When you get Amy Sedaris’ voicemail on her phone, you get the true Amy. 

Leave a message and I’ll never call you back. –priceless. 

Amy Sedaris will be in town on her I Like You:  Hospitality Under the Influence Book Tour that is sweeping across the United States.  Very surreal for someone who has never had such literal, in-your-face feedback and success that can come with book tours.  Being a comedian whose career has spanned many years and through multiple movies, television series, and talks show spots; Amy has not lost her sense of humor, whit, or charm.  All of this can be found in her latest creation, the perfect holiday Must Have, I Like You:  Hospitality Under the Influence. 

Amy is infamous for her portrayal of an over-the-hill ex-junkie in Comedy Central’s Strangers With Candy, but according to www.imdb.com, her career has spanned over many creative and hysterical projects.  She has played a doppelganger opposite David Spade in Just Shoot Me, on Law & Order: Special Victim’s Unit, and three projects due out shortly:  Shrek the Third—where she will provide the voice of Cinderella, Snow Angels, and Dedication.  Mostly, her favorites would be the projects where she gets to work with her team from Strangers With Candy Stephen Colbert and Paul Dinello.   

When asked, If given the same pay and opportunity, would you choose Saturday Night Live or Mad TV?—she answered, Mad TV, because of the Back Porch feel.  She loves them and enjoys the range of the actors.  If given the chance to throw a pie in someone’s face on national television, who would it be?—Craig Fergusson because he is funny and would take the joke and not personalize it.  Amy also said that even if she does not get the chance to work with Wanda Sykes anytime soon, she would still love the opportunity to meet her and compare notes on life.  Even though she is famous for some of her outrageous costumes, she still likes the anonymity it brings when she goes out in public as herself.       

This Must Have is the absolute necessity for those of you who love to host parties or attend parties and assist the Host.  This is a sidesplitting guide to throwing parties that contain actual recipes, helpful hints, and tips to running a successful party. There are such tips as the proper way to freeze meatballs, how to deal with the inebriated, making parties fun and relaxing, inappropriate introductions, and things to avoid talking about.  The advice is first-hand experience and is both practical and hilarious and makes you feel better about yourself.   

The book is an absolute Labor of Love, and has taken a lot of time and research to complete.  Everything in the book is from Amy’s perspective and ideas from things that have happened.  Having never researched Martha Stewart or her practices, she is often called The Anti-Martha but does not feel that it is an appropriate title.  Actually, she appeared recently on Martha’s show and enjoyed her self immensely and any comparisons to her being the opposite are not true.  This book is honest, sincere, and hysterical.    Being a resourceful person, she employed as many friends, talented artists, photographers, and anyone she knew who would help her out.   

Amy entertains a lot in her New York apartment and all of the recipes are hers.  She told me that the best thing to do for a party is to plan out everything and let whatever happens…happen.  You cannot just fall to pieces because someone is stumbling drunk, another person spilt red wine on your antique lace table spread—you just carry on.  Having started out in the famed Second City, she is not only a physical comedian, but an impromptu actor as well.  Throw her something and she will toss it right back at you. 

Even though she is the perfect Hostess, Amy is anxiously awaiting being a Guest.  Her friend, Natasha Richardson, famous for doing everything down to the last detail, will be hosting her at her house for a weekend coming up.  Amy cannot wait to swap stories, trade recipes, and bond through the kitchen.  The book tour keeps Amy really busy, with places like:  Boston, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Atlanta, and Minneapolis are all on the route within the next couple of weeks, she looks forward to relaxing with friends.

The Hospitality Under Influence Book Tour will be in Southern Florida Saturday, November 4^th, with various spots throughout Miami shops during the day, and a very personal Meet and Greet at night at ArtServe, which is located at 1350 East Sunrise Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale so call 954*537-5954 for more information and reservations.  The event is sponsored by the Broward Public Library Foundation and without their help, I would not have this interview, and for that I thank them.  If you would like to laugh some more or more information about the book itself, check out www.amysedarisrocks.com.   

For a final note, to those who have read or about to read Amy’s book, I am on the lookout for a large bag of marbles.  Also, the first four pages are well worth the read, and if that does not get you to buy the book, read the inside covers—then you will!