Now That's Funny! : The Art and Craft of Writing Comedy

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:

Saturday Night Live

Monk

Everybody Loves Raymond

The Simpsons

Frasier

Maude

Home Improvement

Valerie

Modern Family

Cheers

There’s Something about Mary

The Honeymooners

Suddenly Susan

Newhart

Sabrina the Teenage Witch

Archie Bunker’s Place

The Tracey Ullman Show

Wings

Who’s The Boss?

and more

How 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.

If 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!

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.