Celebrity Moms - The Daily Show's Samantha Bee

The gifted comedian and mother-of-three discusses life with Piper, 4, Fletcher, 2, and Ripley, 4 months; her job as Most Senior Correspondent on The Daily Show; why her marriage works; and her new book, I Know I Am, but What Are You?

I love the children's reference in your book title. How did you come up with it?

I'm really so bad at coming up with titles. I don't know anyone worse at it than I am. When we do field pieces for The Daily Show, we're supposed to come up with titles, and none of my pun-y suggestions has ever been used. So I solicited my friends and coworkers for ideas. Everyone at the publishing company was beside themselves because we were printing, like, tomorrow. One of the writers at The Daily Show came up with it.

Your teen years had some drama, and you write candidly about stealing cars, your mom watching porn, losing your virginity at 15. Did you consider glossing over some of the more embarrassing parts?

I knew I only wanted to write a book if I could completely be myself. When it came to certain sensitive topics, I really didn't flinch. I am unflinching in those areas in life. I'm not easily ashamed or embarrassed, so it wasn't difficult for me.

Were you worried about how your family would react?

I knew it wouldn't embarrass my family. My mother is not shy. She's very honest about who she is. And we talked about it. I make fun of her in life for all those things, so nothing was a surprise. The one thing that did surprise my family is that I wasn't on drugs growing up. They were sure I was an addict.

You have wonderful descriptions of your grandmother, who pretty much raised you.

It was important to me to be able to describe who my grandmother was-even though I was poking fun at her. I loved her so much.

Parts of your childhood seem difficult-your parents divorcing, your shyness. Yet your book is so funny. Did the humor come with distance as an adult?

It wasn't a tragic upbringing.There were fairly common perplexing family issues going on. Yes, I was in agony. I was an angst-y kid. But one constant is that there was never a time when I didn't feel totally loved. I wasn't neglected. There was always this undercurrent that my parents and grandmother loved me completely. I wasn't alone or adrift. That love went a long way. And I knew everyone was doing the best job they could even when it wasn't that great. It's kind of what we're all doing-the best that we can. Continued Here...

By: Suzanne Riss, Photo: Melanie Acevedo


See more photos of Samantha and baby Ripley