The first and only book to take readers fully into the bizarre universe of the stand-up comic, from its earliest origins in the antics of Milton Berle and Sid Caesar to today's hottest acts.
The first and only book to take readers fully into the bizarre universe of the stand-up comic, from its earliest origins in the antics of Milton Berle and Sid Caesar to today's hottest acts.
“Utterly authentic, a fascinating account of what life is like in an important area of American humor.”
Hilarious yet harrowing… the breakthrough book on the subject. Publishers Weekly
Phil Berger is best known as a New York sportswriter... but his best work might be 'The Last Laugh.' -- Robert Armstrong Star Tribune
-- Steve Allen
Phil Berger is a journalist whose award-winning writings on sports have appeared in The New York Times Magazine, Esquire, Playboy, and many other publications. He is also the screenwriter for the film Price of Glory. He lives in New York City.
The Last Laugh is the first and only book to take readers deep into the bizarre universe of the standup comic, from the classic years of Milton Berle, Sid Caesar, and Shecky Greene, to today's comedy superstars. Phil Berger shows how styles and trends in standup have changed over the past fifty years, but how taking the stage in a comedy club is as tough as it's always been. Performers profiled in the book include Woody Allen, Lenny Bruce, George Carlin, Elaine Boosler, Robert Klein, Bill Cosby, Billy Crystal, Dick Gregory, Andy Kaufman, Steve Martin, Cheech and Chong, Eddie Murphy, and a host of others. Filled with comics' hilarious routines and anecdotes, this substantially updated edition also chronicles the lives and careers of more recent artists, including Richard Lewis and Jay Leno.
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