By Danyel Jones
AFRO Staff Writer
In his new book, comedian and actor Tracy Morgan lets critics know there is much more to him than just laughs.(Courtesy Photo)
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(October 25, 2009) - Comedian and actor Tracy Morgan has come a long way since the days of playing “Hustle Man” on the hit television series “Martin.”
From drop-in roles on sitcoms to a seven-year stint on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” to feature films, this lovable funny man has risen through the comedic ranks to become a household name in show business and has chronicled it all in a new book released Oct. 20, “I Am the New Black.”
Co-written with Anthony Bozza, the book is based on Morgan’s life and takes readers down a strange, hilarious road, letting critics know there is much more to him than laughs.
In the book, the humorist highlights various poignant moments and important people in his life and speaks candidly about his relationships with former “SNL” cast members.
“I had my finger on the pulse of urban comedy,” Morgan writes, according to excerpts reprinted by ABC News, “but when I brought my act to ‘SNL,’ those motherf*****s just felt bad for me. None of the cast I came up with saw this future for me. No, sir. All I have to say about that is, where’s Chris Kattan now? Where’s Cheri Oteri now? That b***h can’t even get arrested. It’s all right; I don’t mind. It’s hard to get mainstream America to catch up. Mainstream America has just learned the words to Sugarhill’s ‘Rapper's Delight!’ And we don’t do that s*** no more! Jay-Z and Lil Wayne don’t sound like that! No one sounds like that no more!”
Morgan, who stars in the hit sitcom “30 Rock,” also talks about working with the show’s creator, Tina Fey.
“Once Tina and I got together, it was over,” he writes, according to ABC. “Tina wasn’t scared to come into my world and find the funny up in there. She’s that kind of cool. Tina Fey, you know most of all what you did for me. Look at me, Tina Fey! I have to say it now and I’ll say it again: I LOVE YOU, GIRL. I will always rock with you because you know my voice better than I do sometimes.”
Tracy Morgan’s “I Am the New Black” is in bookstores now.