I'm Dying Up Here: Heartbreak and High Times in Stand-Up Comedy's Golden Era

I'm Dying Up Here chronicles the Los Angeles stand-up comedy scene of the 1970s, centered around the Comedy Store club and its owner Mitzi Shore. The book follows the careers and relationships of comedians including David Letterman, Jay Leno, Andy Kaufman, and Richard Lewis during a pivotal time in comedy history. The narrative focuses on the business dynamics of the Comedy Store, where new comedians performed without pay while established stars earned substantial fees. Through interviews and research, Knoedelseder reconstructs the atmosphere of competition, friendship, and tension that defined this era. The story builds toward a labor dispute that divided the comedy community. The book captures a transformative period when stand-up comedy evolved from nightclub entertainment into a mainstream art form and launching pad for television careers. Beyond individual stories, it examines broader themes of artistic ambition, economic fairness, and the personal costs of pursuing success in show business.

Readers describe this book as an authentic look at the 1970s Los Angeles comedy scene, focusing on The Comedy Store and its role in launching major comedians' careers. Readers appreciated: - Details about business dealings between club owners and comedians - Behind-the-scenes stories about comedians' relationships and conflicts - The labor dispute coverage and its impact on stand-up comedy - Well-researched accounts of significant events and conversations Common criticisms: - Too much focus on the business/strike aspects versus comedy content - Some readers wanted more personal stories about individual comedians - Abrupt ending that doesn't follow through on certain storylines Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (280+ ratings) "It reads like a thriller," noted one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads reviewer commented: "Less about comedy and more about the politics of running comedy clubs." Multiple readers mentioned the book works better as a business story than a comedy history.

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🎭 The book chronicles the legendary Comedy Store in Los Angeles during the 1970s, where future superstars like David Letterman, Jay Leno, and Robin Williams got their start. 🎬 The book was adapted into a Showtime series of the same name in 2017, with Jim Carrey serving as executive producer. 💰 Author William Knoedelseder covered the 1979 Comedy Store strike firsthand as a Los Angeles Times reporter, when comedians demanded payment for their performances at owner Mitzi Shore's club. ⭐ Several comedians featured in the book, including Richard Lewis and Tom Dreesen, lived together in a cheap apartment building nicknamed "Comedian's Corner" while trying to make it big. 🎙️ The Comedy Store's original location was previously Ciro's nightclub, a famous Hollywood hotspot where stars like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin performed in the 1940s and '50s.