How to Be Funny
Sign in to keep track of books you’ve read and want to read.
No one knows more about comedy than Steve Allen. For more than five decades as a writer, performer, and keen observer of the social scene, he has looked into every aspect of who's funny, what's funny, and why. Allen shares his discoveries in How to Be Funny, the book designed to help everyone develop their special talent for funniness.
Read more
Now reissued in paperback, How to Be Funny covers all the basics, including joke telling, ad-libbing, writing humorously, performing comedy, emceeing, and much more. Allen takes you inside the world of comedy, from the early writings of Mark Twain, to the more contemporary work of Rodney Dangerfield and Bill Maher. Allen even provides homework assignments for the budding comic!
Yet How to Be Funny is far more than just a book for aspiring comedians it will help anyone who wants to be a more amusing conversationalist, a more effective public speaker, and everyone who just wants to be the life of the party.
Liked How to Be Funny? Here’s where I’d start.
These suit anyone who liked How to Be Funny. Sign in and mark a few books for picks shaped around your own taste.
-
Poking a Dead Frog: Conversations with Today's Top Comedy Writers Shares comedy, nonfiction, humor -
And Here's the Kicker: Conversations with 21 Top Humor Writers on their Craft and the Industry Shares humor, comedy, nonfiction -
The Comedy Bible: From Stand-up to Sitcom--The Comedy Writer's Ultimate "How To" Guide Shares comedy, writing, humor -
The Serious Guide to Joke Writing: How to Say Something Funny about Anything Shares comedy, writing, nonfiction
“If you want more of the same (humor about writers), start with these.”
“If it was the comedy that hooked you, try one of these.”
-
Funny on Purpose: The Definitive Guide to an Unpredictable Career in Comedy: Standup + Improv + Sketch + TV + Writing + Directing + YouTube
-
Stand-Up Comedy: The Book
-
Comedy Writing for Late-Night TV: How to Write Monologue Jokes, Desk Pieces, Sketches, Parodies, Audience Pieces, Remotes, and Other Short-Form Comedy
-
Comedy Writing Secrets: The Best-Selling Book on How to Think Funny, Write Funny, Act Funny, And Get Paid For It
