I'm Dying Up Here

Stand-up is experiencing a renaissance and "I'm Dying Up Here" is the blueprint for building a masterful comedic series. This is the real deal. the show represents the period with authenticity, the plot and jokes are intelligent, thought provoking, engaging, and most of all -- funny, the characters have real depth and the comedians take it to another level by delivering brilliant performances as actors. Showtime has a hit on their hands.

Like the tragically cancelled Roadies I'm Dying Up Here has not received it's due praise. It's funny and touching examination of the lives of upcoming comedians masks the true magic of the show, which is to relate universal struggle all of us face in trying to realize our future potential while nurturing healthy relationships and balancing responsibilities right now. Shooting for the top before fizzling out or exploding. Reconciling our past with our present.

I don't know why these amazing shows have so much trouble finding an audience or critical acclaim. It seems like if character arcs are not clearly defined then critics think it is muddled. This is not the case though.

I love this show as I loved Roadies. The history and trade knowledge serve to enrich the themes adding texture and ambiance. I love it. The critics got it wrong but an 80 percent favourable audience score on Rotten Tomatos sounds about right.

Its not Vinyl. There are no similarities to that show other than it's set in the 70s. Its pretty clear that most of the reviews here are from people that didn't bother to watch a full episode.

This show has solid writing, good character development, and great acting. Melissa Leo, Erik Griffin and Clark Duke are standouts.

This show is different from 99% of the junk being pumped out on the regular these days. It deserves a chance. Leave your hatred for the baby boomers at the door and you might end up having a good time.

As I never saw promotion for this series, I started watching it when I stumbled upon it one night during what was the 5th episode. I immediately had to go back and watch the first 4 episodes. Having lived through this time, I see a lot in this series that seems familiar, bringing back memories of a quite different time. Anyone who doesn't get this show does not realize it is portraying the 70's! A lot of jokes from then do not translate well today but they are telling it like it is, or was. Ron's storyline reminded me of when Jerry Seinfeld actually had a bit part on Benson. A lot of great comics evolved during this period. I believe this show is not meant to be "haha" funny, but to show the struggles of those who make us laugh. Love the cast they do a superb job! Hope Showtime gives this show a 2nd season, a better time slot, and promotes it this time!

This show was an incredibly realistic portrayal of the 70's and it's criminally underrated by lame sources like Rotten Tomatoes (probably because it's very non-PC and shows an authentic dose of how much more crass social dialogue was back in the day aka lots of racial slurs). There are definitely moments of hilarity, but just because it is about comedians does not mean it's meant to just be a comedy show...it deals with lots of dark themes we all face in every day life (addiction, death, depression, failure...etc). Excellent show, can't wait for Season 2 because by the end of this last episode I was left wanting more and finally feeling intimately connected to each character.