“The Cheeky Monkey – Writing Narrative Comedy”
is the ultimate comedy-writing manual.
From one of Australia’s most successful comedians and Sitcom creators, comes The Cheeky Monkey, a manual to ‘unlock the code’ to comedy writing.
The book is an analytical study and practitioner’s guide to the art of comedy writing.
The insights and exercises will help you:
* Develop a sitcom
* Write jokes
* Create funny stories
* Build comedy characters
* Sell your sitcom
Many of Tim’s principles also apply to writing funny stand-up, comedy plays, comedy novels and comedy movies.
It’s the only Australian comedy writing manual. Simple, incisive and practical, The Cheeky Monkey covers everything you need to know about comedy writing.
Get serious about your comedy writing- and save yourself years of trial and error!
To own a copy of The Cheek Monkey – Writing Narrative Comedy go to: CURRENCY.COM.AU
“You don’t need to aspire to write comedy to find this book entertaining and instructive.”
(The Age, Melbourne)
“It’s already being called ‘Bible’. We won’t be able to live without it!”
(Robert Jones, Producer USA)
“”This book is brilliant, I thoroughly enjoyed it! Not only is it very funny, but it also provids a detailed game plan for creating comedy. Not easy, of course, but a wonderful step by step recipe. It helpfully analyses the many reasons WHY we laugh, and offers hope that even a layman can learn to be funny in their own writing.”
(Ed Love, Screenwriter, Director UK)
32 Comments
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Powra 3 on August 22, 2011 at 12:58 am.
There’s so much I want to say about the Cheeky Monkey book. Hilarious, daunting, inspirational, empowering and filled with passion for comedy. Best book ever ever.
Antony Peres on September 3, 2011 at 8:58 pm.
I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!! FUNNIEST EVER!!!!
Chris Wainhouse on August 25, 2011 at 3:14 pm.
In the past decade I would have purchased billions of comedy books (the use of the word ‘billions’ was made for dramatic effect and in no way indicates an accurate estimation of book purchases).
*Pause for laughter*
But seriously… The Cheeky Monkey is the only one I kept.
admin on August 27, 2011 at 9:23 pm.
Glad you enjoy the book, Chris. It makes the long slog of its creation all worth it.
Christina K on September 4, 2011 at 2:59 am.
Best book EVER. Tim, you are the Master.
Mike Jepp on September 4, 2011 at 10:07 pm.
Just finished your book. I’ve read comedy books before – The Cheeky Monkey leaves ‘em in the jungle! Seriously impressed.
Frank G Evans on January 23, 2012 at 11:22 am.
I’m a LA comedy writer, 20 years at the wheel – your cheeky monkey book gave me tips I’ve never heard. The section on character development has a whole new approach, the archetypes-into-action stuff is so simple — how could I have not worked it out before?! I’ve put it to work and my ch’s are better, clearer and hilariouser. Thanks for your generosity in sharing, guy. When you back to LA?
JEFFRO on August 31, 2011 at 9:14 am.
Mr Ferguson, you have changed my life, and saved me years. Your book is simply laid out but its dense with info. I am funny now. ‘With’ funny, not ‘At’ funny.
Steve J Michaels on September 12, 2011 at 11:49 am.
Great book! Best comedy manual I’ve seen. We have to get you to New York again asap.
Eddie T.I. on January 22, 2012 at 5:44 pm.
Doctor, help! I’m obsessed with a cheeky monkey! lol Tim, I love this book, you are a comedy guru. And a very wise ape.
Perrin O'Neil on September 20, 2011 at 11:54 am.
I love it! Best comedy book ever. Please come to L.A. and show ‘em how it’s done.
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Peter Stables on November 1, 2011 at 12:39 am.
Great book, Tim! From Aristotle to Ricky Gervais, you cover a huge amount of comedy ground. Full of extraordinary insights (I mean it!) A masterful comedy manual by a master of comedy.
Louisa Munroe on November 8, 2011 at 11:37 pm.
My boyfriend and I live in Paris, we are writing a comedy play for theatre.
Cheeky Monkey has all the answers.
So good.
Adam Keilor NYC on November 10, 2011 at 5:08 pm.
This book is now my bible. You Aussies are great folks.
Rick S / Queens on January 22, 2012 at 3:01 pm.
I read this book. I’m officially funny now. Everybody in New York laughs at me now, which is better than before when they kept trying to heckle me. I blame Tim Ferguson and his damn monkey.
Jerry Klein, OutWright Publisher New York on November 20, 2011 at 4:04 am.
An extraordinary book. So many revelations, so brilliantly written. Having worked for years on comedy plays, I couldn’t believe there is so much more to know. Highly, hugely recommended to every US writer for stage and screen.
Steve Roberts TV8 London on November 28, 2011 at 1:00 pm.
The finest piece of comedy theory/practice writing I’ve ever read (and I’ve read a lot). Congratulations to Tim Ferguson and Currency Press.
Jane Knight (Dallas, TX) on December 9, 2011 at 7:33 pm.
An extraordinary piece of work. I never thought comedy could be explained through a primal prism. It’s so clear that comedy speaks to the monkey in us all – a brilliant way to look at it, Mister Ferguson. Have a banana
Miracle on January 22, 2012 at 10:23 pm.
Inetlligence and simplicity – easy to understand how you think.
James Steeper, Ontario on December 11, 2011 at 5:13 am.
As a new writer of comedy, The Cheeky Monkey is the best resource I’ve found. As a fan of comedy, it’s the funniest manual ever written. Please return to Canada so I can see your lectures.
Suzanne Rice on January 23, 2012 at 1:29 am.
Since I read the CheekyMonkey, I’ve been kicking myself for not reading it sooner. How do you Aussies get so smart? Come back to London before my shins collapse.
Brenda Morris on December 19, 2011 at 6:35 am.
I have been trying to write a script for years and gave up. My sister-in-law gave me your book for my birthday and I have return to my sitcom script feeling armed with the tools to finish it and make it into something spectacular! Thanks for writing something that is so simple to follow. You are a master of comedy! Funny video, too, by the way!
Lilly Mason-Parkes on December 21, 2011 at 6:50 am.
Wow. I mean…just WOW. A on your site producer said The Cheeky Monkey is a Bible. I thought, yeah right… But he’s right. Wow.
Jess Ingham on December 31, 2011 at 2:42 am.
I love the Cheeky Monkey book. Like, it’s my best friend.
The smartest, simplest breakdown of how comedy works.
So glad I found it. You’re like Plato, except cute.
Paul on January 4, 2012 at 6:15 am.
An extraordinary piece of work. I never thought comedy could be explained through a primal prism. It’s so clear that comedy speaks to the monkey in us all – a brilliant way to look at it, Mister Ferguson. Have a banana
+1
Jonathan Irwin on January 4, 2012 at 8:24 am.
I read it in a day. Went to sleep that night. Woke up at midnight and read it again. And again… I’m beginning to realise how your book has opened the door to comedy writing. Sounds silly to say “The cheeky monkey changed my creative life!” but there, I’ve said it. And I’m saying it to everyone. A monkey changed my life!
Wanita Gessert on March 3, 2012 at 8:17 am.
Funny and very very useful. You’ve nailed comedy. Never thought that could be done. You’re the master.
Wez Pankhurst, Boston Writers Inc on March 20, 2012 at 6:42 am.
This book is so damn good! I’ve read it twice and it’s my constant companion whenever I write comedy AND drama. More useful than any book on drama I ever read, and I’ve read em all. Watch out, Robert McKee!
Mz Chelle Bennet on April 2, 2012 at 12:28 pm.
Um, a Chimp is an Ape, not a monkey!
HenryGroveJr on April 29, 2012 at 11:13 pm.
The best comedy writing book I’ve read,
recommending it to the whole population of LA.
Thx, Tim