The Craft of Comedy Writing

by Sol Saks

Very useful book from someone who really knows about writing and the comedy business (albeit the industry has changed since his writing this book - but so much is still relevant). Sol really gives such good advice, instruction and insight - as well as encouragement and some words of wisdom along the way. Although the book is intended to focus on comedy writing specifically, you can take away so much for writing of any genre. Interestingly, included in the book is the original script for the Bewitched pilot TV episode, with some explanatory notes. And you will read some facts about the show you probably were likely aware of.

231 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1985

Reviews

[ALLEN · Rating 4 out of 5]

This 1985 book from the Writer's Digest publishers is helpful, but could have used more specificity. Author Sol Saks has a comedy-writer's pedigree that goes back to network radio and on into modern sit-com television. He is careful to distinguish comedy from drama (which isn't supposed to be funny) and comedy's opposite, tragedy. I stress that this is not a joke book and, in fact, is not an exhaustive overview of technique (but then, how can anyone teach comedy?). The last chapter of the book is his pilot for the sit-com Bewitched, Saks' creation that, ironically, freed him from the drudgery of weekly script-writing. The show ran for nine years on ABC and kept Saks in style the latter part of his life. There are not a lot of books on comedy-writing; I wish this one had been longer.

[Jeroen · Rating 4 out of 5]

1 van de weinige boeken waarbij je echt handige tips krijgt omtret comedy schrijven

[Epicarmo Papoula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Como estou interessado na escrita dramaturgica, este livrinho de sol Saks caiu como uma verdadeira benção. Breve, simples e acurado, altamente indicado para qualquer um que queira se atrever no tenebroso reino do Humor...