Successful Stand-Up Comedy: Advice from a Comedy Writer [Paperback]

Gene Perret (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Perret has a long comedy career: he wrote material for famous comics, went on to TV writing, and retained a love for stand-up comedy which contributes to this appreciation for the medium and its special challenges. Any would-be comedian will relish the candid advice here: from getting good material to polishing an act, this covers all the basics essential to professional productions. -- Midwest Book Review

Product Details

• Paperback: 222 pages
• Publisher: Samuel French Trade; 1st edition (February 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 057369916X
• ISBN-13: 978-0573699160
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,485,003 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Gene Perret has been a comedy writer since the early 1960's working for comedians such as Slappy White and Phyllis Diller. He's been a television comedy writer and producer since 1968. Perret has earned 7 Emmy nominations, including one for original music, and 2 Writer's Guild Award nominations. He has captured three Emmy awards and one Writer's Guild Award as part of the Carol Burnett Show writing staff. Gene produced "Welcome Back, Kotter," "Three's Company," and "The Tim Conway Show."
Gene also worked on Bob Hope's writing staff for 28 years, from 1969 until the comic's retirement -many of those years as Hope's head writer. During that time, Gene wrote for all of Bob's personal appearances and TV Specials. traveling with the Bob Hope troupe to the war zones of Beirut, the Persian Gulf, Saudi Arabia, and on a peace time military jaunt around the world that featured stops at the Berlin Wall and in Moscow.
Besides his humorous books and how-to books on the craft of comedy, Gene teaches comedy writing through various avenues, including via e-mail.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Comedy Motivational Book !!, July 18, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Successful Stand-Up Comedy: Advice from a Comedy Writer (Paperback)

A great book from a great comedy writer!
Mr. Perret's book is a great motivational book for one thinking of entering the field of stand-up. Here's a book from a comedy writer who carved out the wittisisms for the greats and a behind the scenes look on what it takes to get started.

This book should be in every stand-up or beginning comedian's library (or comedy writer).