Showtime Documentary Films has announced an upcoming docu-series on the history of The Comedy Store, the Los Angeles landmark where some of the world’s biggest comics got their start.
The four-part series will featuring never-before-seen footage and interviews with veteran comedians including Judd Apatow, David Spade, Martin Lawrence and Bob Saget.
Expected to debut on Showtime in 2020, Comedy Store alum Mike Binder (“Black or White”) will direct. Binder will also executive produce along with Mike Tollin (“The Franchise”), Jon Weinbach, Peter Shore and Paul Young. The Comedy Store’s creative director Adam Eget will produce, and Jonathan Vogler will also produce for Mandalay Sports Media.
Per Showtime, the series “brings to life the legends, heartbreak and history created at The Comedy Store, which over the past 47 years has launched the careers of a breathtaking array of stars.”
“The Comedy Store is a magical place – it’s Juilliard for stand-up comics, the Bolshoi Ballet of comedy,” Binder said in a statement. “It’s an honor for me to be able to return home to my roots, and I am so grateful to be able to tell this remarkable story.”
Among the long list of popular comedians who got their start or honed their acts at The Comedy Store are David Letterman, Jay Leno, Richard Pryor, Paul Mooney, Robin Williams, Jim Carrey, Tom Dreesen, Sam Kinison, Paul Rodriguez, Sarah Silverman, Chris Rock, Bill Burr, Dave Chappelle, Marc Maron, Whitney Cummings, Iliza Shlesinger, David Spade, Sebastian Maniscalco, Annie Lederman, Jeff Ross, Theo Von, Bobby Lee, Bob Saget, Howie Mandel, Joe Rogan, Chris D’Elia, Jimmie Walker and many others.