Brad Sander's Blog

I just finished episode five of I’m Dying Up Here. And I’ve come to the realization that I must suspend reality and enjoy the show for what it is. This ain’t a stroll down memory lane for those of us who were actually there at “Not The Comedy Store” In The 70s.

OK. it’s “Goldie’s” , the place where sick fucks go to masquerade as young up and coming comedians. I get it now. And damn it! I enjoyed it. I even like Ralph, the Black Vietnam Vet MC who looks like Michael Rapport. Yeah I know; who the hell is that?

As I stated, I have to accept that even though I remember when Executive Producer Jim Carrey got off the boat from Canada, landed at the “Who The Fuck Is Goldie” club and his big bit was an impression of Henry Fonda doing a G-A-F commercial, That my world is not the one they are trying to recreate. I mean come on, who wants to watch a bunch of smart, hysterically funny people go from sleeping in cars and rolling checks in restaurants with Dean Martin’s uncle, to becoming rich and famous?

However, I think those “Comedy Gold” moments are on the way. And who knows, they might give and old head a warm and hilarious moment here and there. After all, the real purpose of comedy is to give us respite from the drama of reality; Right? Please?

LOVE

Hi Everybody!

I watched the first episode of the Show Time series, I’m Dying Up Here. It was entertaining but I had to arrest the tendency to compare what is portrayed to what I remember from actually being at the Comedy Store during the Standup Comedy boom of the seventies, eighties and nineties.

The series is based on the book by Bill Knoedelseder who covered the Comedy Beat for the LA Times during that period. The piece is quite dark, to say the least, and the show takes dramatic liberties out of necessity. But I’m hoping to see some of the lighter funnier moments depicted as well.

Don’t get me wrong; Comedy in many ways is the result of tragedy and is the much needed respite from the harsh realities of life. But come on! Bring the FUNNY! We need the funny with all that darkness!

Guy goes on the Carson show, gets the couch! The couch is when Johnny calls you over to sit with him while he tells the whole world how great you are; career maker! Then he gets run over by a bus and his ex girlfriend gives his grieving mother a case of Crabs! REALLY!!?

I believe “Dying” can be a really great show but call the Bradster for the punch up! Cause life is too serious not to laugh.

LOVE