Comic Strip Live

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).

Beginnings

Before emerging as venue spotlighting only stand up comedians, the club originally featured singers, magicians and novelty acts.

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 the 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."[1] In January 2007, Comic Strip Live started a new blog named "Tales From the Strip"[2].

Guinness World Record

From June 3, 2008 through June 5 the Comic Strip Live broke the Guinness World Record for the Longest Continuous Stand Up Comedy Show finishing at slightly beyond the 50-hour mark. The entire event was hosted by William Stephenson and included performances by Dave Attell, Judah Friedlander, Ted Alexandro, Tony Rock, Jeffrey Ross, Mike Birbiglia, Judy Gold, Rich Vos, Greg Giraldo and more.

Notable alumni

Adam Sandler Angel Salazar Aziz Ansari Barry Weintraub Ben Bailey Buddy Bolton Bobcat Goldthwait Carol Leifer Caroline Rhea Chris Rock Colin Quinn	Cory Kahaney Dan Naturman Dane Cook Damon Wayans Darrell Hammond Dan Allen Dave Attell Dave Chappelle D. C. Benny Dennis Wolfberg D.F. Sweedler	Eddie Brill Eddie Murphy Ellen DeGeneres George Carlin George Wallace Jeffrey Ross Jeff Stilson Jerry Seinfeld Jim Breuer Jimmy Fallon Wayne Federman	Jim Gaffigan J.J. Ramirez Joe Bolster Joe Piscopo Joe Vega John Bush John Henson Jon Fisch Jon Stewart Johnny Lampert	J. R. Havlan Judah Friedlander Judy Gold Kevin Brennan Kevin James Kevin Nealon Kerri Louise Kerry McNally Larry Miller Lizzy Cooperman Louis C.K.	Macio Mario Cantone Mike Birbiglia Mike Britt Modi Nancy Parker Patton Oswalt Paul Reiser Phil Nee Ray Ellin Ray Romano Rich Hall	Rick Shapiro Richard Pryor Robin Williams Rodney Dangerfield Sarah Silverman Spanky Steven Scott Susie Essman Sunda Croonquist Ted Alexandro TOM-E Tom Cotter	Tony Rock Vanessa Hollingshead Veronica Mosey Vinnie Brand Wanda Sykes Wali Collins William Stephenson

Notes

Fox Broadcasting Company had an unrelated late-night stand-up comedy showcase, "Comic Strip Live (series)" airing in the late 1980s and into the early 1990s. The club changed its name from The Comic Strip to Comic Strip Live in an apparent attempt to capitalize on this.

References

• Comic Strip Live
• City Search
• City Guide AOL
• New York Magazine: After-Prom

External links

• Comic Strip Live at the Internet Movie Database
• Comic Strip Live at TV.com