In her hilarious book of essays, Parks and Recreation
star Retta shares the stories that led to her success
in Hollywood.
In So Close to Being the Sh*t, Y’all Don’t Even Know,
Parks and Recreation star Retta takes us on her not-
so-meteoric rise from roaches to riches (well, rich
enough that she can buy $15,000 designer handbags
yet scared enough to know she’s always a heartbeat
away from ramen with American cheese).
Throwing her hard-working Liberian parents for
a loop, Retta abandons her plan to attend med
school after graduating Duke University to move
to Hollywood to star in her own sitcom like her
comedy heroes Lucille Ball and Roseanne.
Say what? Word. Turns out Retta might actually be
on to something. After winning Comedy Central’s
stand-up competition, she should be ready for
prime time but a fear of success derails her biggest
dream.
Whether reminiscing about her days as a contract
chemist at GlaxoSmithKline, telling “dirty” jokes to
Mormons, feeling like the odd man out on Parks,
fending off racist trolls on Twitter, flirting with
Michael Fassbender, or expertly stalking the cast
of “Hamilton,” Retta’s unique voice and refreshing
honesty will make you laugh, cry, and laugh so hard
you’ll cry.
Her eponymous sitcom might not have happened
yet, but by the end of So Close to Being the Sh*t,
you’ll be rooting for Retta to be the next one-named
wonder to take over your television. And she just
might inspire you to reach for the stars, too.
Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf — the country’s
first female president — was named as one of three Nobel
Peace Prize recipients for her efforts to establish peace and
bolster women’s rights in Liberia. And Sirleaf happens to
be the aunt of Retta, the sassy, speed-dating master Don-
na Meagle on “Parks and Recreation” and a star of the
show “Good Girls.” (Retta’s full name? Retta Sirleaf.)
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