New Book 2012 BEST OF THE SPIT TAKE Elevates Comedy as Art Form; to Celebrate Release at NYC's The Stand, 2/21

When Americans go to the movies, a concert, or a gallery opening, they look for their favorite actor, band, or artistic genre. So, why is it that when choosing a comedy performance, the decision is often based on which venue is closest? Julie Seabaugh, a Doer at Brown Paper Tickets, is trying to change the way America devours comedy with the new book The Best of The Spit Take: A Compilation of Professional Comedy Criticism, released today by Paradisiac Publishing, and available for $11.99 at www.amazon.com/2012-Best-The-Spit-Take/dp/0985316861.

"Comedy is an artistic endeavor on par with music, film, literature, or visual art, and it's about time that Americans developed a more sophisticated palate for what they think is funny," Seabaugh says. What's the missing link? "Professional critical analysis that helps audiences actively seek out, appreciate, and respect the comedic talent that makes them think, makes them laugh, and makes them fall in love with thinking and laughing at the same time."

The world's first comedy-review compilation is based on work published on The Spit Take (www.thespittake.com), Seabaugh's website of professional comedy criticism, which features timely analyses of albums, DVDs, specials, films, books, and live performances from a comedic gamut of relatively unknown talent, respected workhorses, and living legends.

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