Great observations; lifeless humour Simply put, the book is filled with excellent methods for creating comedy. If you do not have strong comedic instinct, your results will be formulaic. The author comes from a background of cheap laughs and sitcoms like Married With Children. The jokes inside are corny at best. While Vorhaus isn't particularly funny himself, he does have a good eye for what makes a joke funny. If you have a facility towards joke writing, this book will help you perfect your art; but don't look for laughs inside the book because they just aren't there.
Best comedy writing book I've read. I am a pro comedian and I am about halfway through the book and I am finding it very useful in developing new material. You won't be disapointed with this one.
Great for plotting The title doesn't really explain what this is. I was expecting more tools and methods for stand-up comedy. However, this is for scripting and writing shows, movies, screenplays, novels. The method breaks down into the simplest elements, giving the reader lots of great tools for building humorous stories. The writing style is direct and clear.
I want my money back! Practically worthless. Boring. The old 1 in 20 ideas you brainstorm is worth using trick, is the only worthwhile thing you learn. Now that you've read read about the trick, you don't have to buy this boring book that isn't funny.
The best book on writing to date I have read probably 40 books on writing, structure, characterization, etc and this book is one of the best. Why? Because by virtue of outlining a comic character he gives writers a basis for not only brilliant character developments but excellent plot structure that characters can grow in. There are all sorts of great little snippets of advice that can be considered life changing, or at least they will change your writing life. To boot, he gives excellent advice on how to be funny that I have used with excellent results. If you are a writer then you absolutely need to read this book - it changed everything for me. Buy it! Buy it now! Quit reading this review and buy the darn book!