Mark Turner More prophetic words were never written than these, "Comedy is not Pretty", when they adorned the cover of Steve Martin's third album. While most of us see the laughter inducing antics or hear the howl inducing words that comics offer the reality behind the scenes is not near as fun as one would think. It's a dog eat dog world and was that even more so in the heyday of the stand-up comic in the early 70s. And the one place that was the mecca for comedians during this time period was L.A. I'M DYING UP HERE is a drama/comedy hybrid that focuses on that time period and on comedians trying to get that big break, the chance to appear on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. By now we have a generation unfamiliar with the power Carson wielded on a young comic but most of us recall his laugh and how he helped create numerous stars who performed on his stage.The series takes place at Goldie's comedy club. Goldie (Melissa Leo) is obviously based on Mitzi Shore who co-founded The Comedy Store in L.A. in 1972. A tough as nails club owner who provides several stages for comedians to hone their craft while at the same time not paying them a dime, Goldie has dreams just like the comedians do. Her chance comes halfway through the series as she pitches an all-female comedy special to CBS. Not only is it her dream project it also allows her to show them what women can do. The cast that make up the series offer different aspects of comedians from the time period as well as being representatives of different styles. The series opens when comedian Clay Apuzzo gets his big break not only appearing on The Tonight Show but being called over to the couch by Johnny himself, the highest accolade a comedian can get. Afterwards Clay checks into a posh hotel, orders the best meal possible, walks outside and steps in front of a bus committing suicide. He'd reach the pinnacle he sought and left this world. His death looms over the casts throughout the show.Central to the story is Ari Graynor as Cassie Feder. A transplant from TX she's still in the early stages of developing her on stage persona with the first episode. She takes a personal hit in the opening moments of the show with the death of Clay who was not only a fellow comedian but her ex-boyfriend as well. As the series progresses we see her realize that she's accepted but not thought of in the same manner as her male counterparts. Instead she is either the sought after fuel for their sexual natures or as merely one of the boys. Neither of those offer who she truly is.Andrew Santino is Bill Hobbs, the most outspoken and least likeable character in the series. Hobbs feels like he's above the rest of the comedians. His humor might be one thing on stage but his vicious verbal attacks on the other comics offstage are what make him so unlikeable. Early on he and Cassie begin seeing one another only to have him sabotage it with his attitude. Much of the misery in his life is self-inflicted and one wonders if he will ever make it big in spite of his talent.Ralph King (Erik Griffin) on the other hand has made it big, kind of. Not only does he have the envious position of emcee at Goldie's he's also a writer for the Sonny and Cher show. He seems to be the most level headed of the bunch, even if he has his own demons that stem from his time in Vietnam, the focus on one episode.RJ Cyler plays Adam Proteau, a young black comedian who like the rest is still searching for his voice. Early on he seems so enamored of other young black performers that he almost finds himself not just following in their footsteps but standing in them as well, crafting his performance more as an homage rather than his own voice. But as the series moves forward glimpses of his self-discovery are there to be seen. Only time will tell if he finds that voice inside of himself. Two other characters of note are Eddie Zeidel (Michael Angarano) and Ron Shack (Clark Duke), two best friends from Boston who were friends of Clay who invited them to come out and stay with him while looking for their big break before he killed himself. Arriving with nothing they rent a room from the club manager. Well not quite a room. Closer to a closet. Actually it is a closet. That they share. Both are early in their careers and still working on material. Eddie gets a job in a deli where he talks them into allowing an open mic night. Ron is taken to an AA meeting by top talent Nick Beverly (Jake Lacy) who tells him that there he has a captive audience. He can apply his material to their plight while posing as an alcoholic to have this forum to "perform". This is the sort of world these comedians face. Each of them has their own insecurities and issues and all of them apply those life choices and decisions to the material that they show onstage. They say the best comedy is inspired by real life events and these comedians prove that. But the show not only focuses on their comedy but the lives they lead as they reach for the brass ring.When I started watching the series here on disc I wasn't all that impressed after the initial episode. It felt to cardboard cutout and I wasn't sure it would be worth the time to carry on. But as each episode played I found myself both fascinated and curious about what would happen next. I began to care about the characters. I began to hope that some would find their way to stardom and wished that others would abandon their dream and become something else. I found that I was rooting for them all at some level though and wanted to continue watching to find out what would happen.A second season has already aired and I look forward to its release on disc to enjoy. And for those who have Showtime I can't suggest strongly enough how this series is worth your taking notice of. It never got boring. I will note that the show feels the need to use as much language as a Showtime series seems to enjoy and that the standard nude scenes are there that I've come to expect with anything shown on pay cable networks. I will say that they did restrain themselves this time out and waited at least 20 minutes before tossing in the obligatory T&A moment whereas they normally toss that in with the first 5 minutes. I find it odd that in an industry currently being bombarded with sexual harassment cases and the #metoo movement going on that the proclivity for female nudity remains unchanged. Who knows, perhaps that will change in the future. For now if it offends you be aware. One last thing of praise. This show has a dynamite soundtrack going for it with some fantastic songs of the time playing. This is one show worth checking out.

jonboles A great production, but we groan whenever Goldie has a scene. The actress is grating and trite in her portrayal. She was miscast terribly.

matthewwickstrom If you like stand up and personal issues and relationships, you'll probably love this series!

williaml-19874 Wonderful characters. Captivating. All well-acted. Like anybody trying to get ahead in any line of work, only more so in an outgoing line of work. Even the ones I don't like I'd like to know. Great stories artistically intertwined. Drama, pathos, joy. Organic development. Jokes on stage are just right -- some bad, some good, but obviously not yet professional, cause that's why they are at Goldies. The professional humor is off the stage. The things people say authentically in the spur of the moment, that they work to capture every night.