More prophetic words were never written than these, “Comedy
is not Pretty”, when they adorned the cover of Steve Martin’s third album.
While most of us see the laughter inducing antics or hear the howl inducing
words that comics offer the reality behind the scenes is not near as fun as one
would think. It’s a dog eat dog world and was that even more so in the heyday
of the stand-up comic in the early 70s. And the one place that was the mecca
for comedians during this time period was L.A.
I’M DYING UP HERE is a drama/comedy hybrid that focuses on
that time period and on comedians trying to get that big break, the chance to
appear on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. By now we have a generation
unfamiliar with the power Carson wielded on a young comic but most of us recall
his laugh and how he helped create numerous stars who performed on his stage.
The series takes place at Goldie’s comedy club. Goldie
(Melissa Leo) is obviously based on Mitzi Shore who co-founded The Comedy Store
in L.A. in 1972. A tough as nails club owner who provides several stages for
comedians to hone their craft while at the same time not paying them a dime,
Goldie has dreams just like the comedians do. Her chance comes halfway through
the series as she pitches an all-female comedy special to CBS. Not only is it
her dream project it also allows her to show them what women can do.
The cast that make up the series offer different aspects of
comedians from the time period as well as being representatives of different
styles. The series opens when comedian Clay Apuzzo gets his big break not only
appearing on The Tonight Show but being called over to the couch by Johnny
himself, the highest accolade a comedian can get. Afterwards Clay checks into a
posh hotel, orders the best meal possible, walks outside and steps in front of
a bus committing suicide. He’d reach the pinnacle he sought and left this
world. His death looms over the casts throughout the show.
Central to the story is Ari Graynor as Cassie Feder. A
transplant from TX she’s still in the early stages of developing her on stage
persona with the first episode. She takes a personal hit in the opening moments
of the show with the death of Clay who was not only a fellow comedian but her
ex-boyfriend as well. As the series progresses we see her realize that she’s
accepted but not thought of in the same manner as her male counterparts.
Instead she is either the sought after fuel for their sexual natures or as
merely one of the boys. Neither of those offer who she truly is.
Andrew Santino is Bill Hobbs, the most outspoken and least
likeable character in the series. Hobbs feels like he’s above the rest of the
comedians. His humor might be one thing on stage but his vicious verbal attacks
on the other comics offstage are what make him so unlikeable. Early on he and
Cassie begin seeing one another only to have him sabotage it with his attitude.
Much of the misery in his life is self-inflicted and one wonders if he will
ever make it big in spite of his talent.
Ralph King (Erik Griffin) on the other hand has made it big,
kind of. Not only does he have the envious position of emcee at Goldie’s he’s
also a writer for the Sonny and Cher show. He seems to be the most level headed
of the bunch, even if he has his own demons that stem from his time in Vietnam,
the focus on one episode.
RJ Cyler plays Adam Proteau, a young black comedian who like
the rest is still searching for his voice. Early on he seems so enamored of
other young black performers that he almost finds himself not just following in
their footsteps but standing in them as well, crafting his performance more as
an homage rather than his own voice. But as the series moves forward glimpses
of his self-discovery are there to be seen. Only time will tell if he finds
that voice inside of himself.
Two other characters of note are Eddie Zeidel (Michael
Angarano) and Ron Shack (Clark Duke), two best friends from Boston who were
friends of Clay who invited them to come out and stay with him while looking
for their big break before he killed himself. Arriving with nothing they rent a
room from the club manager. Well not quite a room. Closer to a closet. Actually
it is a closet. That they share. Both are early in their careers and still
working on material. Eddie gets a job in a deli where he talks them into
allowing an open mic night. Ron is taken to an AA meeting by top talent Nick
Beverly (Jake Lacy) who tells him that there he has a captive audience. He can
apply his material to their plight while posing as an alcoholic to have this
forum to “perform”.
This is the sort of world these comedians face. Each of them
has their own insecurities and issues and all of them apply those life choices
and decisions to the material that they show onstage. They say the best comedy
is inspired by real life events and these comedians prove that. But the show
not only focuses on their comedy but the lives they lead as they reach for the
brass ring.
When I started watching the series here on disc I wasn’t all
that impressed after the initial episode. It felt to cardboard cutout and I
wasn’t sure it would be worth the time to carry on. But as each episode played
I found myself both fascinated and curious about what would happen next. I
began to care about the characters. I began to hope that some would find their
way to stardom and wished that others would abandon their dream and become
something else. I found that I was rooting for them all at some level though
and wanted to continue watching to find out what would happen.
A second season has already aired and I look forward to its
release on disc to enjoy. And for those who have Showtime I can’t suggest
strongly enough how this series is worth your taking notice of. It never got
boring. I will note that the show feels the need to use as much language as a
Showtime series seems to enjoy and that the standard nude scenes are there that
I’ve come to expect with anything shown on pay cable networks. I will say that
they did restrain themselves this time out and waited at least 20 minutes
before tossing in the obligatory T&A moment whereas they normally toss that
in with the first 5 minutes. I find it odd that in an industry currently being
bombarded with sexual harassment cases and the #metoo movement going on that
the proclivity for female nudity remains unchanged. Who knows, perhaps that
will change in the future. For now if it offends you be aware. One last thing
of praise. This show has a dynamite soundtrack going for it with some fantastic
songs of the time playing. This is one show worth checking out.
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