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Be Funny or Die
- How Comedy Works and Why It Matters
- Narrated by: Joel Morris
- Length: 9 hrs and 2 mins
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Be Funny or Die
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Summary
Comedy can soothe our pain, vent our anger, make us feel less alone, and provide the answer to life’s most difficult questions, such as What do you call a man with a seagull on his head?* It’s a social glue, but it can also be divisive, and the joke is on us if we don’t understand how it works.
So what are the rules? How does comedy do its magic, and why does it matter? Join professional comedy writer Joel Morris on a hilarious journey into the hidden world of shared laughter, where he reveals the mechanisms that make jokes work and what comedy can teach us about ourselves. Offering astute analysis of everything from stand-up to slapstick and sitcom to spoof, Morris examines comedic patterns, rhythms, and dynamics to uncover the algorithms that secretly underpin comedy.
Packed with gags and examples of comedy at its best—plus some invaluable tips on how to master that b’dum tish timing—Be Funny or Die is a fascinating investigation into how our species has developed and mastered this essential art form where laughter is the universal language and only the funniest survive.
*Cliff.
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What listeners say about Be Funny or Die
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 09-04-24
Excellent - learnt so much & a joy to listen to
Unpacks how & why comedy works, with some of the science explained instead the usual just-so stories. And it's incredibly listenable to - engaging & fun.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- John Walker
- 12-03-24
Great book about comedy...with jokes
I really enjoyed this book. I am a fan of the Rule of Three and Comfort Blanket podcasts, and in this book Joel Morris is giving an even more forensic analysis of comedy. I learned a lot and will listen to it over and over again.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Probably Adam
- 24-04-24
Whether you are someone who is curious how comedy works or a seasoned writer, this book will fascinate and entertain you.
Incredible.
As a writer of novels that blend crime and comedy I've done my fair share of reading of books on plot and writing theory but have always found that books on comedy weren't really about comedy. They tended to be about how to become a standup.
As a result it was refreshing to read something from someone who, like me, professes no desire to do that. Safe behind our keyboards we want to see how the story works and how the comedy works and make it better.
Joel Morris has written one of the only two books I've ever read on the subject of comedy that actually nailed down how comedy works and why it works (and sometimes doesn't). He covers the neuroscience of comedy, reveals why (as I've always said) comedy is more difficult to write than any other genre and, crucially, how to make it less difficult.
I backed the crowdfund for the book so have been looking forward to getting it in my hands for a long time and it was entirely worth the wait, a genuine treasure-trove of advice that comes from having actually done it that is constructed in a way that renders it a) impossible not to laugh at the book and b) impossible not to constantly take away actual examples of how to make your comedy writing better no matter what type of comedy you write.
Whether you are someone who is curious how comedy works or a seasoned writer, this book will fascinate and entertain you.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Tim Brownson
- 26-04-24
Incredibly funny book for anybody who finds it incredibly funny.
I bought this book because I'm a huge fan of stand up and comedy in general and I was looking for more technical insight.
I didn't just get that, a LOT of laughs and great narration, but a clue as to why some people like my own writing style, and others think I'm an utter idiot and not in the least bit amusing.
I won't just be recommending this to friends, but also clients. To help them understand how their own comedy can help them stand out online, whether it's super gentle, or talking about people falling down manholes.
The most enjoyable book I've listened to in the last 2 or 3 years, and if I was an AI model I'd be giving it 3 thumbs up.
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- Shaun Jacques
- 17-03-24
Great listen!
A very in depth look at the science of humour and comedy but told in a way that makes it easy to understand and to break down each type of humour. Would highly recommend to any fan of comedy; you’ll learn just as much about yourself that you will about your favourite comedians!
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- Weaselboy
- 23-04-24
The best book on comedy I’ve read
Hugely interesting, clever, thoughtful and generous - a book full of good ideas, confidently read by a skilled communicator. I’ll no doubt listen to it again in the future
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