“Funny” event at Agudath Israel-Etz Ahayem

On Oct. 14, Agudath Israel-Etz Ahayem in Montgomery will host a program with the person who wrote the book on funny.

Literally.

David Misch is author of “Funny: The Book,” which is subtitled “Everything you always wanted to know about comedy.” He traces the history of comedy, starting with the first recorded jokes. Written in 1900 BCE, they are about — what else? — sex and body functions.

Going through the centuries, he also explores why Jews are funny. The book also explores the evolutionary, psychological, scientific, philosophical and even theological underpinnings of humor.

Misch started his career as a folk singer and stand-up comic. His first screenwriting job was on “Mork and Mindy,” and he co-wrote “Leave It To Dave,” the pilot for David Letterman’s first talk show.

He has written, created and/or produced programs for NBC, CBS, ABC, Fox, UPN, HBO, Showtime, PBS, ABC Family, Disney, Universal and Lifetime. He co-wrote and directed an episode of the syndicated series “Monsters,” and was executive producer of “Duckman” (USA), which was nominated for multiple Emmys, winner of the Cable ACE and Banff awards for “Best Animated Series.” He was executive story editor on the legendary Zucker-Abrahams-Zucker series “Police Squad!” and co-writer and producer of “Callahan,” and was special consultant on “The Muppets Take Manhattan.”

The Oct. 14 program is free and open to the community, and will be from 3 to 4:30 p.m.