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Comedy
 Why Is That So Funny?
John Wright
Why Is That So Funny? starts with a discussion of the various types of laughter that can be provoked by performance. It then presents graduated sequences of over a hundred games and exercises devised to demonstrate and investigate the whole range of comic possibilities open to a performer and to test every assertion made. Softcover, 334 pp. $24.95.
 Vaudeville Humor: The Collected Jokes, Routines , and Skits of Ed Lowry
Edited by Paul Levitt
This book contains vaudeville skits, jokes, and routines from the first three decades of the twentieth century originally compiled by comedian Ed Lowry, revised in this edition by Paul Levitt. Although occasionally found in bits and pieces in anthologies and in some period dramatic comedies, vaudeville humor has never before been available in one collection. Softcover, 463 pp. $22.50.
 Funny You Should Say That
Edited by Andrew Martin
In this handbook, the lines we all wish we could have said are arranged thematically and cover all aspects of life. Within each theme, the quotations are place chronologically, providing a real sense of the development of the thoughts about each subject - as well as seeing how jokes evolve over the years and, in somem cases, who "borrowed" from whom. This book is a browser's delight, and should be enjoyed at leisure. Softcover, 510 pp. $22.50.
 Man Walks Into a Bar
Stephen Arnott
Packed full of thousands of jokes and alphabetically organized into hundreds of topics from accountants to zebras, this book offers you a massive collection of over-the-top jokes that will have everyone laughing out loud. Softcover, 477 pp. $18.50.
 Born Standing Up: A Comic’s Life
Steve Martin
Steve Martin is and always has been a writer. In this subtly intimate memoir, Martin illuminates the sacrifice, discipline and originality that made him an icon and informs his work to this day. While telling his story he also paints a vivid portrait of his times from “free love “ to the Vietnam war and student protests. Whether as a performer, actor or writer, Martin’s memoir reveals the unique qualities that have inspired his creativity. Illustrated with over forty photos from his personal collection. Hardcover, $26.99, also on CD $34.99. Coming in November.
 America: Teacher's Edition
A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction
Jon Stewart, Ben Karlin & David Javerbaum
From the authors: Two years ago, America (The Book) exploded onto the textbook
scene with a force not felt since 1996's Financial Calculus: An Introduction
to Derivative Pricing. Having labored long and hard on what we'd affectionately
come to call "Project Joyless Albatross", we were gratified to
see our work find an audience. Yet the book's success should not be
measured by its sales. We told ourselves early on: If our book inspired
even one young man or woman to enter public service, it would be a
dismal failure. By that standard, America has triumphed beyond our
wildest dreams. Softcover, 227 pp. $19.99.
 Only Joking
Jimmy Carr & Lucy Greeves
A seriously funny exploration of the world's most amusing subject: Jokes.
Why do we laugh? Why is it that women have such a hard time remembering
punch lines? And why did the chicken cross the road? In Only
Joking,
star comedian (and host of TV's Distraction) Jimmy Carr and Lucy
Greeves probe these questions and more as they take an in-depth
look at humor through its purest verbal form, the joke. Packed
with comedic insight and quips from comic geniuses such as Sigmund
Freud, Steve Martin, and Sarah Silverman, Only Joking is a rollicking
analysis of why joking will always be close to the human heart--and
an irresistible exploration of humor that makes clear why we need
a good laugh now more than ever. Hardcover, 300 pp. $30.00.
 You're Lucky You're Funny: How Life Becomes a Sitcom
Phil Rosenthal
In You're Lucky You're Funny, Phil Rosenthal, the creator and executive producer
of Everybody Loves Raymond, tells the behind-the-scenes story of
the making of a number-one smash hit sitcom. Based on Ray Romano's
actual life, the show also took much of its material from Phil's
equally, and hysterically disfunctional family characters and experiences.
Despite a few missteps and setbacks, thanks to the support of David
Letterman and a fortunate and fruitful meeting with Ray Romano, Raymond
was conceived, and the rest, as we all know, is history. Besides
being one of the funniest books ever written about television, You're
Lucky You're Funny is one of the most illuminating. For anyone who
loves comedy, for the millions of devoted fans of Everybody Loves
Raymond, and for all the aspiring writers who are edging their way
into Hollywood, You're Lucky You're Funny will be a gift and an inspiration.
Hardcover, 243 pp. $32.50.
 The Best British Stand-Up Comedy and Routines
Mike O'Brien
The artists and routines that revolutionized the world of comedy.
Over thirty exclusive transcripts reveal the secrets of comedy groundbreakers
including Monty Python's all-time smash-hit The Parrot Sketch;
Eddie Izzard's own bizarre world in Cats and Dogs; Pete & Dud sending
up British stiff upper lips in The Psychiatrist; Rowan Atkinson's
tight-lipped Schoolmaster; Arnold Brown revealing The Secret of
Comedy; Steve Coogan's chain-smoking, masturbating alter-ego Paul
Calf; Mark Thomas on waging war on concepts - his War on Terror;
Lenny Henry's Brixton wide-boy Delbert Wilkins, and Bill Hicks,
the late American comedy supremo, on Pornography. Softcover, 304
pp. $24.95.
 I
Have Chosen to Stay and Fight
Margaret Cho
With all her notorious, righteous comic rage, Margaret Cho lays out in no
uncertain terms what's wrong, what's right, and what's definitely worth
fighting for. Cho has chosen to stay and fight for freedom of expression,
gay rights, racial equality, the right to choose, and the right to
life--a real life, on your own freethinking, liberty-loving, all-American
terms. Cho's is a vehement, principled, and resoundingly funny political
agenda, and with this manifesto she encourages us all to go through
our warrior rituals now--it's time to get visible, get loud, and
get our war on. Softcover, 262 pp. $17.50.
 You
Say Tomato
R.W. Jackson
Whether you're an articulation stickler or (like the rest of us) insecure
with pronounciation, R.W. Jackson's You Say Tomato is sure to amuse
and inform. With subtle, acerbic repartee, Jackson has created a
diabolically funny dictionary of words that, as he gleefully points
out, even our
highest officials grapple with.
Softcover, 249 pp. $17.50.
 The
Genius of the Jewish Joke
Arthur Asa Berger
This book focuses on what is distinctive and unusual about Jewish jokes
and Jewish humour. Jewish humour is humour by Jews and about Jews,
in whatever medium this humour is found: jokes, riddles, comic definitions,
and parodies. In addition to providing amusement, Jewish humour reveals
a great deal about Jewish character and culture, and even the human
condition. This is an exploration into its distinctiveness, its unique
spirit, and its role in Jewish identity.
Softcover, 184 pp. $29.95.
 Nothing's
Sacred
Lewis Black
You've seen him on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart offering up his trademark
angry observational humour on everything from politics to pop culture.
You've seen his energetic stand-up performances on HBO, Comedy Central,
and in venues across the globe. Now, for the first time, Lewis Black
translates his volcanic eruptions into book form in Nothing's
Sacred,
a collection of rants against stupidity and authority, which oftentimes
go hand in hand.
Softcover, 250 pp. $17.95.
 Jokes & Quotes
for Speeches
'You have to make a speech!' are words you may wish you never hear.
It may be for a wedding, a business lunch, an informal group, the
Parent-teacher Association, a school speech day, or an informal family
celebration.
But have no fear. Whatever you experience, and despite what you may
think, speechmaking can be fun and this book is here to help you.
Softcover, 96 pp.
 The
Eight Characters of Comedy
A Guide to Sitcom Acting and Writing
Scott Sedita
This is a 'how-to' guide for actors and writers who want to break into the
world of situation comedy. Renowned acting coach Scott Sedita will teach
you how to break down a comedy script, identify different types of jokes
and deliver them with comedic precision. You will learn about sitcom
history, specific sitcom auditioning techniques and how to market yourself
in this
competitive industry. Softcover, 243 pp. $25.95.
 The
Art of the Laugh: A Handbook for Sketch Writers, Actors, and Directors
John Sweeney
Improvisation is a powerful tool for all theatre professionals; when
it works, it is undeniably effective as a source of creative energy.
Based on the traditions of the Brave New Workshop Comedy Theatre, this
is a
guide
to comedy writing and improvisation. These secrets, which have been with
the Theatre throughout its long existence (since 1958), are applicable
for any sketch writer, playwright, actor, director, or theatre administrator.
Includes a CD-ROM, with scripts and videos. Softcover, 149 pp. $34.95.
 Me
Funny
Drew Hayden Taylor
For this book, Drew Hayden Taylor has invited a stellar cast of
writers from a variety of fields to take a look at what makes Aboriginal
humour tick. Their irreverent, insightful and often hilarious contributions
examine
the use of humour in areas as diverse as stand-up comedy, fiction,
visual art, drama, performance, traditional storytelling and education.
Softcover, 191 pp. $22.95.
 The
Rough Guide to Comedy Movies
Bob McCabe
Cracking open a whole barrel-load of movie mirth, The Rough Guide to
Comedy Movies gives you the ultimate lowdown on laughter in the cinema,
from Airplane! to Withnail and I, and from
John Belushi to Billy Wilder. Sections include: the comedy story, the comedy
canon, comedy movie icons, comedy teamwork, and international comedy. Softcover,
303 pp. $21.99.
 The
Comedy Thesaurus
Judy Brown
Here are more than three thousand quotations from the funniest people on
the planet -- everyone from Bernie Mac, Jay Leno, and Jerry Seinfeld
to Ellen DeGeneres, David Letterman, Paula Poundstone, Margaret Cho,
Conan O'Brien, Dave Chappelle, and Dennis Miller. Arranged A to Z
by subject, this is the ultimate resource for anyone who loves a
good joke.
Softcover, 480 pp. $22.95.
 Comedy
Writing Secrets
Second Edition
Mel Helitzer
With Comedy Writing Secrets you can master the fundamentals of humour writing
and turn your comedic talent into a well-paying pursuit. This book will
provide you with humour writing exercises to punch up your jokes, extra
information on writing for sitcoms and stand-up, comedic brainstorming
techniques, and tips for writing humour for specific markets. Softcover,
342 pp. $24.99.
 222
Comedy Monologues 2 Minutes and Under
Irene Zeigler Aston & John Capecci
This is the best collection available for the actor who is looking for a comedic
monologue. Situational humour, word play, absurdity, and surrealism are all represented
in a diverse assortment of plays -- from classical to contemporary works -- for
male and female actors. Softcover, 313 pp. $27.95.
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See also:
Film > Screenplays
Television > Screenplays
Theatre > Playwrights |
Funny
Business
Comedy
FAQs and Answers: How the Stand-up Biz Really Works 
Writing
Comedy
The
Second City Almanac of Improvisation
America
(The Book)
Made
You Laugh! The Funniest Moments in Radio, Television, Stand-up, and
Movie Comedy
The
Complete Idiot's Guide to Comedy Writing
She's
So Funny: 1,768 of The Best Jokes from Women Comedians
The
Little Big Book of Laughter
What
Are You Laughing At
Spike:
An Intimate Memoir
Bravemouth:
Living with Billy Connolly
The
Funny Thing Is...
Whose
Improv is it Anyway? Beyond Second City
The
Death of Comedy
The
Sad Comedy of El'dar Riazanov: An Introduction to Russia's Most Popular
Filmmaker
Cassell's
Humorous Quotations
Tragically
I was an Only Twin
Jokes
to Go
Thurber Country
Writing the Comedy Film
Seriously Funny: The Rebel Comedians of the 1950's and 1960's
The
Simpsons: Beyond Forever
The Oxford Dictionary of Humorous Quotations
The Malcontents: The Best Bitter, Cynical, and Satirical Writing
in the World
The Haunted Smile
On Humour
A Pocketful of Python 
Monty
Python Encyclopedia
The Clothes They Stood Up In 
Mom's
the Word
