humorously documents the life of an actor-turned p.d. patient-turned political activist, whilst avoiding falling into sermonizing diatribe. Despite the thorough descriptions of symptoms, and the audible effects of such symptoms on his speaking voice, the narrative is conveyed in such a compelling and entertaining manner that one often forgets the medical diagnosis of the narrator altogether. It’s not a story about Parkinson’s, but about a man’s life, love and laughter – a man who just happens to suffer from a degenerative illness.
I’m also currently watching all of the seasons of Spin City – nearly at the end of season two. Some of the comedy is simply fantastic. I’ll put some examples here over the next few days. Fox, in particular, has a way of delivering punch lines that seems intrinsically, naturally funny. He mentions in the audiobook that this comes from his grounding in the fundamentals of Jewish theatrical tradition – I think this would be an interesting thing to look at. Further, his physical comedy is hilarious. I think that having a look at the old Laurel and Hardy films would be a good fun thing to do.
Let’s end with some quotes:
“One’s dignity may be assaulted, vandalized and cruelly mocked, but cannot be taken away unless it is surrendered.”
Michael J. Fox.
“Pain is temporary, film is forever.”
Michael J. Fox.
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