Amy Poehler on Divorce

We’re big fans of Amy Poehler here in IMAGE Towers. Alongside Tina Fey, the two are an unstoppable comedic force, carving out an unquestionable space for women in comedy, an area in which there’s still very few (when compared with the amount of men, of course). We hope there’s at least one awards ceremony they can present each year as they’re just that good.

Rising to prominence on Saturday Night Live, it was her performance as Regina George’s over eager mother in Mean Girls that launched her into the big leagues. And starring in a rake-load of comedies since, as well as in TV shows such as Parks and Recreation. We’ve loved her ever since. But what we sometimes forget, when watching these folks on screen, is that they’re real people, with real problems and real insecurities. In her forthcoming book, Yes Please, Poehler opens up about her divorce from fellow comedian Will Arnett as she shares a collection of personal stories as well as life advice, based on her own experiences.

Via Radar Online, we’ve gotten a sneak peak of what’s in store. And refreshingly, it’s not just a bunch of gags and one liners, she’s letting us go behind the screen that a comedy career can create. Most interesting is the advice she was given from Louis CK, a comedian of epic proportions who you can always count on to say it straight.

He once said to Amy, on the subject of divorce:

“Divorce is always good news because no good marriage has ever ended in divorce.”

Needless to say, that way of viewing things has resonated with her ever since.

Poehler herself goes on to say: ?When you are?a person?going through a divorce you feel incredibly alone, yet you are constantly reminded by society of how frequently divorce happens and how?common it?has become. You aren’t allowed to feel special, but no one knows the specific ways you are in pain. Imagine spreading everything you care about on a blanket and then tossing the whole thing up in the air. The process of divorce is about loading up that blanket, throwing it up,?watching?it all spin, and worrying what stuff will break when it lands.?

On how she now looks at her past relationship with Will Arnett: ?I am proud of how my ex-husband, Will, and I have been taking care of our?children. I am beyond grateful he is their father; and I don’t think a ten-year marriage constitutes failure.? However, she admits, ?getting a divorce really sucks.?

Indeed it does, as anyone who has been there can likely testify. Amy’s how one and a half years into a new relationship and, we’re glad to hear, is happier than ever.

@CarolineForan