The Last Laugh: The World of Stand-Up Comics

The Last Laugh is the first and only book to take readers deep into the bizarre universe of the standup comic, from the classic years of Milton Berle, Sid Caesar, and Shecky Greene, to today's comedy superstars. Phil Berger shows how styles and trends in standup have changed over the past fifty years, but how taking the stage in a comedy club is as tough as it's always been. Performers profiled in the book include Woody Allen, Lenny Bruce, George Carlin, Elaine Boosler, Robert Klein, Bill Cosby, Billy Crystal, Dick Gregory, Andy Kaufman, Steve Martin, Cheech and Chong, Eddie Murphy, and a host of others. Filled with comics' hilarious routines and anecdotes, this substantially updated edition also chronicles the lives and careers of more recent artists, including Richard Lewis and Jay Leno.

Author: Phil Berger
Publisher: Cooper Square Press
Published: 11/14/2000
Pages: 480
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 1.20lbs
Size: 8.48h x 5.55w x 0.98d
ISBN13: 9780815410966
ISBN10: 0815410964
BISAC Categories:
- Performing Arts | Television | General
- Biography & Autobiography | General
- Performing Arts | Film | General

About the Author
Phil Berger is a journalist whose award-winning writings on sports have appeared in The New York Times Magazine, Esquire, Playboy, and many other publications. He is also the screenwriter for the film Price of Glory. He lives in New York City.