Best of
Comedy

2004

Sgt. Piggy's Lonely Hearts Club Comic: A Pearls Before Swine Treasury


Stephan Pastis - 2004
    Piggy's Lonely Hearts Club Comic, the first Pearls Before Swine treasury-supersized for your enjoyment.But this is no ordinary cartoon treasury. Like the influential Beatles album that inspired the book's title, Sgt. Piggy is full of surprises. In addition to collecting all of the Pearls cartoons that appeared in BLTs Taste So Darn Good and This Little Piggy Stayed Home, cartoonist Stephan Pastis takes readers on a VIP backstage tour of one of the most successful comic strips in newspapers today. In Sgt. Piggy, Pastis explains the genesis of Pearls (hint: it didn't begin at an artist's easel), why he was initially reluctant to show it to newspaper syndicates (and the surprising reason he changed his mind), the unexpected responses from readers to his work, and which Pearls strips worked and which ones didn't (and how he would have corrected the ones that didn't). The result is a rare and revealing glimpse into the world of Rat, Pig, Goat and Zebra. Full of humor and insight, sardonic asides and unexpected truths, Sgt. Piggy's Lonely Hearts Club Comic is a book that comics fans everywhere can enjoy anytime-even when they're 64!

Bucky Katt's Big Book of Fun: A Get Fuzzy Treasury


Darby Conley - 2004
    Some are taken by the visual element...Then there's the people who want it to be funny...Darby gets both." --Scott Adams, creator of DilbertGet Fuzzy collections are flying off the shelves. And Bucky Katt's Big Book of Fun, the second full-color treasury of the outrageous antics of Bucky, Satchel, and Rob, is sure to attract more readers of the strip voted Best Comic Strip of 2002 by the National Cartoonists Society.Behold the world of Get Fuzzy. Meet Bucky Katt, the Siamese smart-ass who coexists under protest with Satchel Pooch, the sweet-tempered shar-pei/Lab mix, and Rob Wilco, the human who keeps the refrigerator stocked.Each day in newspapers around the world readers visit the place where cats, dogs, and humans meet and learn a little bit more about each other-not necessarily by choice. By turns hilarious, poignant, and even human, Get Fuzzy is the smartest, funniest comic strip in newspapers today.

Giraffes? Giraffes!


Doris Haggis-on-Whey - 2004
    and Mr. Doris Haggis-On-Whey. A world-renowned and much feared expert on everything, Dr. Doris Haggis-On-Whey has seventeen degrees from eighteen institutions of higher learning. With her husband, Benny, she has traveled the world many times over, has learned about all aspects of life, including outer space and food, first hand.When is the last time you actually sat down and had a conversation with a giraffe? That's what I thought. You are hopelessly clueless on giraffe culture, their likes/dislikes and voting patterns -- most giraffes are probably libertarian. "GIRAFFES? GIRAFFES " is the authoritative text on the biology, history and overall nature of giraffes.You are so behind on giraffes that it's rather embarrassing and you obviously need this book more than health insurance. Things you probably don't know about giraffes -- and can only be found in this book -- include giraffes' preferred mode of transportation (conveyor belt), what their bodies are made of (paper mache, a clock, fruit juices and a super-strong lightweight titanium alloy), where most giraffes live (Terra Haute, Indiana -- known for many things, including buildings made of wood and ground made of dirt), and basic giraffe history (in 50,000 B.C giraffes began to hang out with primitive man, they found him to be likeable and helped him paint buffaloes in caves).Cheat Sheet onGiraffes (good for slumber parties and barroom brawls):- Giraffes invented plastic. "No, not plastic--latex. My bad. Still, though isn't that amazing?"- Frequently Asked Question: "Why do we call giraffes "giraffes?"" Answer: Because when they came to Earth they asked us to.- Rarely Asked Question: "How fast can giraffes run?" The giraffes have tried to phase out running from their lives but if they had to, they could still run much faster than you. Let's say, for the sake of argument, that they can run 780 mph.With the wit and irreverent sense of humor for which Dave Eggers and McSweeney's is known, comes the first volume in the revolutionary Haggis-On-Whey World of Unbelievable Brilliance books. More than just entertaining and informative, "GIRAFFES? GIRAFFES " will help you appear smarter, more in touch with your sensitive side and whiten your teeth. And much, much more that will likely sicken you.

A Lovely Love Story


Edward Monkton - 2004
    And that, my friends, is how it is with love." --Edward MonktonMr. Darcy and Miss Bennett. Ozzie and Harriet. Jay-Z and Beyonce. Great couples often find togetherness by embracing their individual differences. In this modern-day fable, Edward Monkton pens an irresistible love story about a fiercely funny but distant Dinosaur who falls in love with a forgetful but free-spirited (and shopping-savvy) Lovely Other Dinosaur.* Monkton, perhaps better known as the U.K.'s top-selling living poet Giles Andreae* This ode to love pairs Monkton's signature illustrations with simple yet profound prose.

Foxtrotius Maximus


Bill Amend - 2004
    After all, the friends, Romans, and countrymen would have been too busy laughing over Jason Fox, pictured in full toga-and-laurel regalia on the cover. This Foxtrot treasury will delight and amuse Fox family fans in the same surprising way. Thumbs up-once again-for creator Bill Amend!Jason Fox rules . . . his computer code, at calc and trig, and in whatever fantasy he happens to be headlining at the moment. Just because the rest of the Fox family-from older brother Peter and sister Paige to parents Roger and Andy-haven't quite accepted his Dominion Over All isn't cause for concern. Math geeks, Jason is convinced, will govern the earth, and he will lead the way. FoxTrotius Maximus: A FoxTrot Treasury, picks up on Jason's megalomania and runs with it . . . and it doesn't stop until you are out of breath from laughing so hard. FoxTrotius Maximus combines the works Your Momma Thinks Square Roots Are Vegetables, Who's Up for Some Bonding, and Am I a Mutant or What? That means longtime FoxTrot readers and new fans alike are treated to Jason and his friend Marcus's never-ending antics, Andy's ongoing allergy fun, Peter's latest hot haircut, and a host of pop-culture trends and topics including music piracy, video games, and The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Timely, topical, and terribly funny! All hail, FoxTrotius Maximus! Universal Press Syndicate newspaper feature:*FoxTrot Author's web site: www.foxtrot.com/

Improvise.: Scene from the Inside Out


Mick Napier - 2004
    His experience as founder of the acclaimed Annoyance Theatre/Annoyance Productions, as well as Resident Director and Artistic Consultant for The Second City, has led him to continually question why and how scenes work or don't work and what one must do in order for a scene to be successful.In this book, Napier takes an irreverent, but constructive look at the art and practice of improvised scenes. He covers such topics as: two-person scenes group scenes entering scenes techniques to achieve richer, more layered scenes auditioning solo exercises for practice at home. Napier also challenges the conventional wisdom of the "rules" of improvisation, examining what's behind them and how they came to be in the first place.Get helpful, tangible guidelines for bringing strength and direction to your scenes. Just "Improvise."

Gin Tama, Vol. 1


Hideaki Sorachi - 2004
    In his days, Gintoki is joined by Shinpachi Shimura, a teenager son of a samurai who wants to learn about him, and Kagura, an alien girl who went to Earth to earn money for her poor family, but is unable to return home and threatens Gintoki to let her live with him. While Kagura and Shinpachi live with Gintoki, they meet a terrorist named Kotaro Katsura who participated alongside Gintoki in the war between samurais and aliens, and lost. Odd Jobs is forced to help Katsura escape from the Shinsengumi, a police force working for the Bakufu, after they accidentally perform a terrorist attack. The volume ends with a one-shot from Sorachi named "Dandelion", which explores the work of a pair of exorcists.

The Mighty Boosh: The Complete Radio Series


NOT A BOOK - 2004
    . . Here are all six episodes of the BBC Radio 4 series, complete and uncut, from the winners of the Perrier Best Newcomer Award. In Episode 1, a mysterious character called The Phantom is stealing animals from the zoo. Howard and Vince go on a mission to find the thief and the sinister figure behind the plot. In Episode 2, tired of Bob Fossil's management, Howard and Vince venture into the zoo's Jungle Room in search of former zoo boss Tommy Nookah, (Howard's idol), who disappeared there long ago. Episode 3 sees Vince forming a rock band, but after annoying the guitarist Dave and driving him to quit, he calls on Howard to overcome the Spirit of Jazz and join them. In Episode 4, when keeper Joey Moose is savagely bitten, Howard and Vince investigate and discover Bob Fossil is breeding mutant animals to sell to wealthy Japanese businessmen. Episode 5 finds Bob Fossil sending Vince to Spain and Howard to the Arctic to collect more animals for the zoo. Our heroes end up back together facing the perils of the tundra. In Episode 6, Howard and Vince take Tony the prawn to the Zoo for Animal Offenders. Along the way they meet a mysterious hitchhiker, and end up in the bizarre world of "The People of the Box." Starring Julian Barratt and Noel Fielding, with Rich Fulcher, Lee Mack, and Richard Ayoade. 3 CDs, 178 minutes

Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim


David Sedaris - 2004
    He goes on vacation with his family. He gets a job selling drinks. He attends his brother’s wedding. He mops his sister’s floor. He gives directions to a lost traveler. He eats a hamburger. He has his blood sugar tested. It all sounds so normal, doesn’t it? In his newest collection of essays, David Sedaris lifts the corner of ordinary life, revealing the absurdity teeming below its surface. His world is alive with obscure desires and hidden motives — a world where forgiveness is automatic and an argument can be the highest form of love. Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim is another unforgettable collection from one of the wittiest and most original writers at work today.--davidsedarisbooks.com

Fanfare for the Area Man: The Onion Ad Nauseam Complete News Archives Volume 15


The Onion - 2004
    Here they are at last: all the issues of The Onion that you missed because you had a life to live. And each page takes 0.0 seconds to load!Fanfare for the Area Man: The Onion Ad Nauseam Complete News Archives, Volume 15 is packed with material no longer available online or anywhere else. Look for a new volume every year.

Love All the People: Letters, Lyrics, Routines


Bill Hicks - 2004
    Hicks's summation of life gains greater spirituality as he goes on.' Scarlett Thomas, Independent on Sunday

The Discworld Almanak: The Year of the Prawn


Terry Pratchett - 2004
    Here you will find a Compendium to all Knowledge, and a sure means of ensuring fertility of crops & livestock, also a boon companion in affairs of the HEART & HEALTH, with notes on Husbandry, Physic, Fairs & Marts, and other such information as will render this Publication a staunch companion to Townsman & Tiller of Soil alike. Including homemade remedies for common ailments, recipes, horoscopes, scientific discoveries, a calendar, strange tales and many valuable facts about the cabbage.With witty illustrations from Paul Kidby, this is an artistically presented package guaranteed to tickle the funny bone of all Pratchett fans.

Garfield's Guide to Everything


Jim Davis - 2004
    Sleep — “The best 18 hours of my day”Coffee — “Mother Nature’s Jumper Cables”Dogs — “They contain 90% of the world’s drool supply.”Love — “”…is splitting the last piece of pizza.”Exercise — “My favorite spectator sport.”Mondays — “The armpit of days.”Golf — “That’s Scottish for ‘AAARGH!’.”

Freaks and Geeks: The Complete Scripts, Volume 1


Paul Feig - 2004
    With an introduction by creator Paul Feig, the book features individual commentary from the writers of each episode, plus a scrapbook of behind-the-scenes materials, photos, memos, and notes.

Monster


Dylan Moran - 2004
    The third series of Channel 4's Black Books has just finished, to great critical and public acclaim and the movie Shaun of the Dead featuring Dylan is currently being shown around the country. This title was recorded during his 2004 UK Spring tour - his biggest to date- and judging by audience reaction they couldn't get enough. This is his first ever live recording -and it's very very funny.

Kiss Kiss, Vol. 1


Chitose Yagami - 2004
    Nao, a first year in Middle School, decided to enter Seisei School in order to follow the person she fell in love with at first sight! Upon arrival, she discovered that her beloved, Wada Yoshikuni, is part of K.I.S.S....but what is K.I.S.S?元気いっぱいの中学1年生・奈緒(なお)が星鈴(せいれい)学園に入学したのは、あこがれの「お兄チャン」こと和田先輩に会うため!! ところが、彼は生徒会長で、しかも全員がスゴイ特技をもった『KISS』のメンバーだったの! 奈緒はその中の一人、モデルの拓夢(たくむ)に出会い…!?

Screen Burn


Charlie Brooker - 2004
    Sit back and roar as Brooker rips mercilessly into Simon Cowell, Big Brother, Trinny and Susannah, Casualty, Davina McCall, Michael Parkinson...and almost everything else on television. This book will make practically anyone laugh out loud.

Avenue Q - The Musical


Robert Lopez - 2004
    2004 Tony Award winner for Best Musical, Best Original Score and Best Book of a Musical ! Playbill.com describes Avenue Q, a decidedly adult puppet/human show, as a meeting of Sesame Street and South Park . Our deluxe songbook features all 20 songs in standard piano/vocal format (melody in the piano part), more than 20 fabulous full-color photos from the production, and a bio of the writing team of Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, who've scored big with their first Broadway show! Tunes include: The Avenue Q Theme * Fantasies Come True * I Wish I Could Go Back to College * I'm Not Wearing Underwear Today * If You Were Gay * The Internet Is for Porn * It Sucks to Be Me * Mix Tape * The Money Song * Purpose * There Is Life Outside Your Apartment * What Do You Do with a B.A. in English * and more. PARENTAL ADVISORY: EXPLICIT LYRICS

Like a Fiery Elephant: The Story of B.S. Johnson


Jonathan Coe - 2004
    S. Johnson was one of the best-known young novelists in Britain. A passionate advocate for the avant-garde in both literature and film, he became famous -- not to say notorious -- both for his forthright views on the future of the novel and for his idiosyncratic ways of putting them into practice. But in November 1973 Johnson's lifelong depression got the better of him, and he was found dead at his north London home. He had taken his own life at the age of forty.Jonathan Coe's biography is based upon unique access to the vast collection of papers Johnson left behind after his death, and upon dozens of interviews with those who knew him best. As unconventional in form as one of its subject's own novels, it paints a remarkable picture -- sometimes hilarious, often overwhelmingly sad -- of a tortured personality; a man whose writing tragically failed to keep at bay the demons that pursued him.

Jeeves and the Unbidden Guest


P.G. Wodehouse - 2004
    A friend of Bertie's Aunt Agatha, Lady Malvern requests that Wilmot stay with Bertie for a couple of weeks whilst she is away in America. Whilst not perfectly happy with the idea, Bertie agrees, to find that the seemingly mild-mannered Wilmot may have a wilder side, especially when it comes to alcohol! And as ever, trusty valet Jeeves is quietly and staunchly on the scene, working fastidiously to keep everything on an even keel, and of course, to try to persuade Bertie not to make his rotten fashion mistakes.

Dave Gorman's Googlewhack! Adventure


Dave Gorman - 2004
    Addicted to the game, and gripped by obsession, Dave travels three times round the world, visiting four continents and the unlikeliest cast of real life eccentrics you'll ever meet in what becomes an epic challenge, a life-changing, globe-trotting Googlewhack adventure.

Spongebob Squarepants, Volume 4: Crime and Funishment


Stephen Hillenburg - 2004
    No matter what, you can count on SpongeBob SquarePants to be at the center of all the action!

Futurama Adventures


Eric Rogers - 2004
    Take flight to the future of Futurama and leave the past behind ... today!

Let's Pretend This Never Happened


Jim Benton - 2004
    Actually, it was better than okay. Angeline got her long, beautiful hair tangled in one of the jillion things she has dangling from her backpack, and the school nurse -- who is now one of my main heroes -- took a pair of scissors and snipped two feet of silky blond hair from the left side of her head, so now Angeline only looks like The Prettiest Girl in the World if you're standing on her right. (Although personally, I think she would look better if I was standing on her neck.)

Laughter from Heaven


Barbara Johnson - 2004
    With her humorous approach to all life's circumstances, Barbara wants her readers to catch a light-hearted look at the hereafter.Filled with hope and encouragement, this book is sure to become a favorite of many women who long for a sense of joy in the midst of everyday struggles. In classic Barbara Johnson style, these hilarious pages will show you how to put life's trials into heavenly perspective. She hopes you will find encouragement through your difficulties, renewal for your spiritual doldrums, and laughter when you think you'll never laugh again. Similar in nature to her best-selling title Humor Me, this delightful look at heaven reveals it as a place that will be not only without pain, but will actually be fun!Jokes, stories, cartoons and Barbara's famous one-liners make this another joy-filled book that all her fans will love.

Modern Toss. Jon Link, Mick Bunnage


Jon Link - 2004
    IF LAUGHTER PERSISTS, THESE EFFECTS COULD BE SYMPTOMATIC OF A DANGEROUSLY HEIGHTENED SENSE OF HUMOR.In your hand is a cartoon book the likes of nothing you've ever read before. Modern Toss has become a phenomenal smash hit in the United Kingdom and only now has it been officially released from the clutches of the British Empire for an American audience to enjoy.Featuring abusive sign writer Mr. Tourette and a load of other poorly adjusted, pointlessly hostile idiots, this hilariously crafted comic has surpassed the cutting edge of the contemporary humor scene. Modern Toss is a bona fide classic that makes a welcome addition to the library of the avant-garde.

Goblin Quest


Jim C. Hines - 2004
    Captured by a party of adventurers searching for a magical artifact, and forced to guide them, Jig encounters every peril ever faced on a fantasy quest.

How to Remodel a Man: Tips and Techniques on Accomplishing Something You Know Is Impossible But Want to Try Anyway


W. Bruce Cameron - 2004
    For want of a better term, let's call these people "women."Their urge is understandable. We've all had to take measures to accommodate men, because they are involved in nearly every aspect of modern life except maybe housework and they like to run things like corporate meetings and the planet. The only other alternative has been to try to avoid men altogether, which is pretty hard to do if you are interested in stuff like reproduction or having your oil changed.That's why How to Remodel a Man is so indispensable-it is a clear, step-by-step guide for anyone who wants to alter the character and behavior of a man, written by an actual man. Author W. Bruce Cameron provides startling insight into male pattern thinking, explaining why men can open a refrigerator and not see the mayonnaise, or how it is that they can throw dirty clothes at the hamper or in front of the hamper or even on top of the hamper and yet not seem capable of getting any of it in the hamper. Normally, changing a man has certain obstacles, including, but not limited to, the fact that it is impossible. But Cameron is able to overcome this hindrance because he, himself, has been remodeled. In a move so bold it may be shocking to people unaccustomed to such personal courage, Cameron turned himself over to the women in his life and asked them to change him. It started with a list of his flaws (Cameron came up with four; the women came up with one hundred seventy eight) and ended with him writing How to Remodel a Man, so that others could learn from his experience.If you're a woman, you'll be amazed to learn that men can be trained to perform all sorts of tricks, like using the instruments on the sides of their heads (the ears) to listen to you, and the space between those instruments to think about you.If you're a man, you've been given this book so that you'll see that it's possible to watch television without holding the remote or to ask for directions from strangers without suffering a catastrophic loss of testosterone. Cameron changed, and you can too.How to Remodel a Man is the essential guide for anyone in the awkward position of having to interact with a person of the male gender.

200 More Neo-Futurist Plays: from Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind (30 Plays in 60 Minutes)


The Neo-Futurists - 2004
    (100 Neo-Futurist Plays, Chicago Plays, 1991 and Neo-Solo: 131 Neo-Futurist Solo Plays, Hope and Nonthings, 2002.)"Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind," created by Greg Allen, debuted in Chicago in December, 1988, and has been playing to sold out houses ever since. The show presents 30 plays in 60 minutes, 50 weeks a year, to a devoted following. The ensemble of writer-performers generates between 2 and 12 new plays each week, as dictated by a roll of the dice, creating a constantly changing menu of plays. The material runs the gamut of style, tone, and topic: musical, confession, agit-prop, poetic gesture, physical comedy, puppet theater, audience interrogation, folk song, sex joke, and many more. The plays are funny, moving, challenging, powerful, and occasionally just plain weird, but all within The Neo-Futurists' trademark non-illusory aesthetic. There is no "fourth wall" in "Too Much Light" — the show embraces the ideal that theater is created in the connection between audience and performer, in the two-way exchange of ideas, emotions, and energy, and in an honest exploration of everyday life. Randomness, dynamism, speed, brevity, and planned obsolescence are celebrated and exploited to engage and refresh participants on both sides of the theatrical equation.The 200 plays in this volume reflect the diversity of 27 ensemble members and the multiplicity of viewpoints and voices they bring to the stage. The plays stand as an entertaining document of some of the show's output from 1993 to 2002 history as well as ideal material for actor scene study, auditions, and competition presentations.

The Complete Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers: Volume Two


Gilbert Shelton - 2004
    

The Grrl Genius Guide to Sex (with Other People): A Self-Help Novel


Cathryn Michon - 2004
    Armed with the information from Cathryn's Wild Sexual Animal Kingdom research and her "Love is Important but Chocolate is Essential" Chocolate Fun Facts, her posse of Grrl Geniuses struggle with singlehood, married life, sexual preferences, widowhood, and friendship. Cathryn's journey veers from a "nails-on-chalkboard-scratchingly-awful" divorce and the botched kidnapping of her own dog, to pretending to be a lesbian, seeing her old lingerie sold on her old front lawn by her ex-husband's girlfriend, losing her job, and a tragic industrial accident-level bikini wax. And through everything, Cathryn searches for the answer to the most important relationship question of all: why are all the best men gay?If you've ever been tempted to have sex with another person, this is an essential read. If you've ever felt inadequate to a task or a failure at love or in any way anything less than a genius and you've sunk so low that even a new pair of cute shoes won't help, Cathryn Michon can show you the way to relationship happiness-all you have to do is learn from her very funny mistakes. However badly you think you've done anything, Cathryn has done it even worse, and reveals lessons learned in the wryly witty and devastatingly honest style that has made her the favorite of aspiring geniuses everywhere!

The Funniest Thing You Never Said: The Ultimate Collection of Humorous Quotations


Rosemarie Jarski - 2004
    Quotations are ordered not by A-Z, but by thematic categories: love; business; religion; celebrity, you name it, every category is covered. The collection includes all the classics from Oscar Wilde to Winston Churchill, Dorothy Parker to Groucho Marx but also mines many new hidden gems from lesser lights and includes many contemporary quotes by everyone from Jilly Cooper to Jonathan Ross. A standard companion for new collectors, and a fresh perspective for serious quotation addicts.

America (The Book): A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction


Jon StewartScott Jacobson - 2004
    But what is American democracy? In America (The Book), Jon Stewart and The Daily Show writing staff offer their insights into our unique system of government, dissecting its institutions, explaining its history and processes, and exploring the reasons why concepts like one man, one vote, government by the people, and every vote counts have become such popular urban myths. Topics include: Ancient Rome: The First Republicans; The Founding Fathers: Young, Gifted, and White; The Media: Can it Be Stopped?; and more!

Murphy's Lore: Shadow of the Wolf


Patrick Thomas - 2004
    His soulmate Shan is a wolf & his twin cubs change into human children when the moon is full. Fortunately, he found Bulfinche's Pub where folks don't look down on his lifestyle choices. In a flash, his life has completely unraveled. Ted has been beaten, his family taken by another more powerful werewolf. To make matters even worse, he has found out Paddy Moran has kept secrets in order to protect him. To track down and save his family, Ted will have to unlock the secrets of the werewolf in order to stop the rogue D.M.A. agent Buck Lang. His quest will take him from the Washington, D.C. headquarters of the Department of Mystic Affairs to the Eternity Club in Philadelphia. Ted thinks he has to go it alone, but the staff & patrons of Bulfinche's Pub take care of their own, whether they want it or not. With the help of the cursed magi Hex, vampyre Lucas Wilson, two former Knights of the Round Table, & bartender John Murphy, Ted will get his family back, no matter who or what stands in the way. Critical Praise for the Murphy's Lore Series: "An entertaining ride that leaves you wanting more. The cast of characters at Bulfinche's Pub is always chang-ing, bringing new laughs, perils, & adventure. Don't miss the latest installment of this wonderful series." -Edward McFadden, FANTASTIC STORIES "SLICK... ENTERTAINING." -Paul Di Filippo, ASIMOV'S "HUMOR, OUTRAGEOUS ADVENTURES, & SOME CLEVER PLOT TWISTS." -Don D'Ammassa, SCIENCE FICTION CHRONICLE "JOIN HEX, PADDY & THE GANG IN THEIR RACE TO UNDO THE FUTURE IN PATRICK THOMAS'S FOOLS' DAY, PART OF HIS COMIC MURPHY'S LORE SERIES." -PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY BE SURE TO READ THE REST OF THE SERIES INCLUDING TALES FROM BULFINCHE'S PUB, FOOLS' DAY, and THROUGH THE DRINKING GLASS"

The MAD Bathroom Companion: The Mother Load


Gene Shalat - 2004
    Flush full of classic material selected by a careful process of elimination, each article was chosen by anal-retentive "Ususal Gang of Incontinents" and satirized for you protection.Featuring the best short pieces from MAD Magazine, each one of these pungent pieces of turgid tomfoolery is guaranteed to be read in one sitting.So don't stall, buy your copy now. You won't be able to wipe the smile off your face!

Amongst the Marines: The Untold Story


Steven Preece - 2004
    Amongst the Marines is Steven's first-hand account of his years as an elite soldier, focusing directly on the excessive and often shocking lifestyle of the Marines during this time, and impact this had on his own personality and behaviour.Preece fulfilled his childhood ambition by earning the coveted Green Beret when he was 18. He was unaware, however, of the brutal rite of passage that awaited him and all the other 'pieces of skin' [new recruits]. Violence in the Marines, as Steven discovered, was not limited to the battlefield but a continual part of a pervasive culture of bullying and aggression.It did not take long for Preece to be accepted into this culture and to adopt it as his own. On duty he was fit, committed and loyal, while off duty he displayed a mammoth capacity for drinking, fighting and womanising. On home leave, Steven found it increasingly hard to adapt to civilian life. His drinking sessions in local pubs frequently ended in fights with the locals and even in violence against members of his own family. Preece earned a reputation amongst his fellow Marines for pranks and dangerous behaviour; and this eventually led him to be court-maritialled. To his relief and surprise, however, Preece was fully acquitted by the court.Amongst the Marines is an unflinching exposé of the culture of the Marines, from foul practical jokes and rough justice to the off-duty orgies of drink, sex and violence. It is a no-holds-barred account of the many shocking incidents Preece witnessed and participated in, from his first day as a new recruit to his exit from the Marines with his reputation intact and his scores settled once and for all.

Frankie Howerd: Stand-Up Comic


Graham McCann - 2004
    His act was all about his lack of act, his humour reliant on trying to prevent the audience from laughing ('No, no please, now…now control please, control').This new biography from Graham McCann charts the circuitous course of an extraordinary career – moving from his early, exceptional, success in the forties and early fifties as a radio star, through a period at the end of the fifties when he was all but forgotten as a has-been, to his rediscovery in the early sixties by Peter Cook. Howerd returned to television popularity with ‘Up Pompeii’, which led to work with the Carry On team. In his last few years he became the unlikely doyen of the late eighties 'alternative' comedy circuit. But his life off-stage was equally fascinating: full of secrets, insecurities (leading at one point to a nervous breakdown) and unexpected friendships.Graham McCann vividly captures both Howerd's colourful career and precarious private life through extensive new research and original interviews with such figures as Paul McCartney, Eric Sykes, Bill Cotton, Barbara Windsor, Joan Simms and Michael Grade. This exceptional biography brings to life an unique British entertainer.

The Mad Bathroom Companion: Gushing Fourth Edition


MAD Magazine - 2004
    The MAD Bathroom Companion--the Gushing Fourth Edition--is flush with classic material written and illustrated by "The Usual Gang of Idiots." After three self-defecating books, many thought we couldn't go any more--but we pushed on This hot new release from MAD will have you laughing so hard you won't be able to hold it in.

The Second City Almanac of Improvisation


Anne Libera - 2004
    No one could have known that by the next century, The Second City would have established itself as the premier comedy institution in the world. Taking its act north, The Second City would build a second permanent home in Toronto where it would create the Emmy-Award winning television series "SCTV." Pioneering the use of improvisation in developing talent and creating satiric revue comedy, The Second City has become - in the words of the New York Times - "A Comedy Empire."The Second City Almanac of Improvisation - like the theatre itself - is a collection of diverse ideas, viewpoints, and memories, written by a vast array of teachers, actors, and directors who all got their start at the legendary comedy theatre. Fred Willard recalls his introduction to The Second City style in the mid-Sixties; Tim Kazurinsky gives a hilarious visual demonstration on the art of object work; "Saturday Night Live" star Tina Fey talks about re-improvising material as a mode of writing revue comedy; noted director Mick Napier takes on the thorny debate between long-form improvisation and short-form improvisation. Anne Libera guides the reader through each essay by providing a road map for understanding how The Second City method of improv-based comedy has become the industry standard.Mike Nichols, Elaine May, Alan Arkin, Joan Rivers, Robert Klein, Peter Boyle, Harold Ramis, John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, John Candy, Martin Short, Gilda Radner, George Wendt, Jim Belushi, Bonnie Hunt, Mike Myers, Ryan Stiles, Rachel Dratch, Nia Vardalos - no other theatre can boast an alumni list of this magnitude. The Second City Almanac of Improvisation provides practical instruction, personal details, and inspiration to both improvisers and their fans.

The Mad Miscellany


Terry Deary - 2004
    Want to know: the crushing details about execution by elephant? how to soften your skin Georgian-style - using the skins of puppies? who's idea of a top treat was mashed deer tongues? Whether you're desperate to discover which famous rulers were left-handed, raring to read about the top ten dogs of all time, or just aching to ask about assassinating apes, then this book is for you. History has never been so horrible!

The Sacred Diary of Adrian Plass, on Tour: Aged Far Too Much to Be Put on the Front Cover of a Book


Adrian Plass - 2004
    With over 2 million copies sold, these beloved bestsellers naturally placed the author's fanciful alter-ego in great demand as an inspirational speaker. And of course, his touring experiences have led to all-new stories to share with his friends.

Hsu And Chan: Too Much Adventure


Norm Scott - 2004
    Hsu and Chan finally hits the bookstores in economy size Read the first four issues of the critically-acclaimed goofballs from the pages of Electronic Gaming Monthly, now for one low price Are we insane to offer a price this low? We'll go out on a limb and say, "Yes "

Clare in the Community: Series One


Harry Venning - 2004
    A control freak, Clare likes nothing better than interfering in other people’s lives on both a professional and personal basis, while at the same time finding it a trial having to put up with tiresome members of the public. Politically correct, humourless and prone to jargon, she is entirely lacking in self-awareness, making her encounters with colleagues, family and her partner Brian wonderfully entertaining and richly comic. In these six episodes, Clare babysits a friend’s child, loses sleep due to the upstairs neighbours’ noisy sex life, and calls round to her colleague Ray’s house unannounced - only to be shocked by what she finds. She also attends a hated client’s funeral (to get the afternoon off work), takes driving lessons from her partner Brian, and organises a works outing to see a performance of Brian’s play. Adapted from the long-running cartoon strip in the Guardian, this hit radio sitcom won a Sony Bronze Award, and stars Sally Phillips, Alex Lowe, Gemma Craven and Nina Conti. ‘wildly funny’ - Sunday Times, ‘Culture’ magazine.3 CDs. 2 hrs 48 mins.

Alexander the Great: The Man Who Brought the World to Its Knees


Michael Alvear - 2004
    He united it for the first time with a common language. His military tactics are still being studied-and used-by today's warriors. He is considered the most courageous and heroic warrior in history. But (and more importantly): He was hot. His boyfriends were hotter. He could throw hissy fits that would take Liza Minelli's breath away. He traveled with an advance publicity team. He was so vain, if Preparation H had existed, his enemies would have rubbed it on his ego. He had fag hags hanging off him like laundry. We're approaching 2,350 years after his death and people are still fascinated by Alexander the Great. Even Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, the people who gave us language, math and philosophy, didn't have Oliver Stone making movies about them. All the great conquerors that followed Alexander tried to emulate him-Julius Caesar, Napoleon, Jeff Striker. Michael Alvear presents a most unusual biography of history's greatest warrior.Michael Alvear is a syndicated columnist whose commentary has been heard on NPR. He is the author of "Men Are Pigs, But We Love Bacon."

Uncle John's Bathroom Reader Colossal Collection of Quotable Quotes


Bathroom Readers' Institute - 2004
    The ever-accommodating Uncle John has responded to this shameless praise by flushing out the all-time best and most hilarious quotes to form this cunning compilation. Highlights include Five Things You Should Never Do ("Never test the depth of a river with both feet"), Seven Classic Shakespearean Insults ("Thy food is such as hath been belch'd on by infected lungs"), and pithy rock talk from the likes of Ozzy Osbourne, Neil Young, and Frank Zappa ("Rock journalism is people who can't write interviewing people who can't talk for people who can't read.").

Kurashina Sensei's Passion, Vol. 1


Natsuho Shino - 2004
    When new teacher Reiji Kurashina transfers to the academy right in the middle of the school year, he proves to be the star all of the senior high boys have been waiting for But who has a shot at being the special someone to this cool and beautiful teacher?

Real Ultimate Power: The Official Ninja Book


Robert Hamburger - 2004
    But that's a bunch of bull crap! You dummies don't know anything. And maybe YOU should get a life. I bet a lot of you have never even seen a girl naked! You idiots believe that ninjas had some "code of honor." Yeah right! If by "code of honor," you mean "code to flip out and go nuts for absolutely no reason at all even if it means that people might think you are totally insane or sweet," then you are right. But if you mean a "code to be nice and speak nicely while sharing and not cutting off heads," then you're the biggest idiot ever!!!!!! So if you have any brains, you will shut up and get a life. So go shut up, you stupid idiot. No thank you, Robert Hamburger

Bachura Scandal and Other Stories and Sketches


Jaroslav Hašek - 2004
    This selection of 32 pre-1914 stories of Prague life--most were translated into English for the first time in this collection--revels in the twisted logic of politics and bureaucracy in the Czech capital which was also an Austrian provincial city.

Super Cowboy Rides


Daris Howard - 2004
    Want to build a box to capture wild cats that roam the farm? How about tips on catching a greased pig at the fair, or teaching a stubborn lamb to avoid being trampled by angry milk cows? From the first paragraph, when Tommy explains why a boy needs a dog for a pet instead of a cat, he wins us over with his down-to-earth and humorous view of the world. Once Tommy begins school, however, things get complicated.The little boy, Tommy, reminds me of Calvin from the “Calvin and Hobbs” comic strip by Bill Watterson because of his mischievousness. It is such a fun book to read!" -- Celese Sanders (syndicated columnist of “Little Bits Of Life”)

Sister Betty! God's Calling You, Again!


Pat G'Orge-Walker - 2004
    Reprint. 25,000 first printing.

Let's Wrestle


David Shrigley - 2004
    The third of three collectible pocket-sized books of David Shrigley's addictively strange and entertaining work reveals new truths, anxieties, and amusements in a format that welcomes the uninitiated and rewards the faithful.

The Homer Book


Bill Morrison - 2004
    In a collection of philosophical musings, Homer Simpson shares quips, diatribes, insults, dialogues, and quotes on such topics as religion, modern life, humankind's role in the universe, health, and other topics both sacred and profane.

Hapless, Hopeless, Horrible


Joshua Wright - 2004
    The lovely Princess Sugar has run away and the sweet land of Sausagopolis is soaked with sorrow. The noble knight, Sir Glame, and his faithful horse, Bill, are fearless and ready to take on the challenge: a quest for the petulant princess. The satirical references to conventional children's tales will appeal to kids who like their jokes to have an edge.

W.H. Auden's Book of Light Verse


W.H. Auden - 2004
    Commissioned by Oxford University Press in the 1930s, when Auden's own work was at its boldest, the book caught its original publisher off guard. For it is less a collection of humorous verses than a celebration of the popular voice in English, in which the work of great satirists like Swift and Byron keeps company with ballads, chanteys, ditties, nursery rhymes, street calls, bathroom graffiti, epitaphs, folk songs, vaudeville turns, limericks, and blues. Turning away from the post-Romantic cult of the sentimental lyric, Auden features poetry that is clear, enjoyable, and, no matter its age, absolutely modern.This new edition includes previously censored poems, together with Auden's remarkable introduction and a new preface by his literary executor, Edward Mendelson.

The Brick Testament: The Ten Commandments


Brendan Powell Smith - 2004
    Moses! Pharaoh! Locusts! It’s the story of Exodus as thou hath never seen it before!   Follow the life of Moses as he rides down the Nile river, talks to the Burning Bush, witnesses the Ten Plagues, parts the Red Sea, delivers the Ten Commandments, builds the Ark of the Covenant, and more!

Goodbye Again: The Definitive Peter Cook and Dudley Moore


Peter Cook - 2004
    Today it's impossible to imagine modern sketch shows without them. If you're a fan of Monty Python, The Comic Strip or The Fast Show, then you're a fan of Cook and Moore. This collection of their works is a comprehensive compilation of the finest sketches that Cook and Moore ever wrote together - from the beginning of their partnership, in the groundbreaking stage show, Beyond The Fringe, to the notorious taboo busting Derek and Clive LPs that captured the spirit of punk rock, and inspired the scantological anarchy of Alternative Comedy. Featuring transcripts of one night stands long since almost forgotten, such as their Royal Variety performance, as well as a wealth of virtually unknown material, including previously unpublished scripts for Not Only But Also, Goodbye Again promises to be a revelation.

Spartacus And His Glorious Gladiators


Toby Brown - 2004
    He is dead famous for: being quite a good gladiator; giving the Romans the run-around; and, looking an awful lot like Kirk Douglas. But have you heard that Spartacus: fought for the Romans as well as against them. This title presents the inside story in Spartacus' secret diary.

Men Fake Foreplay: ...and Other Lies That Are True


Mike Dugan - 2004
    It's Man vs. his Sex Drive in a winner-take-all cage matchThe title of the book answers the question, "Why do women fake orgasm?" But Mike Dugan asks us to consider that perhaps foreplay is much more than what a man does in the moments before intercourse. What begins as a simple attempt to "figure women out" quickly shifts into a humorous and insightful tour of a man's psyche as he considers the influences that shape a man's character.In a book jammed with the kind of wry comic twists that have earned him an Emmy Award and appearances on the Tonight Show, Dugan takes an unflinching look at men's experiences with trust, responsibility, intimacy, commitment, masculinity, role models, shock jocks, cheating, street-corner sex education, and, especially, relationships with women. He reveals devastatingly accurate secrets about the male thought process that some men might be happier kept quiet-all punctuated with spot-on humor.It's also quite likely you'll be taken by surprise more than once. Ultimately what Dugan discovers in this wise, witty, and thought-provoking book is that, "I didn't have to figure out women in order to be happy. It was never about finding the right woman. It was about becoming the right man."

Peanuts: A Pop-Up Celebration


Paige Braddock - 2004
    Schulz's beloved comic strip is brought to life in this lavish pop-up edition featuring scenes from more than fifty years of comic strips, including: Charlie Brown on the Football Field, Lucy's Psychiatrist Stand, and Schroeder at the Piano, rendered in spectacular three-dimensional paper engineering by Bruce Foster. This unforgettable tribute to Snoopy and the Gang also includes reproductions of the original comic strip each scene is based on. The only book off its kind, "Peanuts: A Pop-Up Celebration" will be treasured by fans and collectors alike for years to come.

Garfield: I Don't Do Perky


Jim Davis - 2004
    Considered by the Guiness Book of Records as the most widely syndicated comic strip, this book features Garfield in further humorous situations.

Fred Basset 2004


Alex Graham - 2004
    This is another top-notch collection of cartoons from the Daily Mail's classic Fred Basset strip, featuring one of the most endearing and enduring of Britain's cartoon heroes. The Fred Basset books are collector's items, and sell out each year.

Keeping Heart on Pine Ridge: Family Ties, Warrior Culture, Commodity Foods, Rez Dogs, and the Sacred


Vic Glover - 2004
    Together, with humor and perseverance, they are strengthened as they try to overcome the social and political forces that threaten their community. Native and non-native alike will find a poignant honesty that grabs them from the opening line to the end. For some it will feel like familiar territory; for others, a heart-opening awakening to the struggles and spirit of The People.

I Am Spartapuss


Robin Price - 2004
    When someone scrawls a nasty poem about the royal felines on Spatopia's vomitorium walls during a visit to the spa from Catligula and his mother Mewlia, Spartapuss is held responsible. Fortune takes a wicked turn when he's thrown in jail and transferred to a gladiator training school. When the Emperor goes on an endless vacation, the foul Catligula takes control of the Empire and creates new laws. Now Spartapuss's only chance for freedom lies in his ability to defeat his opponents in the gladiator arena.

Little Britain: The Complete Radio Series 1


Matt Lucas - 2004
    Now available in this release are the original pilot and all four episodes of the original radio series - complete and uncut. Matt Lucas and David Walliams’ comedy creations are already household names and need no introduction: Daffyd, the only gay in his village, Emily ‘I’m a lady!’ Howard, incoherent young offender Vicky Pollard, Kenny ‘Look into my eyes’ Craig, and Marjorie Dawes from FatFighters. Not forgetting Denver Mills, Dennis Waterman, and children’s entertainer Des Kaye. Complementing Tom Baker’s brilliantly bizarre narration, and David Arnold’s original music, are many characters that have only ever appeared on radio: Cockney Film Star, taxi driver Jackie Paper, Joey the Stool, and two of the worst ghosts you’ll ever know. With a wealth of bonus material that includes sketches and hilarious outtakes never transmitted on radio, welcome to the wonderful and surreal world of Little Britain.3 CDs. 2 hrs 45 mins.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Cartoons for Teachers


Jack Canfield - 2004
    From elementary school to college, and from piano teachers to sports coaches, this book makes a hilarious and heartwarming gift for our favorite mentors.

Absolutely Fabulous Vol 1 & 2


Jennifer Saunders - 2004
    The show contained elements that the audience could identify with: the strong bond of best friends, drinking, and weight control.

Tundra, "Freeze Dried Comics."


Chad Carpenter - 2004
    

Little Britain: The Complete Scripts and Stuff: Series One


Matt Lucas - 2004
    ‘Little Britain’ is the TV comedy everyone is talking about, and has made instant stars of its creators, Matt Lucas and David Walliams. The show has a cult following, and the books will have material and photographs produced exclusively for the book.‘Little Britain’ has become Britain's best-loved sketch comedy since ‘The Fast Show’ – at this year’s BAFTAs it won Best Comedy Series or Programme and was nominated for the Best Comedy Performance Award. It has already gone from cult cool to the kind of quotable success that comedy classics are made of.The characters from ‘Little Britain’ are already household names: Daffyd, the only gay man in his village (and that’s the way he wants to keep it); Jason, the teenage boy with an unhealthy attraction to his best friend’s granny; Marjorie Dawes as the terrifying FatFighters group leader; Emily Howard, the rubbish transvestite; Bernard Chumley, the ageing theatre actor with a suspicious need to rid himself of his sister; and, of course, Vicky Pollard as the incomparably incoherent young offender.The show has made stars of Matt Lucas – who appeared as overgrown baby George Dawes on BBC Two quiz ‘Shooting Stars’ – and David Walliams, previously seen on the comedy-drama ‘Attachments’ and spoof show ‘Rock Profiles’, alongside Lucas.Both stars will help create the Little Britain script book, writing new exclusive material and plenty of unique additional features throughout. We will produce a lavish, colour book – illustrated throughout – that will make this book an instant classic.

French Kitty in Oui, Oui, Waikiki


Mighty Fine Inc. - 2004
    Fabulously stylish French Kitty is back in a new adventure - this time, she travels to exotic Hawaii for a wedding, some shopping, and, of course, romance.

Kaufman and Co.: Broadway Comedies


George S. Kaufman - 2004
    Kaufman can easily lay claim to its smiling counterpart. No other comic dramatist in America has enjoyed more popular success or been more fortunate in his choice of collaborators, which included George and Ira Gershwin, Moss Hart, Irving Berlin, and the Marx Brothers. Here, in the most comprehensive collection of Kaufman's plays ever assembled, are nine plays: his "backstage" play The Royal Family (1927, written w Edna Ferber); the Marx Brothers-inspired mayhem of Animal Crackers (1928, with Morrie Ryskind), in a version discovered in Groucho Marx's papers and published here for the first time; June Moon (1929, with Ring Lardner), a look at a young composer trying to make it big on Tin Pan Alley; Once in a Lifetime (1930, with Moss Hart), one of the first satires of Hollywood; Pulitzer Prize winners Of Thee I Sing (1931, with Morrie Ryskind and Ira Gershwin) and You Can't Take It with You (1936, w Moss Hart); Dinner at Eight (1932, w Edna Ferber), a ensemble piece that mixes comedy and melodrama; Stage Door (1936, w Edna Ferber), his story about young actresses trying to make it in NYC; and The Man Who Came to Dinner (1939, w Moss Hart), a burlesque of America's cult of celebrity. These plays are reminders of Broadway in its glory days.

Making Out in Arabic: (Arabic Phrasebook)


Fethi Mansouri - 2004
    Incorrectly, and you could be hurting someone's feelings or getting a slap! Arabic classes and textbooks tend to spend a lot of time rehearsing for the same fictitious scenarios but chances are while in the Middle East you will spend a lot more time trying to make new friends or start new romances—something you may not be prepared for. If you are a student, businessman or tourist traveling to the Arab World and would like to have an authentic and meaningful experience, the key is being able to speak like a local. This friendly and easy-to-use Arabic phrasebook makes this possible. Making Out in Arabic has been carefully designed to act as a guide to modern colloquial Arabic for use in everyday informal interactions—giving access to the sort of catchy Arabic expressions that aren't covered in traditional language materials. As well as the Romanized forms, each expression is now given in authentic Arabic script, so that in the case of difficulties the book can be shown to the person the user is trying to communicate with. This Arabic phrasebook includes:A guide to pronouncing Arabic words correctly.Explanations of basic Arabic grammar, such as, pronouns questions, and negation.Romanized forms of words and phrases.Complete Arabic translations including Arabic script.Useful and interesting notes on Arabic language and culture.Lots of colorful, fun and useful expressions not covered in other phrasebooks.Titles in this unique series of bestselling phrase books include: Making Out in Chinese, Making Out in Indonesian, Making Out in Thai, Making Out in Korean, Making Out in Hindi, Making Out in Japanese, Making Out in Vietnamese, Making Out in Burmese, Making Out in Tagalog, Making Out in Hindi, Making Out in Arabic, Making Out in English, More Making Out in Korean, and More Making Out in Japanese.

Zippy Ziggy Volume 2 (V. 2)


Eun-Jeong Kim - 2004
    With the exception of having a screwed up cross-dressing devil for a dad, Shinghi's life is absolute perfection until one day, Sung-Hae - a complete martial artist freak who also likes to fib - transfers to his school. Fate has brought these two masters of lies together, and the two must battle it out to see who will be crowned the undefeated heavy-weight champion of fakeness!

The Great American Stay At Home Wives Conspiracy


Dan Merchant - 2004
    A semi-retired Internet millionaire, Mike had a beautiful wife and a relaxing life - until he discovers that his wife is part of possibly the greatest, and oldest, conspiracy in history.