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''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. The series is executive produced by Flebotte,
Jim Carrey James Eugene Carrey (; born January 17, 1962) is a Canadian and American actor and comedian. Known primarily for his energetic slapstick performances, he has received two Golden Globe Awards, in addition to nominations for BAFTA Awards and ...
, Michael Aguilar, and Christina Wayne. It was announced on January 12, 2016, that Showtime had ordered the pilot to series based on the bestselling nonfiction book by
William Knoedelseder William Knoedelseder (born 1947) is an American author, former ''Los Angeles Times'' business writer, television producer and news executive. Early life and education Knoedelseder, who is from St. Louis, Missouri, graduated with a bachelor of ...
of the same title. On September 8, 2017, Showtime renewed the series for a 10-episode second season. The second season premiered on May 6, 2018. On September 28, 2018, Showtime announced that it had canceled the series.


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 Melissa Chessington Leo (born September 14, 1960) is an American actress. She is the recipient of several accolades, including an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and two Critics' Choice A ...
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 Clark Duke (born May 5, 1985) is an American actor. He is known for his roles in the films '' Sex Drive'' (2008), '' Kick-Ass'' (2010), '' Hot Tub Time Machine'' (2010), and '' The Croods'' (2013), as well as playing Clark Green in ''The Office ...
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 Stephen Guarino (born November 14, 1975) is an American actor and comedian, known as Sully Patterson on the Jim Carrey-produced Showtime series '' I'm Dying Up Here'' (2017–2018) and for his recurring role as Derrick in the ABC comedy series ...
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 Sonny & Cher were an American pop and entertainment duo in the 1960s and 1970s, made up of spouses Sonny Bono and Cher. The couple started their career in the mid-1960s as rhythm and blues, R&B backing singers for record producer Phil Spector. ...
. * RJ Cyler as Adam Proteau: a struggling stand-up comedian. *
Al Madrigal Alessandro Liborio Madrigal (born July 4, 1971) is an American comedian, actor, writer, and producer. He is a co-founder of the All Things Comedy podcast network, alongside Bill Burr. He rose to fame on ''The Daily Show with Jon Stewart'' as a ...
as Edgar "Manny" Martinez: a loose-cannon comedian *
Jake Lacy Jameson Griffin "Jake" Lacy (born February 14, 1985) is an American actor. He is known for his portrayal of Pete Miller on the ninth and final season of ''The Office'', as Fran Parker in the fourth and fifth seasons of HBO's '' Girls'', and Sha ...
as Nick Beverly: a stand-up comedian who returns to Los Angeles after being on the road.


Recurring

*
Ginger Gonzaga Ginger Gonzaga (born May 17, 1983) is an American comedian and actress. Since coming to attention hosting Hulu's daily pop culture show '' The Morning After'' (2011–12), she has had numerous guest and recurring roles on television and has bee ...
as Maggie: Arnie's / Ron's girlfriend, a waitress at the club * Jon Daly as Arnie: a struggling comic *
Obba Babatundé Obba Babatundé (born Donald Cohen; December 1, 1951) is an American actor. A native of Queens, New York City, he has appeared in more than seventeen stage productions, thirty theatrical films, sixty made-for-television films, and two prime-time ...
as Barton Royce *
W. Earl Brown William Earl Brown (born September 7, 1963) is an American actor, screenwriter, producer, musician, and songwriter. He is perhaps best known for his roles as Kenny, the cameraman in the film '' Scream'' (1996), Warren in the film '' There's Somet ...
as Teddy *
Jeffrey Nordling Jeffrey Richard Nordling (born March 11, 1962) is an American actor. He is known for his roles as Jake Manning in ''Once and Again'', Larry Moss in '' 24'', Nick Bolen in ''Desperate Housewives'', and Gordon Klein in '' Big Little Lies'', as wel ...
as Eli Goldman *
Rick Overton Richard Overton (born August 10, 1954) is an American actor and screenwriter. His writing credits include ''Dennis Miller Live'' (1994–2002), for which he received a Primetime Emmy Award, while his acting credits include '' Gung Ho'' and '' O ...
as Mitch Bombadier: an executive for ''
The Tonight Show ''The Tonight Show'' is an American late-night talk show that has been broadcast on NBC since 1954. The program has been hosted by six comedians: Steve Allen (1954–1957), Jack Paar (1957–1962), Johnny Carson (1962–1992), Jay Leno (1992–2 ...
'' *
Dylan Baker Dylan Baker (born October 7, 1959) is an American actor. He gained recognition for his roles in films such as '' Planes, Trains and Automobiles'' (1987), ''Happiness'' (1998), '' Thirteen Days'' (2000), '' Road to Perdition'' (2002), ''Spider-Man ...
as
Johnny Carson John William Carson (October 23, 1925 – January 23, 2005) was an American television host, comedian, and writer best known as the host of NBC's ''The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson'' (1962–1992). Carson is a cultural phenomenon and w ...
: 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 Robert Weston Smith (January 21, 1938July 1, 1995), known as Wolfman Jack, was an American disc jockey active for over three decades. He was famous for his gravelly voice, and credited it with his success, saying, "It's kept meat and potatoes on ...
: a famous
disc jockey A disc jockey, more commonly abbreviated as DJ, is a person who plays recorded music for an audience. Types of DJs include Radio personality, radio DJs (who host programs on music radio stations), club DJs (who work at nightclubs or music fes ...
in Los Angeles *
Brad Garrett Brad H. Gerstenfeld (born April 14, 1960), known professionally as Brad Garrett, is an American actor and stand-up comedian. Garrett was initially successful as a stand-up comedian in the early 1980s. Taking advantage of that success in the la ...
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. *
Nicole Ari Parker Nicole Ari Parker Kodjoe (born October 7, 1970) is an American actress and model. She made her screen debut with a leading role in the critically acclaimed independent film '' The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love'' (1995) and went o ...
as Gloria Whitfield (season two): a producer for ''
Soul Train ''Soul Train'' is an American musical variety television show. After airing locally on WCIU-TV in Chicago, Illinois, for a year, it aired in syndication from October 2, 1971, to March 25, 2006. In its 35-year history, the show primarily featu ...
'' who enters into a relationship with one of the comics * Stefania LaVie Owen as Amanda "Mandy" Robbins (season 2): Goldie's estranged daughter who reenters her life after running away at 17. *
Xosha Roquemore Xosha Roquemore ( ; born December 11, 1984) is an American actress. She is best known for her roles as Jo Ann in '' Precious'' and Tamra in '' The Mindy Project''. Early life and education Roquemore was born in in Los Angeles, and is named after ...
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 *
Dana Gould Dana Gould (; born August 24, 1964) is an American stand-up comic, actor, writer, and voice artist who has been featured on HBO, Showtime, and Comedy Central. He voiced the titular character in the '' Gex'' franchise, and wrote for ''The Simpso ...
as Bruce (season two): Adam's agent * Beau Mirchoff as Saul Hudson (season two): a TV producer for whom Ralph works


Guest

* Joey "Coco" Diaz as "Taffy" *
Sebastian Stan Sebastian Stan (born August 13, 1982) is a Romania-born American actor. Known for his work in both blockbuster and independent films, his accolades include a Golden Globe Award and a Silver Bear, in addition to nominations for an Academy A ...
as Calogero "Clay" Apuzzo: Cassie's ex-boyfriend, who hits stardom with his first ''
Tonight Show ''The Tonight Show'' is an American late-night talk show A late-night talk show is a genre of talk show, originating in the American Media, United States. It is generally structured around humorous monologues about the day's news, guest inte ...
'' appearance and subsequently commits suicide *
Alfred Molina Alfred Molina (born Alfredo Molina; 24 May 1953) is a British and American actor. He is known for his leading roles and character actor roles on the stage and screen. In a career spanning over five decades he has received a Drama Desk Award ...
as Carl: a mediocre talent manager *
Robert Forster Robert Wallace Foster Jr. (July 13, 1941 – October 11, 2019), known professionally as Robert Forster, was an American actor. He made his screen debut as Private L.G. Williams in John Huston's '' Reflections in a Golden Eye'' (1967), followed ...
as Guy Apuzzo: Clay's father *
Cathy Moriarty Cathy Moriarty (born November 29, 1960) is an American actress whose career spans five decades. Born and raised in New York City, she made her acting debut opposite Robert De Niro in Martin Scorsese's ''Raging Bull'' (1980), for which she recei ...
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 Richard Bruce Kind (born November 22, 1956) is an American actor and comedian. His television roles include '' Carol & Company'' (1990–1991), Dr. Mark Devanow in '' Mad About You'' (1992–1999, 2019), Paul Lassiter in '' Spin City'' (1996–20 ...
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 Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor Sr. (December 1, 1940 – December 10, 2005) was an American stand-up comedian and actor. Known for reaching a broad audience with his trenchant observations and storytelling style, he is widely regarded ...
* Chris Regan as
Monty Hall Monty Hall (born Monte Halparin; August 25, 1921 – September 30, 2017) was a Canadian-American radio and television show host who moved to the United States in 1955 to pursue a career in broadcasting. After working as a radio newsreade ...


Episodes


Season 1 (2017)


Season 2 (2018)


References


External links

* * {{Showtime Network programming 2017 American television series debuts 2018 American television series endings 2010s American comedy-drama television series American English-language television shows Showtime (TV network) television dramas Television shows based on non-fiction books Television series set in the 1970s Television shows set in Los Angeles Television series by Reveille Productions