| Comic Strip Live | |
| Address: | 1568 Second Avenue |
| Location: | New York City, New York, United States |
| Type: | Comedy club |
The Comic Strip Live is the oldest stand-up comedy showcase club in New York City, located at 1568 Second Avenue (between 81st and 82nd Streets).[1] [2] [3]
The Comic Strip was opened in 1976. Richard Tienken and Robert Wachs were two of the club's founders.[4] Before emerging as a venue spotlighting only stand up comedians, the club originally featured singers, magicians, and novelty acts. Chris Rock used to stack chairs to get stage time[5] and Colin Quinn was a bartender at the club.
In 2017 Jerry Seinfeld returned to the club to shoot his Netflix special, Jerry Before Seinfeld; he had first performed at the club in 1976. Adam Sandler also shot part of his 2018 special 100% Fresh at the club.[4]
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". If they do well, the club's talent booker passes them. "Passing" means getting a chance to work late night, where they perfect their acts. This occurs weeknights after the regular show has ended.
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, and Greg Giraldo.
Fox Broadcasting Company had an unrelated late-night stand-up comedy showcase, Comic Strip Live, which aired 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.