From Publishers Weekly
Broadway's original Lorelei Lee and Dolly Levi recounts her charmed life, making her success sound like the perfectly normal outcome for a nearly six-foot-tall girl who used to deliver the Christian Science Monitor to San Francisco back stages. A veritable platter of patter, her memoir is laced with off-the-cuff openings like "Now, do you want to know..." and "Let me tell you..." Famous names are not dropped as much as unavoidably run into as Channing-now 81-charts the events of her life, such as the process of mounting Gentlemen Prefer Blondes with composer Jule Styne, lyricist Leo Robin, writer Anita Loos, actress Tallulah "Talloo" Bankhead, composer Richard Rodgers and, as consultants, Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne. As much as it is a memoir, Channing's book is also a valediction to her old friends, many of whom, like George Burns and Loretta Young, are gone. As she writes of their qualities, she straightforwardly tells readers what she learned from or enjoyed about them. Louis Armstrong was kind, Jimmy Durante generous and Barbra Streisand admirable, despite having peeved Channing by "kidnapping" her "baby"-the role of Dolly for the movie version of Hello, Dolly! (which flopped, Channing happily adds). The mix of plainness, largesse and purpose doesn't make for the most scintillating memoir (there's not much about her marriages, for example), but that seems true to the persona and perhaps to the person herself. Chatty and colorful, it's like having Channing as the only guest on an afternoon talk show-a big treat for the right person. Photos not seen by PW.Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
Just like having a coffee break with the star. Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
Broadway legend Channing recounts her magical life in this fascinating but unfocused and loosely structured memoir. Widely known for her portrayal of Dolly Levi, the title character from the popular Broadway musical Hello, Dolly!, and for her performance as Lorelei Lee in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Channing has spent more than five decades in show business. From her childhood as the daughter of Christian Scientists to her college years and later theatrical triumphs, she spins a mesmerizing, albeit rambling, tale. During the course of her long and interesting life, Channing has had occasion to encounter and develop relationships with many show business luminaries. Such stars as Marilyn Monroe, Barbra Streisand, Ethel Merman, Yul Brynner, and Marlene Dietrich make frequent and amusing cameos in her life story. Channing also touches on her personal life, detailing her battle with ovarian cancer and her various crushes on her handsome leading men, although she skimps on specifics on her personal struggle with her failed marriages. Broadway babies and showbiz aficionados are sure to get a kick out of this rollicking tale. Kathleen Hughes
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Book Description
Well, hello, Dolly! Carol Channing, one of America's most beloved and enduring theatrical legends, takes on her most challenging role yet: as the author of this funny, ribald, and moving memoir. Known across the nation for her portrayal of the irresistible Dolly Levi, the title character of the Broadway musical phenomenon, Hello, Dolly!, Carol Channing is perhaps the only living theatrical star whose name brings a smile to the face of people in virtually every city and town across America and Canada, to say nothing of London, Melbourne, and Sydney. Her performance as the droll and leggy Lorelei Lee in the Broadway version of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes made her a star and launched a career that has spanned over fifty years and has included a number of Broadway plays, many television appearances, and two movies, including Thoroughly Modern Millie, for which she was nominated for an Academy Award. Capping them all, of course, was her Tony award-winning signature performance as the irrepressible Dolly. Conversational in style, and written entirely by Miss Channing, this star-studded chronicle gives you the feeling that you are sitting down with this fascinating woman and having her delight you with tales from her long and amazing life, both personal and professional. You'll be invited behind the scenes for stories featuring an all-star cast of celebrities such as Marilyn Monroe, Barbra Streisand, Ethel Merman, Mary Martin, Tallulah Bankhead, Gower Champion, Clint Eastwood, Julie Andrews, Marlene Dietrich, David Merrick, Noël Coward, Al Pacino, and Yul Brynner. And you'll learn of the not-so-glamorous times, too, as Miss Channing reveals her theatrical triumphs, her heritage, and her winning battle with ovarian cancer. Through it all, Carol Channing -- the real star of this story -- demonstrates with wit and candor how she kept up her spirits and forged fearlessly ahead. From the first page to its triumphant conclusion -- and including many never-before-seen photographs -- Just Lucky I Guess is perhaps Miss Carol Channing's most engaging performance yet.


About the Author
Carol Channing has been performing for more than fifty years. Her many starring stage roles include Gentlemen Prefer Blondes; Hello, Dolly!; and Lorelei. She appeared in the film Thoroughly Modern Millie, for which she received an Academy Award nomination and won the Golden Globe award. Just Lucky I Guess is her first book. Miss Channing lives in Palm Springs, California. She has no intention of ever retiring.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

"Known across the nation for her portrayal of the irresistible Dolly Levi, the title character of the Broadway musical phenomenon, Hello, Dolly!, Carol Channing is perhaps the only living theatrical star whose name brings a smile to the face of people in virtually every city and town across America and Canada, to say nothing of London, Melbourne, and Sydney. Her performance as the droll and leggy Lorelei Lee in the Broadway version of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes made her a star and launched a career that has spanned over fifty years and has included a number of Broadway plays, many television appearances, and two movies, including Thoroughly Modern Millie, for which she was nominated for an Academy Award. Capping them all, of course, was her Tony award-winning signature performance as the irrepressible Dolly." Conversational in style, and written entirely by Miss Channing, this star-studded chronicle gives you the feeling that you are sitting down with this fascinating woman and having her delight you with tales from her long and amazing life, both personal and professional. You'll be invited behind the scenes for stories featuring an allstar cast of celebrities such as Marilyn Monroe, Barbra Streisand, Ethel Merman, Mary Martin, Tallulah Bankhead, Gower Champion, Clint Eastwood, Julie Andrews, Marlene Dietrich, David Merrick, Noel Coward, Al Pacino, and Yul Brynner. And you'll learn of the not-so-glamorous times, too, as Miss Channing reveals her theatrical triumphs, her heritage, and her winning battle with ovarian cancer. Through it all, Carol Channing - the real star of this story - demonstrates with wit and candor how she kept up her spirits and forged fearlessly ahead.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Broadway's original Lorelei Lee and Dolly Levi recounts her charmed life, making her success sound like the perfectly normal outcome for a nearly six-foot-tall girl who used to deliver the Christian Science Monitor to San Francisco back stages. A veritable platter of patter, her memoir is laced with off-the-cuff openings like "Now, do you want to know..." and "Let me tell you..." Famous names are not dropped as much as unavoidably run into as Channing-now 81-charts the events of her life, such as the process of mounting Gentlemen Prefer Blondes with composer Jule Styne, lyricist Leo Robin, writer Anita Loos, actress Tallulah "Talloo" Bankhead, composer Richard Rodgers and, as consultants, Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne. As much as it is a memoir, Channing's book is also a valediction to her old friends, many of whom, like George Burns and Loretta Young, are gone. As she writes of their qualities, she straightforwardly tells readers what she learned from or enjoyed about them. Louis Armstrong was kind, Jimmy Durante generous and Barbra Streisand admirable, despite having peeved Channing by "kidnapping" her "baby"-the role of Dolly for the movie version of Hello, Dolly! (which flopped, Channing happily adds). The mix of plainness, largesse and purpose doesn't make for the most scintillating memoir (there's not much about her marriages, for example), but that seems true to the persona and perhaps to the person herself. Chatty and colorful, it's like having Channing as the only guest on an afternoon talk show-a big treat for the right person. Photos not seen by PW. Agent, Mel Berger. (Oct. 15) Forecast: A lengthy piece by Liz Smith in the New York Post earlier this summer started the buzz going on this title. It's been picked up by the Stage & Screen Book Club as a main selection, and the InsightOut Book Club has chosen it as an alternate. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal

Just like having a coffee break with the star. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

Buoyant showbiz autobiography by the irrepressible star of Hello, Dolly!

Daughter of a Seattle newspaperman who encouraged her singing, Channing grew up the only child in a tight-knit family. Popular at school, she was a talented mimic and stage ham from a tender age. Although she has frequently played ditzy dames, she had the benefit of a college education (at Bennington), then did a quick (and not entirely successful) turn as a Borscht Belt actress before heading to Broadway. She starred in numerous stage productions and films over a career that lasted half a century and is best known for her roles in Broadway￯﾿ﾽs Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and Hello, Dolly! Her movie and TV work were somewhat more limited, although she won an Oscar nomination for her performance in Thoroughly Modern Millie and has appeared on myriad variety shows. This first literary effort by Channing will not disappoint readers looking for backstage gossip or celebrity anecdotes. The author seems to have known everyone worth knowing in American show business of the 1940s, ￯﾿ﾽ50s, and ￯﾿ﾽ60s, from Frank Sinatra to Marlon Brando, and she was intimate with the families of Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, particularly Lady Bird. During LBJ￯﾿ﾽs 1964 election campaign, a supportive Channing even donated her talents and her theme song, which became "Hello, Lyndon." Channing￯﾿ﾽs appeal has always been that of a lovable fruitcake, and she wisely chooses to tell her story in her own words, rather than employ a ghostwriter or an "as told to" technique. As a result, the prose gets a bit lumpy at times, but the author￯﾿ﾽs warmth and quirky personality generally rescue the proceedings. As the title suggests, Channing feels blessed by hersuccess, and her humility and willingness to laugh at herself are evident on almost every page.