Set Up, Joke, Set Up, Joke [Paperback]

Rob Long (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 7, 2005

'Right now we're deep into what the phrase-makers around here call "heavy development ". Essentially that means that the studio which gives us an office, a secretary, two parking spaces, and two pay checks is patiently waiting for us to come up with a new comedy television series But ideas are hard to come by So we sit and stare, at each other and out of the window, at the tour groups being led around the studio, pitch out show ideas, and mutter to ourselves, 'is there a show in that?'. An award-winning television comedy script writer is fifteen years on from his last major success and the ideas have dried up. His agent is constantly on the phone demanding at once where the next script is coming from whilst at the same time shattering his confidence with news of other clients' roaring success, as well as demanding unswerving loyalty from him. It's a fragile, nerve-racked existence and one where the writer tragically begins to realise only the strongest survive.By turns hilariously funny, shockingly honest in it's brutal deceptions and full of raw emotion, Set Up, Joke, Set Up, Joke gets to the core of Hollywood society whilst at the same time holding a mirror up to all of our basest desires.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'It ain't pretty, but it is a hilarious tale of the life sitcom that's Hollywood.' New York Post on 'Conversations With My Agent' 'By a long way the funniest book on Hollywood since Julia Phillip's 'You'll Never Eat Lunch In This Town Again'... Long's agent is is a superb comic creation.' Sunday Times on 'Conversations With My Agent' 'Rob Long's fictionalised account of his years spent as a script writer should be read by anyone who dreams of writing for television or films ... if you want an agent invest in this entertaining book.' Literary Review on 'Conversations With My Agent'

About the Author

Rob Long is a writer and producer in Hollywood. He began his career writing on TV's long-running 'Cheers', and served as co-executive producer in its final season. He has co-written several feature film scripts, including Just a Shot Away, currently in pre-production with a France-based production company. He is a contributing editor of National Review and Newsweek International, and writes occasionally for the Wall Street Journal. His recent book, Conversations with My Agent, chronicled his early career in television. Rob Long graduated from Yale University in 1987, and spent two years at UCLA School of Film, Theater and Television, where he has also served as an Adjunct Professor of Screenwriting. He serves on the Board of Directors of My Friend's Place, an agency for homeless teens in Hollywood and the American Cinema Foundation.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Pub. (November 7, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0747547777
• ISBN-13: 978-0747547778
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,298,283 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

His first book, Conversations with My Agent, chronicled his early career in television. It was published in the UK by Faber & Faber, in the US by Dutton, and in France by Actes Sud. His second book, Set Up, Joke, Set Up, Joke, was published in November 2005 by Bloomsbury.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic funny and inciteful, May 17, 2006

By 

Mr. P. J. Plowman "jon plowman" (London, United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Set Up, Joke, Set Up, Joke (Paperback)

I devoured it . Its funny , acerbic and as far as I am aware an accurate portrayal of the jungle of beasts who roam the Hollywood Hills writing producing and starring in TV comedy . An hilarious must for anyone who has ever watched and wondered about TV comedy . I howled

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Into the mind of a funny TV writer, January 8, 2008

By 

GIOVANNI DIVIACCHI "MC Slimm Slappy" (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Set Up, Joke, Set Up, Joke (Paperback)

Rob courageously shows his true feelings on writing for television. It's tough enough to be funny, but it's even harder to be funny and successful. He shows the high and low points of writing comedy for TV. Very entertaining and worthwhile read for anyone wanting to understand the behind the scenes of network comedy.

8 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Don't bother !, November 25, 2005

By 

M. Bourke "mary B" (hackney) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Set Up, Joke, Set Up, Joke (Paperback)

I loved "conversations with my agent " but this is a tedious read that has been padded out to book length .