How to Be Funny: The One and Only Practical Guide for Every Occasion, Situation, and Disaster (No Kidding)

by Jon Macks and  

Book Overview

An invaluable guide on how to "lighten up" from a distinguished pro who has provided laughs for JAY LENO, BILLY CRYSTAL, STEVE MARTIN, ROBIN WILLIAMS, BRAD GARRETT, WHOOPI GOLDBERG, AND MANY MORE.
Who hasn't wished for the perfect withering comeback line, a clever tension-breaking quip, or a winning flirtatious remark? Being funny is hard work and not everyone is a natural. How to Be Funny is a witty guide that teaches readers precisely...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0743204727
• ISBN13: 9780743204729
• Release Date: September 2003
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.31 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.6" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Finally - proof that my husband is NOT funny

My husband is exceedingly charming, but not always funny. He can stretch a joke further than I can stretch my spandex pants. This book proves that he should not be doing that. Now when my husband starts to tell a joke I just roll the book up and hit him on the nose with it. I like the book. Very funny book, very funny author, very funny sound when you whack someone with it.

Hillarious

This book is great! It's small and portable, there are pages in there, and there's even text added to almost every single page, yeah, readable text! If you thought the above paragraph was funny, then read no further and just order this book, if you didn't think it was funny, get the book and then teach me how to be funny. Not only does the book gives you great tips on how to improve your comedy skills for your everyday life, but the book itself is impossible to put down, every single page is full of hilarious text that will make you want to read the book over and over again. Many comics get their early inspirations from people close to them; a parent, sibling, friend or even the guy/gal next to you in the bathroom stall. This book is just as inspirational, without the BO. The topicality of the book is outdated, but the points that it makes will last through any generation.

Some Readers Don't Get It ! ! !

This book is simply a systematic way to find humor in one's everday experiences. As a professional speaker I found it IMMENSELY valuable. Jon Macks is basically telling the reader that there are different directions from which you can approach a person or situation to create humor. The negative reviews seemed to expect a funny book. And there are some hysterical lines. However that is not the point. The jokes are there to reinforce the concepts. For example; Gilbert Gottfried is asked on Hollywood Squares (a scripted show) "What do you do about a hairy back?" He responds, "Close my eyes and imagine she's wearing an alpaca sweater." While the joke is funny, painting a great picture, the point of this was to show the use of hard consonants to create funny words or sounds - use of the word alpaca is the point of the response. If you write or speak and want to be funnier, this is a great book for you. Steve Allen's book of the same title is also a great book, written for the same purpose.

great book to teach the average person to be funnier

This is a great person who just wants to be funnier. He gives you simple tools to improve your wit and delivery in everday situations in a simple and funny tone. Great book, well worth the money.

It's funny and helpful!

In my line of work (real estate), I often have to speak to groups of people, and I always worry that I'm boring them. I also meet a lot of new people, and I am always trying to find ways to break the ice with them. This book was the answer to my prayers. I always thought I COULD be funny, but this book helped me actually BE funny.Tonight I'm on my way to a monthly PTA meeting which could not be more dull. I'm thinking of buying a copy of this book for every member - God knows everyone in the meeting could use it!And if you're already funny, then you'll enjoy just reading this book. It's sure to make you chuckle out loud.