You know her. You’ve seen her in MadTV, Working, Shameless, Friends, Grey’s Anatomy, Key and Peele, Insatiable, and The Goldbergs, as well as countless other television shows and movies. She’s that girl, the one you recognize but maybe don’t remember exactly where from. You may not remember her name (Arden Myrin). But you should definitely remember her book, Little Miss Little Compton.
Arden was raised in Little Compton, Rhode Island, as part of the wackiest family you’ve ever heard of. It’s not a surprise she grew up to star in sitcoms. Her childhood could have been a sitcom. Between her parents getting married on a dare, her father aging bologna sandwiches on top of the refrigerator, her brother being addicted to telescopes, and her own predilection for stripping as an elementary school aged kid, all that’s missing is the live studio audience and three cameras.
Little Miss Little Compton follows Arden’s life from childhood through college, from her early days using stand-up comedy to try to break into Hollywood up to her present life of actor, writer, and host of the popular Bachelor superfan podcast , Will You Accept This Rose?
Arden has no compunction to exposing her heartbreaks and mistakes, but what really shines through in these stories is her spunk, her willingness and courage to pivot when things don’t work out, and her inimitable spirit. I have no trouble believing that she went out and made all of her dreams (and some of her nightmares) come true. She’s just that kind of woman.
She’s the kind of woman who lets her friends talk her into cliff diving to have it turn into an embarrassing bathroom emergency. She’s the kind of woman who lives in Zach Galifianakis’ closet during tv’s pilot season to try to get a part on a new television series. She’s the kind of woman who breaks an intimate female body part while doing the Worm.
But she’s also the kind of woman who adopts a kitten with thumbs. She’s the kind of woman who is afraid of stand-up but does it anyway, night after night, as a step towards what she wants. She’s the kind of woman who picks herself up after a disappointment and tries again. She’s the kind of woman whose IMDb page goes on and on with her accomplishments. She’s the kind of woman who will never be a drip.
I picked up Arden Myrin’s book for some funny stories and insider dirt on Hollywood. And those things are there. But more than that, I found a book of positive encouragement and a strong, happy, generous example of a woman who made her own way to Hollywood and found success. Little Miss Little Compton would be a great gift for anyone with aspirations toward comedy fame, but it’s also just a great story of a woman determined to follow her bliss.
Little Miss Little Compton is an inspiration, a call to action, a love letter to family, a collection of great stories, and a true joy to read.
Egalleys for Little Miss Little Compton were provided by Perseus Books, Running Press, through NetGalley, with many thanks.
