Overview

In the mid-1970s, Jay Leno, David Letterman, Andy Kaufman, Richard Lewis, Robin Williams, Elayne Boosler, Tom Dreesen, and several hundred other shameless showoffs and incorrigible cutups from across the country migrated en masse to Los Angeles, the new home of Johnny Carsons Tonight Show. There, in a late-night world of sex, drugs, dreams and laughter, they created an artistic community unlike any before or since. It was Comedy Camelotbut it couldnt last. William Knoedelseder was then a cub reporter covering the burgeoning local comedy scene for the Los Angeles Times. He wrote the first major newspaper profiles of several of the future stars. And he was there when the comedianswho were not paid by the clubs where they performed tried to change the system and incidentally tore apart their own close-knit community. In Im Dying Up Here he tells the whole story of that golden age, of the strike that ended it, and of how those days still resonate in the lives of those who were there. As comedy clubs and cable TV began to boom, many would achieve stardom...but success had its price.

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9781586483173

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Reviews

Publishers Weekly, STARRED review<br> Knoedelseder skillfully layers powerful dramatic details, and readers will shelve the book alongside those other key classics on comedy. <br><p> Shelf Awareness <br> A revealing and entertaining look at the 1970s Los Angeles comedy scene and the labor dispute that ended its most glorious era. <p> Booklist <br> Fact-packed, highly readable history... peppered with plenty of portraits of struggling young comics, some destined for national fame, others headed to obscurity and, in a few cases, early death. <p> Buffalo News <br> One of the most eye-opening and informative books ever written about standup comedy...One of the books of the year for any student of American television and pop culture...A little-known story has now been told very well in perfect context. And when you finish the book you may feel as if you finally understand every comedian you see on TV for the first time. <p> Daily Variety <br> A lively new book...Knoedelseder reminds

Publishers Weekly, STARRED review Knoedelseder skillfully layers powerful dramatic details, and readers will shelve the book alongside those other key classics on comedy. Shelf Awareness A revealing and entertaining look at the 1970s Los Angeles comedy scene and the labor dispute that ended its most glorious era. Booklist Fact-packed, highly readable history... peppered with plenty of portraits of struggling young comics, some destined for national fame, others headed to obscurity and, in a few cases, early death. Buffalo News One of the most eye-opening and informative books ever written about standup comedy...One of the books of the year for any student of American television and pop culture...A little-known story has now been told very well in perfect context. And when you finish the book you may feel as if you finally understand every comedian you see on TV for the first time. Daily Variety A lively new book...Knoedelseder reminds us that comedy is a dicey calling. New York Times Book Review Illuminating

"Publishers Weekly, STARRED review ""Knoedelseder skillfully layers powerful dramatic details, and readers will shelve the book alongside those other key classics on comedy."" Shelf Awareness ""A revealing and entertaining look at the 1970s Los Angeles comedy scene and the labor dispute that ended its most glorious era."" Booklist ""Fact-packed, highly readable history... peppered with plenty of portraits of struggling young comics, some destined for national fame, others headed to obscurity and, in a few cases, early death."" Buffalo News ""One of the most eye-opening and informative books ever written about standup comedy...One of the books of the year for any student of American television and pop culture...A little-known story has now been told very well in perfect context. And when you finish the book you may feel as if you finally understand every comedian you see on TV for the first time."" Daily Variety ""A lively new book...Knoedelseder reminds us that comedy is a dicey calling."" New York Times Book Review ""Illuminating"" ""Publishers Weekly, ""STARRED review ""Knoedelseder skillfully layers powerful dramatic details, and readers will shelve the book alongside those other key classics on comedy."" ""Shelf Awareness"" ""A revealing and entertaining look at the 1970s Los Angeles comedy scene and the labor dispute that ended its most glorious era."" ""Booklist"" ""Fact-packed, highly readable history... peppered with plenty of portraits of struggling young comics, some destined for national fame, others headed to obscurity and, in a few cases, early death."" ""Buffalo News"" ""One of the most eye-opening and informative books ever written about standup comedy...One of the books of the year for any student of American television and pop culture...A little-known story has now been told very well in perfect context. And when you finish the book you may feel as if you finally understand every comedian you see on TV for the first time."" ""Daily Variety"" ""A lively new book...Knoedelseder reminds"

Author Information

William Knoedelseder has been a journalist with the Los Angeles Times, executive producer of Fox Entertainment News and Vice President of News at USA Broadcasting. He is the author of Stiffed: The True Story of MCA, The Music Business and the Mafia and In Eddie's Name: One Family's Triumph Over Tragedy. He lives with his family in Los Angeles.

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