It's not easy being funny. True, there are countless jokes out there, covering every conceivable topic, and almost as many books on the subject. But, for the magician, most are either inappropriate or so ancient they can be found on the same piece of wall as the Beni Hasan cup-and-ball routine. With more than 400 gags, bits of patter and business, 'Sleightly Amusing' sets out to provide magicians with workable lines, whether performing for other magicians, a lay audience, in competitions or even compering. The book opens with a section on the business of comedy writing itself, based on the author's experience as a gag writer for television, radio and as a stand-up comic.