Make 'Em Laugh: 35 Years of the Comic Strip, the Greatest Comedy Club of All Time! [Hardcover]

Jeffrey Gurian (Author), Richie Tienken (Author), Chris Rock (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2012 | ISBN-10: 1620870746 | ISBN-13: 978-1620870747 | Edition: 1

“When you are a kid starting out as a stand-up comic . . . you dream about the nine o’clock spot on Saturday night at the Comic Strip.”
—Jerry Seinfeld

Once in a lifetime a venue comes along that changes show business dramatically, that fosters growth and camaraderie, experimentation and freedom. The Comic Strip is one of those places, and Make ’Em Laugh is an inside look at how it all happened, straight from the mouths of the stars who built their careers on its stage. Owner Richie Tienken and a wealth of comics open their hearts and souls to share their most intimate memories, the laughs and tears, the good times and the bad, in order to paint an all-encompassing, behind-the-scenes history of this iconic club. Interviews include famous comedians, such as:

• Jerry Seinfeld
• Gilbert Gottfried
• Paul Reiser
• Lisa Lampanelli
• George Wallace
• Billy Crystal
• Jim Breuer
• Susie Essman
• Lewis Black
• Ray Romano
• And many more!

Relive the excitement as these comics explain how they came to belong to the Comic Strip family, and how they went on to enjoy huge careers, bringing laughter to millions of people all over the world. This book is a must for any comedian or comedy lover’s library! 32 color photographs

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jeffrey Gurian is a comedy writer, performer, director, author, producer, doctor, and healer. He's written material for comedy legends such as Rodney Dangerfield, Jerry Lewis, Phil Hartman, Richard Belzer, George Wallace, and Joan Rivers. He's also written for MTV, National Lampoon, Weekly World News, and many Friars Club Roasts. In 1999, he launched Comedy Matters, a celeb-based, online entertainment column that now has evolved into Comedy Matters TV, an internet TV channel with over 150 A-list celebrity interviews. He currently teaches an online comedy class for the Learning Annex. You can read more at http://www.jeffreygurian.com And you can reach Jeffrey on Twitter at @jeffreygurian.

Richie Tienken opened the Comic Strip on June 1, 1976, and effectively changed the face of comedy forever. At thirteen, he ran away from his home in the Bronx to Boston, where he got a job selling magazines door-to-door. He moved back to New York a year later and has since managed some of the biggest comedy stars, such as Eddie Murphy, Adam Sandler, and Colin Quinn.

Chris Rock is a comedian, actor, screenwriter, television producer, and film producer.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Skyhorse Publishing; 1 edition (October 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1620870746
• ISBN-13: 978-1620870747
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #689,893 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars Terrible read June 18, 2013

By TerryK

Format:Hardcover

I was really looking forward to reading this and when I did it was a major disappointment. It is basically a question and answer book where they ask various comedians about The Comic Strip and their careers. They ask all of them about the owner and another guy who worked there who has passed away. This was a wasted opportunity. They could have picked a comedian and told the story from his or her vantage point in more of a narrative format. That would have made this more interesting. I found I read the sections on the comics I cared about and glanced over the rest. Even the stories of the well known comics aren't that interesting the way they are presented. Had they spent time developing more of a story or narrative, the stories about the people with whom I was unfamiliar would have seemed more interesting I suspect.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book about comedy! March 20, 2013

By Wifey Girl

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is one of the best books I've ever read about comedy. Great job! I'd recommend anyone studying comedy, or the history of comedy to pick up this book right away! I couldn't put it down. It's so knowledgeable and so much fun to read.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating read about NYC's first comedy clubs January 22, 2013

By Ginger Reiter

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Fascinating read about the original NYC Comedy Clubs and the struggling-at-first comedians who are now big. I particularly liked the format of the book, with intros by Guran, and entire chapters written by the Masters themselves in their own words -like Jerry Seinfeld. It was a book that needed to be written, and although I have read others, i.e Dangerfield's bio, I loved the all-embracing concept of this book.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Make em available for Kindle November 18, 2012

By Undecided Major

Format:Hardcover

Didn't read the book. I want to, badly. I buy the kindle versions of books. Publisher/authors: you'll sell a hell of a lot more books by getting with the times and giving customers the option.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book October 30, 2012

By Arnie L "The Bronx"

Format:Hardcover

I just loved this book. Very easy reading & it made me feel as if I was part part the gang hanging out at the Comic Strip. Jeffrey Gurian does a fabulous job of interviewing the comedians.Richie brought his life in The Bronx to Manhattan!

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Book October 24, 2012

By DM

Format:Hardcover

Jeffery Gurian has been in the comedy scene for years and is hilarious in this book! You won't be able to put it down! I highly recommend it for anyone who appreciates the art of comedy and the greatness of the Comic Strip! The fantastic interviews with many celebrities and wonderful pictures make this book a must read!

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Make em Laugh October 21, 2012

By Jimmy Cirillo

Format:Hardcover

I loved reading Make em Laugh, 35 years of The Comic Strip! This is a feel good read that i found inspirational. It is not only a great book for up and coming comedians but a book that shows among other things that hard work pays off!!!

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Make "Em Laugh by Gurian/Tienken - An absolute Must Read October 16, 2012

By Paul S. Drago

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I am a New Yorker and when I got the book, Make Em Laugh by "Living Legend" Jeffrey Gurian I could not put it down.
It brought me back to my days going to the Comic Strip but more than that, I read the stories of the comic greats
their thoughts and how they got famous.
This is the real thing. In the words of Chris Rock the Comic Strip "Was a magical place....."

This book is for anyone who likes to laugh, hear about their favorites and written by authors who were first hand on the scene.

Paul Drago - JOJOKID Music, Co-Host After Dark Radio with Abby Cubey.