Parking cars, cleaning bathrooms, and hustling for five minutes of stage time—that was life under Mitzi Shore’s “Comedy Bootcamp,” even for David Letterman (who was later banned).
Throw in Robin Williams as a chauffeur, Kinison crashing in the attic, and a blue light that meant Johnny Carson scouts were watching, and you’ve got comedy history like never before.
I have “The Comedy Store” ranked #2 in my list of best stand-up documentaries (coming soon!).
Trailer for “The Comedy Store”
Watch “The Comedy Store”
You can watch “The Comedy Store” on Paramount+ at https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/the-comedy-store/
You can find the latest streaming options at https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/the-comedy-store (last I checked, this link says you can watch it for free on Fubo (with subscription) and buy it from Amazon Prime Video et al).
Ratings:
- My Rating: 93/100
- IMDB Rating: 8.2/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 85/100 (Users); 80/100 (Critics)
Release Date: October 4, 2020
My Review of “The Comedy Store”
“The Comedy Store” is a front-row seat to 47 years of stand-up history where legends like Richard Pryor, Robin Williams, and David Letterman first found their voices.
You Can’t Make This Sh*t Up
- Mitzi’s “Comedy Bootcamp” policy forced comics to work the door or clean bathrooms for stage time – this is how Letterman ended up parking cars while dreaming of a Tonight Show desk
- Robin Williams would often give newer acts rides home despite his fame (check out “Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind” for a doc just on Robin (I rank it 96/100!)
- David Letterman was permanently banned by owner Mitzi Shore when he helped lead the strike against the club in 1979 (demanding to be paid more).
- During the height of his fame, Sam Kinison lived in the club’s attic
- The comedians worked together and turned on a blue light above the stage signaled when Johnny Carson’s talent scouts were watching
Here’s Richard Pryor doing a bit there:
The Beginning
This five-part documentary directed by Mike Binder (a former Store comic himself) spans 5 hours and dives deep into the world’s most famous comedy club on Sunset Strip.
From its 1972 opening, we witness how this former strip club transformed into comedy’s ultimate gladiator arena.
Through rare footage and fresh interviews, we see Jim Carrey working the door while sleeping in his car, and Jay Leno lending money to struggling performers.
Mitzi Shore emerges as both hero and villain. She had an eye for talent but wielded her power like a medieval queen, deciding comedians’ fates with a simple yes or no from her booth in the back of the Original Room.
The Evolution
The doc covers the “Comedy Wars” of the late ’70s.
Tom Dreesen leads the charge for fair pay while younger comics like Letterman and Leno navigate divided loyalties, culminating in Letterman’s permanent banishment from the club.
The ’80s brought the rise of mega-stars like Eddie Murphy and Sam Kinison. One unforgettable scene shows Kinison riding his motorcycle onto the stage during his set.
Here’s Robin Williams (following Pryor’s set):
Lesser Known Gems
The series has fascinating details that even comedy nerds might not know:
- Mitzi’s “Comedy Bootcamp” policy forced comics to work the door or clean bathrooms for stage time – this is how Letterman ended up parking cars while dreaming of a Tonight Show desk
- Robin Williams would often give newer acts rides home despite his fame
- Whitney Cummings discovering her style on the Store’s stage
- Sebastian Maniscalco’s journey from waiter to headliner
- Joe Rogan’s podcast and loyal fanbase helped bring the Store back to relevance in the 2010s
The Dark Times
The mid-’90s brought an identity crisis as alternative comedy rose.
Pauly Shore gives a heartfelt interview about his mother Mitzi’s decline and the pressure to keep her legacy alive.
Marc Maron’s return to the Store becomes a powerful thread through the series.
His role in the club’s resurgence, particularly through his influential podcast, shows how the Store continues to evolve with each generation of comics.
The New Era
The doc comes full circle with Joe Rogan and Carlos Mencia’s emotional reconciliation, years after their famous feud. This moment symbolizes the Store’s ability to heal old wounds while fostering new talent.
Wrap Up
I think “The Comedy Store” is the best documentary about stand-up comedy’s gritty underbelly.
It captures both the artistry and business of comedy while showing how one club in Los Angeles became the Harvard of humor.
Thanks for reading!
Rob Kelly, Chief Maniac, Daily Doc