Rating: 
Summary: The Insightful Professor Ajaye
Review: I recently had the opportunity to purchase and read Franklyn Ajaye's new book Comic Insights. I read it in one sitting. I've followed Franklyn's career for over 30 years so reading his book came out of genuine interest, as a quasi student of stand-up comedy and as a good friend for even longer. When we were in high school he was the proverbial class clown who also exhibited tremendous insecurities when not "on", characteristics of which I've always believed, even if it sounds trite and cliche to be the hallmark of all great creative types and in particular what made Franklyn such an insightful, sensitive and probing comedian. I've always believed that his cross to bear or his white albatross was the fact that he appeared on the comedy scene just after and in the same generation as Richard Pryor. To make matters worse was the great influence Pryor was to have on Franklyn. They both came out of the same genre of comedy, the Black American "experience" and that of wonderful storytellers. Which is why I sincerely believe their celebrity profiles today would be just the reverse if Franklyn had appeared on the comedy scene first. It's just unfortunate that comparisons are always inevitable. His book reads like a textbook that should be required reading in whatever schools that teach stand-up comedy. This book would've been his masters thesis had he gone to a graduate school for comedy. It's probably the best textbook of it's kind anywhere, if there are such things. I thought his writing on personal experiences to be more interesting than his probing interviews with celebrities. His investigations into what he believes to be what makes a good comedian quite fascinating. The one criticism I had of the book was his glaring omission in his interview section of a comedian of towering figure and probably one of the most important if not influential figure of our time, Robins Williams. Franklyn explained his rationale to me this way. Since Robin Williams was so influenced by Jonathan Winters and Winters was "considered a greater comedian in his prime than Robin" and because Franklyn had access to Winters for his interviews, Even though our careers took us in different directions geographically, Franklyn and I have always shared somewhat common political and social views, which is why I guess I've always found his humor to be to my liking. I believe it was George Burns who was once asked what was the secret to his success and longevity. He answered. And I paraphrase. In show biz, if you live long enough everybody makes a comeback. So I say to Franklyn, come back soon we need your humorous insights now more than ever. Bill Jones
Rating:
Summary: Insightful
Review: I was really impressed by the high calibre of those interviewed including one of my real favourites - George Carlin. Ajaye with his very conversational style of interviewing(rather than the standard list of same questions) was able to get his interviewees to feel comfortable and divulge a lot about their art as well as their personal lives.
The author obviously has the respect of his fellow comedians.
A brilliantly articulate book this should be an essential part of the library of any student of comedy and highly recommended reading for aspiring comedians everywhere.
I know of 3 other comedians in Melbourne Australia who have read this book and all spoke about it in glowing terms.
I hope that "Comic Insights" is a best seller because it truly deserves to be.
Rating:
Summary: A Bible for Aspiring Comedians
Review: I'm a person just starting out as a comedian, and all I can say is thank God for this book. Everything I would like to ask an established comedian is addressed here. The first section gives me the fundamentals of standup that I didn't know existed, and a way of thinking about standup comedy. And the writing style is very accessible. I get the feeling the Ajaye truly wants to share his experiences and knowledge with us and help us through the rough times we novices face.
The second part which consists of the interviews with the comedians as they talk about their methods and career travails is nothing less than inspiring. I learned that every great comedian bombed and struggled when they first started. Garry Shandling says he bombed for the first five years. Amazing that he would continue with such tenacity in the face of such failure. Roseanne's interview was a revelation. Gone was the rough talking person we've always seen, and instead a thoughtful woman with a spiritual and musical bent to her comedic inspiration emerged. Jay Leno's interview showed him to be the decent person he appears with a thoroughly humane approach to his comedy, and the interviews of Elayne Boosler, and Chris Rock showed the determination of their truth-seeking natures, while Jonathan Winters revealed a softer side not generally associated with this famously zany man. I got something out of all the interviews. I found myself highlighting passages just for what they said about life. My wife who has no interest in comedy whatsoever read just the interviews and couldn't put it down. She said she learned a lot more about the comedians as people and not just as entertainers.
The third section had managers, agents, and club owners telling what they look for in a comedian. Absolutely invaluable stuff. I carry it with me and refer to it often when preparing for my gigs. It's a Bible for aspiring comedians.
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining and Inspirational
Review: I'm a young standup comic and I love learning about where comics come from and discuss the art of Stand-up which is why I bought this book. That alone would be worth the purchase, with interviews from many of the greatest comedians of our time talking in depth about how they got started and how they keep track and create their material. While that's the majority of the book(as well as interviews with those in the industry discussing what it takes and what they're looking for), the first part includes an excellent and informative look at how to study comedy and find your identity, and how to properly hone your craft. Mr. Ajaye is honest and discusses some of the problems he's had with his act and how he solved them. I know so many comics who if they would just read this book would become so much better. Everything is discussed from timing to delivery, and being honest with yourself, all little parts that make such a big difference in a performance. I recommend this book to anyone interested in the art of stand-up comedy, looking to start performing, or even current comics; I can see myself using this as a reference in the years to come.
Rating:
Summary: As Good As Michael Caine's Book On Film Acting
Review: I'm an actor who's been thinking about trying to do stand up comedy. I picked up this book because all my favorite comics were interviewed in it, and I'm glad I did. It's a great book!! As good in it's own way as Michael Caine's great book on film acting which is my acting bible. In the first section of the book Mr. Ajaye talks about what makes a good comedian, and how to study comedians in order to learn from them. It's made me look at comedians much more analytically and appreciate what it takes to be a good one. His writing style is straightforward and full of practical information. The second section has full length probing interviews with today's great comedians, and they are fascinating to read. They speak about their own beginning experiences, difficulties, fears, and methods. Some of them are surprisingly philosophical and offer gems that can be applied to life in general. I found myself highlighting portions of these interviews to refer back to. The third section of the book has interviews with managers, agents, and comedy club owners, and their insights are valuable as well. If you're thinking about being a stand up comedian, you can't do better than this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Somber Study of Comedy
Review: In the first fifty pages Ajaye provides strongly written advise worth reading several times over particularly if you are well into the process of performing. How to study your favorite comics and still be true to your self is an outstanding section. As comics write and talk about stand up comedy business, the struggles to break into a living wage level are displayed as mind numbing. The world is full of people that are tearing you down for their own entertainment both on and off the stage. Your desire to succeed must be massive to overcome the grinding down. For each and everyone comic that has opened up, they have described standup as really hard work. This book may depress you if you are thinking about a life in comedy. This is not a motivational book. It is more of a get tough or get out road map. Entertaining the reader does not happen in this book. One great insight in the Richard Jeni interview is worth the price of the book. There are three equal parts to performing your own material: written construction, body gestures and facial expression. You have to work on all three with equal commitment. Interviewing the very successful comedians is very smart. The 17 famous comedian interviews could have been the heart and soul of the book. The interviews should have been better written. With his incredible access to famous comedians Ajaye blew this chance to work at creating a classic on comedy. Where is the editor? My point is the following. In the book Success Secrets of the Motivational by Michael Jeffreys the author gets deep into the mind and art of each interviewee's work. He then edited it down to a very powerfully written book. With loads of exact quotes-each carrying great poignancy. In Ajaye's defense, I suspect that the interviews are lightly edited to remain true to the interview. It is still the lessor skill compared to a strongly worked book. Who wants to read court testimony? Where's the Beef? I hope Ajaye takes another shot at writing another book. If you are already funny you want to read this book. It would not be my first recommendation. My rank order follows: 1. Judy Carter's The Comedy Bible 2. Step by Step to Stand Up Comedy by Greg Dean and 3. Did I Ever Tell You About the Time by Grady Jim Robinson. Fourth would be this book. The first book is critical to developing the foundation on how to write stand up.
Rating:
Summary: Stand-up Comedy from the Inside Out
Review: Most examinations of stand-up comedy as a performance art form, as well as techniques as to "how to do it", tend to be rather academic and come from those can't do it themselves. Here's a look at what goes on in the minds of a series of well-known and genuinely funny people from the perspective of a man who has been as well regarded as the subjects in his book, at least by those who have seen his act. Ajaye does a great job of showing how to approach the notion of actually performing stand-up comedy by using his own genesis and evolution as a sample template. He talks about his heroes and his fears,techniques, and styles in such a way as to lay open the mysteries of what makes a comic tick. That's the subject of the first section. The second section is a seriesof interview transciptions with comic from Elayne Boosler and Paul Reiser to Richard Jeni and Jerry Seinfeld, as well as many more. The interviews are little dated for the most part, although by watching the comics he had address a class on comedy Ajaye taught at UCLA in the early 90's, one can see the elements of performance they talked about 10 years ago have not changed appreciably. The final section of the book was a short series of interviews with people who regularly interact with comedians, to give the reader the outside perspective. and having been the former manager of a comedy club myself, the comments by people like Budd Friedman on what they look for in a new comedian seem very relevant. The only thing missing from the book for me was any information about whether Ajaye would return to performing someday. I hear he's been at the Melbourne Comedy Festival in Australia during the past couple of years, but we miss him stateside.
Rating:
Summary: LETS LEARN SOME COMEDY!
Review: Ok, i've read em all, I've bought em all, I've seen em all.
And this book is one of the BEST books on the "ART" of stand up comedy.
Yes people, it is an art.
Franklyn has combined in depth interviews with successful comedians of the past 30 years, with his own insights from his 30 plus years in the biz.
This book doesn't force you to think or write a certain way.
Actually, it gives you advice on finding your original comedy voice from what you already have inside.
Unlike other books on comedy, these 'insights' are actually insightful.
Rating:
Summary: Must Read for Standups or anyone interested in it
Review: This book is amazing! The interviews are fantastic. Whether you are an open-miker or a seasoned vet, you will learn a ton from reading the interviews. He interviewed the best, some of them, when they weren't even at the top of their game, which makes it all the more interesting. Buy this book!
Rating:
Summary: Fast Read - Good Advice
Review: This book is easy to read, but very intellectual in its approach to learning comedy. The author takes all your trivial questions seriously (asking if the comics write before they go onstage, if they DO he reveals if is in outline form or word-for-word.) It is interesting to read of the wide variety of writing styles--Jay Leno never wrote anything down, Ellen Degeneres writes down every word. Richard Lewis goes on stage with his "Torah" he calls it - his constantly-evolving sheet of material. The other inspiring thing is he finds out how comics did when they first started. Gary Shandling bombed for the first five years. Wow.
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