Wake Me When It's Funny: How to Break Into Show Business and Stay

by Garry Marshall and Lori Marshall

Book Overview

This memoir and show-business primer from one of film and TV's most successful writer-producer-director-actors (Pretty Woman, Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, Mork & Mindy, Murphy Brown) gives sound advice on how to create comedy, break into TV, shoot movies, and deal with Hollywood. 40 b/w photos.

Garry (Allergic to Everything but Success) Marshall has written hundreds of TV scripts, produced and created 14 prime-time series, including The...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1557042888
• ISBN13: 9781557042880
• Release Date: July 1997
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 0.92 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.5" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Up there with "Harpo Speaks" for all-time feel-good bios!

This book is a joy! Garry Marshall is a fine writer of jokes for stand-up comedians of yore, sitcoms & , apparently, of full-length show biz autobiographies. He discusses his life in an extremely entertaining way. His asides - about moviemaking, camerawork & tips on the directing/producing process - are enjoyable for everyone, not just aspiring filmmakers. There are (truly) laugh out loud sections as well (Two Words: Kathi Wathi)...this is a man who seems to live his life with passion & decency & drive, ALWAYS with the added bonus of humor. Yes, he dishes the "dirt" about his celeb peers, but in a completely non-malicious way. Best of all, here's a man who accomplishes much but doesn't take himself too seriously. Good-humored, good-hearted, crisply written & hilarious. Can't recommend this book highly enough!

I Want A Sequel

A most amazing book about a most amazing man. Follow Mr. Marshall's assertive and generally hilarious approach to breaking into the world of comedy writing - and beyond. The book is a bit of a family affair (forward by sister Penny Marshall, and co-authored by daughter, Lori) chronicling his often hysterical trek from an allergy-laden childhood to the life of a very successful actor, writer, producer, and director. I've had the unique pleasure of meeting this man in person, and he truly is as determined, grounded and compassionate a man as this book reflects...all with that sparkling sense of humor!

A fine person

I used to think I was in love with Garry Marshall because of his films and sitcoms, but now it's because he's truly a fine person. Read the book and I think you'll agree. If you're a screenwriter thinking about writing for sitcoms, this should be required reading. I'm more of a spec writer, so I just enjoyed the stories and laughs. This is a story of one of the most successful people in Hollywood and more importantly, a good father, brother, son, and grandfather.

No Sleeping Allowed

No need to be woken ... it IS funny. Garry the master of comedy. If your starting in "Show-Biz" it's a must read.

Garry Marshall is a comedy genius and his book proves it!

This book is a must for Garry's fans. It's funny and heartfelt. The forward, written by sister Penny, is hilarious. This book lets us all into the heart of one of America's funniest men. I have read this book half a dozen times and am looking forward to reading it again. If you love Garry, you'll love this book.