Donnell Rawlings is hitting the New York city streets and breaking down what real life is like for a stand up comic. The break out star of The Chapelle Show is taking you behind the scenes to see the Bootleg, the real comedy, the grind and the workout that a comedian does to prepare for a performance. This DVD is full of sketch comedy, live stand up, interactive media, rap parodies and music videos, all showing what makes a comic tick. This ride along with Donnell shows how even a trip to the grocery store can be inspiration for a joke or a character. If it’s too good to be true, it’s gotta be bootleg.

www.bootlegcomedy.com

For even more Donnell, don’t miss his return to the Emmy Award winning show, “The Wire,” later this month on HBO.

Jami Gong is a character that leaves you laughing out loud and intrigued by his wealth of NYC knowledge. Born and raised in Chinatown, Jami has embraced his roots and engages visitors to do the same. With his hand in multiple endeavors, this Chinese-American funny man doesn’t fail to entertain.

Since 1999, Jami has offered historical walking tours of his hometown. His intimate knowledge and quirky trivia of the area make this walking tour stand out.

He also supports Asian comedians with his premiere showcase, Take Out Comedy. Appealing to people from all corners, this showcase is combating negative perceptions of Asian Americans and inducing side-splitting laughter along the way. In 2005, Take Out Comedy produced the first National Asian Comedy tour and has also taken the tour overseas to Asia.

Jami Gong is a comic force that should not be missed.

www.takeoutcomedy.com

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“I’m not afraid to say things that may piss a person off,” explains actor and comedian Charlie Murphy, “and I’ve been successful for it.” With recurring roles on Chappelle’s Show, three sold out comedy tours, and various parts in movies, Charlie has plenty to boast about. He has taken the comedy world by storm, which is not surprising considering the talent that runs in his family (Eddie Murphy is his brother).
Charlie stepped into the business after working as a bodyguard for his brother. He thought to himself, “Hey, I can do some of this stuff.” So he took a shot and wrote a script. “I’ve written probably a hundred,” he jokes. “I’ve sold three. That was my first way of being an effective storyteller.” And his stories have enchanted and entertained many both on screen, stage, and paper. Next on Charlie’s calendar is a BET feature entitled “Hot Ghetto Mess.”
Check out Charlie’s Calendar at www.charliemurphycomedy.com

As proved on Last Comic Standing, Brooklyn native Joey Gay is one of New York City’s funniest Gays. Joey appears at comedy clubs like Caroline’s, Comedy Village, and Laugh Factory on a regular basis and can be seen on various TV shows and movies. Go Back on the Block with this funny man as he recalls a childhood with the most unfortunate of names, and his experience running, owning, and living in one of the most notorious comedy spots in the nation, Pips Comedy Club. Joey is currently working on a TV pilot that will unite all Joey Gays of the world, one Gay at a time.

www.joeygay.com

CiNYC caught up with comedian and Brooklyn native Richard Lewis. He rambled about his childhood in Brooklyn, his early stand-up days in New York City, and what young performers can do to break into the scene.

What was it like as a young comic starting off in New York City?

I had guidance early on. David Brenner became my comedy brother. He told me a lot of things before I got my big break. He said, “Go 70 miles to a dinky bar in Queens and work on your material. Go six months and get your act together. I will come see you when you think you’re ready.” So, I worked at obscure clubs in the Village, and then I came back [to mainstream comedy clubs]. The night I went on I blew the roof off; I was head and shoulders over every other person.

Was there a point in your career when you felt like giving up and moving on?

No, never. I struggled for the first 10 years, and I was pretty broke. I lived like a rat, and I was a little ashamed. But when I started doing Letterman, and then working with Jamie Lee Curtis, they were so great to me. Those were my big breaks. I felt like a million bucks because these people gave me respect when I didn’t have a dime. They gave me confidence. And then, I knew there was nothing else I wanted to do.

What drives you to perform?

I go on stage as a way to be validated. It comes from a childhood feeling of not being listened to.

What was growing up like for you?

Everyone around me, my parents, my sister, my brother, was too preoccupied with themselves. I was left alone. My mother [and I] didn’t have the greatest relationship. The older I got, and certainly with all my therapy, I realized I wasn’t the greatest kid, and [my mother] had a lot of problems. I have a lot of baggage.

Much of your comedy is based on your experiences in therapy. How has it been going lately?

I don’t go to therapy much more. My own therapist is bored with me. She dozed off during our last session. I’ve been around a long time, I’m sober, I committed to somebody, I’m done.

How do you prepare for a show?

I’m a basket case before I go on. I don’t hone my act, I don’t script it or plan it out. I have about 15 hours of material saved in a Word document on my computer, and before a show I scroll through it. On stage, I just say what I remember. I pray that I get laughs and if I don’t, I move into another area.

What is it like to work on Curb Your Enthusiasm with your childhood pal Larry David?

I tell my wife to never ask me how it goes, because I never know. I get touchy, because you don’t really know until you see it air. You could get cut. Plus, I’m playing myself.

What advice do you have for comics who are starting out?

If you don’t have patience and you’re not doing this just for the art and the craft, get out. There are no promises you’ll make a living out of this. Hang out with others who are struggling, and find people who are successful, who you trust, and who like you. And, if you write what you know, nobody can be as good as you, because nobody has your life. Be yourself.

You’ve performed at Carnegie Hall, but you still frequent smaller comedy clubs. Why?

When I sold out Carnegie Hall, it was one of the greatest nights of my life. But, I’ll never stop playing nightclubs. The audience is right in your face, and you’re right there, and you feel like if you [mess] up, they’re going to come up and grab you like a mob. It keeps me on my toes.

www.richardlewisonline.com

Critically acclaimed actor and Upper West Side resident Jerry Stiller started his career on the stage, made a name for himself performing improvisational comedy across the nation with his wife Anne Meara, and went on to play one of TV’s most notoriously neurotic fathers, Frank Costanza. CiNYC host Hank takes Jerry Back on the Block to talk about his New York City childhood, his family, and his storied career.