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Alan Zweibel, Former SNL Writer, to Discuss Autobiography

SPRINGFIELD, MA (April 2022) – The Springfield Jewish Community Center will host an in-person author talk and Q&A with Alan Zweibel, author and former writer for Saturday Night Live, on Thursday, May 12 at 7:00 PM at the Springfield JCC. Zweibel will discuss his new autobiography Laugh Lines: My Life Helping Funny People Be Funnier.

Zweibel started his comedy career selling jokes for $7 apiece. Then he caught the attention of Lorne Michaels and became one of the first writers at Saturday Night Life, where he penned classic material for Gilda Radner, John Belushi, and all of the original Not Ready for Prime Time players. Zweibel weaves together his own stories and interviews with his friends and contemporaries, including Richard Lewis, Eric Idle, Bob Saget, Mike Birbiglia, Sarah Silverman, Judd Apatow, Dave Barry, Carl Reiner, and more. The book also features a charming forward from his friend Billy Crystal.

“Alan Zweibel is legendary among us comedians,” said Steve Martin. “He is the man who delivers comedy with an emotional clout that makes him respected and revered.”

Zweibel has won multiple Emmy and Writers Guild awards for his work in television, including Saturday Night Live, It’s Garry Shandling’s Show, The Late Show with David Letterman, and Curb Your Enthusiasm. In 2010, Zweibel was given an honorary Ph.D. from the State University of New York, and in 2013, the Writers Guild of America presented him with a lifetime achievement award.

This author talk is part of the 2021-2022 season of Literatour, the Springfield JCC’s
community-wide celebration of Jewish books and authors. This event is free for JCC members and
$10 for the general public. Pre-registration is highly recommended. To register, visit SpringfieldJCC.org, call 413-739-4715, or email arts@springfieldjcc.org.