The Legendary Strike Of The Comedy Store That Ripped Apart The Business

The Comedy Store on Los Angeles’ Sunset Strip is often called the best nightclub of all time. Every comedic giant from Don Rickles to Andy Kaufman, Whoopi Goldberg to Jim Carrey, Dave Chappelle to Ali Wong — we mean it— everybody has stood on that stage. And while the laughs were a constant, harmony wasn’t. In 1979, the comics and the club's owner had a heated disagreement that resulted in a strike. Over 40 years later, some comedians still refuse to retake the stage.

'Tonight Show' Moves

In April of 1972, Johnny Carson moved The Tonight Show from its original home in New York City’s Rockefeller across the country to Burbank, California. Coincidentally, comedian Sammy and his wife Mitzi Shore opened the Comedy Store that very same month. They were ready to welcome the flood of hopeful comics who followed Carson out West for the chance to make it big.

Big Break

One night in 1973, after killing onstage at the Comedy Store, Freddie Prinze impressed the right people. He was called to perform on The Tonight Show and overnight, his career exploded. From then on, the comics at the Store knew it could only take one great set to make you a megastar.

Mitzi Takes Charge

That same year, Sammy and Mitzi divorced, and as part of the deal, she got the club. The transition to the Mitzi era marked one of the most important moments in comedy history. She had a vision for what the Comedy Store could be and got straight to work enacting her strategic plans.

Queen Of Comedy

Mitzi's vision wasn't just about the business end of things either. She ate, slept, and breathed comedy. Every night she handwrote the show lineups, developing deep friendships with the comics she saw potential in. Her bluntness was legendary, but running the Comedy Store was her biggest passion and calling. She gave everything to the club, including taking big gambles to see it succeed.