You Can't Be Serious

Written by Kal Penn

Narrated by Kal Penn

The star of the Harold and Kumar franchise, House, and Designated Survivor recounts why he rejected the advice of his aunties and guidance counselors and, instead of becoming a doctor or “something practical,” embarked on a surprising journey that has included confronting racism in Hollywood, meeting his future husband, and working in the Obama administration, in this “incredibly joyful and insightful” (Kiefer Sutherland) memoir.

You Can’t Be Serious is a series of funny, consequential, awkward, and ridiculous stories from Kal Penn’s idiosyncratic life. It’s about being the grandson of Gandhian freedom fighters, and the son of immigrant parents: people who came to this country with very little and went very far—and whose vision of the American dream probably never included their son sliding off an oiled-up naked woman in the raunchy Ryan Reynolds movie Van Wilder…or getting a phone call from Air Force One as Kal flew with the country’s first Black president.

“By turns hilarious, poignant, and inspiring” (David Axelrod, New York Times bestselling author), Kal reflects on the most exasperating and rewarding moments from his journey so far. He pulls back the curtain on the nuances of opportunity and racism in the entertainment industry and recounts how he built allies, found encouragement, and dealt with early reminders that he might never fit in. He describes his initially unpromising first date with his now-fiancé Josh, involving an 18-pack of Coors Light and an afternoon of watching NASCAR. And of course, he reveals how, after a decade and a half of fighting for and enjoying successes in Hollywood, he made the terrifying but rewarding decision to take a sabbatical from a fulfilling acting career for an opportunity to serve his country as an Obama White House aide.

Above all, You Can’t Be Serious shows that everyone can have more than one life story. The book “is insightful, funny, and instructive for anyone who’s ever grappled with how they fit into the American dream” (Ronan Farrow, New York Times bestselling author), and demonstrates that no matter who you are and where you come from, you have many more choices than those presented to you. And okay, yes, it’s also about how Kal accidentally (and very stupidly) accepted an invitation to take the entire White House Office of Public Engagement to a strip club—because, let’s be honest, that’s the kind of stuff you really want to hear about.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Nov 2, 2021
• ISBN: 9781797128573

Kal Penn

Kal Penn has played leading roles in some of the world’s most-watched television shows, including How I Met Your Mother, 24, Designated Survivor, House, and more. He currently stars on the Disney Junior animated series Mira, Royal Detective. He was also the cocreator and star of the NBC/Universal comedy Sunnyside, and host, cocreator, and executive producer of a six-episode series in October 2020 for Disney’s Freeform Channel called Kal Penn Approves This Message, aimed at entertaining and informing young voters. On the big screen, Kal has starred in movies that have collectively grossed more than a billion dollars, including the Harold and Kumar franchise, National Lampoon’s Van Wilder, Superman Returns, The Namesake, and many other critically acclaimed blockbuster titles. He has also served as an adjunct lecturer in sociology and film studies at the University of Pennsylvania, and in sociology and political science at the University of California, Los Angeles. Kal has worked at the very highest levels of politics, as an Associate Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement, where he was President Obama’s Liaison to Young Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and the Arts communities in America. He was born and raised in New Jersey.

Reviews for You Can't Be Serious

[Kristen Pariseau · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love reading autobiographies even when I haven’t heard of the person. Before I started, I hadn’t heard of Kal Penn. I still loved the book! Now I feel like I really know him. He’s a great writer and this was a great story!

[Kelli Conner · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a great book. I thought I liked Kal Penn but it turns out I LOVE HIM! I listened to this book with my 10 year old son. There were parts I was like "Whoopsie!" But it was worth it. He was rooting for you every step of the way and always got angry when people would be unfair because of race. He really learned a lot and im grateful for that. I truly hope the best for you and your family. Great job man!

[Elise Stewart · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Funny and interesting. It was a Celebrity and political memoir in one.

[Karen Jobim · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Great memoir and Kal Penn is just funny! I'm a huge fan of House (and I mean everybody on that show). I personally loved the White House experience. As a Latinx immigrant, I appreciate the insight.

[Scott Chipman · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A phenomenal book for a phenomenal life, Kal Penn delights.

[Rich Fink · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great book!!! Honestly such an amazing life story & path!

[Samantha Mykyte · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I have so much content I need to watch now

[MG · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

AWESOME!!!!!!! MOST READ THIS BOOK. I LOVE IT It is very insightful.

[natalie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Love everything about this book. Bring back Sunnyside!!! I will purchase a hardcopy of this for my dad who is a big fan.

[Rosun Rajkumar · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Kept me hooked. Kal Penn is a wonderful narrator. Recommended!

[Cherese A. Vines · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I'm glad the author read the audiobook. He was able to convey his intended meaning that may have been lost if someone else had read it. His narrative opened my eyes to what other people of color experience in regular life and the film industry here in the U.S. I naively did not consider other groups experienced discrimination similar to African Americans. As a country we still have a ways to go as far as quality, but there are people like the author trying to make a difference in their circle of influence, and we should do the same in ours.

[Li D · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

As an immigrant myself, I get the racial injustice mentioned on the book . I am an engineer, I see this in my daily work . This book gives me hope for the future. If we all do our part , stand for what we believe in, the change we are all hoping for will happen in this country , which we all love deeply .

[lone wolf88 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

beatifully narrated, inspiring and pack full of laughter and emotions.

[Tami Potter · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Best Audio book ever.. loved it would recommend it .

[Pam Kunisawa · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Kalpin is so smart, great writer. His own story is written with warmth and genuine compassion.

[Yvonne Thomas · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Well told, honest story about his experiences.
I look forward to your future voice.

[Dikeisha Bennett · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very funny , love Kal Penn and loved hearing his story