How to Be Funny

by Steve Allen

Book Overview

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.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.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1573922064
• ISBN13: 9781573922067
• Release Date: April 1998
• Publisher: Prometheus Books
• Length: 290 Pages
• Weight: 0.04 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

A pretty average book...

The book is better than Jon Macks' book of the same name, yes. But still, the content looks dated, and covers more theoretical aspects than real world techniques. But still, the techniques are useful to some extent. You may try the more practical/simple book which is Stanley Lyndon's How to be funny (...). But considering everything, all 3 books are good and cover the various points on being the everyday funny person. My advice is that you buy all three as they don't cost that much together. Have fun! Rogers.

A definite "Must Have" for anybody who needs something!

HOW TO BE FUNNY is a book unlike any other. How else would we tell them apart?Steve Allen's contribution to students of comedy and wit is a wonderful one indeed. Allen and his co-author have a book-long conversation about what is funny, what isn't, and more importantly *why* some things are funnier than others. Whether you want to write funny, talk, walk, or think funny, Steve Allen includes page after page of examples from his radio and television career. My copy is well-worn --albeit slightly small and tight around the waist -- with passages highlighted and underlined. If you aren't funny (or funnier) after reading this book, well, then try eating it. That will definitely make you feel funny for a little while.

You Will be funnier After reading this book !!

I purchased a lot of books to develop my stand-up act. I thought I was losing my natural sense of humor that I developed much earlier in my life. Steve Allen's book had me throwing out one liners three hours into it. Following his examples, I found it easy to reverse thoughts, change meanings and come up with new ideas. Although Steve's book starts out slow with a long definition of what is funny, once you get past Steve's ramblings, the book picks up momentum and puts your brain on receptive. I reccommend this book highly for anyone who wants a beginning book to help develop their sense of humor.