Comedy Writing for Television and Hollywood: For Television and Hollywood

by Milt Josefsberg

Discusses jokes, puns, monologues, rhythm, repetition, role reversal, visual humor, juxtaposition, character, and plot lines and includes advice about partnerships, rejection, criticism, censorship, and revisions

Genres: Writing

208 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1987

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

Entertainment & Engagement:
Good. The book is genuinely funny, with a wide range of jokes—many drawn from television—that still land well on the page. It’s an enjoyable, light read.

Educational Value:
Poor. The book consists largely of joke compilations from TV shows. It offers little in terms of structured instruction or deeper insight into the craft of comedy writing.

Effort, Accessibility & Aesthetic Impact:
Great. Very easy to read—clear, straightforward, and accessible. There’s no technical jargon or dense material to wade through.

Practical Application:
Poor. Unless you’re looking to copy or repurpose jokes, there’s not much here in terms of tools, frameworks, or exercises that would help someone become a better comedy writer.

Value for Writers:
Okay. While not especially useful as a writing guide, the examples and joke categories might spark ideas for some readers. Personally, I didn’t find it particularly helpful.