Sketch Comedy

Authors Keegan-Michael Key and Elle Key build on the popularity of their 2022 Webby Award-winning podcast and delve deeper into the world of sketch, helped along with new essays created expressly for the book by comedy greats.

In The Sketch-Book of Geoffrey Crayon (1820-21), Irving explores the uneasy relationship of an American writer to English literary traditions. In two sketches, he experiments with tales transplanted from Europe, thereby creating the first classic American short stories: "Rip Van Winkle" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow".

One of Canada's most cherished writers, British-born Stephen Leacock was probably best known and loved for his works of light humor. First published in 1912, Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town is one of his most popular and enduring pieces of fiction. This collection of short stories describes the people that comprise a typical but fictional small town in Ontario - Mariposa. The book's appeal lies in the universality of the characters Leacock describes so eloquently, they live out their 'large' lives in the little town.

The complete ninth series of BBC Radio 4's award-winning sketch show 'One of our best sketch writers' Observer John Finnemore returns with his multi-award-winning sketch show, but this series is very different to the previous eight. There are still sketches and songs, and it's still written and...

John Finnemore presents the eighth series of his multi-award-winning Souvenir Programme ‘The best sketch show in years, on television or radio’ Radio Times John Finnemore, creator and star of Cabin Pressure and John Finnemore’s Double Acts, is back with Series 8 of his highly acclaimed...

Forbidden love is an art all its own London, 1886 Barkeep Warren Bakshi is happy with the secrets that he keeps—those of the patrons he serves at underground queer club The Curious Fox, and his own. But when Warren’s long-lost brother returns, bringing unexpected wealth to the Bakshi family...

NATIONAL BESTSELLER | A GLOBE AND MAIL 2023 BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR “Every sentence of Monica Heisey’s writing is a treat. No one makes me laugh like she does.” —Dolly Alderton, New York Times bestselling author of Good Material An unabashedly honest and hilarious portrait of a life gone...

The cult spoof show set in a fictional newsroom An effervescent mix of satire and sketches, The Way It Is ran for seven series on BBC Radio 4 between 1998 and 2002. Performed by Sanjeev Bhaskar, Simon Evans, Tracy-Ann Oberman, Fiona Allen, Dave Lamb, Chris Pavlo, Laura Shavin and Phil Cornwell...

Inspired by the real psychology study popularized by the New York Times and its "Modern Love" column, this contemporary YA is perfect for fans of Eleanor and Park. Two random strangers. Two secrets. Thirty-six questions to make them fall in love. Hildy and Paul each have their own reasons for...

In this unfiltered, sharp-witted, and hugely entertaining memoir, Gift Grub’s Mario Rosenstock invites listeners behind the microphone to explore the unique journey that made him one of Ireland’s most distinctive comedic voices. From his formative years in rural Waterford to an unexpected...

As a starting point in making the world a better place, Mark will free you from sin. It's a big task, but he thinks it's going to go really well. Mark Watson is not only a fantastic stand-up comedian, but he may also be the best chance we have to overcome sin. He's got a plan to teach us...

All three series of Phil Hammond and Tony Gardner's award-winning comedy show exploding the myths of medicine 'Very funny indeed' Daily Telegraph Broadcaster Dr Phil Hammond and actor Tony Gardner are best known for their respective roles in Trust Me, I'm a Doctor and Fresh Meat. But in the...

Pitch, Sketch, Launch extracts the techniques used to create today’s most beloved comedy shows and applies them to revitalizing software development. It shines a spotlight on the sketch comedy world’s ethos of feedback-driven product deliveries and its playful search for original solutions. Insightful interviews, best practices, and case studies demonstrate how creating comedy applies to designing top-tier software.

Comedian-philosophers from Socrates to Sartre have always prodded and provoked us, critiquing our most sacred institutions and urging us to examine ourselves in the process. In Saturday Night Live and Philosophy, a star-studded cast of philosophers takes a close look at the "deep thoughts" beneath the surface of NBC's award-winning late-night variety show and its hosts' zany antics. 

Four more episodes from the cult BBC Radio comedy Described by Barry Took as "a kaleidoscope of funny voices, catch phrases, and innuendo, revolving at breakneck speed and with a complete disregard for logic", the sketch comedy I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again ran for 8 successful years on BBC...

The writer and star of The State, Wet Hot American Summer, The Baxter, and Michael & Michael Have Issues brings readers his uniquely absurd humor in his hilarious first book. I was at my wit's end. I'd had enough of this job, this life, and my relationship had broken up. Should I eat chocolate...

Kenneth Williams and Hugh Paddick are the notorious resting thespians in this hilarious collection of sketches from Round the Horne. 'Oh, hello. I'm Julian, and this is my friend Sandy...' Through four series of Round the Horne, Julian and Sandy graced each episode with an encounter with 'that...

A step-by-step practical guide to all types of comedy writing, filled with invaluable advice, exercises, interviews, tools, and jokes that will turn anyone into a funnier writer and person, from authors/editors/teachers/perfect 10s Elissa Bassist and Caitlin Kunkel. Comedy writing is hard. Or is...

In this brand-new stand-up series, comedy legend Omid Djalili cuts through the noise pollution to try and make sense of what’s going on in the world. A high-energy, thought-provoking show that tackles zeitgeist themes, tumultuous times, and reminds people of what being a human being actually...

This collection includes the following: "Urdu Adab Ka Muskarata Fassafi"; "Deewan Sahab"; "Mushairaati Safar"; "Chacha Deen Muhammed"; and "Mushaira Tu Dil e Natawan neKhoob Kia".