Paradigm Bets on Online Poker Heist Comedy...

Paradigm Agency's Independent Film Division in Los Angeles is developing my screenplay "On Tilt" (co-written with Dr. Christopher Marker). Goran Dukic ("Wristcutters: A Love Story") is attached to direct. "On Tilt" is the frenetically paced, dark-comic story of Jack Brennan, a young doctor who tries beating the system on a popular Native American-run online gaming site, soon finding himself in trouble way over his head. The project is being co-produced by myself, Marker, and Steve Katz and is now in casting.

Situationally Speaking...

In 2010, I was James Boswell to Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino's abdominal musings. What began this spring as a tongue-in-cheek memoir project eventually boiled down to a satirical "guide for the GTL lifestyle" published by Gotham (Penguin) books. Mike is a great sport and deserves a lot of credit for his capacity for self-parody. He fields a blistering amount of vitriol -- especially online -- and it never seems to faze him. Criticism washes over Mike like water off a duck phone's back. As far as his book goes, I think the bottom line is: it's a pretty damn funny lampoon told with Colbert-style earnestness. Mike's tremendous popularity is rooted somewhere, so I just hope people give the book a chance. (Plus, I drew a bunch of illustrations for the book, too. So if you don't like the words, you can just color in the pictures.) Crack it open and see if it makes you laugh.

Quoting from the book during his "Tonight Show" monologue, Jay Leno said, "Mike 'The Situation' says before he sleeps with a girl he puts her in a hot tub at 200 degrees to kill any bacteria. How skanky are your girls if you have to boil them first?"

On his HBO show, "Real Time with Bill Maher," Maher said, "New rule: you can't publish a book if the only people interested in reading it don't know how to read. The 'Jersey Shore's' Mike 'The Situation' Sorrentino has a new book out, which raises the question: Can you get herpes from a book?"

There's only one way to find out...

Click here to purchase the national bestseller HERE'S THE SITUATION at amazon.com.

Test your Sitchtelligence: Take the Situation Quiz on the publisher's web site.

The Sitch is honored as one of GQ magazine's Men of the Year -- The "Sensation of 2010."

To stalk The Sitch's every movement, including upcoming media appearances, book signings, and tips for proper squat-thrust posture, follow him on Twitter @ItsTheSituation. Or join his more than 3.5 million Facebook followers here.

"That's what's up."

Simon & Schuster hosted the launch party for Charlie Murphy's memoir, THE MAKING OF A STAND-UP GUY at Jay-Z's 40/40 club on West 25th Street in Manhattan. Many talented comedians and stars were in attendance, including Paul Mooney and Ice T. It was a great event and Charlie was most gracious and generous in his gratitude for the work we did together to tell his story and shape a book he could be proud to show the world.

In the past couple years, my writing projects have allowed for me to spend a lot of time in comedy clubs talking with veteran, as well as up-and-coming, comedians. Many have read Charlie's book because it's a comedian's book, chronicling Charlie's unlikely stand-up career that began at the age of 42.

I've also spoken with veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan who tell me that repeated viewings of "Chappelle's Show" on DVD is a staple of their overseas experience. They treasure those episodes as a necessary source of levity in the midst of dark circumstances and responsibilities.

Charlie is a true stand-up guy and a class act. Check out his story. You won't be disappointed.

Click here to purchase THE MAKING OF A STANDUP GUY at amazon.com. Follow Charlie on Twitter @cmurphycomedy.