The Serious Work of Being Funny - Inside the Comedy Mind: Platinum Collection (2004)

Synopsis: The comedy world produces a prodigious amount of talent every year, but it often takes years before fastidiously honed routines are ready for public consumption. This often leads to a lonely battle against self-doubt, depression, and critical maulings for many comics, with only strong and... The comedy world produces a prodigious amount of talent every year, but it often takes years before fastidiously honed routines are ready for public consumption. This often leads to a lonely battle against self-doubt, depression, and critical maulings for many comics, with only strong and highly talented performers surviving against the seemingly insurmountable odds. But what really makes these comics tick? And what is it that makes some performers uproariously funny, while others fall flat on their feet? Host Alan King attempts to answer some of these questions in this fascinating exploration of the art, with a little help from some famous figures who have made the genre what it is today. Whoopi Goldberg, Billy Crystal, Jack Lemmon, and Steven Wright are just a few of the big names performing and talking about their trade to King, making this a special tribute to the people who love to make others laugh. [More]