Funny Thing Is: A Guide to Understanding Comedy

"Funny Thing Is melds philosophy, science, and personal observations to result in a multifaceted take on modern comedy-one with a heartfelt message.

Stephen Evans's The Funny Thing Is is a perceptive dissection of the science and philosophy of comedy and comedic writing.

This thorough analysis of the evolution of comedy is part philosophy primer, part social science, and part writing advice. While it is a book about comedy, it does not joke in its approach: it is a scholarly investigation of comedy as theory, of laughter as a physiological reaction, and of theoretical considerations about what makes people laugh and why. It analyzes the ideas of philosophers and writers including Immanuel Kant and Neil Simon, and incorporates Evans's firsthand experience as actor, author, and comedy playwright. The result is a savvy and complex anatomy of funniness, with suggestions for how to replicate it." -ForeWord Clarion Reviews