I watched ‘The Comedy Store‘ documentary (5 episodes) with Ellen over the weekend and it was FANTASTIC!
I have been to The Comedy Store so many times and I have always been able to sense the history, but the documentary really drove it home. American comedy is so incredibly unique and EVERY great American comic has Comedy Store stories and events etched into their brains and soul.
The Comedy Store is Americana and the center of a network and community like no other in America. No wonder we make fun of Silicon Valley.
The move by Johnny Carson from New York to Los Angeles was such an important part of the history of The Comedy Store.
When I was 13, growing up in Toronto, I dreamed of being on Johnny Carson, crushing it like Gary Shandling and being called over to sit with Johnny. In my mind we would have a drink and some laughs.
For a few years I would do ‘open mic’ nights at Yuk Yuk’s in Yorkville. I would not call it fun, but it was intense and thrilling. I remember getting to watch a young Mike Myers and Jim Carrey before they were famous, but you just knew from the audience reaction that they were so good. There might have been more, but those were the two that I could remember from the very first time.
One of the last times I did stand-up was for a real competition and I was probably 17. There were serious TV people in the room. I was not ready at all. I will never forget sitting backstage with my best buddy Rob (who reads this blog) – we were likely very buzzed – and we were writing brand new material. We were laughing and writing and Rob was sure that it was really good material.
It was NOT.
I will never forget the silence.
I do think I heard my mom heckle me and walk out.
I don’t remember much else from that night other than the next comic absolutely crushing it with brand new material…about my performance.
I never stuck with comedy but have no regrets.
At Rob’s wedding, I was his best man and I crushed. There were no TV gigs, but I got a few phone numbers (pre Tinder for you millennials).
I know I crushed because Ellen was there filming it on VHS (that is tape for you millennials) and when she played it back for me later, all I could hear was her laughing.
I can’t wait to head back to The Comedy Store with friends when we get through COVID.
