Great Comedians Talk About Comedy

Rating:
Summary: Best book written about standup comedy & standup comedians!
Review: John Cantu here, former owner of the ledgendary San Francisco comedy club The Holy City Zoo (now defunct). I learned as much about stand-up comedy from this book as I did in 7 years performing myself, writing for other comedians (Joan Rivers, Rip Taylor, Kevin Meany, etc), and producing shows featuring. A. Whitney Brown, Dana Carvey, Nora Dunn, Paula Poundstone, Carrie Snow, Bobby Slayton, Robin Williams and hundreds more. As a comedy coach I tell students if you only read one book about comedy - THIS SHOULD BE IT!!! Most writers don't have a clue to the reality of stand-up comedy. Wilde is a standup comic. So the book is great because it's written by a comedian asking intelligent questions from a comedian's perspective. Best book on comedy ever and I've read 'em all. I teach comedy writing/performing - and as a comedy teacher, let me tell you this book is the equivalent of college freshman course on comedy. Put it on order with Amazon now. (While that last sentence might sound like a blatent plug for Amazon, it's not - I love comedy and it's a blatent plug for Wilde's book cause it's simply the best ever written.)

Rating:
Summary: An Amazing Look at The Greatest Comedic Minds
Review: Larry Wilde has captured a view into the world of comedy that few people will ever have the privilege to experience themselves. In Great Comedians Talk About Comedy, Wilde uncovers the specific methods that these great comedians have used to entertain their audiences. In the process of asking pointed engaging questions of the most famous comedians from the last 60 years, Wilde uncovers fascinating information about the people behind the comedy. This is an extraordinary book that is unlike anything else written and it will inspire you to appreciate the fine art of comedy.

Rating:
Summary: An Amazing Look at The Greatest Comedic Minds
Review: Larry Wilde has captured a view into the world of comedy that few people will ever have the privilege to experience themselves. In Great Comedians Talk About Comedy, Wilde uncovers the specific methods that these great comedians have used to entertain their audiences. In the process of asking pointed engaging questions of the most famous comedians from the last 60 years, Wilde uncovers fascinating information about the people behind the comedy. This is an extraordinary book that is unlike anything else written and it will inspire you to appreciate the fine art of comedy.

Rating:
Summary: As interesting as you expect... but more frustrating...
Review: There is very little to dislike in the content of the book. He interviews some of the great comics,comedians,funnymen of the 20th century about craft. The candidness of each interviewee is what struck me upon first reading. It often seems that comics can be quite elusive when it comes to discussing their craft. The general consensus among the subjects is that one has some innate funniness present that he can hone and sharpen in order to become a truly great comic. Wilde asks some very poignant questions about each one's process: writing, performing, and breaking into the business. He also requests of each that they divulge their major influences and what specific things they might have picked up from each. Very interesting stuff (I found out about several comics I had never heard of). There is also the requisite interview fodder of personal history and amusing anecdotes. This book seems to be the only one of its kind and is invaluable for its diverse perspectives from some of the greats. Berle, Hope, and Burns in particular provide interesting contextual history of their vaudeville days starting out (and the transition to post-vaudeville). The subjects chosen each share an unparalleled longevity in the business. I especially enjoyed the Berle and Woody Allen interviews. Each sheds light on specific aspects of "technique." The comics chosen represent a wide range of comedic styles: the reader is bound to be a fan of at least one. The book is an interesting historical document and quite unique: +5 stars.

I do have some criticisms of the book (-1 star). During later interviews in the book (chronologically), Wilde becomes a bit too referential. For example, he might begin a question with "Milton Berle once said to me..." Though it's interesting to see if a particular comic agrees with the others on certain points, this is not a terribly effective way to ask a question. Who in their right mind in the business would say that Milton Berle is full of it? The question can be asked without reference to the source (and therefore without the consequence of bias). Furthermore, the price is outrageous considering that the book could have been half the length if such a massive font was not used. Many responses to questions in the book have been edited and ostensibly continue beyond the transcription. You will notice the liberal use of elipses in nearly every interview. Perhaps if a standard font was used more of the abridged interviews could be included at no additional cost. This 2000 edition adds an interview with Jerry Seinfeld, but I'm not entirely certain how he was chosen as the only modern comic included. Could the book (originally published in 1968) have been put out cheaply in paperback? Only Larry Wilde's accountant may ever know.