Funny is Money

Funny is Money - 39 True Stories About How I Made a Sh!t Ton of $$$ Writing TV Comedy

Robert Illes

6x9 size

506 actual pages

Paperback ISBN 9798887718712

Hardback ISBN 9798887718729

“Funny is Money is a rollicking, candid memoir of comedy writer Robert Illes’ many years in show business. This book stands out as a humorous, irreverent, and deeply personal memoir that not only entertains but also offers a genuine look into the struggles, triumphs, and absurdities of working in the television industry during a transformative era from the early 1970s to the turn of the century. Its unabashed storytelling—complete with rich detail, insider humor, and a distinctive voice—makes for a compelling read for anyone interested in the behind-the-scenes world of show business.”  

                                                     ~ Entertainment Press

Author Robert Illes:  I’ve been fortunate to work with Norman Lear, Aaron Ruben, George Schlatter, The Smothers Brothers, Mary Tyler Moore, Dick Van Dyke, Fred Silverman, Sonny Bono, Don Knotts, Carol Burnett, Lily Tomlin, Freddie Prinze, Redd Foxx, Dick Clark, Brandon Tartikoff, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Lou Rawls, Linda Ronstadt, Robin Williams, Ricky Nelson, Ricky Schroder, John Houseman, Milton Berle, Sid Caesar, Steve Allen, Steve Martin, Bill Cosby,  Eric Idle, Steve Garvey, Sherman Hemsley, Jim Nabors, Spanky McFarland, to name a few. I was a writer for such shows as The Carol Burnett Show, Fernwood 2Night, Silver Spoons, Sister Sister, Lily, Van Dyke and Company, What’s Happening!!, The New Bill Cosby Show, The Mary Tyler Moore Hour, and many others.  I won two Emmys for Writing, nominated for two others, had four children, two wives, and said no to Chaka Khan. I bullshitted about nuclear meltdowns with Jane Fonda, shook hands with Fred Astaire, and hit on Raquel Welch. Raquel said no to me.