Average customer rating:
- A Solid Book
- I scanned it straight to the money
- Inspiring to all students of writing.
- Sitcoms from the ground up
- A must-read for would-be sitcom writers
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Writing TV Sitcoms
Evan S. Smith
Manufacturer: Perigee Trade
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Similar Items:
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Writing Television Comedy
-
Successful Television Writing
-
The Eight Characters of Comedy: A Guide to Sitcom Acting And Writing
-
The Seinfeld Scripts: The First and Second Seasons
-
Television Writing from the Inside Out: Your Channel to Success
ASIN: 0399525335 |
Book Description
With guidance from top sitcom producers and examples straight from the screen, this book can help anyone write, revise--and sell--a script.
With twenty years in the business--as a writer, programming executive, and university instructor--Evan Smith knows what it takes to get from spec script to sitcom success. Here he offers the first published description of Premise-Driven Comedy, the writing method he has developed and popularized; tips from writer-producers who have worked on series from "Frasier" to "The Cosby Show" to "Roseanne;" a complete story outline from the series "Home Improvement;" explicit advice on how the business works and how to get an agent; and script layout guidelines for all three sitcom formats.
Clear, comprehensive, and cutting-edge, this is the true insider's guide to becoming a sitcom writer. Who knows--it might just be the book that inspires the world's next Seinfeld!
* Includes examples from classic and contemporary sitcoms, tips from successful writer-producers, and a complete "Home Improvement" story outline
* An author with twenty years of experience in the business
* Advice on both the business and creative aspects of a sitcom-writing career, including a discussion of Premise-Driven Comedy, Smith's innovative new writing technique
Customer Reviews:
A Solid Book.......2005-10-02
Although it has an unfortunate title (who the hell wants to write sitcoms? - aren't they supposed to be dead?), this book is one of the better resources on the subject of television writing in general. It paints a very realistic picture of the business and acknowledges some of the changes that are taking place within the industry. This is a good book for someone who already knows how to write a solid script, but who'd like to learn more about the TV biz.
I scanned it straight to the money.......2001-04-13
I scanned right throught the pages like I needed the cool breeze and stopped on the "how much will I make" page and well, it looks good to me. I also looked in other areas of the book and before I even read it I know it's exactly what I was looking for. A must for even a dream sitcom writer like me. This is a real shortcut, it covers all the information you will ever need.
Inspiring to all students of writing........2001-01-13
Evan Smith introduces Writing Television Sitcoms as the all-in-one writer's guide to sitcoms. It sounds heavy, but honestly true. There is no aspect of TV sitcom writing a student, or otherwise, could dream up a question for which Smith doesn't have an answer. He covers how to create a sitcom, write it, and sell it. And in the first chapters he even details how anyone can make a career in writing. You will find yourself beaming with childlike enthusiasm as your eyes run through Writing Television Sitcoms.
Sitcoms from the ground up.......2000-09-24
Smith goes right to the foundations of sitcom writing, and leads his reader through all the steps to a funny, saleable product. He explains his 'premise-driven comedy' in terms a beginner can comprehend and put to immediate use; a pro will find suggestions for boosting his batting average, and will recognize the voice of someone who's been there, and done that. Kudos to Smith
A must-read for would-be sitcom writers.......2000-09-21
This book is very well-organized, well-written and very informative. I have found that I refer to it often. It is worth the investment if you are serious about sitcom writing.
Book Description
At the core of this Hollywood howto guide is the concept of The Eight Characters of Comedy, the eight specific character archetypes used in sitcoms dating back to the advent of TV. Every actor can find a sitcom niche by identifying with one of these eight characters. Using past and current actors and sitcom personalities, Sedita describes in detail where these characters come from and how actors can play them truthfully. * who is normally cast as The Logical Smart One' * why do we love The Lovable Loser' * why is The Neurotic such a fun character to play' In addition, readers learn how to break down a comedy script, how to identify different types of jokes, how to deliver them with comedic precision, sitcom auditioning techniques, and how to market themselves.
Customer Reviews:
The EIght Character of Comedy is a Winner!.......2007-03-09
The "Eight Characters of Comedy" by Scott Sedita was absolutely fantastic! The book was incredibly informative to a writer and an actor, but also gives the audience/reader such an insight to how tv shows and film are created. It's a wonderful book. I recommend it to all!
Finally!.......2007-02-06
I mean, seriously. Someone FINALLY sat down and wrote a book that deconstructs all the different characters (there's 8, by the way) that appear in comedy, sitcoms specifically. Sedita manages to set forth a simple, concise, easy-to-read (AND understand) method to determining, from an acting standpoint, WHICH character you are (I'm, surprisingly, a "lovable loser" and not, as I had hoped and dreamed, a "womanizer"), and which specific traits are most often and commonly associated with PLAYING these characters ("hopeful" and "optimistic" are two big ones for the "lovable loser"). I can only begin to tell you how incredibly helpful this book has been in my audition preparation and my character creation. If you've ever thought about acting, especially in comedy, PICK UP THIS BOOK!
This is the key to comedy!.......2007-02-02
Now I truly understand comedic timing! Sedita is a master at communicating the true technique of the comedic actor and how to apply it to your performance. I learned more from this book about acting than any other acting book I have read. He writes in simple straight forward terms that any actor can use to improve their performance and truly makes you respect the great comedic actors of our time. Thanks Scott!
Read this book!.......2007-01-18
Scott Sedita's Eight Characters of Comedy provides the actor and/or writer wonderful tools for making sit-com characters come alive! All artists interested in the world of sit-com will benefit from this book! And it's fun to read, too - Unique and incredibly insightful!
great!.......2006-12-04
just skimmed through the book and can see it is insightful, awesome, and will change your life/acting! even if you are a sitcom buff, not an actor, you should get this book. you will enjoy finding out about your fave characters. will write another review when i've read it. that Sedita is a genius!
Amazon.com
According to Billy Mernit, all the Hollywood studios--and most major actors--"are actively seeking romantic comedies." But the same studios and actors reject hundreds of romantic comedies a month. Mernit should know. As a story analyst who has read nearly 4,000 screenplays in the last 10 years, Mernit has seen the good, yes, but also too much of the bad and the ugly. With Writing the Romantic Comedy, Mernit presents his UCLA Extension rom-com writing workshop in book form. Believe it or not, it's not enough to have Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks play the leads. You actually have to create characters for them--characters that an audience will believe "absolutely must end up together." Mernit manages to lay down ground rules without seeming rigid: "he can't be in it only for the sex"; "she can't be in it only for the money"; "at least one scene or sequence [should be] laugh-out-loud funny." Mernit offers five ways to bring your characters to life and seven basic romantic comedy "beats." He has chapters on chemistry, humor, dialogue, and sex ("in romantic comedy, there's nothing sexier than sublimated sex"), and he draws generously upon the surprisingly small canon of great romantic comedies to demonstrate his points. Finally, given that the conflicts in romantic comedies are internal, you needn't look far for inspiration when you feel stuck. "Think of one of the most painful, humiliating, embarrassing things that ever happened to you with someone of the opposite sex," he says, and go from there. --Jane Steinberg
Book Description
From the slapstick shenanigans of Hepburn and Grant in Bringing Up Baby to the sexy repartee of Shakespeare in Love, romantic comedies have delighted filmgoers -- and challenged screenwriters -- since Hollywood's Golden Age.
Whether you're a first time screenwriter, or an intermediate marooned in the rewriting process, this thoroughly charming and insightful guide to the basics of crafting a winning script will take you step by step from "cute meet" all the way to "joyous defeat." You'll learn the screenwriting secrets behind some of the funniest scenes ever written; how to create characters and dialogue that set the sparks flying; why some bedroom scenes sizzle and others fall flat; and much more. Writing the Romantic Comedy features case studies drawn from beloved romantic comedies such as When Harry Met Sally, Annie Hall, Tootsie, and The Lady Eve, as well as field-tested writing exercises guaranteed to short-circuit potential mistakes and ensure inspiration.
Customer Reviews:
Great Book for All Writers .......2007-09-19
I recommend this book for all writers - not just screenwriters. He has a way of making it so clear all the clever ways not to fall into the usual traps of a typical scene.
Whether you are writing a book or a movie the information he presents how to establish relationships between characters is tremendous. It's also a fun read.
I refer to it often when building characters, relationships, and their world.
romcom how to.......2007-06-27
This IS the book for anyone interested in writing a romantic comedy. Simple and easy to follow with great examples from films we love. It's all about the chemistry. If you want to write an emotional picture...this is the book for you. Writing the Romantic Comedy is your ticket to writing a romcom that sells!
this book is what I needed.......2005-09-11
I've been working on my text for a while and struggling with
it. Once I start reading the book I knew I was in right hands because page after page I immediately start finding out answers for my questions. I gained time and saved much of my energy for writing the better. Definitely value of my money.
ILKSEN BAS f/36
top stuff.......2005-09-04
As a writer, this book woke up my muse and honed my funnybone. A completely easy-to-read how-to-write book ... what a bonus! The book is perfect for writers in other genres and anyone looking to write humour and comedy.
Not just for Romantics.......2005-06-26
Bill Mernit's book is a fantastic read not only for those who are trying to dig into the romantic comedy genre, but for anyone trying to expand their understanding of the tenants of any good dramatic story.
Mernit covers the elusive topic of theme in a thorough and clear fashion, which is either dodged or fumbled in other screenwriting books I've read. Specifically, he gives you ideas on how to literate thematic 'intents' so you can have a working answer to the deadly "what's your story about" question. He covers issues of credibility, and creating characters who we'll be willing to care about with equal precision.
But the book's about rom-coms, and it delivers on that front big time. He covers the qualities that make a story romantic in an entertaining, approachable manner. Hey, I hate romance (because it's a for wimps and cat owners), and this book has even made writing one a desirable challenge!
Other reviews have said it, and I will echo it. This book sits on the shelf with McKee's Story and Vogler's Writer's Journey as one of the best screenwriting books going.
Customer Reviews:
Develop Your Funny Bones.......2006-12-17
Watch Mama's Family? Like to learn from one of the masters of writing comedy? Gene Perret is one of the best and this book helps you learn what he knows: comedy writing takes practice.
Persevere and complete these exercises and pretty soon, what first seemed "impossible" becomes doable and then, fun.
This book gives a lot of writing exercises, tips and tricks of the trade that you can use to write funny. A very good buy!
Comedy changes but it's all the same........2005-07-22
I just finished Gene's book and I have to say I came back impressed. You certainly learn a lot about how comedy is truly thought out and there isn't as much 'ad-lib' as you think out there. The only thing I found wrong with this book was how dated it was. The book is abound with references to late 70 and early 80's comedians like Bob Hope and Phyllis Diller, and Gene writes the book from a joke writer's stand-point - somebody who writes jokes to sell to the big-time performers, a practice that is hardly utilized today; therefore, some of the advice on how to sell you jokes can be skipped over. However, as dated as the book is, the method of comedy writing really doesn't change, whether writing for someone else or writing for your own stand-up act (like me). Sure, styles may change - Bob Hope and Dane Cook are FAR from similar - but the method behind the madness really doesn't change that much. Gene very seriously goes into what makes a joke funny and gets you to actually THINK about a joke instead of waiting for it to come to you, which is impossible. Definitely a good read from a master.
Step by Step Writing Comedy.......2002-07-04
This book generates good ideas...but you have to do the exercise to be creative. Published in 1982 but it still provides basic principles of comedy writing in year 2002 and beyond.
Don't be fooled.......2001-09-10
Don't be fooled by the release date of December 1990. The actual date of the book is 1982. He talks about Happy Days and MASH and comedians we don't here of any more such as Phillis Diller. If you can handle comedic examples from past TV shows etc. then the book is good. The actual exercises are first class and he does have good advice for the beginner. May you be funny! (or June)
Don't be fooled.......2001-09-10
Don't be fooled by the release date of December 1990. The actual date of the book is 1982. He talks about Happy Days and MASH and comedians we don't here of any more such as Phillis Diller. If you can handle comedic examples from past TV shows etc. then the book is good. The actual exercises are first class and he does have good advice for the beginner. May you be funny! (or June)
Average customer rating:
- A gem of a book
- Get It!!!!
- Great Help to Aspiring Writer
- Best One on the Market
- One Of The Best "How To Write" Books -- Ever!
|
Writing Television Comedy
Jerry Rannow
Manufacturer: Allworth Press
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Similar Items:
-
Writing TV Sitcoms
-
The Eight Characters of Comedy: A Guide to Sitcom Acting And Writing
-
Successful Television Writing
-
The Seinfeld Scripts: The First and Second Seasons
-
The Comedy Bible: From Stand-up to Sitcom--The Comedy Writer's Ultimate "How To" Guide
ASIN: 1581150423 |
Book Description
How to "jump start your funny bone" is the theme of this humorous, eye-opening guide to conceiving, writing, and marketing a winning TV sitcom. The book tells how to construct a story outline, develop character and dialogue, format scripts, pitch producers, and work with studio executives, producers, directors, agents, and actors. Full of good laughs and tips for making a living in the business, this book is a boon to any writer wanting to break into TV comedy.
Jerry Rannow has written/produced for such popular television series as Happy Days, Welcome Back, Kotter, and Love Boat. He has taught humor and television writing at the University of Wisconsin, and now heads his own communications firm in Racine.
Customer Reviews:
A gem of a book.......2006-12-17
The author is right. This appears to be the only book about writing for comedy by someone who has actually written for comedy! Based on the reviews here at Amazon I decided to invest in the book and was glad I did. This man knows what he is talking about.
The author writes about his past 25 years experience writing and working in Hollywood, and advises on what pitfalls to avoid. He gives examples of what a TV comedy script should look like and in the back of the book he lists a list of agents as well as other helpful tips on how to get rolling.
I have other books on writing but this is by far the best one I have to purchase. You won't be disappointed. Add it to your shopping card and BUY.
Get It!!!!.......2003-09-05
I am going to keep it simple: THIS GUY KNOWS WHAT HE'S TALKING ABOUT!!! Whether you actually want to take the leap into the crazy, unpredictable world of Hollywood writing or just want a professional peek into how some of the classics were-- and still are-- put together, this is the book to buy. I loved it-- and I'm not even headed to Hollywood!
Great Help to Aspiring Writer.......2000-09-27
This book not only gives you great insight into the art of t.v. sitcom writing, but gives you the encouragement you need to try it. Jerry's experiences are related with humor and empathy, making the book a lot of fun to read. You'll learn important lessons about the craft of comedy writing, and about the perseverance you need to succeed. Jerry teaches by example, and you'll laugh out loud as you read about his years in Hollywood. By the end of the book, you'll feel like you've been part of a sitcom writing team and that you "know the ropes."
Best One on the Market.......2000-08-08
"Writing Television Comedy" is a well-written, articulate look at writing television comedy--AND it is downright hysterical! As a profressional critic and author, I find this to be one of the few "laugh out loud" books on the market--including those that are supposed to be comedy! Even if you 've no plans to write for television (and especially if you were a fan of the 1970's TV when comedy didn't rely on sex and vulgarity to get laughs), the book is a great read. It's filled with jokes, gags, anecdotes, excercises, examples and an insider's look at the industry. And, yes, there are even a couple of stories of some of the hottest stars of the 70's. If you are a writer, this is THE book to own. The information on its pages is invaluable whether you are a veteran or a novice writer. Rannow writes with depth, insight, authority and considerable wit. It is no wonder USC is recommending this book. I cannot help but add my voice to that recommendation--in the strongest terms possible. Buy this book. It will inspire, educate and entertain you!
One Of The Best "How To Write" Books -- Ever!.......2000-07-21
Having written professionally for thirty-plus years, I've read dozens of books on "how to write." They range from the sublime to the ridiculous, and only a relative few have been -- and continue to be -- helpful. Jerry Rannow's delightful Writing Television Comedy is a welcome addition to my bookshelf, not because I'm interested in writing TV comedy but because it helps me WRITE -- period! While the book does target the aspiring sitcom writer, it also offers valuable tips and inspiration for ALL writers.
I often struggle with so-called writer's block, and Rannow's book provides me with several different techniques for breaking through it. The chapter entitled Managing The Story Muscle is particularly helpful, but I can open the book almost at random and find a jump-start to get me going. Sometime's it's just a reminder, like: "So-called writer's block is simply FEAR, but when you sit down and concentrate and focus on the story at hand, you erase that fear." And sometimes I discover that the problem was in my plot, or a character wasn't ringing true.
The book also reminds me of ways to look for the humorous aspects of life, because I frequently use humor in my own writing: in radio and TV spots, print ads, newspaper articles, and the novel I'm currently completing. So if you're already a paid professional or still a wannabe writer, I highly recommend Jerry Rannow's book. It really IS well worth the price, and a whole lot more!
Book Description
Sitcoms have never been hotter in Hollywood, and the demand for writers has never been greater.With fees starting at $16,000 for a half-hour script, sitcoms can be a lucrative option for freelancers. The hundreds of shows produced every year, each of which needs a team of writers, provide a tremendous opportunity to break into the industry.But successful sitcom writing begins long before Act I, Scene I. Hollywood insider Jurgen Wolff will start you off right. He'll show you why some ideas are promising and some should be rejected immediately, even when they're funny. You'll learn how to analyze and develop characters. And you'll find out how the pros punch up their work with subplots, physical comedy, and timing.The technical ins and outs of the sitcom format are also explained, including act structure, subplots, sets, entrances, and exits. You'll learn the manuscript formats the networks use, so your work will look as professional as it reads. And you'll get solid advice on how to find an agent, take a pitch meeting, and land your script on a producer's desk-- even if you don't live in Los Angeles.Novice and veteran sitcom writers alike keep Jurgen Wolff's book handy. Read it, and you'll see why.
Customer Reviews:
Not a bad book, but . . ........2000-02-18
if you are serious about learning how to write sitcoms, the Evan Smith book "Writing Television Sitcoms" is much better. Smith's book gives better more detailed advice, plus it is more current.
If you're ready to write, this book will help you focus.......1999-11-11
Boy, did I love this book... Mr. Wolff engagingly shares his experience as a veteran of the sit-com world with his audience of hopefuls, and makes it not only understandable but enjoyable. I was especially motivated by his step-by-step exercises designed to free the muse. And even though he was very direct about the chances of an unknown actually selling a show, he made me feel I can -- and will-- succeed. If he's this good on paper, I can only imagine how inspiring he would be in a classroom!
Recommended. A focused and concise book on sitcom writing........1998-09-26
This book gathers the basic information on sitcom writing an a refreshingly straightforward manner. Because of the focus on successful network shows, the examples are necessarily lame. This book focuses on the structural requirements of teleplays as well as applicable business constraints.
This will not teach one how to be funny. No book can. But, as the book states: jokes are easy. Story is hard. This book will help you craft a better sitcom story in a professional manner.
TAKE MY WIFE, PLEASE.......1998-09-04
If you think that is funny.....then you'll love this book.
This tired and insipid book........................................1998-07-24
This book is sorporific. It's humour-free and is as dessicated as the gobi dessert. Wolff and Ferrante are to comedy writing what Ronald Reagan is to rememberance. This tired and insipid book is the broker of an unalloyed satanism. It purports to transform sketchy scrips into something monolithically funny. But their techniques are utterly without value and character. My mother, bless her, has more depth and writing ability than these two charlatans, and she has never picked up a pen or read a book.
Book Description
Whoever wrote "Make 'em laugh!" knew that it's easier said than done. But people love to laugh, and good comedy will always sell. With the help of this complete and entertaining guide, writers and would-be writers for film and television can look forward to writing comedy that goes far beyond stereotypic jokes and characters. In Laughing Out Loud, award-winning screenwriter and author Andrew Horton blends history, theory, and analysis of comedy with invaluable advice.
Using examples from Chaplin to Seinfeld, Aristophanes to Woody Allen, Horton describes comedy as a perspective rather than merely as a genre and then goes on to identify the essential elements of comedy. His lively overview of comedy's history traces its two main branches--anarchistic comedy and romantic comedy--from ancient Greece through contemporary Hollywood, by way of commedia dell'arte, vaudeville, and silent movies. Television and international cinema are included in Horton's analysis, which leads into an up-close review of the comedy chemistry in a number of specific films and television shows.
The rest of the book is a practical guide to writing feature comedy and episodic TV comedy, complete with schedules and exercises designed to unblock any writer's comic potential. The appendices offer tips on networking, marketing, and even producing comedies, and are followed by a list of recommended comedies and a bibliography.
Customer Reviews:
On the right track but too much compromise.......2001-01-14
This book provides some marvelous exercises for learning to think comically, which Horton claims is essential to writing good comedy. He also provides a rich history of comic traditions in many genres, which adds to the book's usefulness. He does, however, manage to skim both subjects too lightly in his attempt to put both in the same book. Thus, those who are looking for a how-to book will be dissatisfied, and those who are looking for an academic book will be dissatisfied. His treatment of comedy as a genre is too light to be considered anything other than watered down for screenwriters who are supposed to care. Did *I* enjoy the book? In most instances, yes. However, I found it too selective of what Horton considered good examples of comedy.
More about the history of comedy.......2000-10-18
The subtitle of this book is "Writing the Comedy-Centered Screenplay". It should be "A History of Comedy".
I found this book very dry and difficult to get through. Most of the useful information is found in the first chapter of two. What follows is a detailed history of comedy starting with Aristophanes and such hilarious examples of anarchistic comedy as:
"Come at once to supper And bring your pitcher, and your supper chest, The priest of Bacchus sends to fetch you thither. And do be quick: you keep the supper waiting."
Pretty funny stuff, huh? As an earlier reviewer commented, leave this one for the academics.
Writing comedy is hard work.......2000-03-29
Andrew Horton destroys the myths about sitcom and comedy writing with Laughing Out Loud. Those who believe that a writer doesn't need theory or a history of comedy lesson shouldn't write. Do us the favour and resist the temptation. Some sitcoms and comedies coming from the USA are witnesses to terrible writing. Laughing Out Load will help any comedy writer to at least get the comedy right. It helped me as a documentary filmmaker to look at serious subjects with a bit of humour. Even if you never write a comedy screenplay, Laughing Out Load will help you understand why you laugh at certain jokes and groan at others.
A Very Helpful Book.......2000-01-29
Laughing Out Loud was a wonderfull book that I found very helpfull. It is filled with great exersizes to get you in writting mood. This is a must have for all screenwriters.
Leave this one for the academics........2000-01-12
I had high hopes for this book but was regretably disappointed. This is not a good guideline for writing a screenplay. Instead I found an acadamic study of the history of comedy that had me skimming soon and often.
Average customer rating:
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Broadcast Writing: Dramas, Comedies, and Documentaries (Electronic Media Guides)
Ken Dancyger
Manufacturer: Focal Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0240800540 |
Book Description
Dealing both with radio and TV, the book considers concepts such as characterization and conflict, details practical methods of finding ideas, and tells how to structure these ideas into smooth plot lines.
Book Description
The first and only complete, fully authorized "biography" of one of TV's most beloved sitcoms, including the first complete viewer's guide to all 158 episodes, as well as special behind-the-scenes trivia and a full chapter concordance. 50 black and white photos.
Customer Reviews:
Groundbreaking Sitcom that Paved the Way for Others!.......2006-09-18
A great book about the genesis and history of what I believe is the funniest sitcom ever. When you love something as much as I do like the Dick Van Dyke Show, the little nuances and details are fascinating! Vince Waldron goes into great detail without boring the reader in the meantime. It is too bad that this early sitcom has not gotten it's due as a groundbreaking show-- showing where the male lead works and his co-wokers, the reality of married life, a married couple in bed (albeit twin beds) and, of course, Mary Tyler Moore in Capri pants (scandalous)! All kidding aside, if you are a fan of the background scenes of TV or movies, this book is fun to read and reveals how the cast came together, the family atmosphere that resulted, the awards won, the demise of the series and the eventual post-series cast successes. You will find this book refreshing and hard to put down and won't be disappointed in purchasing it. The only thing I was disappointed in was that some of the episode descriptions were sparse. Buy the book, read it, enjoy....then, go buy the DVD series sets or set of all five seasons!
Toe in the Faucet and other stories..........2004-03-21
The other reviewers have pretty well covered it. This show was as good as it gets, and it never seems to date with time.
This book is an invaluable guide to the greatest show/series of all time, and represents oustanding value. The pairing of Dick and Mary was a stroke of genius, and the chemistry between them lifted this brilliantly conceived and well-written series onto another level. Remember the 'Nuts' episode?
Even the cutesy touches, such as the way Dick randomly tripped over or side-stepped the ottoman just added to the seemingly endless magic that was the Dick Van Dyke Show.
I had been itching to get my paws on this guide ever since I read Mary's autobiography After All, in which she rightly sings the show's praises - they both won Emmys of course - and this Definitive History illustrates just why it was out there on its own.
A wonderful book, and absolutely essential for the serious fan of this unique and unforgettable series.
"DEFINITIVE" Is Right! A Fascinatingly-Detailed Volume!.......2003-07-21
This book features an amazing amount of insight into one of the very best television programs to ever grace the airwaves, "The Dick Van Dyke Show".
If you're an avid fan of this 1961-1966 CBS-TV program, trust me, you will NOT be able to stop turning pages until you've read the whole thing!
In each chapter, we learn new tidbits of behind-the-scenes information. There's info (including some brief biographical data) about every single member of the show's stellar cast.
For example: Did You Know .... that the audience laughter went on so long when Greg Morris & his on-screen spouse entered the Petrie home at the end of the episode "That's My Boy??" that the editor actually had to cut out some of the audience hysterics in order to fit the episode into the allowable timeframe? (Too bad, too. I'd love to have heard the WHOLE thing. A great episode indeed.)
The book also reveals the fact that Mary Tyler Moore stormed off the set in a huff one time, while doing the ultimately-classic episode, "Never Bathe On Saturday". She was upset because she was off-camera and talking through a door for most of the show. But, after seeing how funny the show worked as written, MTM felt bad about her tirade.
"Never Bathe On Saturday" features Dick's great line, after finding that the hotel bathroom door is locked: "Don't toy with me, you saucy wench." :) LOL!!!!
Plus there's a complete episode guide, with still more tidbits written within most of the episode descriptions.
I cannot imagine a more thorough and detailed Dick Van Dyke Show volume than this one. This book is a MUST for any fan of this highly-intelligent and magnificently-written TV program.
Awesome Book about An Awesome Classic TV Show!.......2001-12-18
This book is super awesome, it's just the best episode guide book ever written and I'm kind of partial since The Dick Van Dyke Show is my favorite classic TV show, I especially like the episode guide part which explained in a wonderful well written detail about each different episode, when they were made when they were originally shown on TV what they were about, who the guest actors were etc. I very strongly recommend this amazing book to any major Dick Van Dyke Show fan!
A very good and well written book on the classic series!.......2001-10-11
I really enjoyed this book, and would highly recommend it to any fan of "The Dick Van Dyke Show." It was very entertaining to read and informative as well. It was also very well written. I would give it more stars if I could.
Book Description
Groucho Marx may be the funniest man who ever lived. Here in one volume are the classics of Marxian mayhem: excerpts from the scripts of the immortal movies, passages from his books, his articles for magazines ranging from The New Yorker to the Saturday Evening Post, the choicest ad-libs and quips from his long-running game show, You Bet Your Life, and selected letters, including his classic correspondence with T. S. Eliot. It's all here-the finest and funniest work by this century's most influential comedian, that man of whom Woody Allen said, "He is simply unique in the same way Picasso and Stravinsky are, and I believe his outrageous, unsentimental disregard for order will be equally funny a thousand years from now. In addition to all this, he makes me laugh."
In the words of Groucho Marx:
One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas.
How he go in my pajamas I don't know.
Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read.
Customer Reviews:
An Outstanding Overview.......2005-02-07
Stefan Kanfer has done an excellent job of putting together a very entertaining collection. Script snippets, magazine articles, and correspondence -- this is an excellent overview of Groucho's genius. Yes, there are more exhaustive compilations of his scripts and letters available, but this book is intentionally a shorter "best of" collection; the subtitle -- "Writings by, for, and about Groucho Marx" -- tells you what to expect.
I also heartily recommend this book to anyone learning the craft of comedy writing, as there are a lot of script excerpts included. I studied Groucho's works years ago when I was first starting out as a writer, and his economy of writing is revelatory.
Hardly Essential.......2001-02-19
This collection of movie dialogue (Only up to A Day at The Races) A few letters (Get The Groucho Letters, instead) and a few of Groucho's essays is haphazardly organized and only good for the new fan who might want to see what all the Groucho fanfare is about. This gets two stars from me only because I think it might get someone to check out the Marx brothers films. If you are familiar with their work this will add nothing new to your Marx collection.
Pretty darn good.......2000-07-12
I bought this book because I didn't know anything about the Marx Brothers, and I wanted to get a feel for who they were offstage. (I just saw "Duck Soup" for the first time, and now I just HAVE to get all of their movies! Absolute Genius!)
I read the other review, and wondered, but this book did just fine in giving me a look at who these wonderful entertainers when they weren't performing (well, mainly Groucho). Plus it has some transcripts form the movies and his show "You bet your life" ! All in all, a really easy and fun read. Enjoy!
Save your money, buy Robert Bader's book instead.......2000-06-14
This book is like Richard Anobile's books but without the pictures. Not much effort/research went into the compilation of Groucho's writing and excerpts from films. Little, if anything, is new or hasn't been republished in the last 25 years. Much better is Robert Bader's compilation of Groucho's writing: Groucho Marx and Other Short Stories and Tall Tales
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