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Comedy Writer
A straightforward look at creating comedy for performers, print, TV and stage, from someone who’s made a living for over 40 years “convincing people they need my jokes more than they need their money.” Four-time Emmy nominee Andrew Nicholls, youngest head writer on "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson, has created a guide to the techniques and habits of mind necessary for making things funny, with examples and practice exercises.
209 pages, Paperback
Published December 3, 2020
About the author
Andrew Nicholls
2 books1 followerBorn in England, grew up in Canada. Wrote for radio, stage and print, and for performers including George Carlin, Joan Rivers, Rodney Dangerfield, and, for 10 years, Mickey Rooney.
With longtime writing partner Darrell Vickers was head writer of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson until Johnny's retirement. Since sold 80 pilot scripts, of which over 30 were produced and 23 went to series.
400+ animated episodes, including Jimmy Neutron and Fairly OddParents. Over 50 pieces of short fiction and humor in literary magazines and online. Married since 2017 to novelist Janet Fitch.
With longtime writing partner Darrell Vickers was head writer of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson until Johnny's retirement. Since sold 80 pilot scripts, of which over 30 were produced and 23 went to series.
400+ animated episodes, including Jimmy Neutron and Fairly OddParents. Over 50 pieces of short fiction and humor in literary magazines and online. Married since 2017 to novelist Janet Fitch.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 13, 2021
I'm so enjoying this compendium of wisdom from long time comedy writer Andrew Nicholls, who's written in every genre from late night (he and his partner were head writers for The Tonight Show) to comic strips to animation to jokes, standup, sketch, sitcom, stage, short fiction.... I'm amazed not only at the breadth of this book, but Nicholls's ability to describe something as evanescent as the creation of a joke.
The book is divided into two parts, "Craft" and "Markets." The larger portion, "Craft", gives you a tour of the comedic mind or attitude--funny in itself and overflowing with insight into a different way of looking at the world, how the comedy writer uses language to express, to transfer the funny into words, a joke, a sketch, so the audience feels its impact. I'm having to read it slowly, as the insights come at you like a firehose. There are lists, like "Some Things Perenially Worthy of Derision", exercises and short anecdotes drawn from a life in comedy.
The second section moves into a more specific discussion of the needs of each kind of market--sitcom, sketch, standup etc-- which as a consumer of TV and film, comics, stage and so on, I actually found it fascinating. I know I'll never look at animation the same way, and it's interesting to understand how a sitcom works, the needs of sketch comedy or late night. There's even a section on Roasts and Toasts, useful for anybody who finds themelves having to do after dinner duties at a cousin's wedding.
I have no intention of ever writing comedy, but I loved the mental stretch, the new ways of thinking--weirdly. I love puzzles and prompts, and appreciated the challenge of how I would handle this or that comedic problem. A must for comedy writers, a wonderful creativity-workout for writers generally, and terrific insight into the making of comedy for anyone who appreciates a good laugh.
The book is divided into two parts, "Craft" and "Markets." The larger portion, "Craft", gives you a tour of the comedic mind or attitude--funny in itself and overflowing with insight into a different way of looking at the world, how the comedy writer uses language to express, to transfer the funny into words, a joke, a sketch, so the audience feels its impact. I'm having to read it slowly, as the insights come at you like a firehose. There are lists, like "Some Things Perenially Worthy of Derision", exercises and short anecdotes drawn from a life in comedy.
The second section moves into a more specific discussion of the needs of each kind of market--sitcom, sketch, standup etc-- which as a consumer of TV and film, comics, stage and so on, I actually found it fascinating. I know I'll never look at animation the same way, and it's interesting to understand how a sitcom works, the needs of sketch comedy or late night. There's even a section on Roasts and Toasts, useful for anybody who finds themelves having to do after dinner duties at a cousin's wedding.
I have no intention of ever writing comedy, but I loved the mental stretch, the new ways of thinking--weirdly. I love puzzles and prompts, and appreciated the challenge of how I would handle this or that comedic problem. A must for comedy writers, a wonderful creativity-workout for writers generally, and terrific insight into the making of comedy for anyone who appreciates a good laugh.
February 26, 2021
Finished it last week and made lots of notations. This book is heavy with craft of comedy across the board. I learned a lot and this will be on my reference shelf for years to come. Must read for writers, comedy writers, and anyone honing their craft.
May 6, 2021
Take it from a writer of comedy. There is no better book on the subject. Informative, entertaining... comprehensive. Every sentence must be savored.
October 15, 2023
El libro está bien, solo que nones exactamente lo que yo buscaba. Aun así, ha sido interesante descubrir los intríngulis de la sala de guionistas de comedia.
July 24, 2026
Very useful
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews