The Comic Strip Live
is the oldest stand-up comedy showcase club in New York City and the world. Located at 1568 Second Avenue (between 81st and 82nd Streets), its reputation as one of the hippest and hottest comedy clubs of all time has remained unchanged since opening in June 1976.
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COMIC STRIP LIVE TICKETS
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Beginnings
Before emerging as venue spotlighting only stand up comedians, the club originally featured singers, magicians and novelty acts.
The venue soon streamlined its shows to focus solely on stand-up comedy.
Present
Primarily a showcase club, the Comic Strip encourages performers to consistently write, perform and perfect new material. Once a year the club holds an "Audition Lottery," where aspiring newcomers line up to be given a date to try out their routine on "Audition Night" Mondays. If they do well, the club's talent coordinator passes them. "Passing" means getting a chance to work late night, where you perfect your act this occurs weeknights after our regular show has ended. Chris Rock used to clean tables to get extra stage time and Colin Quinn was a bartender at the club as well. Superstar
Jerry Seinfeld told
Liz Smith of the
New York Post, "When you are a kid starting out as a stand-up comic, you don't dream about the cover of Time Magazine. You dream about the 9 o'clock spot on Saturday night at the Comic Strip." In January 2007, Comic Strip Live started a new blog named "Tales From the Strip".
Guinness World Record
On June 3rd 2008 until June 5th the Comic Strip Live Broke the record for longest comedy show at 50 plus hours. The whole event was hosted by William Stevenson and included performances by Dave Attell, Judah Friedlander, Ted Alexandro, Tony Rock, Jeff Ross, and more.
Notable alumni
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- Angel Salazar
- Barry Weintraub
- Buddy Bolton
- Carol Leifer
- Caroline Rhea
- Chris Rock
- Colin Quinn
- Cory Kahaney
- Dan Naturman
- Damon Wayans
- Darrell Hammond
- Dave Attell
- D. C. Benny
- Dennis Wolfberg
- D.F. Sweedler
- Eddie Murphy
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- George Wallace
- Jeffrey Ross
- Jerry Seinfeld
- Jim Breuer
- Jim Gaffigan
- J.J. Ramirez
- Joe Bolster
- Joe Vega
- John Bush
- John Henson
- Jon Stewart
- Johnny Lampert
- J. R. Havlan
- Judah Friedlander
- Judy Gold
- Kevin Brennan
- Kerri Louise
- Kerry McNally
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- Larry Miller
- Lizzy Cooperman
- Louis C.K.
- Macio
- Mario Cantone
- Mike Britt
- Modi
- Nancy Parker
- Paul Reiser
- Phil Nee
- Ray Ellin
- Ray Romano
- Rich Hall
- Rick Shapiro
- Sarah Silverman
- Spanky
- Steven Scott
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- Sunda Croonquist
- TOM-E
- Tom Cotter
- Tony Rock
- Vanessa Hollingshead
- Veronica Mosey
- Vinnie Brand
- Walli Collins
- Wayne Federman
- William Stephenson
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Notes
Fox Broadcasting Company had a late-night stand-up comedy showcase, "Comic Strip Live (series) airing in the late 80's and early 90's
References