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Posts tagged as and here’s the kicker

Books n Stuff

Preview: Mike Sacks's Sequel to 'And Here's the Kicker'

by | March 27th, 2013

I remember picking up Mike Sacks's book And Here's the Kicker, a collection of interviews with some of the greatest comedy writers ever, when it was released back in 2009, and instantly devouring it. I couldn't cram the words into my brain fast enough. While my peers' childhood heroes were pro skateboarders and wrestlers, I instead worshiped comedy writers, and in Sacks's book, here they all were – Letterman head writer Merrill Markoe, original Simpsons scribe George Meyer, and '80s comedy king Harold Ramis – talking at length on the subject of humor writing. I recall this distinct feeling that there had never been anything more perfectly suited [...]

Splitsider Comedy Book Club

Finishing 'And Here's the Kicker'

by | June 11th, 2012

We finished the book! How do you feel? Well-read? Inspired? Gassy? But (haha, "gassy but") seriously, I really enjoyed the thing. Some thoughts:

- The book definitely was much more of a writer's guide than a storytelling party, which was fine by me since I am an aspiring writer. Did any of you non-writers have a problem with this?

- My favorite chapters were Marshall Brickman because that guy has had the coolest career ever and Larry Wilmore, who beyond having a really great career, was also  just a really funny, giving interview.

What did you think? I'm interviewing the author of And Here's the Kicker, Mike Sacks, later [...]

Books

Mike Sacks Is Working on a Sequel to 'And Here's the Kicker'

by | May 18th, 2012

Mike Sacks, the author of the must-read book of interviews with comedy writers And Here's the Kicker (and humor book Your Wildest Dreams Within Reason) has begun work on a sequel, one that'll have him talking to more big names from the world of comedy writing. He tells me that "there were quite a few writers I couldn't reach the first go-round. I hope to be able to connect with them for this version. Looking for a book editor and publisher who enjoyed and is familiar with the first book, and would know how to handle the second." Get on it, publishers.

If you haven't read [...]

Books

Sequel to Mike Sacks' 'And Here's the Kicker' Officially Coming to Viking/Penguin in 2014

by | June 28th, 2012

Good news, fans of incredibly in-depth interviews with comedy writers! Mike Sacks, author of And Here's the Kicker, has officially sold the sequel to that book to Viking/Penguin. He tells me that it should clock in at around 400 pages and have a lot of "surprises." He's already working on it, aiming to have it done next year with the release scheduled for 2014. That's a long way off, but hey, good things take time to come together.

Splitsider Comedy Book Club

Checking in Halfway Through 'And Here's The Kicker'

by | May 29th, 2012

Two weeks ago, we named And Here's The Kicker as the first book of the Splitsider Comedy Book Club. The plan is to give everyone a month to obtain and read the book but I wanted to check in as we're halfway through. So far, I've read the wonderful interviews with Buck Henry, Stephen Merchant, Harold Ramis, Dan Mazer, Merrill Markoe, Paul Feig, Bob Odenkirk, Todd Hanson, Marshall Brickman, and Mitch Hurwitz. Though the hope is to have a longer discussion at the end of the book, below are a few questions to be discussed in the comments section of this post to get the ball rolling [...]

Women in Comedy Week

An Extended Interview with Former Colbert Report Head Writer Allison Silverman

by | January 25th, 2011

In And Here's the Kicker, Mike Sacks talked to some of the biggest names in comedy writing, including Dick Cavett, David Sedaris and Robert Smigel. Here is the complete and uncut version of his interview with former Late Night with Conan O'Brien, The Daily Show and Colbert Report writer/producer Allison Silverman, with loads of new answers not found in the book.

It’s difficult to know just how seriously Allison Silverman takes herself, or her place, in the hierarchy of comedy-writing. Having spent time penning jokes for some of the best minds in satire — Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, Conan O’Brien — she’d be justified in some self-aggrandizement.

“Over [...]

Splitsider Comedy Book Club

Talking with Mike Sacks about 'And Here's the Kicker', Interviewing Comedians, References in Comedy, and More!

by | June 27th, 2012

Six weeks ago, you guys chose And Here's the Kicker as the first book of the Splitsider Comedy Book Club. Great job! I hope you enjoyed it and got as much out of it as I did. What Mike Sacks achieved with And Here's was tremendous. He got a rare level of access to these comedic geniuses and they did not disappoint. Just to be able to read about how Bob Odenkirk, Dick Cavett, or Marshall Brickman thinks of a joke is profound; to be able pass on the legend of Milton Berle's penis is even more so.

Recently, I discussed the book and some of its [...]

Sounds Promising

Zach Galifianakis Set to Star in 'Confederacy of Dunces' if it Finally Gets Made

by | May 23rd, 2012

Zach Galifianakis has signed on to star in an adaptation of John Kennedy Toole's Confederacy of Dunces. This is very exciting news that should be taken with at least six grains of salt, as an adaptation of Confederacy has been the white whale to many a comedian. Since 1982, when Harold Ramis tried to adapt it for John Belushi to star, the film has been notoriously doomed. Belushi died right before the film was in pre-production, and same goes for John Candy in 1994 and Chris Farley in 1997. Most recently, Will Ferrell was in talks to star in Steven Soderbergh's version, which obviously didn't get made, though thankfully Ferrell is still completely alive.

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