Has anyone read his autobiography? Terry Alderton cites it as being the book that inspired him to explore new avenues and create a fresh act after years in the wilderness; what does Steve talk about which could do this?
Steve Martin Page 3
I never knew he'd written one but I'll have to get it.
His hosting of the Oscars was always a treat, and his speeches at Tom Hanks' AFI award and for his own acceptance of the Mark Twain prize (all available on YouTube) are a great watch.
Quote: Nogget @ September 2 2011, 4:19 PM BSTHas anyone read his autobiography? Terry Alderton cites it as being the book that inspired him to explore new avenues and create a fresh act after years in the wilderness; what does Steve talk about which could do this?
It's a great book. I assume he was just inspired by the fact that Martin always tried to keep moving forward and develop; and was a stand up for a long, long time before he became known.
I 
Steve Martin. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is one of the funniest movies in the world ever, end of!
Also loved him in Father of the Bride and Bowfinger. His standup is brilliant too, I don't understand why he cops such flack, he is a great gag-meister.
I love Martin too, but he has made one shocking choice after the next, film-wise, for the last twenty years. The odd one worthy of his eighties prime, like Bowfinger, but mainly rubbish. It's almost as though he's doing it on purpose!
Steve Martin's writing has remained pretty consistent throughout his career. Bowfinger and Shopgirl are both excellent movies and several of his books are also very impressive including Pure Drivel and Pleasure of my Company. The only weak spots were the Pink Panther movies but I'm not sure how much of the writing on those was down to him.
As for his other movies, he has done some bilge but that's understandable as that's what the public demanded. Things like Cheaper by the Dozen and Bringing Down the House (?) were commercially successful and earnt him a fortune.
Agree with the earlier poster that The Spanish Prisoner is great and he is great in it.
Love Steve Martin. In order of excellence:
-The Jerk
-Man With Two Brains
-Bowfinger (though he's not the stand-out in this film. It's great because he makes it such a wonderful ensemble piece).
I also like that he seems so fond of one of my other favourite comedians, Tina Fey. He's very amusing in both Baby Mamma and 30-Rock.
He made himself look like a bit of a tit after the Dennis Pennis incident - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFi8NOqgRus
All he had to do was come back with a witty remark but instead he refused to talk to the BBC for years after.
Still, I like his work. Extremely likeable and funny in his classic roles.