{"product_id":"now-thats-funny-the-art-and-craft-of-writing-comedy-9780757004452","title":"Now That's Funny!: The Art and Craft of Writing Comedy","description":"\u003cp\u003eThere 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, \u003ci\u003eNow That's Funny  \u003c\/i\u003eDesberg 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: \u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eSaturday Night Live\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eMonk\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eEverybody Loves Raymond\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Simpsons\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eFrasier\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eMaude\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eHome Improvement\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eValerie\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eModern Family\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eCheers\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThere's Something about Mary\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Honeymooners\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eSuddenly Susan\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eNewhart\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eSabrina the Teenage Witch\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eArchie Bunker's Place\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Tracey Ullman Show\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eWings\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eWho's The Boss?\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eand more\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHow do you get to see the creative wheels turn? The authors' premise was simple: Using a Q and A format, they provided each writer with a story idea and let them run with it. Each of the writers was told there were no rules, no boundaries, and no limits  Because everyone started with the same concept, the authors could see how some writers jumped in and began creating, while others asked lots of questions; how some writers stuck closely to the premise, while others turned it on its head. What emerges is an entertaining look--illuminating and hilarious in turn--at the creative process behind hit TV shows and movies.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIf you're one of the millions who have enjoyed watching the work of comedy writers, here is an opportunity to go behind the scenes and see the madness unfold. Now that's funny \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eDesberg, Peter:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003ePeter Desberg, PhD\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eDavis, Jeffrey:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ci\u003eJeffrey Davis\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e 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 \u003ci\u003eThicke of the Night.\u003c\/i\u003e Among his situation comedy credits are \u003ci\u003eLove Boat, \u003c\/i\u003e \u003ci\u003eHouse Calls \u003c\/i\u003ewith\u003ci\u003e \u003c\/i\u003eLynn Redgrave\u003ci\u003e, Gimme a Break!\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eDiff'rent Strokes, \u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eNight Court\u003c\/i\u003e. He has also written for such shows as \u003ci\u003eAmerica's Funniest People, America's Funniest Home Videos, \u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eBugs Bunny's 50th Birthday, \u003c\/i\u003eand has had film projects developed by Bette Midler's All Girl Productions, among others. Mr. Davis has written documentaries for A\u0026amp;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 \u003ci\u003eSpeed Dating. \u003c\/i\u003eHis one night of standup at the Comedy Store convinced him that he should stay permanently seated at his desk.\u003ci\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Square One Publishers","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50460962226450,"sku":"9780757004452","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_bc50cf5b-df75-4b36-ba95-b199aff59e84.jpg?v=1730051004","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/now-thats-funny-the-art-and-craft-of-writing-comedy-9780757004452","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}