I was quite please to have received the autobiography of a one Mr. Gary Patrick Angelo Dell'Abate as a Christmas gift! Yippee!!! And, thank goodness! I mean, I laid it on pretty thick prior to the holidays. If you couldn't pick up what I was throwin' down about wanting this book, then I would think you might be a wee bit dense. Thank goodness my peeps are smart. lol. If I would not have received the book , however, I would have corrected the problem swiftly and happily with a trip to my trusty Barnes and Nobles store anyway. I just love that place!!!Buy anyway...
As soon as I began reading the book, I just could hardly put it down. I mean, if you know me, heck if you just know the name of my blog, then you know that I am a HUGE Howard Stern fanatic, and I have been for over two decades. And, for as long as I have watched the show, and been a fan, I have always felt strongly that the real talent on the show, besides the obvious, Mr. Howard Stern himself, are the folks that work for the show.
I have always loved the shows that focus on all the "characters" that work on The Stern show. I never really cared that much for the interviews with any goofy celebrity. I mean, some of the interviews have been super entertaining.For example, the day that Howard interviewed Sasha Baron Cohen as Borat was pretty damn funny. Cohen was in character throughout the entire interview. It was pretty amazing. Or, the interview with the legendary Sir Paul McCartney. I mean C'mon! Its Paul McCartney! But, other than those few exceptions, I am usually a fan of the shows that focus on the crazy staff that have the blessing of working for the best show on earth!
I am truly fascinated by these people that love Howard so much. That they have chosen to make the show their job, their livelihood, part of their way of life is amazing and awesome to me. And, I aam quite jealous of each and every one of them! I just love every nook and cranny, and ridiculous detail about this show!
And, one of the main and undeniable staples of The Howard Stern show is Howard's beloved executive producer Gary Dell'Abate. But, you know. They call him "Baba Booey." I guess the obvious next question might then be, why? Why do they call him Baba Booey? Now I have to add this disclaimer!!! This is NOT a review of the book. This brief post is just a quick synopsis of how the unrelenting Baba Booey monicker came to be. Please forgive me if I misled you. But please know, that to be sure, I recommend this book 110%!
So... In the beginning Gary actually used to be called "Boy Gary" , some almost thirty years back. But the name was pretty unoriginal, as Howard had called his previous producer the same monicker, inserting his name. I don't remember what it was. Sorry. Howard had also mentioned that he used to call his roommate in college "Boy."It must have been somewhat of a habit. Needless to say, it didn't stick.
Gary tells the story of the "birth" of Baba Booey. He describes that day. It was a day like any other on the show. At the time, Gary had begun a new popular hobby. He collected animation cells. Animation cells were original cartoon drawings, done by hand by the original artists. Some of the most popular were drawings of Bugs Bunny and Yosemite Sam. And, since the pieces were originals, people would buy them, and keep them framed and in pristine condition, hoping to sell them in time, as they grew in value.
So, as Gary tells it, this particular morning he was talking to Jackie Martling, a past on air personality of the show, about his animation cells. It was very early in the morning, before the show, and Gary thought it was a conversation like any other, inconsequential, no big deal. Surprisingly, as the show began, this passing topic was something that had caught Howard's interest for some reason or another, and next thing you knew Gary was on air talking to Howard about his animation cells. Gary was quite surprised, but as always, Gary was happy to talk about himself at any given chance. Howard was perplexed. Was he collecting cartoons? Howard asked in the most ridiculous and condescending way possible. But, Gary was happy to explain about his new found hobby. He was particularly excited about some new cells that he wanted to get his hands on. Animation cells of Baba Looey. Except he didn't say Baba Looey! This mistake would follow him for the rest of his life. He said Baba Booey.
Howard laughed, and repeated Baba Looey?Yeah Baba Booey Gary continued.Howard was thrilled with Gary's silly slip up. Baba Booey! Baba Booey!
But soon,oon the bit was over, and Gary thought that was the end of it all. Gary continued back to his office, assuredly pleased to have had his time on air with Howard. The show returned from commercial. And at that point, the name returned too. Howard continued, Baba Booey, Baba Booey! He was loving it! Howard called for Gary. Baba Booey Baba Booey! It was so silly, Gary thought. Of course this would never stick! And that, my friends, is how a Baba Booey is born!
Gary, Baba Booey, Dell'Abate was his name from that point on. And, Baba has undoubtedly been an integral part of The Howard Stern Show for the last three decades. Gary loves his job and he loves Howard. And, Howard loves him. But, Howard never misses a chance to verbally torture Gary at any chance possible. It is their relationship. And that is how it is. Gary just knows how to be a good sport about it. Baba Booey explains that he very much enjoys the chaos of the Howard Stern show. To him, it makes him feel like he is part of a family. Gary is familiar with craziness. He has lived with it his whole life.
So now when Howard is aggravated at something that Gary does or does not do, many variations of the Baba Booey name are spewed out at any given moment. There is fa fa flohi, Ma ma monkey, and so on. Howard really is relentless about it. But, as much crap as he dishes out, there is no doubt that he loves his producer, and that Gary is one of Howard's great friends.
This book was just delightful. What a gem! It was a great insight into the crazy life of the producer of probably the most insane show in entertainment, EVER! It was vulnerable and pained, but it was a triumph to be sure. I would HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who is a Howard Stern fan. The book was wonderfully written. It was both gut wrenching at times and hysterical at others. It is certainly he kind of book that you are sad to finish because you just want to hang out with Gary and the people in his life just a little bit longer. It was just good.
