If you are old enough to remember the comedy boom of the 80's and 90's you remember some great comics as well. The comedy boom for those of you that don't know was a time when comedy clubs exploded in popularity. Prior to that time comedy clubs were found in big cities like New York and LA.
When the comedy boom hit cities that never had a club suddenly had a number of them. At one point Phoenix had seven clubs and the city was much smaller than it is today. Even small towns had one nighters in hotels and bars that were packing in crowds.
Pushed by cable television shows like "An Evening at the Improv" and others a five minute set could propel an unknown comic to headliner status in a matter of days. The comedy clubs were packed with laughing paying crowds offering hedge amounts of stage time for the comics to develop there skills.
Today we enjoy the talents of those that developed there comic skills during this time like Tim Allen, Ellen, and Jay Leno to name just a few. Most all of the sit coms we enjoy today are the result of creative process started back in these times.
While today there are not nearly as many comedy clubs, the ones that are open have the a great pool of talent to choose from. Many of the great headliners that we not lucky enough to hit it big have continued to perform and hone there skills on stage. The quality of the talent for a good comedy club has never been better and the comedy fan has a great opportunity of seeing a polished and professional act.
The sad part of show business is talent is not the one thing that determines weather some becomes famous or not. In many cases the less talented got lucky or was in the right place at the right time or just had the right look.
We call this group of talented comics that have become stars rather than major stars funnier than famous. The nice thing for the comedy fan is they can still go see them at a great price at the local comedy club.
This is not to take away from the accomplishments of those that did become supper stars. We are fortunate they did. We just want to let you know about the other gifted comics still pounding the road working the comedy club stage and hope that some of them soon get the shot to step to the next level. In the mean time if you get the chance to see them, go do it they are well worth the cover charge.
As a former standup comic who came up with Bill Burr, Dane Cook, and Billy Martin in Boston just as the comedy scene died down, I can tell you it is the most talented or funny who make it. The three guys I mention here were the best of the bunch. Some don't make it because they realize it's not the road for them, such as myself--but I still write humor but not for standup or others like I used to. The comedy scene is not like the music scene which is void of talent if compared to the 60s, 70s, and 80s. But I do see some great talent today, such people as Dave Chappelle, Ellen DeGeneres, Jim Carrey, Kevin James, Lewis Black, Jim Gaffigan (my personal favorite). What's interesting is that while I was doing my schtick, I most of my favs were women: Ellen Degeneres, Kathy Ladman, Rita Rudner. My favorite while on tour was a Female Jewish comedian. I loved her joke about praying. She'd say, "You Catholics really get down there on your knees and pray. The whole nine yards. If you're Jewish you make a move to pray" here she'd slightly bend her knee and then in her best Jewish accent say, "Ahhh, good enough." I also loved, of course, Mel Brooks ("The Inquisition, what a show!") and Woody Allen. But I loved Kathy Ladman's stuff. Ahhhhhh, memories. But thanks for the great article and bringing up all the memories. Great job!
As a former standup comic who came up with Bill Burr, Dane Cook, and Billy Martin in Boston just as the comedy scene died down, I can tell you it is the most talented or funny who make it. The three guys I mention here were the best of the bunch. Some don't make it because they realize it's not the road for them, such as myself--but I still write humor but not for standup or others like I used to. The comedy scene is not like the music scene which is void of talent if compared to the 60s, 70s, and 80s. But I do see some great talent today, such people as Dave Chappelle, Ellen DeGeneres, Jim Carrey, Kevin James, Lewis Black, Jim Gaffigan (my personal favorite). What's interesting is that while I was doing my schtick, I most of my favs were women: Ellen Degeneres, Kathy Ladman, Rita Rudner. My favorite while on tour was a Female Jewish comedian. I loved her joke about praying. She'd say, "You Catholics really get down there on your knees and pray. The whole nine yards. If you're Jewish you make a move to pray" here she'd slightly bend her knee and then in her best Jewish accent say, "Ahhh, good enough." I also loved, of course, Mel Brooks ("The Inquisition, what a show!") and Woody Allen. But I loved Kathy Ladman's stuff. Ahhhhhh, memories. But thanks for the great article and bringing up all the memories. Great job!
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
