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Friars Club Private Joke File: More Than 2,000 Very Naughty Jokes from the Grand Masters of Comedy Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a good joke book.
I have reviewed several joke books on here and this is one of the best ones i have purchased from Amazon.
It has multiple contributors from many many funny folk. There are all kinds of jokes long ones, short ones, silly ones, cheeky ones and many that i am sure you will have heard before as well.

The book is very well presented a quality production, hardbound. I think hardbound says 'i am a good book.'
It is a good book and will remain in my library until I am an old man.
I think what sets it up is the multiple contributors. It is not just one comedian rattling off the same style of joke over and over again. It has variety and the mood changes from front to back.
Well done on a quality production, i would recommend the book to anybody young or old.

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Rated XF (for X-tra Funny), this giant collection of off-color jokes, stories, and anecdotes comes straight from the kings and queens of blue humor: The Friars Club.In the tradition of the bestselling Friars Club Encyclopedia and Bible (315,000 copies sold), this brand-new, giant collection of laugh-out-loud, hide-it-from-the-kids humor features more than 2,000 saucy jokes and stories grouped thematically into such categories as Marriage, Medicine, Old Age, Kids, and (of course) Sex.Much of the material is attributed to well-known and popular comedians, including Richard Belzer, Gilbert Gottfried, Susie Essman, and Penn Jillette. As a bonus, interviews with a wide variety of stand-up comedians known for their naughtiness— including Mario Cantone, Judy Gold, Jeffrey Ross, Lisa Lampanelli, and many more—are sprinkled throughout.Sitting down with The Friars Club Private Joke File is like having a front-row seat at one of their infamous Roasts. Whether browsing for a good ice-breaker or perusing it cover to cover, this no-holds-barred compilation will keep readers laughing and blushing for a long, long time.

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Step by Step to Stand-Up Comedy Review

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(More customer reviews)As someone who has been a lifelong stand-up comedy aficionado - either as an audience member or on-stage performer - I am very thrilled to have finally found a resource which offers a viable, understandable method for creating new stand-up material, on any premise of your choosing. As an added bonus, Greg Dean's method has also helped me to understand WHY funny material I `happened' to come up with previously IS indeed funny, making me feel more in control of the process, and providing the inspiration to create a wealth of new material I never otherwise would have. (So much so, in fact, that my index card and legal pad purchases are probably keeping Staples in business!)
Specifically, what I have found most helpful are: Greg Dean's instructions on how to perform material both from your own point of view (the `narrator POV') and from other characters' POVs, and how to keep the various POVs clear and distinct when performing; his explanation of how best to rehearse your material, so that during a show, you're not just aping material form a script memorized verbatim, but are instead recounting real, vivid experiences as though they were actually happening - much more liberating for the comic, and far more interesting and funny for the audience. The rehearsal process also allows you to modify or add to your routines as you rehearse, or even ON STAGE.
To paraphrase an old adage, Greg Dean truly does teach you HOW to fish, unlike so many other books on stand-up which just toss fish at you, or - worse still - merely describe what a fish looks like, and how to differentiate the various species of gilled ichthyic vertebrates. O Dean of Comedy, thank you!

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If you think you're funny, and you want others to think so too, this is the book for you! Greg Dean examines the fundamentals of being funny and offers advice on a range of topics, including: writing creative joke material rehearsing and performing routines coping with stage fright dealing with emcees who think they're funnier than you are getting experience and lots more. Essential for the aspiring comic or the working comedian interested in updating his or her comedy routine, Step by Step to Stand-Up Comedy is the most comprehensive and useful book ever written on the art of the stand-up comedian.

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The New Comedy Writing Step by Step Review

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(More customer reviews)I had CWSBS back in the '90s...worked my way through the book and I mean worked. Great for someone new to standup or for a pro that wants to brush up on some skills.
I took some classes with Gene and the guy knows his stuff. This is kind of the old style of standup comedy, but he does get your mind thinking...and about setups and surprise punclines.
This is a review of the updated book, but really, it's kind of the same as the old one, but with some thoughts from some new comics.

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Three-time Emmy Award-winner Gene Perret's Comedy Writing Step by Step has been the manual for humor writers for 25 years. In this new book, his first update, Perret offers readers a treasure trove of guidelines and suggestions covering a broad range of comedy writing situations, along with many all-important insights into the selling of one's work. Perret covers all aspects of comedy writing in his uniquely knowledgeable and anecdotal fashion.

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The Comedy Bible: From Stand-up to Sitcom--The Comedy Writer's Ultimate "How To" Guide Review

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(More customer reviews)For many reasons this is a well done book. Judy Carter interviewed and studied many famous comedy people for this book. Quotes by the dozens throughout the book powerfully build on the point made in the text. Stand up comedians are not the only ones that need to be funny. The most widely used clique about professional speaking is: "You don't need to be funny unless you want to get paid." Reading this book is more useful than reading all the joke books you can find. Carter says it the most clearly and the most forcefully. You need to first get your message sorted out completely and then make it funny or at least entertaining. Your personal message is more critical to your success than copying other successful people no matter what you field of speaking, entertaining or communication.
The book seemed like one giant personal conversation with the author Judy Carter. You may not break out laughing very often reading this book. Carter would have made a good engineer or scientist, she breaks down into the tiniest imaginable pieces what makes something funny and then puts it back together. Reading and working with this book will make you funnier, it is by far the most promising book I have found so far. That is the good news. The bad news is that you can not just read this book. It is more like a highly serious work book. While it is ultra easy to read, it is very demanding to work your way through the book--- At least in the manner Judy Carter expects the book to be used. The book benefits from the years that Judy Carter has taught comedy performance and writing.
If you are interested in writing comedy, jokes, sit com or speeches this is the book to buy. Be ready to roll up you sleeves and really work with this book. It is designed and written to the full range of people that are serious about entertaining other people with humor. In another book on comedy Steve Allen wrote in a foreword: "How to books on comedy are a dime a dozen." For the intensely thinking person on comedy that craves an in depth understanding, I will be surprised if a better book can be found. I will search for that potential gem, but my suspicions are as follows. When a better book is written on comedy, it is likely to be written by Judy Carter. As you can see by my review I thought her original book was outstanding and this one is even better. While I have read it once through carefully, the big pay off is going to come by doing the exercises and the introspective work laid out in this book.

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Truth in Comedy: The Manual of Improvisation Review

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(More customer reviews)So frankly, most acting books, or books that try to tell you how to "do" art make me want to hit myself over the head, repeatedly. The first half of this book is no different.
It spends a lot of time initially setting ideas up, and talking about what a great guy Del Close was (which he was, but still, it gets to be a bit much). But it all starts to pay off in the second half, when we get into the specifics of the Harold.
Harold is a form of improv unlike any that I've ever seen and participated in, and not to be glib, but it takes improv to the level of art. This book clearly sets out exactly how to perform the Harold: what the idea behind it was; how to interact with your teammates on stage; and how to put together the final product. It's no substitute for actually getting up and doing it, but it's not meant to be.
The book is straightforward, easy to read, and pretty short. Its style is that of an elaborated outline, which makes it simple to follow, as well as to check back for relevant parts when you need them in rehearsal or class.
Truth in Comedy is of course a must have for anyone taking or thinking about taking improv classes. For everyone else, it's a quick read that might make you think differently about improv as an art form. Also, it's pretty funny. Yeah, that too.

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A Hundred Years, a Million Laughs: A Centennial Celebration of the Friars Club Review

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(More customer reviews)The Friars Club is a showbusiness icon and a legendary entertainment organization principally known for its Friars Club Roasts, Friars Club Testimonials, and Friars Club Frolics where the best names of 20th Century American entertainment regularly engaged in ribald comedy and musical merry-making. A Hundred Years, A Million Laughs : A Centennial Celebration Of The Friars Club by Barry Dougherty will serve to introduce a whole new generation of readers to this famously secretive organizations's "monastery" located in midtown Manhattan, as it reveals the group's colorful history from its humble beginnings in 1904 down to its present day worldwide popularity. Enhanced with almost 200 photographs and timeless Al Hirschfeld caricatures, A Hundred years, A Millions Laughs is a unique masterpiece of American humor, show biz, and pop culture history that would embellish any personal, academic, or community library collection.

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Hallowed ground for comics, the Friars Club lays claim to be the most prestigious entertainment organization in the world. Until this book, the Friars Club was a members-only hideaway. With A Hundred Years, A Million Laughs the Friars swing open the doors to the famously secretive organization's monastery in midtown Manhattan. Starting with the club's humble beginnings in 1904, Friars Club author Barry Dougherty reveals the group's ups and downs through the '30s and '40s, its golden age in the '50s and '60s, and its importance today to a new generation of comics and entertainers.With nearly 200 photos - many never before seen - and timeless Al Hirschfeld caricatures, A Hundred Years, A Million Laughs captures America's favorite comedians in rare form as they perform for their peers.

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The Friars Club Encyclopedia of Jokes: Revised and Updated Over 2,000 One-Liners, Straight Lines, Stories, Gags, Roasts, Ribs, and Put-Downs Review

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(More customer reviews)Whether a comedian or not who doesn't need a joke now and then to spice up ones act, presentation or just an ice breaker for your next cocktail party or barbecue? Now I'm not say steal these jokes people. but as a comedian when ever I suffer a writers block reading other peoples jokes or anything humorous helps me get back on track. Many a time I've been hired by corporate executives to punch up their boring presentations or even wedding toast. With a joke for almost every occasion you can't go wrong. As a stress reliever jokes have been found to have great healing power. My advice get this book, read 3 jokes and call me in the morning. Laughter is the best medicine. I just hope this book doesn't put me out of a job, it's that good.

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Finally in paperback-with lots of brand-new jokes from today's top comedians. What could be funnier than a great joke? How about 2,000 great jokes? In this side-splitting compendium, revised and updated and featuring a new introduction by Drew Carey, members of the world-renowned Friars Club and other comedians provide zingers for every occasion, situation, and taste. Organized alphabetically and by topic, this book is made for browsing, but it's also perfect for finding icebreakers for social occasions, adding a touch of humor to business speeches, and spicing up toasts. Hundreds of the best-known comedians are represented, including Sarah Silverman, Ellen Degeneres, Lewis Black, Ray Romano, Milton Berle, Carol Burnett, George Burns, George Carlin, Johnny Carson, Billy Crystal, Phyllis Diller, Bob Hope, Alan King, Richard Lewis, Bob Newhart, Rita Rudner, Jerry Seinfeld, Robin Williams, and tons more.

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Official Book Club Selection: A Memoir According to Kathy Griffin Review

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(More customer reviews)Well, I bought Kathy's book yesterday and I stayed up all night reading it. Yes, I am a big fan of hers and so perhaps I am a little biased but why would you even be looking at this book if you weren't a fan of hers?
She successfully walks the line between serious autobiography and comedic book. Parts of it will rip your heart out while others will make you laugh out loud. I can't say that I love her more now than I did before but I do understand her a bit more. I can't wait to see her live again.
Since she talks so much in her act about her celebrity encounters don't expect any amazing revelations there. There were a few new stories (Steve Martin etc.) but for the most part it really chronicles her entire life and career and shows how hard she worked and the insanity she put up with to get to where she is now. Great stories about her early years with the Groundlings and her friends Phil Hartman, Jon Lovitz, Lisa Kudrow, Julia Sweeney, Jeaneane Garofolo, Margaret Cho and more. You are going to learn where and why she has the work ethic that she does. She never sold out, she did do it all her way.
I loved the book, like I said I read it in about 6 hours cover to cover. My only complaint is that there were no color pictures in the book like most typical biographies.
Also as an ex Los Angelino is was nice to hear her talking about my old stomping in grounds in West Hollywood and her adventures there. I also jumped on the back of a bike at the Carl's Jr on La Brea and Santa Monica OMG!!! Wonder if we banged the same guy!! HAH!!
BUY THE BOOK!!!

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How to Do It Standing Up: The Friars' Club Guide to Being a Comic, a Cut-Up, a Card, a Character or a Clown Review

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(More customer reviews)First of all, what this book is not: It is not about how to be funny, nor is it an analysis of what humour is. The title is blatantly misleading. The book itself is not funny, because these are comedians describing things that happened to them, not attempting to get the reader to laugh.
This is a collection of first-person narratives in which comedians reminisce about performing in comedy clubs, especially at the beginning of their careers when they were unknowns. Their stories are surprisingly similar - struggling for stage time, desperate for money, honing their craft, and so on. The stories are repetitive and, after awhile, seem interchangeable. At times the narrators engage in a bit of introspection about why some things are funny and some are not, but one has to search for those analytical moments. To a large extent, these comedians just kind of "wing it" and have trouble articulating why one joke is hilarious while another leads to dead silence.
Of the 30-plus comedians interviewed for the book, I've heard of about one third of them. The most famous participants are Richard Belzer, Phyllis Diller, and Lily Tomlin.

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