Mo Rocca can be identified by his dark-rimmed glasses, salt and pepper hair and his dry sense of humor and subtle sarcasm. While it’s said to be unfair to judge a book by its cover, this time it’s an accurate indicator.
Rocca’s new book, “All the President’s Pets,” (Crown Publishing Group) is indicative of the comedian’s on-air personality. The reader is confused as to which events are reality or fiction, sarcasm or truth. While reading the book, which details Rocca’s time covering the Bush family’s dog, Barney, it bounces between what seems possible to instances where the reader shakes his head and is audibly confused.
For example, in the chapter “Fast Times at White House High,” Rocca details his first day in the White House press briefing room, a gift from defunct ex-President Richard Nixon. The author encounters the cast of characters that is broadcast and print journalism in the press corps. One of the most notable journalists in Washington is Helen Thomas, a former bureau chief for the United Press International.
Thomas covered Washington for 57 years, along with every president since John F. Kennedy. In this book, she is also a turkey buzzard, Rocca writes. The first time they meet, there is a bizarre exchange.
“Helen began gagging … she looked terribly embarrassed but couldn’t stop herself. I was about to call someone for help when Helen finally coughed up a small pellet,” Rocca wrote. “The pellet consisted of dried hair and bone material. I immediately recognized one of the tiny bone shards as that of a young muskrat tibia.”
In that example, Rocca is conversing with Thomas, who displays the digestive tactic of fowl. Later, Thomas removes her blouse to reveal her feathered body which is “uncomfortable keeping all that crammed inside a girdle,” she said.
Intermixing fiction and believable situations, Rocca shows off his knowledge of presidents past. Rocca writes that when he was younger, he didn’t admire sports stars, but preferred the head of state.
The book is worth a read, especially if there’s an interest in current events. The smart commentary on media practices is laugh-out-loud funny.
Rocca is a former correspondent for “The Daily Show” and is currently doing work for NBC’s “The Today Show.” He can be seen on the multiple series on VH1, “I love the (insert decade here)” and “Best Week Ever.” He received a bachelor of arts in English literature from Harvard University and resides in New York City.
Rocca is speaking in the Curry Student Center Ballroom Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. The event, which is sponsored by the Council for University Programs, is free to Northeastern students.
Rocca’s book can be purchased at the Northeastern Bookstore at a 15 percent discount prior to the event.
