And I will read it AGAIN. ( )

Although this book is really just a series of anecdotes about writers' experiences in the business, I did enjoy it. I found the final interview with Mel Brooks brilliant fun. ( )

This book is long, but if you have a shred of interest in comedy writing or in the process of being creative, then check it out even if only to skim through. Most of the interviewees are a gold mine of laughs and hard-won life lessons.

My current job is about as far away from writing comedy as a job can be, and yet I could easily identify with the backgrounds of many of these professionals. They tended to be smarter than average but overwhelmingly disliked school. All were capable of this obsessive work ethic, one that only required the right push of creative motivation. Recognizing that is something a garden-variety high school teacher would be clueless on how to inspire. ( )

Poking a Dead Frog by Mike Sacks; some one said on Amazon that this was a much better collection of interviews than in Apatow's Sick in the Head and he was right. Sacks is a much better interviewer and way more insightful. Good reading whether or not you are seeking advice in the comedy area. ( )

The comedy writers interviewed for this span generations and formats. Some of them share their favorite moments, break-out jobs, and creative missteps. Others give practical advice about the writing process and careers. Even without any aspiration of being a comedy writer, these 400 pages were interesting and useful - and often enough, funny. ( )