Successful Sitcom Writing: How To Write And Sell For TV's Hottest Format (Hardcover)

by Jurgen Wolff (Author), L. P. Ferrante (Author) "The term sitcom is short for situation comedy, and it refers to half-hour television shows in which characters find themselves in some sort of humorous..." (more)
Key Phrases: Los Angeles, Larry Sanders, Frasier Crane (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Wolff knows what he is talking about. This book will give the aspiring sitcom writer a very important leg up on the competition."--Rob Ulin, former executive producer of Roseanne

"An extraordinary book-- it really helps writers to understand and master the complex genre of the modern sitcom."--John Barber, senior vice president of International Production, Columbia/Tri-Star TV

"We invariably recommend Successful Sitcom Writing as the most comprehensive, contemporary, and practical nuts-and-bolts guide available."--Kerry Cox, publisher of The Hollywood Scriptwriter
-- Review

Review

"Wolff knows what he is talking about. This book will give the aspiring sitcom writer a very important leg up on the competition."--Rob Ulin, former executive producer of Roseanne

"An extraordinary book-- it really helps writers to understand and master the complex genre of the modern sitcom."--John Barber, senior vice president of International Production, Columbia/Tri-Star TV

"We invariably recommend Successful Sitcom Writing as the most comprehensive, contemporary, and practical nuts-and-bolts guide available."--Kerry Cox, publisher of The Hollywood Scriptwriter

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press; Revised edition (August 15, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312144261
• ISBN-13: 978-0312144265
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #556,469 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not a bad book, but . . ., February 18, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Successful Sitcom Writing (Hardcover)

if you are serious about learning how to write sitcoms, the Evan Smith book "Writing Television Sitcoms" is much better. Smith's book gives better more detailed advice, plus it is more current.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Recommended. A focused and concise book on sitcom writing., September 25, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Successful Sitcom Writing (Hardcover)

This book gathers the basic information on sitcom writing an a refreshingly straightforward manner. Because of the focus on successful network shows, the examples are necessarily lame. This book focuses on the structural requirements of teleplays as well as applicable business constraints.

This will not teach one how to be funny. No book can. But, as the book states: jokes are easy. Story is hard. This book will help you craft a better sitcom story in a professional manner.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you're ready to write, this book will help you focus, November 10, 1999

By A Customer

Boy, did I love this book... Mr. Wolff engagingly shares his experience as a veteran of the sit-com world with his audience of hopefuls, and makes it not only understandable but enjoyable. I was especially motivated by his step-by-step exercises designed to free the muse. And even though he was very direct about the chances of an unknown actually selling a show, he made me feel I can -- and will-- succeed. If he's this good on paper, I can only imagine how inspiring he would be in a classroom!