Relive The Comedy Boom Of The 1980s With A New Documentary Series

Obsessive Comedy Disorder

Travel back to the comedy boom of the 1980s with a new multiple-part audio documentary on the star-studded era that made stand-up comedy a national sensation. Obsessive Comedy Disorder: Boomers – The Story of The ’80s Comedy Boom and Bust will air on Comedy Greats (Ch. 94).

The “comedy boom” of the 1980s was a critical time for stand-up comedy, as its popularity skyrocketed and new clubs emerged in New York, Los Angeles, and everywhere in between. Hosted and executive produced by Dan Pasternack, the new SiriusXM audio documentary will chronicle this period, with major comedy stars offering their first-hand accounts, including Chris Albrecht, Louie Anderson, Judd Apatow, Elayne Boosler, Tom Dreesen, Jeff Foxworthy, Gilbert Gottfried, Barry Katz, Robert Klein, Jay Leno, Larry Miller, Paula Poundstone, Kevin Pollak, Paul Provenza, Paul Reiser, Bob Saget, Jonathan Schmock, Yakov Smirnoff, Judy Tenuta, Jimmy Vallely, Marsha Warfield, and Keenen Ivory Wayans.

The first episode in the documentary, “Setting The Stage: Even Your Heroes Have Heroes,” will feature brand new commentary from some of the best-known comedy “boomers” as they look back on their beginnings and the previous era that inspired this generation of stars. The following Monday will be the premiere of Episode 2, “It All Began In New York,” which will take a look at the city’s prominence in the comedy club scene as the breeding ground for young stars. The episode will focus on some of these touchstone clubs, including The Improv, Catch a Rising Star, and The Comic Strip

Episode 3, airing on February 22, will take a look at how “All Roads Lead to LA” and how the City of Angels became a magnet for young comedians to come out west. The show will also explore the effects of the 1979 strike and how it led to conflict and tragedy for many comedians.

The new Boomers special is the latest edition in SiriusXM Comedy’s stable of audio documentaries on comedy legends, including George Carlin, Redd Foxx, Richard Pryor, Robin Williams, and more.

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