 | | Loading...
 WKSU News Channel
6:30
Marketplace®
The award-winning daily program about business and finance puts a human face on the global economy, with insight from anchor Kai Ryssdal.
7:00
The World
The World brings one-of-a-kind international stories home to America. Host Lisa Mullins guides listeners through major issues and stories, linking global events directly to the American agenda.
8:00
BBC World Service
For over 70 years, BBC World Service has been the globe's most comprehensive source for news. When news breaks --anywhere, anytime -- BBC is there.
Wednesday On WKSU News
12:00
BBC World Service
For over 70 years, BBC World Service has been the globe's most comprehensive source for news. When news breaks -- anywhere, anytime -- BBC is there.
5:00
Morning Edition®
WKSU Classical Channel
Classical Music With Lynne Warfel
4:01
Heinrich Biber: Sonata No. 12 (Parley of Instruments)
4:06
Hamilton Harty: In Ireland (Nancy Ruffer, flute)
4:13
Randall Thompson: Alleluia (Ying Quartet)
4:20
Howard Hanson: Symphony No. 2 "Romantic" (RCA Symphony Orchestra)
|
| |
|
|
|
 |
 |
Funding for WKSU is made possible in part through support from the following businesses and organizations.
For more information on how your company or organization can support WKSU, download the WKSU Media Kit.
(WKSU Media Kit )
|
|
Arts and Entertainment Thursday, July 19, 2012 Hollywood writer from Cleveland dissects comedy New book from Dan O’Shannon, writer-director of “Modern Family," "Newhart,” “Cheers,” “Frasier" by WKSU's KABIR BHATIA |
 Reporter Kabir Bhatia | | |
 | | Dan O'Shannon spent years honing his comedic chops as a stand-up in Cleveland till he headed for Hollywood in the 1980s. | | Courtesy of Dan O'Shannon |
In The Region: Dan O’Shannon grew up in Cleveland before heading to Hollywood and writing for classic sitcoms like “Newhart,” “Cheers,” “Frasier” and “Modern Family.” Now, after decades in the business, he’s deconstructed what makes us laugh in his first book, titled “What Are You Laughing At? A Comprehensive Guide to the Comedic Event.” WKSU’s Kabir Bhatia spoke with the Emmy-winning author about the science of comedy. |
(Click image for larger view.)
|
One man's laugh is another man's snore and one day, Dan O'Shannon wanted to know why. The veteran writer-producer had read other books about comedy and found they often did not examine the subject thoroughly.
“I think a lot of theorists will start to deconstruct jokes. And when you think about it, jokes are such a small part of what we laugh at in any given day of our lives. When we’re laughing with our friends, we’re laughing at something someone does. We see things around us, they make us laugh for many different reasons. And the idea that jokes hold all the answers is a little bit limiting.”
In "What Are You Laughing At?,” O'Shannon attempts to find out why people are amused by everything from The Three Stooges to "Frasier" and all the shades of comedy in between. He includes no peer-reviewed scientific experiments, opting instead for the edge that working on some of the most successful sitcoms in history has given him.
{Click above for Q&A}
In his book, Dan O'Shannon recounts one comedy-defying moment from a "Mary Tyler Moore" episode he watched as a teenager.
Along with stories on how TV is made, "What Are You Laughing At?" includes Dan O'Shannon's Unified Theory of Comedy, which attempts to do for laughter what E-equals-mc-squared did for physics. |
|
|
Stories with Recent Comments Thirteen Cleveland firefighters indictedWhat was stolen?
Section 7(p)(3) of the FLSA provides that two individuals employed in the same capacity by the same public agency may agree, solely at their ... Raise a glass to craft beer weekVivian,
What a great interview - Just done so professionally. I loved the way you smoothly transitioned from production to interview to history of the company... Funk Hall of Fame in Dayton?My quesiton how much of this groups own money are they investing? What resources has the City of Dayton's Mayor Leitzell (who just lost the run off elections) ... Ohio has an election Tuesday; who knew?WHY isn't there any information in this article about what the issues are for???????? Oh, I guess so only those who know about it will vote and everything will... |