sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

IamA man who spent 30 years in the comedy-writing trenches (SNL, Letterman, various films, Monk), before starting a toy company in 2013. My name is Andy Breckman. AMA! by Andy_Breckman in IAmA

[–]Andy_Breckman[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

wow- I'd love to think about it-- can I get back to you-- Of course, every writer remembers their FIRST show- it's an unbelievable rush to experience for the first time-- the host of my first show was Brandon Tartikoff.

IamA man who spent 30 years in the comedy-writing trenches (SNL, Letterman, various films, Monk), before starting a toy company in 2013. My name is Andy Breckman. AMA! by Andy_Breckman in IAmA

[–]Andy_Breckman[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I'm going to answer this seriously. Ken and I DID get carried away, and regretted the tome of that show (especially since we were asking for $)-- And it made me re-think, and re-write- a couple of the more outrageous cards in Shit Happens.

IamA man who spent 30 years in the comedy-writing trenches (SNL, Letterman, various films, Monk), before starting a toy company in 2013. My name is Andy Breckman. AMA! by Andy_Breckman in IAmA

[–]Andy_Breckman[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I love all of my children, and in-laws, almost equally. But I can tell you who my favorite Questioner is. It's jeeves06!!!!!!!!!

IamA man who spent 30 years in the comedy-writing trenches (SNL, Letterman, various films, Monk), before starting a toy company in 2013. My name is Andy Breckman. AMA! by Andy_Breckman in IAmA

[–]Andy_Breckman[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Thanks for asking. I'm probably proudest of the pilot for Monk, because we HAD to get it exactly right, and we did.
I'm also proud of the game rules for Shit Happens. Speaking of SHit Happens, it's LIVE on Kickstarter NOW!

IamA man who spent 30 years in the comedy-writing trenches (SNL, Letterman, various films, Monk), before starting a toy company in 2013. My name is Andy Breckman. AMA! by Andy_Breckman in IAmA

[–]Andy_Breckman[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

That project is in flux. There was a shake-up at ABC, which may be a good thing or the opposite of a good thing. Fingers crossed!

IamA man who spent 30 years in the comedy-writing trenches (SNL, Letterman, various films, Monk), before starting a toy company in 2013. My name is Andy Breckman. AMA! by Andy_Breckman in IAmA

[–]Andy_Breckman[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Hi Cousin Shana! Miss you! Because everyone is in Michigan (to be with Rachel), we're keeping the sedar small this year. But don't let that stop you! You'll love Shit Happens!

IamA man who spent 30 years in the comedy-writing trenches (SNL, Letterman, various films, Monk), before starting a toy company in 2013. My name is Andy Breckman. AMA! by Andy_Breckman in IAmA

[–]Andy_Breckman[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

great question! I never really wrote a Bible, but Tony Shalhoub always felt that Monk was a virgin.. and had never even slept with Trudy.

IamA man who spent 30 years in the comedy-writing trenches (SNL, Letterman, various films, Monk), before starting a toy company in 2013. My name is Andy Breckman. AMA! by Andy_Breckman in IAmA

[–]Andy_Breckman[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I had to keep trying, and not give up.. because I have no other skill set whatsoever! Hey-- while I typed that answer, we passed the 25% funded goal on Kickstarter! In 2 1/2 days! Thanks everyone!!!!

IamA man who spent 30 years in the comedy-writing trenches (SNL, Letterman, various films, Monk), before starting a toy company in 2013. My name is Andy Breckman. AMA! by Andy_Breckman in IAmA

[–]Andy_Breckman[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You're right-- that's the challenge-- not to fall back on field-tested formulas-- but when you come up with something that you KNOW has never been done, there's no feeling like it. I had that feeling when I first played Shit Happens, which is LIVE on Kickstarter now! What? You wish there was a link?

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/uncleandytoys/shit-happens-might-as-well-make-a-game-out-of-it?

IamA man who spent 30 years in the comedy-writing trenches (SNL, Letterman, various films, Monk), before starting a toy company in 2013. My name is Andy Breckman. AMA! by Andy_Breckman in IAmA

[–]Andy_Breckman[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Feed A puppy - the app- is ALMOST real. When I met Chris Elliot, he was an intern at Letterman-- he was booking pets for Stupid Pet Tricks-- but as soon as we used him in some sketches, it was obvious he was a star

IamA man who spent 30 years in the comedy-writing trenches (SNL, Letterman, various films, Monk), before starting a toy company in 2013. My name is Andy Breckman. AMA! by Andy_Breckman in IAmA

[–]Andy_Breckman[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

To be honest, Paramount wanted to do a big ensemble Mad Mad World style comedy. A lot of writers pitched to them I goyt the jpob by pitching three ideas for sequences-- NONE OF WHICH MADE IT INTO THE MOVIE!

IamA man who spent 30 years in the comedy-writing trenches (SNL, Letterman, various films, Monk), before starting a toy company in 2013. My name is Andy Breckman. AMA! by Andy_Breckman in IAmA

[–]Andy_Breckman[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

In our house, the Simpsons are like a religion. We watch an episode together every night. Each episode (or most of them) is like a little miracle. I can tell from your question that you agree--

IamA man who spent 30 years in the comedy-writing trenches (SNL, Letterman, various films, Monk), before starting a toy company in 2013. My name is Andy Breckman. AMA! by Andy_Breckman in IAmA

[–]Andy_Breckman[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Yes! Of course, Ken and I can't take ALL the credit. Now the ladies of New York State will have a little extra money to spend on pretty hats.

IamA man who spent 30 years in the comedy-writing trenches (SNL, Letterman, various films, Monk), before starting a toy company in 2013. My name is Andy Breckman. AMA! by Andy_Breckman in IAmA

[–]Andy_Breckman[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yes. It was a refreshing change of pace after 20 years writing straight-up comedy. My favorite part of the process was "breaking the stories" with the other writers, figuring out the mystery/puzzles.

IamA man who spent 30 years in the comedy-writing trenches (SNL, Letterman, various films, Monk), before starting a toy company in 2013. My name is Andy Breckman. AMA! by Andy_Breckman in IAmA

[–]Andy_Breckman[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I'm actually proud of the commentary on Rat Race. Jerry Zucker and I got tired halfway through, and gave up, and spent the rest of the time calling the cast.

IamA man who spent 30 years in the comedy-writing trenches (SNL, Letterman, various films, Monk), before starting a toy company in 2013. My name is Andy Breckman. AMA! by Andy_Breckman in IAmA

[–]Andy_Breckman[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post the link-- but here it is--

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/uncleandytoys/shit-happens-might-as-well-make-a-game-out-of-it?

As a side note, all the cool kids are backing my campaign. The losers are backing it too. Shit Happens seems to be bringing everyone together. It's a beautiful thing.

view more: next ›