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I’m in my comedian memoir era. John Crist is well known in the Christian comedy circles. (Yes, I realize that’s a relatively small circle.) His YouTube video sketches that primarily poke fun at Christians have gone viral – some gaining over 10 million views. His online work has been praised and adored and shared and commented on, which grew Crist’s reputation to legendary status – especially in the clean/Christian comedy world. And that was the problem. Crist struggled to maintain his somewhat-inauthentic online persona. Delete That dives into his battle and humorously exposes the things we all do to (try to) look good online. This is my Delete That John Crist book review.
Delete That Book Summary
John Crist’s book Delete That: And Other Failed Attempts to Look Good Online is a funny and introspective exploration of how people curate their lives on social media to create idealized versions of themselves. Crist, a popular comedian known for his viral videos and stand-up routines, reflects on his personal experiences with internet fame, his upbringing in a large homeschool family, and the pressures of maintaining a sqeaky-clean online persona.
The book dives into the absurdities of social media culture, like posting filtered pictures of kale salads while hiding late-night fast-food indulgences. Crist uses his own journey—including a public fall from grace and subsequent time in rehab—to examine the disconnect between online perfection and real-life struggles.
With self-deprecating humor and candid insights, Crist invites us to let go of the fear of judgment, embrace authenticity, and live life without the constant need for social validation. He encourages breaking free from the pressures of a curated life and embracing the messy, genuine moments—like unapologetically attending a Nickelback concert or driving through Taco Bell at 1:00 AM.
John Crist Bio:
John Crist is a stand-up comedian and internet personality known for his satirical humor, which often pokes fun at cultural and religious behavior, especially within modern Christian life. He was raised in a devout Christian family (his dad was a pastor) as one of eight children. Crist grew up homeschooled in Georgia and later worked at Chick-fil-A (because, of course he did) before pursuing his career in comedy. His upbringing and experiences often serve as material for his comedy, which combines relatable storytelling with light-hearted critiques – often of his own faith and traditional background.
Crist gained prominence through viral videos like Millennial International, Church Hunters, and Christian Mingle Inspector (one of my favorites, linked below), as well as through his stand-up specials and social media presence. His humor resonates particularly within Christian circles, although his observational style appeals to broader audiences as well.
In 2019, Crist faced allegations of sexual misconduct, which led to him stepping away from the spotlight and entering rehab. He later returned to comedy, addressing his mistakes and personal growth in his routines and writing. The book that I’m reviewing now — Delete That, reflects on his experiences with fame, social media pressures, and personal accountability.
Check out John here:
If you want to get a flavor of John Crist’s comedy style, check out his video “Christian Mingle Inspector”:
Now onto the rating! Delete That – John Crist book review:
My innovative system for rating humor books is explained here
Wholesomeness Score: 3/5
John Crist works clean. Typically, his content is free of swearing and lewd anecdotes. But Delete That contained mature material in regard to Crist’s personal struggles with mental health, excess drinking and pornography. Note – these unwholesome behaviors were based on his own assessments and expectations as a Christian comedian. His behavior might have been unwholesome at times, but he was held to a higher moral standard that other performing celebrities. Crist noted,
“…I’m not Axl Rose; I’m a homeschooled paster’s kid who sometimes performs in churches”
The language in Delete That was clean, but the at-times heavy topics are best suited for an audience with at least a moderate level of maturity.
Hilarity Score: 3/5
John Crist is funny. His videos have millions of views, endorsing his style and execution of humor. Delete That was funny. But at least for me, humor was not the primary element from the book. It seemed to be more of an honest, cautionary guide warning against the potential pitfalls of living an inauthentic live online (and offline.) At times, the book reads like a cathartic therapy session for Crist, who now has a healthier self-image and worries less about curating a perfect, Christian persona.
Overall Book Awesomeness Score: 4/5
Very enjoyable read. I was initially hoping for (and expecting) a funnier book. Delete That was certainly humorous at times, but served more as an insightful, “self-help” guide. It made me think more about my own curated persona. Do I have a healthy relationship with social media? Do I hide parts of my true self to project a more polished, flawless adult?
Nah, I’m actually this awesome in real-life and no dark secrets or less-than-favorable qualities that would embarrass me if discovered by the general public! But I enjoyed this book anyway.
Things I liked:
- thought-provoking tales about the dangers of living an inauthentic life online (and offline)
- memoir-ish. It wasn’t a full-blown memoir, but Crist did dive into his background, childhood and path to comedic success. Love me some comedian memoirs.
Things I didn’t like:
- Another funny person, detailing dark times and personal struggles with mental health. Man, I seem to read a lot of those books these days! These are critical messages to share – both for the author and the reader. And sometimes, I am the perfect candidate for the heartfelt, difficult messaging. But sometimes, I just want pure silliness! I didn’t get pure silliness with this book. I’m not mad at you, John Crist.
Conclusion: Final Thoughts on Delete That (And Other Failed Attempts to Look Good Online)
Delete That was a thought-provoking, humorous read. Crist warns against the dangers of social media…while acknowledging the critical role it plays in his own success. The main takeaway I got was to live an authentic life – online and in the “real world”. Addiction can come in many forms. Obsessing over likes and positive comments can be just as unhealthy as drinking too much or shooting too much heroin. OK, typically not quite as unhealthy as heroin. But still, one should be aware of the potential crippling grip of trying to maintain a less-than-genuine online persona.
Just so you know – I could get an affiliate commission if you link from my site and buy a product. Hopefully, I’ll accumulate enough affiliate commission to buy myself a coffee someday! Not Starbucks or anything like that. But maybe a plain small coffee from a gas station on the edge of town.
