Show Me the Funny!: At the Writers’ Table with Hollywood’s Top Comedy Writers

Witty comedies have taken over television and film and it’s not a moment too soon. With shows and movies like “Bridesmaids,” “Modern Family,” “Happy Endings,” “Parks and Recreation,” “Hangover,” and the future resurgence of the brilliant “Arrested Development,” comedies are getting massive audiences and more attention is starting to be placed on the writers behind the laughs. On Friday, March 9, 2012, Peter Desberg and Jeffrey Davis, authors of “Show Me the Funny!: At the Writers’ Table with Hollywood’s Top Comedy Writers,” were in San Diego to talk about their book and their experiences with the top comedy screenwriters in Hollywood.

Hosted by San Diego Writers Ink the event took place at the Art Center Lofts in San Diego. The night consisted of an engaging humor workshop and discussion, followed by a hilarious Q&A session and book signing. Desberg and Davis shared their stories and experiences while interviewing the top comedy screenwriters from idolized television shows and films like “Gilligan’s Island,” “Get Smart,” “Saving Silverman,” “Cheers,” “Frasier,” “Modern Family,” and “There’s Something About Mary.”

The authors have made comedy their lives and each have an extensive history within their field. Peter Desberg has even studied the psychology of humor and how to use humor to change lives. He also hosted his own cable show for many years and has done many radio and television interviews. Jeffrey Davis is no slouch either. He has written for A&E, Discovery, and the National Geographic Channel. He’s also a playwright, having his plays produced in New York and Los Angeles, and has comedy experience with many television shows, including “Love Boat” and “America’s Funniest Home Videos.”

“Show Me the Funny!: At the Writers’ Table with Hollywood’s Top Comedy Writers” is sure to please any comedy fan as it is not your typical book of interviews. The entire process that Desberg and Davis devised was one of little structure. The interviews each began with the same basic idea but how each comedic writer took to that same idea is very different and makes for hilarious material.

However, the book isn’t just for fans of comedy, it’s for anyone who has ever been interested in writing comedy themselves. Through the innovative concept, the comedic scriptwriters are able to show their creative process and their stream of conscious ideas are reflective of the types of minds that give shows like “Arrested Development” life. Anyone interested in writing comedy, be it for fun or for a living, will see this book as the funniest text book to comedy that have ever read.

For more information on the book, visit the “Show Me the Funny!: At the Writers’ Table with Hollywood’s Top Comedy Writers” website, and if you’re interested in knowing more about the event, visit the San Diego Writers Ink site.