The Hidden Tools of Comedy the Serious Business of Being Funny by Steven Kaplan

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 · 660 ratings  · 76 reviews

Start your review of The Hidden Tools of Comedy: The Serious Business of Being Funny

I love funny. I picked up this book because I can tell jokes & I wanted to avoid what else I'm currently reading.

Honestly, for some reason, part of me has always kind of thought of comedy as a sort of second class thing to do. I'd tell a joke because I couldn't do anything better.

This book makes comedy first class for me. The way that Kaplan explains comedy, it's a deeply human & humanizing thing to do. Comedy is different than drama, but it's no less important or artful. In fact to learn some o

I love funny. I picked up this book because I can tell jokes & I wanted to avoid what else I'm currently reading.

Honestly, for some reason, part of me has always kind of thought of comedy as a sort of second class thing to do. I'd tell a joke because I couldn't do anything better.

This book makes comedy first class for me. The way that Kaplan explains comedy, it's a deeply human & humanizing thing to do. Comedy is different than drama, but it's no less important or artful. In fact to learn some of the tools that Kaplan teaches here is just to learn how to understand life better and live it.

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Comedy has always seemed like a mystery to me. Sure, people laugh at my jokes, but why? Is there a rhyme or reason for it? Most importantly: is there any way to make my jokes funnier when I'm writing a new piece?

Kaplan is a smart guy. He's thought about the mystery of comedy for a long time, and he's come up with some real gems that have helped me push my writing to the next level. By breaking down the elements of comedy into easily understandable parts, I've been able to see exactly what it is

Comedy has always seemed like a mystery to me. Sure, people laugh at my jokes, but why? Is there a rhyme or reason for it? Most importantly: is there any way to make my jokes funnier when I'm writing a new piece?

Kaplan is a smart guy. He's thought about the mystery of comedy for a long time, and he's come up with some real gems that have helped me push my writing to the next level. By breaking down the elements of comedy into easily understandable parts, I've been able to see exactly what it is about my jokes that makes people laugh -- and I've figured out how to avoid more of what doesn't.

Also, the book isn't boring to read. Not kidding.

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Dec 29, 2018 Joseph Hirsch rated it it was amazing

A comedian I like once said words to the effect that laughter is an involuntary reaction, by which meant that when you tried to make an audience laugh, you were sort of forcing them to laugh against their will. And yet, most people want to laugh and they enjoy laughing, which makes the task of comedy a rather complex dance. Regardless, good comedy is hard to do. Even people who are funny at one point tend not to be consistently funny (think of how many directors, actors, or comedians were on fir A comedian I like once said words to the effect that laughter is an involuntary reaction, by which meant that when you tried to make an audience laugh, you were sort of forcing them to laugh against their will. And yet, most people want to laugh and they enjoy laughing, which makes the task of comedy a rather complex dance. Regardless, good comedy is hard to do. Even people who are funny at one point tend not to be consistently funny (think of how many directors, actors, or comedians were on fire in the 80s, for instance, yet dulled out or disappeared entirely a decade later).

Steve Kaplan's book is not the Rosetta Stone of comedy, unlocking some secret method to being funny, and nor does the book or its author make any such claims. What the book does is, first, show Kaplan's infectious love of comedy and spread the virus to the reader, as he shares the insights he's gleaned over the decades asking himself questions about what makes comedy work and sing, and what makes it fail. He makes a distinction between funny (subjective, since it's anything that makes someone laugh) versus comedy, the art form which goes back to the Attic tradition some several thousand years ago. In making this distinction Kaplan manages to give the reader a history lesson (or a refresher, if you already know this stuff) in addition to giving the reader/performer a set of tools to use and fundamental guidelines to abide by (or transgress) when making comedy.

My tastes don't align totally with the author's (I find Woody Allen insufferable, for instance) but his voice, wise but not pretentious, practical but funny, was a delight and it made the book an informative breeze, which is kind of hard to do, if you think about it.

Highest recommendation, both for those looking to break into show business as well as for just general fans of comedy, from its crassest to most sophisticated forms. Now back to taking bong-hits and watching clips of Chris Farley hurting himself on YouTube.

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Jun 15, 2018 Lauren rated it it was ok

This book's title should be "The Hidden Tools of Comedy in Screenplays." It's not about comedy in general; it's about sitcom/movie comedies, but it never directly admits that. I wanted to learn about joke structure, but I guess I'll try a stand-up comedy book for that next. I did learn a few valuable things, like the idea that a comedic moment between characters relies on one person knowing and the other not knowing, which makes sense. The book isn't funny either, which is fine, except that Kapl This book's title should be "The Hidden Tools of Comedy in Screenplays." It's not about comedy in general; it's about sitcom/movie comedies, but it never directly admits that. I wanted to learn about joke structure, but I guess I'll try a stand-up comedy book for that next. I did learn a few valuable things, like the idea that a comedic moment between characters relies on one person knowing and the other not knowing, which makes sense. The book isn't funny either, which is fine, except that Kaplan over-sexualized it anyway—and one of his favorite comedies is "There's Something About Mary," which isn't funny, just raunchy. Made me think he's a creep. ...more

Nov 15, 2020 Summer rated it really liked it

The world is a comedy to those that think; a tragedy to those that feel. — Horace Walpole

I have always been fascinated by people who can make people laugh around him. For me, only the wisdom and chill people can make jokes without offending. Humorous people, such as Woody Allen, Oscar Wilde, always manifest enormous charming light.

I, on the other hand, have always been too serious about everything, which is something I don't appreciate much. That's why I'm curious about this book and hope that

The world is a comedy to those that think; a tragedy to those that feel. — Horace Walpole

I have always been fascinated by people who can make people laugh around him. For me, only the wisdom and chill people can make jokes without offending. Humorous people, such as Woody Allen, Oscar Wilde, always manifest enormous charming light.

I, on the other hand, have always been too serious about everything, which is something I don't appreciate much. That's why I'm curious about this book and hope that it would teach me how to be more chill and humorous. After reading the book, I've learned that there's one thing I was right about — that humor is a symbol of being wisdom.

There are three parts in this book, for those who just want to know about comics instead of actually writing it for profession, I recommend to read the first two part and skip the third part to save your time:

Part I. The Philosophy of Comedy (theoretical basics)

■ What is comedy exactly?

The writer gave the definition as "Comedy is the art of telling the truth about what it's like to be human." (Yep, the ultimate symbol of being wisdom).

■ The difference between Drama and Comedy.

Drama helps us dream about what we could be, but comedy helps us live with who we are. While drama believes in man's perfection, comedy operates secure in the knowledge of man's imperfection. (That's why we love Grey's Anatomy so much that not only protagonists are righteous, gorgeous, witty and ambitious, but they're constantly in love.)

■ The Comic Equation

Comedy is about an ordinary guy or gal struggling against insurmountable odds without many of the required skills and tools with which to win yet never giving up hope. (Obviously, if it gives up hope, it will be a tragedy instead of comedy…and also that's why all the protagonists in comedy are not perfect, even super smart Sheldon in the Big Bang has his limits.)

Part II. Tools and principles to understand, write, direct, or perform comedy

The author introduced eight tools to adjust the comic elements in a scene, play, or film, but it's just tools, not rules as he emphasized. For readers such as me who don't write comedy, it provides certain knowledge to analyze the scenes next time when we watch a comedy:

1.Winning
2.Non-Hero
3.Metaphorical Relationship: How characters perceive each other and the world they live in is at the heart of Metaphorical Relationships.
4.Positive (or Selfish) Action
5.Active Emotion (more of a directing and performing tool): The emotion that naturally occurs to the performer in the course of trying to win.The emotion that is created by simply being in the situation is the exact right emotion to be having.
6.Straight Line/Wavy Line
The dynamic of Straight Line/Wavy Line is the idea that comedy isn't us watching somebody do something funny, but rather us watching someone watch someone do something funny. Straight Line/Wavy Line is:
• The one who does not see and the one who does.
• The one blind to, or creating, the problem(Straight Line), and the one struggling with the problem(Wavy Line).
• The essential dynamic of comic focus, not character.

The script development tools:
7.Archetype
• Character creates plot.
• Character creates action.
• Character creates movement.
8.Comic Precise:
• A lie that imagines an impossible or improbable world that could never happen, but what would happen next? (The better the premie, the more the story starts writing itself in your imagination — all the best-selling stories have the greatest precise, such as Harry Potter, Spider-man)
• Only ONE-LIE Rule: Once the premise is established, YOU CAN NOT TELL ANOTHER LIE.
•To create a fantastic lie in order to tell a deeper truth.

Conclusion: So what have we learned?

We've learned that comedy tells the truth about people — that character is everything. Winning and Non-Hero: comedy gives characters the permission to win, and characters, like we humans, are flawed, fumbling, and flummoxed, yet continually live in hope. Metaphorical Relationship: each character sees the world in his or her own unique way. Positive Action: every action a character takes is taken in the selfish, hopeful belief that it will get him or her closer to what they want. Straight Line/Wavy Line: being silly is not as funny as watching someone else being silly.

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I have attempted to write three different novels that are humorous. Each time, I've killed whatever was funny about the idea in the first 50 pages.

Recently. my spouse found me moping about a current book I have making the rounds. "You should write something funny. Really, you are one of the funniest people I know, and you tell funny stories. How hard can it be." ARG, It's HARD!

But this time I decided to find out what I'm doing wrong. After a search, I came upon Steve Kaplan's book. I discovered

I have attempted to write three different novels that are humorous. Each time, I've killed whatever was funny about the idea in the first 50 pages.

Recently. my spouse found me moping about a current book I have making the rounds. "You should write something funny. Really, you are one of the funniest people I know, and you tell funny stories. How hard can it be." ARG, It's HARD!

But this time I decided to find out what I'm doing wrong. After a search, I came upon Steve Kaplan's book. I discovered what I was doing wrong, why comedy works the way it does, and a whole new way to think about writing.

In the first 50 pages.

It will take me a longer time to re-read and understand the "Straight Line/Wavy Line" and some of the more esoteric ideas he presents.

But at least I have some new tools to use on a new idea.

Thinking about writing comedy? GET. THIS. BOOK.

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May 21, 2016 Jun-E rated it really liked it

I enjoyed this book and it was interesting to see scenes from movies and sitcoms deconstructed into the comedy formula: an ordinary guy/gal faces insurmountable odds to what he/she wants to achieve, without adequate skills to achieve it, yet never losing hope. All the derivations from this equation Kaplan argues convincingly.

While the book itself wasn't spectacular, I'm giving it four stars because it added an important perspective that I never had before. This will definitely enrich my writing

I enjoyed this book and it was interesting to see scenes from movies and sitcoms deconstructed into the comedy formula: an ordinary guy/gal faces insurmountable odds to what he/she wants to achieve, without adequate skills to achieve it, yet never losing hope. All the derivations from this equation Kaplan argues convincingly.

While the book itself wasn't spectacular, I'm giving it four stars because it added an important perspective that I never had before. This will definitely enrich my writing and media consumption.

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This book looks at comedy from a completely different point of view than most comedy books I've read, so it was nice to get some new ideas that seem to make a lot of sense. I feel like the things I learned from this book are going to drastically improve the quality of my humorous projects. The book also contains tons of hilarious examples, which made it a lot of fun to read. I was almost laughing out loud at some of the examples that I had never come across before. This book looks at comedy from a completely different point of view than most comedy books I've read, so it was nice to get some new ideas that seem to make a lot of sense. I feel like the things I learned from this book are going to drastically improve the quality of my humorous projects. The book also contains tons of hilarious examples, which made it a lot of fun to read. I was almost laughing out loud at some of the examples that I had never come across before. ...more

Mar 17, 2018 Jasky Singh rated it it was amazing

The only book on comedy that I've read that I've walked away with useful practical tools I can apply. And ones that weren't dead obvious.

Although it's a book about comedy, it taught me a lot about storytelling as a whole, and it gave me some really useful keys to plot out good stories. Although it's a book about comedy, it taught me a lot about storytelling as a whole, and it gave me some really useful keys to plot out good stories. ...more

Apr 25, 2019 John rated it liked it

A worthy read for insight into just how and why the art of comedy works and doesn't work. A worthy read for insight into just how and why the art of comedy works and doesn't work. ...more

Aug 13, 2013 Chris rated it really liked it

Recommends it for: Comedy Writers, Writers, Screenwriters

Writing, in and of itself, can be a difficult thing, but comedy writing is even harder because you have to set up everything just right if you want people to laugh. The Hidden Tools of Comedy shows you just what you need to know in order to punch-up your writing so that people understand and get your jokes.

Kaplan's concept of comedy writing stems from the idea that a non-hero represents the true beginning of comedy. You need a character that isn't expected to catch the bad guys or get the girl a

Writing, in and of itself, can be a difficult thing, but comedy writing is even harder because you have to set up everything just right if you want people to laugh. The Hidden Tools of Comedy shows you just what you need to know in order to punch-up your writing so that people understand and get your jokes.

Kaplan's concept of comedy writing stems from the idea that a non-hero represents the true beginning of comedy. You need a character that isn't expected to catch the bad guys or get the girl at first try or even make anything of himself. You need an everyday character to begin with. Then once you know this character isn't anything special you put him through various situations to understand just what he needs to do in order to get what he wants. The idea of comedy writing is that this character doesn't have any special skills or talents and so what makes him funny is watching him fail in order to get what he wants.

Comedy comes in all different forms, from slap-stick to sophisticated and subtle. The nice thing about this book is that the author pulls from real examples of true comedy, he relies heavily on content from Seinfeld and There's something about Mary. He does pull from other funny movies but if the true genius of comedy lies in a non-hero getting what they want. Seinfeld was full of that, especially the character of George.

Whether or not you already write comedy or just starting, it's always important to keep improving on your craft. This is one of those books that provides plenty of examples of where your writing should go and why. Sometimes writers get into the flow of writing when all of a sudden they stop short and left with nothing to keep them going. This books gives some ides of what famous writers' have done to get out of that situation. Above all else, stick to what the character is knows and is capable of doing. When you understand that then you will begin to see that not all comedy has to be physical.

The last part I will add is that the author does a great job of providing a FAQ at the end. Most people who write want to eventually have it turn into something. He answers questions on how to get scripts to agents, movie studios and TV shows. A lot of time people write great stories but have no idea the next step after that. So pick up this book and give it a nice run through so that you can get what you need and come back and work on that great comedy you've had sitting in your head this whole time.

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Aug 17, 2013 John G. rated it it was amazing

Let's tack another five star review up here. This is one of the very best books I've read about comedy, about what it is, about it's value, about how to produce it intentionally. This book is bigger than just comedy, it's also a philosophy or orientation towards life itself. In a world of spin, of propaganda, of pundits and experts endlessly pontificating and selling us a hollow vision of polly purebreed tripe, so nice to see this author speak the truth. Life is messy, it's messed up, it ain't p Let's tack another five star review up here. This is one of the very best books I've read about comedy, about what it is, about it's value, about how to produce it intentionally. This book is bigger than just comedy, it's also a philosophy or orientation towards life itself. In a world of spin, of propaganda, of pundits and experts endlessly pontificating and selling us a hollow vision of polly purebreed tripe, so nice to see this author speak the truth. Life is messy, it's messed up, it ain't pretty, often, we don't have a clue what to do or how to act and this folks is the truth of the human condition. But this is a hopeful book, given those existential truths, we strive to make our lives better against all odds. Comedy is about telling the truth about life and our response to it, our as Steve writes is his definition of comedy - Comedy is the art of telling the truth about what it's like to be human. Take it a step further with his comic equation - Comedy is about an ordinary guy or gal struggling against insurmountable odds without many of the required skills and tools with which to win yet never giving up hope. It's so very rare to hear this truth expresses in so clear a manner, this comes from love and care of comedy and of humanity itself. No phoney optimism or cheer needed, the author demonstrates a deep respect for comedy and real people and real life. His writing is filled with a humane quality, a knowing and understanding, and perhaps I detect a bit of disdain of those preachers of false cheerfulness, those salesmen that everything is just perfect. His words have a bit of a bite and edge to them, which is what I like because comedy is the language, the poetry perhaps of the common and ordinary person. There is no defense against comedy and it holds great power. I'm hoping to become a stand-up comic and this book isn't really a how-to book for comics, but it helps me understand humor and comedy better than I ever have, especially about telling the truth and maintaining that element of hope. I come from a counseling background and see strong parallels between comedy and counseling, maybe the only two places where we can speak the truth. This is a great, great life-affirming book! I like to say: Misery is the river of life and comedy is a canoe. Comedy gets us through it folks! ...more

Dec 03, 2015 Michael Emond rated it it was amazing

I ordered this book even though I had read the first few pages on-line and I was skeptical about it because I feel it is hard to teach comedy. Although I am open minded enough to think it can be taught. It is just hard. And I am glad I ordered it because the first few pages did NOT do it justice. This was an amazing book. I think my original problem with the book was the main premise that said comedy is about real life. I felt "no, it doesn't have to be" but he was talking about screen plays and I ordered this book even though I had read the first few pages on-line and I was skeptical about it because I feel it is hard to teach comedy. Although I am open minded enough to think it can be taught. It is just hard. And I am glad I ordered it because the first few pages did NOT do it justice. This was an amazing book. I think my original problem with the book was the main premise that said comedy is about real life. I felt "no, it doesn't have to be" but he was talking about screen plays and sitcoms and I was thinking of sketches and stand up. In terms of movies his advice is brilliant. Some of the main things that stuck with me was the idea of funny versus comedy. Don't go for the laugh at the expense of the realism of your story. Yes, you can set up a magical and wacky premise (Groundhog Day is his favourite) but once the premise and characters are established you must remain true to them. The idea of the metaphoric relationships and your characters might have a surface relationship (best friends) but the comedy might come from the metaphoric relationship (husband and wife; two little kids). The Wavy-line, straight line was a bit more complicated but informative – the idea what one character is creating a problem because they are blind to it (straight line) and one is trying to solve it because they can see the problem (wavy line). I thought all his tools were brilliant and BEST of all explained clearly with clear examples. He is a wonderful teacher. He also explains these are TOOLS of comedy to help with your writing he isn't trying to tell you how to come up with ideas. He also admits they aren't rules so you don't have to use his tools and scenes can work that don't fit his tools. He just proposes them to help fix things when they aren't working.
One of the best books on writing comedy that I have encountered.
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Jan 29, 2019 Sarah Schulz rated it it was amazing

This book is amazing. I picked it up at a networking event about 2 years ago, just because I'd heard of the author and as a writer of dramatic fiction, I figured I could stand to learn something about comedy.

I learned a ton. I feel, now, as if I understand much better why the comedy in my favorite funny movies and TV shows (from the sitcoms I caption at work to the dramedys I adore) actually works. I even understand why a show like The Orville works, with it's weird cross between sitcom and high

This book is amazing. I picked it up at a networking event about 2 years ago, just because I'd heard of the author and as a writer of dramatic fiction, I figured I could stand to learn something about comedy.

I learned a ton. I feel, now, as if I understand much better why the comedy in my favorite funny movies and TV shows (from the sitcoms I caption at work to the dramedys I adore) actually works. I even understand why a show like The Orville works, with it's weird cross between sitcom and high-ideas scifi. Comedy is about character, just like all other storytelling--but comedy is about characters who aren't afraid to try to win, who don't have the skills to do so, but who never give up.

I'm going to read this book multiple times, I think; it's a fast, entertaining read, and one of the most useful books on writing I've opened in the last 15 years.

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Nov 04, 2018 Bethany rated it it was amazing

I really appreciated Kaplan's advice and insights into writing humor. He mostly focused on writing for screenplays and sitcoms, but much of what he said carries over to any type of writing, though I wouldn't have minded his thoughts on writing for books vs. the screen. Note: this isn't a book to teach you how to tell jokes or anything, but it will really help for something you already have written that you feel isn't working. His tips are practical and balanced. I don't often read "text" books, I really appreciated Kaplan's advice and insights into writing humor. He mostly focused on writing for screenplays and sitcoms, but much of what he said carries over to any type of writing, though I wouldn't have minded his thoughts on writing for books vs. the screen. Note: this isn't a book to teach you how to tell jokes or anything, but it will really help for something you already have written that you feel isn't working. His tips are practical and balanced. I don't often read "text" books, or books just for their information, but this was a fairly easy read and it was fun to read about passages from other movies that did or didn't work and apply them to some of my favorites. Nice read for anybody looking to study the art of writing comedy some more! ...more

Mar 16, 2019 Anatole Wilson rated it really liked it

This book has a lot of good ideas, and perhaps its best idea is it's premise: comedy is the art of telling the truth about what it's like to be human.

There are many other books about writing jokes and writing comedy, and perhaps they'll tell very different stories than this one. But this book is, at least, a very good place to start.

A few more tools for the toolbox

This was definitely worth the read! Chock full of great information and techniques about comedy writing for TV, film and web series. Comedy writing for TV and film is different from stand-up. It's not setup joke, setup joke. It's a more organic, character driven process. When you start writing anything, you'll get stuck eventually. Steve introduces you to some very helpful tools that you can whip out when you're stuck that will help get you unstuck and on your way

A few more tools for the toolbox

This was definitely worth the read! Chock full of great information and techniques about comedy writing for TV, film and web series. Comedy writing for TV and film is different from stand-up. It's not setup joke, setup joke. It's a more organic, character driven process. When you start writing anything, you'll get stuck eventually. Steve introduces you to some very helpful tools that you can whip out when you're stuck that will help get you unstuck and on your way. The only con to it is there aren't any exercises to help reinforce the material. Other than that,an amazing book.

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Jun 18, 2016 Eric rated it it was amazing

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I have recently been in a kick flipping between reading about writing horror and comedy. When the time came to pick my next comedy book this one was shown to me. In all honesty I wasn't sure what I could get from the book as I have been focusing my comedic writing on stand-up material. What I was able to pull from this book was the important concept of the Non-Hero, a character that is lacking the abilities and skills of what it takes, but is abundant in their hope that what they are working tow I have recently been in a kick flipping between reading about writing horror and comedy. When the time came to pick my next comedy book this one was shown to me. In all honesty I wasn't sure what I could get from the book as I have been focusing my comedic writing on stand-up material. What I was able to pull from this book was the important concept of the Non-Hero, a character that is lacking the abilities and skills of what it takes, but is abundant in their hope that what they are working towards is the eventual accomplishment of their goals. I think if there was only one thing worth taking it's concept. ...more

This book is no joke!

This book dispels the myths of comedy. Comedy was always the most intimidating genre for me to grasp because why do people laugh? Anybody can make people cry. Have a family pet die or separate two people deeply in love. Simple. What I didn't know was there were real tools and a real structure to how comedy functions. Who knew? I do now, and while it doesn't mean I am an instant "funny man" it does mean I am not stumbling around in the dark like I was before.

This book is no joke!

This book dispels the myths of comedy. Comedy was always the most intimidating genre for me to grasp because why do people laugh? Anybody can make people cry. Have a family pet die or separate two people deeply in love. Simple. What I didn't know was there were real tools and a real structure to how comedy functions. Who knew? I do now, and while it doesn't mean I am an instant "funny man" it does mean I am not stumbling around in the dark like I was before.

...more

Mar 29, 2018 Savvy rated it it was amazing

This book deconstructs comedy and presents it in such understandable terms that they seems almost obvious in retrospect. You start seeing them everywhere, in all your favourite comedies, and it's exciting when that happens, because it makes comedy writing seem approachable, even somewhat doable.
It's written in a light, interactive tone, with plenty of examples to help you understand exactly what he's talking about (unlike some of the academic style writing books you have to slog through), so it' This book deconstructs comedy and presents it in such understandable terms that they seems almost obvious in retrospect. You start seeing them everywhere, in all your favourite comedies, and it's exciting when that happens, because it makes comedy writing seem approachable, even somewhat doable.
It's written in a light, interactive tone, with plenty of examples to help you understand exactly what he's talking about (unlike some of the academic style writing books you have to slog through), so it's a pleasure to read. ...more

Dec 24, 2013 Bey rated it it was amazing

This is one of the best book on comedy writing I've ever read. I saw Steve Kaplan speak in LA a few years ago. He really knows his stuff. The question I asked then was if there was a book or something he'd recommend. Well, here it finally is and its a game-changer (if your a comedy-writer). He discards the idea of straight-man/comic and instead uses a theory called "straight-line/wavy line". Okay it sounds strange, but this book is invaluable. This is one of the best book on comedy writing I've ever read. I saw Steve Kaplan speak in LA a few years ago. He really knows his stuff. The question I asked then was if there was a book or something he'd recommend. Well, here it finally is and its a game-changer (if your a comedy-writer). He discards the idea of straight-man/comic and instead uses a theory called "straight-line/wavy line". Okay it sounds strange, but this book is invaluable. ...more

I love the insights into comedy in this book. I really think every writer or actor, whether you consider yourself a comedy writer or not, should read this. Everything could use some levity, this is a hard world, and we all need to laugh. This book helps you see what is funny and why. It is a great tool for analyzing works you like and figuring out why you laughed. It covers all comedy from slapstick to dark humor.

Jun 05, 2016 Frederic rated it really liked it

This is a great book for understanding and writing better comedic narratives and dialogue. Kaplan uses examples from TV and movies to illustrate his guidelines for making dialogue funnier. He shows what works, what doesn't work and why.

The book could more helpfully have been called, "writing and performing better comedy dialogue". It is not a book for standup comedians, as it's mostly about the primacy of character and premise.

This is a great book for understanding and writing better comedic narratives and dialogue. Kaplan uses examples from TV and movies to illustrate his guidelines for making dialogue funnier. He shows what works, what doesn't work and why.

The book could more helpfully have been called, "writing and performing better comedy dialogue". It is not a book for standup comedians, as it's mostly about the primacy of character and premise.

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Jan 07, 2015 Jeff rated it liked it

This is a very informative book for narrative comedy. Fiction, Films, TV. If you are looking for "tips" on stand up material, or sketch writing, this isn't your best choice. Having said that, this is probably the best book I've read on how comedy should be done in film. No one else breaks it down like this. This is a very informative book for narrative comedy. Fiction, Films, TV. If you are looking for "tips" on stand up material, or sketch writing, this isn't your best choice. Having said that, this is probably the best book I've read on how comedy should be done in film. No one else breaks it down like this. ...more

Oct 20, 2016 Fee rated it really liked it

Good and practical information about comedy writing, mainly narrative comedy like film and television.
Only remark is that I found some parts repetitive and some examples (parts from scripts) too long and not that funny.
4 stars, but certainly a recommendation if you want to learn about comedy writing.

Jul 15, 2013 Zaneta Padilla rated it really liked it

I actually really enjoyed this book and the author is very knowledgable on the craft of comedy. However, I only gave 4 stars instead of 5, because in the first half of the book he was very repetitive beating a concept into my mind.

Jan 09, 2014 Alex Washoe rated it it was amazing

This is a great book not just for comedy writers, but for writers in general. The tools that Kaplan introduces are great energizers for fiction -- even if comedy is not your aim. One of the most helpful books I've read about writing in a long time. This is a great book not just for comedy writers, but for writers in general. The tools that Kaplan introduces are great energizers for fiction -- even if comedy is not your aim. One of the most helpful books I've read about writing in a long time. ...more

Really good and useful information. Primarily focused on narrative comedy especially film and television. Straight line/wavy line in particular elucidates a concept that rings true and is one that I haven't encountered in quite that way elsewhere. Really good and useful information. Primarily focused on narrative comedy especially film and television. Straight line/wavy line in particular elucidates a concept that rings true and is one that I haven't encountered in quite that way elsewhere. ...more

Mar 11, 2016 Leona Heraty rated it it was amazing

This is the best book ever if you're interested in writing a comedy screenplay or comedy TV series. This is my go-to book for everything about writing comedy, as I work on my comedy screenplay. I've taken 3 of Steve Kaplan's comedy writing classes in L.A., and he's the best! :-) This is the best book ever if you're interested in writing a comedy screenplay or comedy TV series. This is my go-to book for everything about writing comedy, as I work on my comedy screenplay. I've taken 3 of Steve Kaplan's comedy writing classes in L.A., and he's the best! :-) ...more

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"The Comedy Equation: An ordinary guy or gal struggling against insurmountable odds without many of the required skills and tools with which to win yet never giving up hope." — 2 likes

"The genius of comedy is that it loves humanity without necessarily forgiving it." — 1 likes

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