It is no secret that the world of professional comedy performance has attracted more than its fair share of extreme, and often self-destructive, personalities. More than any other book I have come across, Kliph Nesteroff's The Comedians highlights the less-than-laudable habits and tendencies of American comics. The author draws on a personal archive of interviews conducted with professional comedians, both familiar and obscure, about their experiences and those of their contemporaries. Throughout the book, Nesteroff quotes and recounts at length comedians' own stories about their personal and professional lives, an approach that offers a unique peek into the interpersonal conflicts and alliances that shaped so many careers. Most of the stories in this book are about the trials and tribulations of making a living as a comedian at different historical moments. Who controlled the money, how much comedians were paid, what they did to get a gig, and thoughts about...
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