CALLING ALL COMEDIANS: New Lottery Drawing THIS Tuesday – February 7th

Think you’re funny? For over 35 years New York City’s Comic Strip Live! has prided itself in discovering and developing the freshest and most original new comedic talent. Eddie Murphy, Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, Larry Miller, Louis CK, Adam Sandler: now its your turn!

On Tuesday, February 7th, the world-renowned Lottery returns. At the Lottery, hopeful comedians will line-up around the block for the chance to draw a number which begins the process to getting an audition which, if passed, lets them have the chance to begin performing at the club. The Comic Strip is the only comedy club in the city (and perhaps the country) to offer this rare, one-of-a-kind opportunity. EVERYONE WHO COMES GETS AN AUDITION DATE!!!

The process is simple. Get in line, draw a number at random, once you have your number a club staff member will let you know what date (usually within the next 6 months) that number ties you too. It is then up to you to return on that night and make the crowd laugh. You might draw an early number and audition the next week on February 14th, or you may not go until December. Either way, you better be ready to showcase your best stuff!

If you have any questions, call 212-861-9386.

Guess Who Dropped By The Comic Strip: KEVIN HART!

On Tuesday night, good friend of the Comic Strip Live! Kevin Hart walked through out famous doorways!

Hart, whose latest one hour special Laugh At My Pain, made its national television debut on Sunday, capped off his week in New York City by swinging by The Comic Strip! Accompanied on Tuesday by friend Jeffrey Gurian, Hart is one of the biggest comedy stars in the world right now, having starred in films that have grossed over $500 million!

Thanks for coming day Kevin! Be sure to check out Laugh At My Pain available for download on iTunes now!

Jeffrey Gurian Recaps the 35th Annual Comic Strip Live! Christmas Party!

Everyone here at Eighty-Second & 2nd hopes that you and your loved ones had a wonderful holiday season! We know that everyone attending the 35th Annual Comic Strip Live! Christmas Party sure did!  Close friend of the club (and the Sunday and Monday night host of Late Night) Jeffrey Gurian recapped the December 11th extravaganza in great detail.

Jeffrey runs a wonderful comedy blog, appropriately titled Comedy Matters. Check out his recap here.

Brian Regan came by the Comic Strip last night!

One of the biggest and best comedians on planet earth, longtime friend of the Comic Strip Live, BRIAN REGAN stopped by the Strip last night to hang out following his “Late Show with David Letterman” taping.

Comic Strip favorite Joe Bolster, owner Richie Tienken, and Brian Regan last night in the lobby of the Comic Strip

Brian’s headshot from over 20 years ago still hangs in the lobby of the club and Brian will be quick to point out the first time he ever got on stage was at The Comic Strip’s old location in his native Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

Brian sells out thousand-plus seat theater’s all across America based purely on his amazing stand-up. He has never has his own sitcom or film, but that hasn’t gotten in his way of becoming one of the biggest comedy stars in the world. Last night’s taping of Letterman was his 25th appearance on the show.  Brian’s set will air tonight at 11:35 on CBS.

 

Wrestling Legend Mick Foley drops in at the Comic Strip!

Chris Rock. Jerry Seinfeld. Louis CK. Cactus Jack?!?!

Add another name to the iconic list of performers who have graced the legendary Comic Strip Live stage! Last night, accompanied by his good friend Judah Friedlander, 3-time WWE World Champion and New York Times Best-Selling author Mick Foley made his Comic Strip debut.

Follow went up as an unannounced act much to the 150+ person audience’s great surprise and delight.

Stand up is one of the most painful things that a person can do to themselves. But after seeing what he has been able to put up with so far, Mick Foley just might have thick enough skin to make it in this wild world.

Check out some of Foley’s greatest hits below.

 

Comic Strip Live celebrates its 35th Anniversary in the Funny Business!

On Sunday, June 5th, the longest-running comedy venue in New York City, the Comic Strip Live! celebrated the 35th Anniversary of open its doors. A party took place in the hallowed halls of the club where comedians and guests mingled and reminisced about their favorite times at the Strip.

J.J. Ramirez, Richie Tienken, Barry Berry & Stu Trivax

Along with the current roster of Comic Strip Live! talent, many of the first comedians to grace the stage came back soak in the scents of the building that for so many years early in their career, they called home. Guests included Gilbert Gottfried, Elayne Boosler, Alan Colmes, Wayne Federman, Judah Friedlander, Joe Bolster, Henriette Mantel, D.F. Sweedler and more.

Wayne Federman & William Stephenson

While the event had much time for meet-and-greet and socializing, there was also an extended presentation where comedians, staff, and owners shared their thoughts and memories with the capacity. One of the most compelling moments of the evening came when owners Richie Tienken and Robert Wachs gave riveting speeches where they shared their memories on first opening the club, how things have progressed through the last 35 years and how the club is now.

Owner Richie Tienken delivering a rousing, inspiring speech to the comedians, staff and long-time friends of the club

Co-owner Robert Wachs speaking about his memories of the club since opening it in May of 1975.

Four of the funniest ladies around, Patty Rosborough, Henriette Mantel, Anita Wise and Leighann Lord

The celebration was a great opportunity for old “war buddies” to reconnect after having spent years going off their own ways as well as a chance to let younger comics meet their heroes who first inspired them to get into the funny business. Many members of the Comic Strip’s original waitstaff from 1975 were also on hand to take in the room that the maneuvered their way through so many years ago.

Elayne Boosler & Henriette Mantel out on 2nd Avenue in front of awning given to celebrate the clubs 25th anniversary.

Longtime friends Jim Mendrinos and Eddie Brill standing in front of a picture of Comic Strip original Eddie Murphy performing at the club.

Richie Teinken and Joe Bolster

Two of our current generations headliners, 30 Rock’s Judah Friedlander and the hilarious Tom Van Horn

Elayne Boosler & JJ Ramirez

The evening was much more of a success than anyone could have imagined. With guests having traveling from near and wide to be on hand, there were many times throughout the evening when eyes became teary thinking about all of the wonderful years they have spent in the club. It was a night to remember.

See you again at our 70th!

Photo credits: Phil Nee and Leighann Lord

Paul Reiser Returns to the Comic Strip!

A glorious homecoming took place on Friday night when long-time friend of the club Paul Reiser made his triumphant return to the Comic Strip Live!

The star of such projects such as the movie “Aliens” and “Diner” as well as the incredibly popular sitcoms “Mad About You” and “My Two Dads,” the now Los Angeles resident was in town promoting the release of his new project “The Paul Reiser Show” debuting this Thursday on NBC!

Paul will be quick to say that he started his comedy career at the legendary Comic Strip and as legend dictates, Paul got his first (surprise) acting break by happenstance when he accompanied a comedian friend from the Strip to an audition, spontaneously auditioned and then was cast into history with his starring role in “Diner.”

Paul performed on both the 8:30 and 10:30 shows and was warmly received by the crowds. Still as hilarious and relevant as always, Reiser was kind to everyone who approached him and seemed to have a great time connecting with other comics in the lobby and especially longtime friend, club owner Richie Tienken.

Thanks for coming by Paul! We’re looking forward to checking out “The Paul Reiser Show” this Thursday on NBC!

Comic Strip Class of 1985

Steve Schaffer, Joe Bolster, Patty Rosborough & Barry Weintraub at the Thursdays Red Cross Benefit for Japan Relief. All four comedians used to hang out and perform nightly at the Comic Strip Live! circa 1985.