Offering more insiders advice than any other manual, this book shows you how to try out material; get onstage experience; market your act to talent bookers, agents, and managers; go on the road; get on television, and much more. Supplementing the author s own expertise are his interviews with more than sixteen proven talents, including Drew Carey, Carrot Top, Jeff Foxworthy, and Tommy Smothers--all of whom embody the qualities of originality, career know-how, and laughter. Schwensen assumes you already believe you re funny enough to tackle a comedy career. Making sure you develop a comic vision that s completely your own is the essential lesson in starting out in the exciting but crowded field of standup comedy.