https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kye0QwGX9E
Before Jay Leno and David Letterman had their own talk shows. Before Robin Williams and Garry Shandling had their own sitcoms. They were performing at the few comedy clubs in Los Angeles just for the chance to be on The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson and then being invited to sit on the couch. There was no Comedy Central nor Live at The Improv, so they didn’t have the opportunities they have now.
I’m Dying Up Here on Showtime at 10p is the story of comedians in Los Angeles during the mid-’70s trying to break it. They wanted to be the next Richard Pryor or George Carlin. Before they could do that, they all had to get past Goldie (Melissa Leo). She owns the hottest comedy club and she controlled their careers. You would start in The Cellar, then if she liked you she moved you up to the Open Mic Night. When she felt you were ready, she would move you to the Main Room. Just because you got the Main Room didn’t mean you would get a good time. It was all a game for no pay, but that didn’t matter as long as they had a willing audience who would laugh at their jokes.
Some nights they were a hit, some night they were not. But every night they had each other. There is Ron (Clark Duke) and Eddie (Michael Angarano), who just flew in from Boston and they are sharing a closet for $60 a month because that is all they can afford. They aren’t the only ones stuck in The Cellar, so is Adam (RJ Cyler). He gets a break from Goldie that moves him up. Cassie (Ari Graynor) is the only female, and they see her as a woman they are no longer interested in (as in sexually) as compared to being a woman. She has the most to prove and Goldie doesn’t care that she is a woman. Cassie is dating Bill (Andrew Santino), and he has his anger issues. Finally, there is Sully (Stephen Guarino), he is the furthest one of them all. He is a new dad and he desperately needs money. But he wants to be a comedian and there is no pay.
They are all living the dream in Hollywood during the ’70s and sometimes it can really be a nightmare. I’m Dying Up Here really catches that era and the struggling comedians of that time. If you love going to comedy clubs, then you are going to love the story before they take the stage.
