I'm Dying Up Here Explained

I'm Dying Up Here is an American comedy-drama television series created by David Flebotte. The pilot was written by Flebotte and directed by Jonathan Levine. It premiered on Showtime on June 4, 2017.^[1] The series is executive produced by Flebotte, Jim Carrey, Michael Aguilar, and Christina Wayne.^[2] It was announced on January 12, 2016, that Showtime had ordered the pilot to series based on the bestselling nonfiction book by William Knoedelseder of the same title.^[3] On September 8, 2017, Showtime renewed the series for a 10-episode second season.^[4] The second season premiered on May 6, 2018.^[5] On September 28, 2018, Showtime announced that it had canceled the series.^[6]

Premise

I'm Dying Up Here explores the Los Angeles stand-up scene circa 1973 as a group of young comedians attempt to become successful at Goldie's comedy club and potentially gain a star-making turn on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show. Club owner Goldie mentors the young comics with a combination of toughness and encouragement to further their chances at success. The show focuses on the daily struggles and successes of the comics, Goldie, and the cutthroat competitors in the industry.

Cast and characters

Main

• Melissa Leo as Golda 'Goldie' Herschlag: a brassy comedy club owner (loosely based on Mitzi Shore).
• Ari Graynor as Cassie Feder: an ambitious comedian from Wink, Texas, and Clay's ex-girlfriend.
• Clark Duke as Ron Shack: a Boston comic who travels with Eddie to LA.
• Michael Angarano as Eddie Zeidel: a Boston comic and Clay's friend who travels with Ron to LA.
• Andrew Santino as Billy Hobbs: a comedy club favorite.
• Stephen Guarino as 'Sully' Patterson: a zany stand-up comedian (season one; guest for season two).
• Erik Griffin as Ralph Carnegie: a Vietnam vet, comic, and writer for Sonny & Cher.
• RJ Cyler as Adam Proteau: a struggling stand-up comedian.
• Al Madrigal as Edgar 'Manny' Martinez: a loose-cannon comedian
• Jake Lacy as Nick Beverly: a stand-up comedian who returns to Los Angeles after being on the road.

Recurring

• Ginger Gonzaga as Maggie: Arnie's / Ron's girlfriend, a waitress at the club
• Jon Daly as Arnie: a struggling comic
• Obba Babatundé as Barton Royce
• W. Earl Brown as Teddy
• Jeffrey Nordling as Eli Goldman
• Rick Overton as Mitch Bombadier: an executive for The Tonight Show
• Dylan Baker as Johnny Carson: the host of The Tonight Show.
• Brianne Howey as Kay: a waitress at the club
• Ryan Alosio as Miles Farber: an ambitious talent agent
• Tommy Snider as Wolfman Jack: a famous disc jockey in Los Angeles
• Brad Garrett as Reinaldo Stanziani / Roy Martin (season two): a legendary comedian who comes to the club and offers the up-and-coming comedians advice. Goldie attempts to join into a partnership with him as she expands her business pursuits.^[7]
• Nicole Ari Parker as Gloria Whitfield (season two): a producer for Soul Train who enters into a relationship with one of the comics^[8]
• Stefania LaVie Owen as Amanda Robbins (season 2): Goldie's estranged daughter who reenters her life after running away at 17.^[8]
• Xosha Roquemore as Dawn Lima (season two): a female comic who is new to Los Angeles and struggling with her sexual identity as she enters into a sexual relationship with Nick^[9]
• Dana Gould as Bruce (season two): Adam's agent^[10]
• Beau Mirchoff as Saul Hudson (season two): a TV producer for whom Ralph works^[10]

Guest

• Joey "Coco" Diaz as 'Taffy'
• Sebastian Stan as Calogero 'Clay' Apuzzo: Cassie's ex-boyfriend, who hits stardom with his first Tonight Show appearance and subsequently commits suicide
• Alfred Molina as Carl: a mediocre talent manager
• Robert Forster as Guy Apuzzo: Clay's father
• Cathy Moriarty as Angie Apuzzo: Clay's mother
• Scott Cohen as Roy Brenner
• Tyrone Evans Clark as the Clubgoer (Guest Star)
• David Paymer as Ernie Falk
• Richard Kind as Marty Dansak
• Dom Irrera as James Seamus 'Fitzy' Fitzpatrick (9 episodes)
• Sarah Hay as Tawny
• Sarah Stiles as Toni 'The Tiger' Luddy: a comedy club groupie
• Jere Burns as Sid Robbins (Goidie's ex-husband)
• Jocko Sims as Melvin
• John Caponera as Howard Leetch
• Armen Weitzman as Rob Cheevers
• Dennis Haskins as Father Jacobs
• Ken Lerner as Sam Doak
• Brandon Ford Green as Richard Pryor
• Chris Regan as Monty Hall

Episodes

Season 2 (2018)

Notes and References

1. News: John Ridley's 'Guerrilla' & Jim Carrey-Produced 'I'm Dying Up Here' Get Premiere Dates On Showtime – TCA . Petski . Denise . . January 9, 2017 . January 9, 2017.
2. News: Wagmeister. Elizabeth. Jim Carrey Lands Showtime Pilot Order for Series Set in 1970s L.A. Comedy Scene. October 30, 2015. variety.com. August 11, 2015.
3. Web site: Jim Carrey-Produced Comedy 'I'm Dying Up Here' Ordered To Series By Showtime. Andreeva. Nellie. Deadline Hollywood. January 12, 2016. January 13, 2016.
4. Showtime's I'm Dying Up Here renewed for season 2. Holub. Christian. Entertainment Weekly. September 8, 2017. September 8, 2017.
5. Web site: Haring. Bruce. Showtime Sets Premiere Dates For 'Billions,' 'I'm Dying Up Here' & 'The Affair' – TCA. Deadline Hollywood. January 6, 2018. January 6, 2018.
6. Web site: 'I'm Dying Up Here' Canceled After Two Seasons at Showtime. Variety. Joe. Otterson. September 28, 2018.
7. Web site: Petski. Denise. 'I'm Dying Up Here': Brad Garrett Set To Recur In Season 2 Of Showtime Series. Deadline Hollywood. January 11, 2018. January 11, 2018.
8. Web site: Petski. Denise. 'I'm Dying Up Here': Nicole Ari Parker & Stefania LaVie Owen Set To Recur On Showtime Series. Deadline Hollywood. January 17, 2018. January 17, 2018.
9. Web site: Petski. Denise. 'I'm Dying Up Here': Xosha Roquemore Set To Recur In Season 2 Of Showtime Series. Deadline Hollywood. February 24, 2018. February 23, 2018.
10. Web site: Petski. Denise. 'I'm Dying Up Here': Dana Gould & Beau Mirchoff Set To Recur In Season 2. Deadline Hollywood. April 11, 2018. April 10, 2018.