Finding Your Funny Muscle
Finding Your Funny Muscle

Author: Mike Lukas

Publisher: Merlin Makes Publishing

Published: 2023-05-15

Total Pages: 238

ISBN-13:

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“The blueprint for how to be funny.” - Charna Halpern, author of TRUTH IN COMEDY & ART BY COMMITTEE. “Deceptively simple techniques.” - Kelly Leonard, The Second City (Exec. VP, President of Theatricals), “Yes And” (co-author), “Getting to Yes, And” (host). “A must-read for anyone looking to upgrade their humor game.” - Peter McGraw, coauthor of The Humor Code. ________________________ When a joke flops…It hurts. Nothing beats getting big, genuine laughs from a room full of people. But when a joke doesn’t land, your confidence takes a hit, and it feels like you’ve let everybody down. Figuring out why a joke didn't work and trying again is what makes you funnier. You could try grinding it out on your own, hoping you’ll get lucky. Or you could get serious about your sense of humor. With a career spanning a quarter of a century, veteran comedian and comedy coach Mike Lukas (Tonight Show, Comedy Central, Second City, CBS Radio) strips comedy down to the bone. In Finding Your Funny Muscle, Mike shows you how to “flex” your ideas into funny, original, and relatable humor that gets big laughs—and makes you memorable for the right reasons. His proven blueprint includes: How to develop your own brand of comedy by answering just four questions. Five ways a ‘Comedy Lens’ helps you create original punchlines. The exact joke framework pro comics have used to build their careers. How to come up with A+ material—fast—using the Humor Blueprint. 36 Humor Heightening Devices to consistently create fresh material. A simple technique to avoid freezing and easily remember your ‘bits’. All the laugh-getting tips and tactics from Mike’s 24-year career as a pro comedian, improviser, and comedy coach. Whether you’re a fan of comedy, an aspiring joke-slinger, or a working pro with an ‘itch’ to make it big, Finding Your Funny Muscle reveals the hard-won truth: you can learn to be funnier. _______________________ “Lukas really knows what he's talking about.” - Brian Stack, Writers Guild Award Winning / Emmy Nominated writer for Conan O’Brien, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, actor, comedian. "Mike Lukas is a brilliant, hyper-observant comic.” - Rich Talarico, writer/producer Key & Peele, MADtv, SNL, The Tonight Show, Second City. “This is the blueprint for how to create an act that will be 100% your own.” Eddie Clark, comedian & actor (Law & Order, Exiled, Orange Is the New Black, A&E, OPTIMUM ONLINE).

Harpo Speaks!
Harpo Speaks!

Author: Harpo Marx

Publisher: Pickle Partners Publishing

Published: 2017-03-17

Total Pages: 758

ISBN-13: 1787203891

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First published in 1961, this is the autobiography of Harpo Marx, the silent comedian of The Marx Brothers fame. Writing of his life before, during, and after becoming famous by incorporating lovely and humorous stories and anecdotes, Harp Marx tells of growing up in a rough neighborhood and being poor, being bullied and dropping out of school, teaching himself to read, write, tell time, and to play the piano and harp. He speaks of his close relationships with his family members, particularly his mother and brother Leonard (Chico), who would become his partner-in-crime on screen, and the profound effect that the death of his parents Sam and Minnie had on him. Filled with insider tales of his antics on and off stage, and the hard graft he and his brothers put into reaching their level of success, the reader becomes privy to a rare glimpse into Marx’ thoughts on everything and everyone he had the privilege of working with. The book reveals the friendships he forged and the blows he was dealt in show-business, and of his marriage to his wife, actress Susan Fleming, with whom he adopted four children and built a ranch on which they lived happily ever after, along with numerous animals. A thoroughly enjoyable read. “This is a riotous story which is reasonably mad and as accurate as a Marx brother can make it. Despite only a year and a half of schooling, Harpo, or perhaps his collaborator, is the best writer of the Marx Brother. Highly recommended.”—Library Journal “A funny, affectionate and unpretentious autobiography done with a sharply professional assist from Rowland Barber.”—New York Times Book Review “This is a racy autobiography by the mute Marx Brother with the rolling eyes, oversized pants and red wig who could send a glissando reeling over his harp.[...] It is enjoyable reading and polished writing...”—Kirkus Review

Finding Your Funny Muscle
Finding Your Funny Muscle

Author: Mike Lukas

Publisher:

Published: 2023-05-14

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13:

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Hi there, I'm veteran comedian Mike Lukas (NBC, Comedy Central, Second City, iO). Laughter curbs stress and turns strangers into friends, and I believe anyone can learn to be funnier. In my debut book FINDING YOUR FUNNY MUSCLE, I slow down laugh making and repackage it in a way that's hilarious and easy to practice. Using offbeat humor and an insider's insight, I'll help you discover your own Comedy Lens. Then I'll teach you how to plug your ideas into the Humor Blueprint and flex them for laughs. It's the same game plan the pros use presented in a simple, funny way that anyone can learn. Get ready to find and flex your own Funny Muscle - the laughs will (literally) do you good. WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT FINDING YOUR FUNNY MUSCLE: "Not only does this book have the blueprint for how to be funny, but Mike Lukas is also going to make you laugh out loud while reading it. Whether you are an aspiring stand up or a corporate VIP who regularly speaks in the workforce, this book lays it all out- step by step. My favorite part is the mistakes "unfunny" people make - it is hilarious & so true. So to all who have asked, "Can you really teach someone to be funny"? My answer is "MIKE LUKAS CAN"!!!!" -- Charna Halpern co-creator of iO with Del Close, Author of TRUTH IN COMEDY and ART BY COMMITTEE "Mike Lukas is one of only three people with the comedic knowledge, experience, and insight to write such a book. The other two are dead." -- Dan Carlson, Chicago Comedy Festival Founder, Zanies Comedy Club GM, Comedian "Is Mike Lukas funny? Yes, I can vouch for that, and I've hired and worked with some of the funniest people in the business (including him!). In "Finding Your Funny Muscle," Mike translates what has worked for him on stages across the country over decades to give readers some deceptively simple techniques to hone their craft. In the words of Steve Martin, "Comedy isn't pretty," but Mike Lukas makes it easier to understand, craft and execute." -- Kelly Leonard, The Second City (Exec. VP, President of Theatricals), "Yes And" (co-author), "Getting to Yes, And" (host) "We at the Humor Research Lab typically deal with the scientific side of understanding the complexities of comedy. So it was refreshingly fun to see veteran standup comedian Mike Lukas tackle the difficult topic of how to become funnier. His stories are hilarious, his insider insights are enlightening, and his application of the Benign Violation Theory would pass peer review. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to upgrade their humor game." -- Peter McGraw, co-author of The Humor Code, Founder of the Humor Research Lab (HuRL) "I've known the hilarious Mike Lukas for a long time, and I deeply resent him for not writing this great book years ago when I was starting out. When it comes to comedy, Lukas really knows what he's talking about. Just don't buy any books he writes about tragedy." Brian Stack, Writers Guild Award Winning / Emmy Nominated writer for Conan O'Brien, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, actor, comedian "Being able to read how Mike breaks down his process is helpful for any comedian whether you're a grizzled veteran like me or someone who just wants to learn the art of being funny. Throughout the book Mike writes in a way that's both funny and easy to understand, all the while giving you concrete examples of what he's talking about. Get this book and throw out all your other books!" -- Tom Clark (comedian from Conan, Comedy Central, and I once opened for Mike Lukas)

Funny How Life Works
Funny How Life Works

Author: Michael Jr.

Publisher: Inprov Media

Published: 2021-03-02

Total Pages: 256

ISBN-13: 9781951701970

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Funny How Life Works is a behind-the-scenes look at the life and career of comedian Michael Jr. Infused with the same laugh-out-loud humor and practical wisdom that define his stand-up acts, Michael shares a collection of stories meant to inspire readers to embrace their purpose--their "punchline."

Muscle Memory
Muscle Memory

Author: Steve Lowe

Publisher: Steve Lowe

Published: 2010-10

Total Pages: 77

ISBN-13: 1936383012

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Billy Gillespie wakes up one morning to discover his junk is gone. In its place is his wife's junk. Billy is now Tina, and Tina is dead. That's because Billy's dead. His lifeless body is still in bed and empty beer bottles and a container of antifreeze litter the kitchen counter. Over the next 24 hours, Billy and an odd assortment of neighbors, all experiencing their own bouts of body switcheroo, try to figure out what happened and why. Can they do it before the Feds find Billy's body? Was it aliens that caused this, or God, or the government? And did Edgar Winter really sleep with his sheep? Pro football Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw has those answers in a story that asks, What Would Kirk Cameron Do?

Step by Step to Stand-up Comedy
Step by Step to Stand-up Comedy

Author: Greg Dean

Publisher: Heinemann Drama

Published: 2000

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9780325001791

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If you think you're funny, and you want others to think so too, this is the book for you! Greg Dean examines the fundamentals of being funny and offers advice on a range of topics, including: writing creative joke material rehearsing and performing routines coping with stage fright dealing with emcees who think they're funnier than you are getting experience and lots more. Essential for the aspiring comic or the working comedian interested in updating his or her comedy routine, Step by Step to Stand-Up Comedy is the most comprehensive and useful book ever written on the art of the stand-up comedian.

In My Heart
In My Heart

Author: Jo Witek

Publisher: Abrams

Published: 2014-10-14

Total Pages: 32

ISBN-13: 164700828X

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Celebrate feelings in all their shapes and sizes in this New York Times bestselling picture book from the Growing Hearts series! Happiness, sadness, bravery, anger, shyness . . . our hearts can feel so many feelings! Some make us feel as light as a balloon, others as heavy as an elephant. In My Heart explores a full range of emotions, describing how they feel physically, inside, with language that is lyrical but also direct to empower readers to practice articulating and identifying their own emotions. With whimsical illustrations and an irresistible die-cut heart that extends through each spread, this gorgeously packaged and unique feelings book is sure to become a storytime favorite.

I Found this Funny
I Found this Funny

Author: Judd Apatow

Publisher: McSweeney's

Published: 2010

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781934781906

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"I Found This Funny" is a compilation of work by some of Apatow's favorite authors. Featured writers include F. Scott Fitzgerald, Conan O'Brien, Lorrie Moore, Paul Feig, Jonathan Franzen, Alice Munro, and many others.

Muscle
Muscle

Author: Samuel Wilson Fussell

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Published: 1991

Total Pages: 270

ISBN-13:

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At age 26, scrawny, Oxford-educated Samuel Fussell entered a YMCA gym in New York to escape the terrors of big city life. Four years and 80 lbs. of firm, bulging muscle later, he was competing for bodybuilding titles in the "Iron Mecca" of Southern California-so weak from intense training and starvation he could barely walk. MUSCLE is the harrowing, often hilarious chronicle of Fussell's divine obsession, his search for identity in a bizarre, eccentric world of "health fascists," "gym bunnies" and "muscleheads"-and his devout, single-minded acceptance of illness, pain, nausea, and steroid-induced rage in his quest for the holy grail of physical perfection.

Point Your Face at This
Point Your Face at This

Author: Demetri Martin

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Published: 2013-03-19

Total Pages: 289

ISBN-13: 1455512060

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The New York Times bestselling writer and comedian Demetri Martin is back with a brand new collection of drawings that urge you to: POINT YOUR FACE AT THIS In his first book, This Is a Book, Demetri Martin introduced fans and readers to his unique brand of long-form humor writing. That book spent twelve weeks on the New York Times bestseller list Now Demetri returns with an eclectic volume devoted entirely to his trademark drawings and word play. Point Your Face at This contains hundreds of hilarious drawings and visual jokes, showcasing Martin's particular penchant for brevity. With a sensibility all its own, this is a great gift book and an absolute must-have for fans of the brainy, ambidextrous, comedian, palindromist (and author), Demetri Martin.