Writing for Late Night Television: Monologue, Jokes, Bits, and Sketches

Semester and Year	FA 2011
Course Number	WRTNG-UG1508
Section	001
Instructor	D.B. Gilles
Days	Mon
Time	2:00 PM - 4:45 PM
Units	4.0
Level	U
Foundation Requirement

Description

This course introduces students to writing for the world of late night television. Every talk show host has a unique voice and style. Work will include learning how to write opening monologues for The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, Chelsea Lately, Conan and Jimmy Kimmel among others. Understanding the difference between a sketch and a bit. How to structure a joke and find material. Work will also involve writing sketches ala Saturday Night Live. Students will learn how to go from idea, to building the sketch, to completing it and rewriting it to make it funnier. Writing assignments may include creating original on-going sketch characters, a Letterman Top Ten List, fake news items ala Weekend Update and writing short film parodies.

Syllabus

WRTNG-UG1508

Course Type

Advanced Writing Courses (WRTNG-UG)