Posted by pseudoname on October 8, 2006, at 12:59:23
In reply to “Backstage at the Tonight Show”, posted by pseudoname on October 8, 2006, at 12:30:13
Also related is the documentary "When Stand Up Stood Out" (2005) about Boston stand-up comics, 1978-1988, including Leary, Garofalo, Poundstone, and Goldthwait. I've watched the DVD 3 times this weekend. (Like I said, this is about all I can handle.)
Before there were 450 comedy clubs all over America, Boston was the first place after NY & LA to have any. For several years, the locally-grown comics were playing to sold-out houses and raking in fistfuls of cash, which many promptly spent on drugs. After a few years, ‘The Tonight Show’ put ONE of the gang on national TV: deadpanner Steven Wright, who was a big hit (although he's not mentioned in Don Sweeney's book, above). Success meant Boston's comedian comeraderie devolved into chaos and backstabbing rivalries, the comedy boom played itself out, and the clubs closed. Now, in the post-standup era (?), all is forgiven as the gang comes back together in 2000 for a benefit performance.
Why it took five years to release this movie I have no idea.
poster:pseudoname
thread:692977
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/books/20061001/msgs/692981.html