Rating: 
Summary: Publishers Weekly Likes Zen
Review: "Toronto-based comedian Jay Sankey offers aspiring stand-up comics a career's worth of wisdom...His advice -- both thought-provoking and practical -- covers material, character, style, performance, and dealing with audiences." --Publishers Weekly (5/11/98)
Rating: 
Summary: Great information but a tedious read.
Review: As a stand-up comic going on four years, this has been by far the best and dead-on view of the stand-up comedy business that I've read. This book details every level and emotion that is felt by a comic from the first open mike to a headlining gig. This book is a must for somebody starting out in the stand-up comedy business. Great job to the author!
Rating: 
Summary: Outstanding and dead on view of the stand-up comedy business
Review: As a stand-up comic going on four years, this has been by far the best and dead-on view of the stand-up comedy business that I've read. This book details every level and emotion that is felt by a comic from the first open mike to a headlining gig. This book is a must for somebody starting out in the stand-up comedy business. Great job to the author!
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent for working comics
Review: As a working stand-up comic, I found this book extremely helpful, particularly in dealing with "hell gigs," the necessary bane of every comic's existence. Jay Sankey clearly knows of what he speaks, and my performance has improved considerably as a result. If you're a working comic, or want to be, this book will be worth its weight in gold to you.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent for working comics
Review: As a working stand-up comic, I found this book extremely helpful, particularly in dealing with "hell gigs," the necessary bane of every comic's existence. Jay Sankey clearly knows of what he speaks, and my performance has improved considerably as a result. If you're a working comic, or want to be, this book will be worth its weight in gold to you.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent for working comics
Review: As a working stand-up comic, I found this book extremely helpful, particularly in dealing with "hell gigs," the necessary bane of every comic's existence. Jay Sankey clearly knows of what he speaks, and my performance has improved considerably as a result. If you're a working comic, or want to be, this book will be worth its weight in gold to you.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent primer on standup comedy
Review: Don't let the cliched title fool you -- this book has little to do with Zen and a lot to do with standup comedy. The two reviewers before me have more experience doing standup, and agree, but this book rings absolutely true from my experience on stage, and is giving me a lot to improve with.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant - like no other comedy writing book out there!
Review: I collect humorous stories - sales blunders, actually. So I wanted a book that would help me as a professional speaker to be as funny as possible. Speakers, like comedians, get paid more when their audience laughs more.So I began buying all the comedy writing books and most are pretty good. Buy Jay's is first of all, hilariously funny (bonus!) and second, more insightful than anything else. He discusses the psychology of the performer and the audience. He has little, interesting, no - fascinating details I found nowhere else. Funny cartoons, creativity galore, inspiration and encouragement for anyone dipping into comedy or getting a dunking in it. Best book on the block on this topic!
Rating:
Summary: Dull, heavy read
Review: I didnt like this book. Its avery philosophical look at the business full of generalisations, and maybes. Not much how to or what to do. Get The Comedy Bible instead. Youll learn a load more of useful stuff.
Rating: 
Summary: Very Displeased
Review: I truly thought this was one of the worst books I've ever read on the subject of stand-up comedy. It was neither helpful nor insightful. All the "advice" within this book comes from common sense, not real comedy experience. Mr. Stankey is trying to make a buck of off young aspiring comedians with high hopes and gives them nothing in return for their dollar.
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