She isnt great yet, our struggling stand-up.
But she is getting better.
Thats whatIm Dying Up Hereis about, and thats whatIm Dying Up Herefeels like.
Credit: Justina Mintz/SHOWTIME
Its loosely adapted from William Knoedelseders nonfiction book of the same name.
We meet a moody-tough Boston-Italian named Clay Appuzzo, played by Sebastian Stan.
Fortunately, Clay sticks around just long enough to give a symbolic speech about Mount Everest.
Adam (RJ Cyler) is a rookie with chutzpah.
There are a lot of other comedians, and their friends and family.
The shows ambitious: Surely we need a series that gives our comedy-besotted moment its own creation myth.
Im Dying Up Hereis messy, at first.
It feels like a show being reconceived on the fly.
Stan pops up as a taunting ghost, and then doesnt.
Alfred Molina makes a big introduction as Adams manager, then seems to disappear.
But I found myself returning toIm Dying Up Herefor a simple reason: Its a good hang.
The show captures the peculiar tense camaraderie and striving oneupmanship of young comedians.
After hours, the comedians flee to a local diner, commiserating, confessing, insulting and laughing.
Were all in this together!
they seem to say, and also: Stay out of my way!B+
