Mike Bent - The Everything Guide to Comedy Writing: From stand-up to sketch--all you need to succeed in the world of comedy

Endorsements

Mike Bent has taught many people who have become very successful comedians,writers, and actors. They all (Im in touch with many of them) still speakhighly of him. That is reason enough to buy this book. Also, hes unique andvery funny.

Eugene Mirman, actor, Flight of the Conchords and author, The Will to Whatevs: A Guide to Modern Life

Mike Bent has been an institution in Boston comedy for more than a quarterof a century. He has the two things every comic wishes he had: a unique, creativevoice and a really cool name. Hes able to pass on to his students whathes learned from performing in just about every theater, comedy club, collegepub, Elks hall, and church basement in New England. Learn from him.

Brian Kiley, Emmy-award winning staff writer, Late Night withConan OBrien and The Tonight Show with Conan OBrien

Mike Bent is a true comic genius and a fantastic teacher. From monologuejokes to sitcom scripts, Mike will make your material sharper, stronger, andway funnier.

Paul Starke, Emmy-award winning senior producer, The Tyra Banks Show

You never forget your great teachers. For me, Mike Bent is one of those teachers.Theres nothing deadlier to comedy than analyzing it, but Mike knowshow to take it apart and show you the guts while keeping it alive with a senseof discovery and fun. Great fun.

Eric Drysdale, Emmy-award winning writer, The Daily Show and The Colbert Report

Mike Bent knows more about comedy than Aristophenes, Henny Youngman,and Noam Chomsky combinedand Chomsky killed it at Comic Relief in 94.Hes a great guy, and this is a great book.

Joe Randazzo, editor, The Onion

THE
EVERYTHING
GUIDE TO
COMEDY WRITING

Dear Reader,

By the time you read this, I will be dead. Well, probably not, but I start every letter that way. Someday Ill be right, and thatll show em.

But seriously, whenever someone finds out that I teach comedy writing at Emerson College, they invariably ask, Can you teach someone how to be funny? My answer is always, Yesbut not you. The truth is, although you cant really teach someone to be funny, you can help them to teach themselves how to be funnier, and uncover their unique comedy voice.

Comedy is the best way to express yourself. You get to say things no one else would dare say. Even better, you can get away with it. Theres no better sound than laughter. There are easier ways to make a living but none are as creatively rewarding. Theres no better way to tell the world that you are one of a kind.

The best thing about teaching hundreds of students is that it has kept the creative process fresh and fun for me. You cant help but feed off the excitement when great ideas are bouncing around the room. I leave the classroom with a million ideas racing through my head.

Thats what I like most about comedy, that kinetic energy. Comedy is always moving for ward; its never done. A joke or idea always has the potential to be better, funnier. If you look for them, youll find great ideas ever ywhere. I hope that this book helps you discover your comedy voice and teaches you to trust it. Take risk s. Be passionate about your ideas. And, above all, have fun!

Yours from the grave (eventually),

Mike Bent

P.S. Boo!

Welcome to the EVERYTHING Series!

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THE
EVERYTHING
GUIDE TO
COMEDY WRITING

From stand-up to sketchall you need
to succeed in the world of comedy

Mike Bent

Copyright 2009 Simon and Schuster All rights reserved.
This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced
in any form without permission from the publisher; exceptions
are made for brief excerpts used in published reviews.

An Everything Series Book.
Everything and everything.com are registered trademarks of F+W Media, Inc.

Published by Adams Media, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, Inc.
57 Littlefield Street, Avon, MA 02322 U.S.A.
www.adamsmedia.com

ISBN 10: 1-60550-168-9
ISBN 13: 978-1-60550-168-0
eISBN 978-1-44050-174-6

Printed in the United States of America.

J I H G F E D C B A

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
is available from the publisher.

This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information with regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional advice. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought.

From a Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the
American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations

This book is available at quantity discounts for bulk purchases.
For information, please call 1-800-289-0963.

This book (or my manifesto as it came to be called)
is for my wife Linda and my daughter Nora. Its for their love,
support, and most of all, for giving me everything that I have ever
wanted from life, and so much more than I ever expected.