2024 the best of stand-up comedy review

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(as of Dec 05, 2024 23:05:08 UTC - Details)

In this engaging and disarmingly frank book, comic Jay Sankey spills the beans, explaining not only how to write and perform stand-up comedy, but how to improve and perfect your work. Much more than a how-to manual Zen andthe Art of Stand-Up Comedy is the most detailed and comprehensive book on the subject to date.

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Routledge/Theatre Arts Books; 1st edition (May 21, 1998)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 214 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0878300740
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0878300747
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.6 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.53 x 8.5 inches
Reviewer: EJF
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: A Great Book for the aspiring and seasoned Standup
Review: This is indeed an excellent read and FULL of great insights about nearly every aspect of Standup comedy (Writing, Performance, Delivery, The Audience, Set development, etc).The author gives you great insight into both the "Art" and "Science" of standup. You can tell that he has a wealth of experience and shares it in a fun, easy to read kind of way.I think if an aspiring Standup combines this book with Judy Carter's "The Comedy Bible" they will greatly shorten their learning curve into many aspects of Standup Comedy (of course this will have combined with actually getting up on stage a bunch of times).

Reviewer: John Lee Grogan Jr.
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Different and deeper approach to stand-up comedy -
Review: One of the best books about how and why to do stand-up comedy. No other book I've read goes this deep into the psychological and philosophical basis of comedy as does this book. Also, I think depending upon the type of comedy and the type of comedian you aim to be will affect how you react to this book. It's a lot like group therapy in many regards. Far and away the best book about how to do stand-up, also covers the nuts and bolts, the mechanics of comedy, in addition to the bigger picture of why do it at all. This book, together with "Only Joking: What's So Funny About Making People Laugh?" by Jimmy Carr and Lucy Greeves are the two best books I've read about comedy and humor. Start with these my comic friends and you will have a solid foundation.

Reviewer: Chet
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: A Good Overview
Review: This is a pretty broad, basic guide to getting started in stand up comedy. You're not going to find much Zen material in it other than a few quotes so if you're looking for that, look elsewhere. This book is an easy and quick read with some very good tips. However, the recurring theme is one of "well...so maybe that will work for you but get on stage and find out for yourself". Good advice in itself. There are no exercises, drills or any such things contained in the book.

Reviewer: ef
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: My Favorite One of All
Review: I'm a stand-up comedy lover and performer. I devour books about the art (and maybe even science) behind stand up comedy. Of all the books I've purchased on the subject -- this one was truly my favorite. Jay writes simply and concisely, in an extremely enjoyable style. His analyses are dead-on. I have highlighted this book through and through. I will read and reread sections of this book before performances to remind myself of the key elements of this art form. I think that for anyone considering or starting out in stand up comedy -- if you had to pick 1 book to read and absorb -- this is the one.

Reviewer: Tim
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: A barrage of practical advice for a developing comedian
Review: As a magician, I got this book to help with scripting my comedy magic routines. It was a great read! This book is really not so much about writing comedy (although that topic is covered to some degree), it really is about learning how stand-up comedy works from the first few amateur nights to becoming a seasoned comedian. Sankey hit dozens of topics from set structure, handling hecklers, lighting, microphone technique, pace, timing, introductions, to understanding what it means to be the MC, featured act and headliner. Sankey clearly communicates years of comedy club experiences into a well structured book on what it takes to become a comedian.

Reviewer: Vik Capella
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: I no longer want to be a comic
Review: I always wanted to be a stand-up comic, and have tried a few times but have always been a failure. So I decided to buy a few books on the subject, this is the first one I read and after reading it, a good read and very enlightening information I decided that being a comic isn't that great of a job. You see most people think that being a stand-up comic is a rebellious thing to do, when actually you've just sold your soul by pandering to the audience. Not for me, thanks for the advice - you solved my problem, comedy is a fake.

Reviewer: Justin Matson
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Definitely a must read for any comic!
Review: Great book! Very helpful and thorough. It covers all the fundamentals but also offers valuable philosophical and technical thoughts about the art of standup that make it very insightful. EVERY comic should read this! I've had a lot of great discussions with my comedian friends about the points in this book, and I've re-read it many times as a refresher to make sure I'm hitting all the key points while developing my career as a standup.

Reviewer: kyle r obriot
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: I don't know anything, but I know I loved this book
Review: As a newcomer to performing stand-up I found this book to be an inspiration. I think this book will be something I check-in with as I traipse along the comedy path. I felt deeply connected with much of the contents within the book.I also was happy to read about some common missteps I've been making. Somehow reading about common mistakes makes me feel I'm on the right path.HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

Reviewer: Amazon Customer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: I literally couldn't put the book down. This is a great book, well written and very insightful into the world of standup comedy. I think that this is a reference book that should be on the shelf of every beginning standup comic...I can't speak for the seasoned pro's because I'm not at that level yet. If you're looking to help take some of the steepness off of the learning curve in standup comedy buy this book...if you're looking for a book on how to write jokes look else where. Thanks Jay!

Reviewer: Kindle Customer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: I bought this for my teenage son on the recommendation of a professional comedienne who said many professionals have used this to hone their art. My son finds it easy to read and has kept his attention

Reviewer: Jason
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Awesome

Reviewer: C T Jones
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Interesting book with some useful pointers.

Reviewer: JEFF W
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Good