I Was Hanging-Out Backstage with My Comedy Heroes…
It was the famous Comedy and Magic Club in Hermosa Beach, CA…
This is a true story! I was backstage sitting in a room the size of a small living room and comedy legends just hung out with me and shared personal stories. Really really personal stories. And, they were funny too. I loved every second of it. When it was time for me to go on stage, I kept thinking, the audience doesn’t want to see my magic tricks, what they really want to do is hang out backstage with legends like Gary Shandling, Jay Leno, Jerry Seinfeld, Dave Coulier, etc.
I kept thinking that this would make the best live theater show and TV show. I remember telling my friend Juliana Gallin my idea and she said, without hesitating, “Let’s do it!” Next thing I know, we are booking a theater, calling every favorite comedy legend to try and book them, coordinating their travel, selling tickets, and researching their personal lives and careers.
In 2010, we did it! We produced three live shows with George Segal, Paul Mazursky, Ronnie Schell, Carol Channing, Rich Little, Steve Rossi, Will Durst, Robert Morse, and Shelley Berman. I had the best time of my life just hanging out with the celebrities while they were in town. We were instant old friends and they shared stories that were hilarious. I have never laughed so much in my life. Here is a short sizzle reel edited from all three shows.
We never sold the idea to TV, but a year later a dozen similar shows came out. I feel like we were first to market with a great idea. Most of the other shows were missing something that we captured. MAGIC! We had the chemistry of old friends who loved each other even though they argued. We had the laugh-out-loud reactions from the live audiences. It is difficult to put into words, but when you experience it, you know it. Checkout this longer clip on Facebook here: Longer Comedy Talks Video Clip on Facebook
Everyone had so much fun! I would do it again in a heartbeat. Hmm, maybe I will… Who would you like to spend an evening with?
See photos and more at the new and improved website: Comedy Talks
Producer & Designer Juliana Gallin
Producer, Host, & Magician Robert Strong
