Synopses & Reviews
From the comedian, television writer, and host of the Best Show, a revealing and powerful memoir exploring a life of struggle and reinvention
Tom Scharpling is good at being funny, which is a miracle, considering what he's survived. Like hitting a deer and narrowly escaping with his life on the night of the 2016 election. But that's nothing compared to the struggles he had earlier in his life.
It Never Ends is his memoir of a life writing comedy amidst a lifelong struggle with mental illness, a story he has never told before. It's the heartbreaking account of his intense coming-of-age, and the lengths he's undertaken to pull away from the brink of self-destruction. Scharpling brought himself back to life first with punk zines and NBA coverage, then through the world of comedy, writing and executive producing Monk, and creating one of the most beloved, longest running comedy radio broadcasts/podcasts, The Best Show. Of course, there are also the tangents into auditioning for The New Monkees, why Billy Joel sucks, the siren call of the Sex and the City slot machines, and how he made a fool of himself in an elevator with Patti Smith.
Tom is the quintessential underdog, and he wears that status on his sleeve as a badge of honor. With this memoir, he lifts the curtain to let the light in on the turmoil that still follows him, even as he racks up accolades and achievements. But most importantly, he reminds us that while many of us carry trauma and shame, we are not alone. It Never Ends is about rising above whatever circumstance you find yourself in and getting the most out of your life, while steamrolling the chumps along the way.
Review
“This book is unflinchingly honest, deeply affecting and just relentlessly funny. If you read it and don’t like it, it’s 100% your fault.” John Oliver / Emmy Award-winning creator and host of HBO’s Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Review
"I have always been in awe of Tom’s comedy, which is somehow simultaneously aggressive and kind, defeated and resilient, farcical and totally sincere. With this book, I finally understand how Tom can, and must, be all of these things at once. It Never Ends is moving, hilarious, honest, and inspiring!" Rebecca Sugar / New York Times bestselling author and the creator of the Emmy Award-winning show Steven Universe
Review
“It Never Ends, unfortunately, does. But BEFORE it does, it’s a funny, angry, sensitive saga about an outsider who rose above it all without ever losing his touch for the everyday, the poetic, and the misfit music of reality. This is a VERY specific story that will appeal to everyone.” Patton Oswalt / New York Times bestselling author of Silver Screen Fiend
Review
"Tom Scharpling and I are friends. I thought I knew him pretty well. Then I read this book. Turns out, I didn't know him at all, really. He's deeper, darker, smarter, wiser, and much funnier than I knew. It Never Ends is hilarious and harrowing. I laughed a lot. I cried a bit. I even laughed/cried a few times." Marc Maron / stand-up comedian, actor, author, and host of the podcast WTF with Marc Maron
Video
Watch the Powell’s virtual event with Tom Scharpling and Nathan Fielder!
About the Author
Tom Scharpling is a comedian, television writer, producer, music video director, and radio host. For 18 years, he has hosted the weekly radio call-in comedy program The Best Show with Tom Scharpling. He is also known as the voice of Greg Universe on the hit Cartoon Network animated series Steven Universe. Previously he was a writer-executive producer for the Emmy Award–winning show Monk.