Splitsider is an awesome new comedy blog to which I've just contributed a two part piece about humor in print.
Where Have All the Humorists Gone?, Part 1: Robert Benchley, S.J. Perelman and the Decline of Modern Humor Writing
Part 1 is about seminal humorists Robert Benchley and S.J. Perelman, their influence on Woody Allen and today's television comedy writers and print humorists, and their essays' modern foils.
In part 2, I interview comedy writers Scott Jacobson (The Daily Show, Sex: Our Bodies, Our Junk), Rob Kutner (The Daily Show, The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien), Mike Sacks (Vanity Fair, And Here's The Kicker, Sex: Our Bodies, Our Junk), and a very funny new humorist named Hudson Hongo (whose work/name kept popping up during my research, so I just HAD to contact him) - and asked them about their influences, beginnings in humor writing, goals, and transitions to other media.
I'm working on another piece for the site which is in keeping with the theme of this blog. It's about comedy for sad people... pretty much.
In related news: I've been feeling really productive and optimistic lately. I hope this isn't the gentle manifestation of a manic episode. Also... I don't trust placidity.
