Overview

There is a feeling of pure delight that comes from laughing out loud while watching a hilarious movie or a TV show. Yet as funny as these lines may be, they are the work of people you will never see. The magic behind any comedy hit begins when an idea is hatched in the mind of a comedy writer and is then put down on paper. And while few of us are privy to this fascinating process, for writers Peter Desberg and Jeffrey Davis, the challenge of observing and understanding how comedy is born has culminated in a unique new book, Now That's Funny! Desberg and Davis provide an intimate look into the minds of twenty-four of Hollywood's funniest comedy writers, who have given us such shows as:

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9780757004452

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Unique . . . provide[s] readers valuable insights into the creative process and the customary give and take in the job of comedy writing . . . particularly valuable to aspiring comedy writers and students of the field . . . if the creative process of writing humor and the effects of evolving societal influences on funniness are topics of interest to you, this Now That's Funny! is for you. --reviewed by Louis R. Franzini, PhD, author of JUST KIDDING: Using Humor Effectively and KIDS WHO LAUGH) The Humor Connection Desberg, a clinical psychologist, and Davis, a film and TV writer, have crafted a unique twist on the familiar writing how-to guide: they came up with a premise for a television show, which they gave to 24 comedy writers/writing teams to turn into a hypothetical series . . . The unique approach, combined with the in-depth interviews, makes this a solid go-to for aspiring comedy writers. --Kristine Huntley Booklist (ALA)

Desberg, a clinical psychologist, and Davis, a film and TV writer, have crafted a unique twist on the familiar writing how-to guide: they came up with a premise for a television show, which they gave to 24 comedy writers/writing teams to turn into a hypothetical series . . . The unique approach, combined with the in-depth interviews, makes this a solid go-to for aspiring comedy writers. --Kristine Huntley Booklist (ALA)

Provides great insight . . . if you are interested in writing comedy, this book is an important resource. It gives you the opportunity to get inside the minds of the best in the business and find out how they hone their craft . . . a really interesting and illuminating book. --Says Me Says Mom (blog) Unique . . . provide[s] readers valuable insights into the creative process and the customary give and take in the job of comedy writing . . . particularly valuable to aspiring comedy writers and students of the field . . . if the creative process of writing humor and the effects of evolving societal influences on funniness are topics of interest to you, this Now That's Funny! is for you. --reviewed by Louis R. Franzini, PhD, author of JUST KIDDING: Using Humor Effectively and KIDS WHO LAUGH) The Humor Connection Desberg, a clinical psychologist, and Davis, a film and TV writer, have crafted a unique twist on the familiar writing how-to guide: they came up with a premise for a television show, which they gave to 24 comedy writers/writing teams to turn into a hypothetical series . . . The unique approach, combined with the in-depth interviews, makes this a solid go-to for aspiring comedy writers. --Kristine Huntley Booklist (ALA)

Author Information

Jeffrey Davis is the Department Chair and Associate Professor of Film and TV Writing at Loyola Marymount University, as well as a professional comedy writer. He began his career writing jokes for Thicke of the Night. Among his situation comedy credits are Love Boat, House Calls withLynn Redgrave, Gimme a Break!, Diff'rent Strokes, and Night Court. He has also written for such shows as America's Funniest People, America's Funniest Home Videos, and Bugs Bunny's 50th Birthday, and has had film projects developed by Bette Midler's All Girl Productions, among others. Mr. Davis has written documentaries for A&E, Discovery, and the National Geographic Channel, and has written a variety of corporate and informational videos. His plays have been produced in New York and Los Angeles. His most recently published play is Speed Dating. His one night of standup at the Comedy Store convinced him that he should stay permanently seated at his desk. Peter Desberg, PhD, received his doctorate from the University of Southern California. He is a professor of psychology at California State University, Dominguez Hills, and also a licensed clinical psychologist. For over twenty five years, he has conducted seminars and workshops on controlling stage fright for business people, students, performers, athletes, job applicants, and others. Dr. Desberg is the author of sixteen published books and numerous articles. He and his family currently reside in the Los Angeles area.

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