About the Author

William Knoedelseder has been a journalist with the Los Angeles Times, executive producer of Fox Entertainment News and Vice President of News at USA Broadcasting. He is the author of Stiffed: The True Story of MCA, The Music Business and the Mafia and In Eddie's Name: One Family's Triumph Over Tragedy. He lives with his family in Los Angeles.

Reviews

Publishers Weekly, STARRED review
"Knoedelseder skillfully layers powerful dramatic details, and readers will shelve the book alongside those other key classics on comedy."
Shelf Awareness
"A revealing and entertaining look at the 1970s Los Angeles comedy scene and the labor dispute that ended its most glorious era."Booklist
"Fact-packed, highly readable history... peppered with plenty of portraits of struggling young comics, some destined for national fame, others headed to obscurity and, in a few cases, early death."Buffalo News
"One of the most eye-opening and informative books ever written about standup comedy...One of the books of the year for any student of American television and pop culture...A little-known story has now been told very well in perfect context. And when you finish the book you may feel as if you finally understand every comedian you see on TV for the first time."Daily Variety
"A lively new book...Knoedelseder reminds us that comedy is a dicey calling."
New York Times Book Review
"Illuminating"

"Publishers Weekly, "STARRED review
"Knoedelseder skillfully layers powerful dramatic details, and readers will shelve the book alongside those other key classics on comedy."
"Shelf Awareness"
"A revealing and entertaining look at the 1970s Los Angeles comedy scene and the labor dispute that ended its most glorious era.""Booklist"
"Fact-packed, highly readable history... peppered with plenty of portraits of struggling young comics, some destined for national fame, others headed to obscurity and, in a few cases, early death.""Buffalo News"
"One of the most eye-opening and informative books ever written about standup comedy...One of the books of the year for any student of American television and pop culture...A little-known story has now been told very well in perfect context. And when you finish the book you may feel as if you finally understand every comedian you see on TV for the first time.""Daily Variety"
"A lively new book...Knoedelseder reminds

Publishers Weekly, STARRED review
"Knoedelseder skillfully layers powerful dramatic details, and readers will shelve the book alongside those other key classics on comedy."
Shelf Awareness
"A revealing and entertaining look at the 1970s Los Angeles comedy scene and the labor dispute that ended its most glorious era."Booklist
"Fact-packed, highly readable history... peppered with plenty of portraits of struggling young comics, some destined for national fame, others headed to obscurity and, in a few cases, early death."Buffalo News
"One of the most eye-opening and informative books ever written about standup comedy...One of the books of the year for any student of American television and pop culture...A little-known story has now been told very well in perfect context. And when you finish the book you may feel as if you finally understand every comedian you see on TV for the first time."Daily Variety
"A lively new book...Knoedelseder reminds us that comedy is a dicey calling."
New York Times Book Review
"Illuminating"
"Publishers Weekly, "STARRED review
"Knoedelseder skillfully layers powerful dramatic details, and readers will shelve the book alongside those other key classics on comedy."

"Shelf Awareness"
"A revealing and entertaining look at the 1970s Los Angeles comedy scene and the labor dispute that ended its most glorious era.""Booklist"
"Fact-packed, highly readable history... peppered with plenty of portraits of struggling young comics, some destined for national fame, others headed to obscurity and, in a few cases, early death.""Buffalo News"
"One of the most eye-opening and informative books ever written about standup comedy...One of the books of the year for any student of American television and pop culture...A little-known story has now been told very well in perfect context. And when you finish the book you may feel as if you finally understand every comedian you see on TV for the first time.""Daily Variety"
"A lively new book...Knoedelseder reminds