So, You Think You're Funny? Put It in Writing!
Poking a Dead Frog: Conversations with Today's Top Comedy Writers by Mike Sacks (Penguin, 2014)
My sister's vocal coach had a gentle, yet pointed, way of telling his not-so-on-key students that singing was not for them. After suffering through a Florence Foster Jenkins-worthy performance of one my my sister's friends, the coach said, "Bonnie, dear, have you ever considered taking up an instrument?" He wasn't saying that she didn't have musical talent; he just felt that her voice was not her medium. The same could be said for those who have killer material but can't deliver on stage: Drop the mic and pick up a pen. (I'm "old school.")
In "Poking a Dead Frog,"* Mike Sacks introduces the reader to more than 40 folks who make a living writing, producing, publishing, and performing comedy, from the obscure (Peg Lynch, one of the earliest and most successful female radio and TV comedy writers) to the universally famous (Who doesn't know Mel Brooks?). He divides the interviews into three types: the long form, "Ultraspecific Comedic Knowledge," and "Pure Hard-Core Advice." All can be read at one's leisure, yet if you're looking for quick pep talks, reality checks, or answers to questions you may or may not have considered, the latter two are most helpful. You'll find information on how to find an agent, how to write for an awards show, from-the-trenches observations, best movies for potential comedy writers to watch, etc. In all three types of interviews, you'll find honest assessments of the field, then and now. You'll read about the work involved and years of toil, but if someone was in the right place at the right time, they'll admit that as well.
Women represent about 20% of those interviewed. That's more than are usually included in other comedy-related books, so props to Sacks for putting a spotlight on how many women are making us laugh despite the pervasive belief that women are not funny.
*In case you're wondering, the title is derived from a quote about humor from that noted funnyman, E.B. White. 😉 You'll find it in the foreword. (What? You were expecting me to spoon feed it to you?)
My sister's vocal coach had a gentle, yet pointed, way of telling his not-so-on-key students that singing was not for them. After suffering through a Florence Foster Jenkins-worthy performance of one my my sister's friends, the coach said, "Bonnie, dear, have you ever considered taking up an instrument?" He wasn't saying that she didn't have musical talent; he just felt that her voice was not her medium. The same could be said for those who have killer material but can't deliver on stage: Drop the mic and pick up a pen. (I'm "old school.")
In "Poking a Dead Frog,"* Mike Sacks introduces the reader to more than 40 folks who make a living writing, producing, publishing, and performing comedy, from the obscure (Peg Lynch, one of the earliest and most successful female radio and TV comedy writers) to the universally famous (Who doesn't know Mel Brooks?). He divides the interviews into three types: the long form, "Ultraspecific Comedic Knowledge," and "Pure Hard-Core Advice." All can be read at one's leisure, yet if you're looking for quick pep talks, reality checks, or answers to questions you may or may not have considered, the latter two are most helpful. You'll find information on how to find an agent, how to write for an awards show, from-the-trenches observations, best movies for potential comedy writers to watch, etc. In all three types of interviews, you'll find honest assessments of the field, then and now. You'll read about the work involved and years of toil, but if someone was in the right place at the right time, they'll admit that as well.
Women represent about 20% of those interviewed. That's more than are usually included in other comedy-related books, so props to Sacks for putting a spotlight on how many women are making us laugh despite the pervasive belief that women are not funny.
*In case you're wondering, the title is derived from a quote about humor from that noted funnyman, E.B. White. 😉 You'll find it in the foreword. (What? You were expecting me to spoon feed it to you?)
