Writing Comedy [Paperback]

This was an interesting book, but it didn't present much in the way ofuseful practical advice. Ronald seems to cover a lot of ground but doesn'tgo into any one area in very much detail, making the book feel a littlesketchy at times. The writing also seemed a little dated and slightlyirrelevant for the current situation in the UK sitcom business, with justthe "update" of the "My Family" BBC sitcom tagged on towards the end.
Having said that, it was worthwhile and at times amusing, but I thinkthere are better guides out there... most notably "Writing TelevisionSitcoms" by Evan S. Smith.

This book helped me turn a corner in my writing by showing me how a professional writer thinks. Unlike the authors of most of the other writing books I use, Wolfe actually earns his living as a writer, and he focuses on technique, not theory. One chapter in particular is worth the price of the book, the one where Wolfe goes over a question he calls "the writer's best friend." This technique alone helped change my thinking and move me more in the direction of being a professional writer. It doesn't matter if you don't want to write sitcoms as Wolfe does (I don't particularly want to), you can still learn valuable tips from this practical book.

Here's how to do it .. Now practice.

ITV 3 have being showing reruns of On the Buses and the other day they showed all the on the buses films.

When they were first shown in the late 60s early 70s I was not a great fan as I found the programme formulaic and pandering to standardised cliches about the British working classes which included racism and sexism.

On looking at them in light of more recent offerings by both film and television they have weathered very well as they are funny. The public loved the programme even though the critics panned them as they were regarded as being vulgar. again no swearing or overt sex. they were a carry on from the carry on genre which has also stood the test of time

Ronald Wolfe wrote these programmes and started off with television classics like the Rag Trade. I therefore thought I would would revisit his book which has been sitting on my shelf for a few years so this is the not the latest edition.

The essential chapters are hammering out the story line and writing and episode step by step.

Beginners think that they have to have a funny concept. I should imagine if you explained to anyone who didn't know that our most enduring sitcom is about a group of old blokes who in the second world war sincerely thought they were going to hold back the Nazi hordes would think that was a funny concept.

The concept is noting but the characters and the story is everything. he gives plenty of good examples and although there are no modern examples all you have to do is watch tings like Peep Show and It crown or Gavin and Stacey to know what they want today.

Charlie Brooker on Screenwipe did a whole programme recently talking to the writers and they came via media courses and doing things like submitting sketches to the Two Ronnies or what was on a the time. Sitcom is still alive and well even in things like My Family.

I am not sure why there is any negative criticism of this book. If you want to learn how to write a sitcom it is easy enough. You get out the DVD of Fawlty Towers along with the scripts and study them

All the best offerings are now on DVD so you can spend you days watching them again and again until you have soaked up every last nuances and then start writing one for yourself.

You cant expect a book to give you all the answers as you then have to practice. this is the best book I have read on how to write comedy.

The simple advice of building the story before you write one line of dialogue is as good as any. that is what John Cleese and Connie Booth did. they spend a long time getting the story right then wrote the dialogue . They then wrote twice as much as would be needed for a sitcom of half an hour then tightened it up until they produced some of the best episodes of British sitcom ever.

It is like me complaining that a book on running does not really tell me what I need to be a great runner.I would have thought the answer was get out and practice.

There might be better books on comedy writing but I haven't found it yet. I treat myself form time to time by rereading this one.