This oral history of television sitcom offers the perspectives of 22 of the best and most prolific early comedy writers. How they broke into the business; how they wrote scripts (where did they get their ideas?); what it was like to work on hits--and on flops; their most famous scripts; what were the sitcom actors like; how they collaborated with other writers and producers; and why they retired. The book documents insider knowledge and gives the reader a better understanding of what makes great television comedy. The writers' observations about the changes that took place during their long careers help explain why television comedy has evolved so greatly in recent years.