Behind every great television show is a group of professionals working at the top of their games-but no one is more important than the writers. And while writing comedy, especially good comedy, is serious business-fraught with actor egos, demanding producers, and sleepless nights-it also can result in classic lines of dialogue. Sitcom Writers Talk Shop: Behind the Scenes with Carl Reiner, Norman Lear, and Other Geniuses of TV Comedy is a collection of conversations with the writers responsible for some of the most memorable shows in television comedy. The men and women interviewed here include series creators, show runners, and staff writers whose talent and hard work have generated literally millions of laughs. In addition to Reiner (The Dick Van Dyke Show) and Lear (All in the Family), this book features in-depth interviews with: *James L. Brooks (The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Simpsons) *Al Jean (The Simpsons, The Critic) *Leonard Stern (The Honeymooners, Get Smart) *Treva Silverman (The Mary Tyler Moore Show) *Ken Estin (Cheers) *Matt Williams (Roseanne, Home Improvement) *Dava Savel (Ellen) *Larry Charles (Seinfeld) *David Lee (Frasier) *Phil Rosenthal (Everybody Loves Raymond) *Mike Reiss (The Simpsons) From these conversations, readers will learn that the business of writing funny has never been all laughs. Writers discuss the creative process, how they get unstuck, the backstories of iconic episodes, and how they cope with ridiculous censors, outrageous actors, and their own demons and fears. Sitcom Writers Talk Shop will appeal to fans of all of these shows and may serve as inspiration to anyone considering a life in comedy.

Everybody's got a dream.... This is the colorful story of two generations of Americans, following them from Palermo, Italy to the cut-throat business world in New York City. Their tempestuous affairs and heart-warming family dealings make this a fast-moving page turner. Meet the Ricci's and the Marino's, close friends in Italy, who follow their quest for the life of their dreams - from the poverty of Palermo, Italy in the 1940's to a six-family tenement in Brooklyn, New York. And their children: Beautiful and talented Patria, locked in a stifling, loveless marriage in the New York suburbs, dreaming about the "fireworks" that she knows are still out there. Laura, lovable and radiant, and Chuck, a gifted artist, who always dreamed they would be together. They seem to be the perfect couple. Meet Brooke Reynolds, product of Manhattan's Lower East Side, whose dream is to leave his poverty-stricken past behind and become "somebody." But despite his stunning good looks and considerable intellect, he feels he needs "The Lie" to get there. Frankie DiMartino is an old pal from Brooklyn with a big muscles and a big heart, still pursuing his dream - catching his childhood sweetheart before she marries someone else again. Their lives braid together in this fascinating story of family, business, and love, with breath-taking twists and unexpected turns, leaving the reader breathless and begging for more.