I'm Dying Up Here (2017–2018)

After a 'first career' in ordinary work, I decided to take a fling at stand-up comedy at the Comedy Zone in Jacksonville Florida for a second life. It's a major club that draws "A-list" comics from L.A. And NYC for the Thursday-Sunday shows. Us rank neophytes are given the opportunity to do 5-12 minutes on a Tuesday-Wednesday, and we learn from the local club owner who is a national booker of comic talent. We had to pay and complete an 8 week class, and then meet the standard in our 'graduation show' to be part of the team. About half make it.

I'm Dying Up Here is so much like what we go through every week. We get paid nothing, we get one free drink each night we work, no food. I drive 50 miles one way to the club, at least twice a week. The owner is like Goldie - he knows the business, he's demanding but supportive, and if we work another club, we're in trouble. But he knows his stuff. Some who have come up this way have done well, going on to Hollywood and Vegas. We've met Arsenio, Tom Arnold, Sheri Sheppard, Ralphie May, Bob Saget, etc.

You want to know what it's really like? Like "I'm Dying up here" - minus the sex. Or maybe it's just me... Look for a club that has a comic class - try it.