Title:
Jamie Masada ACA Oral History, February 19, 2007.
Creator:
Masada, Jamie
Creator:
Dana, Bill, 1924-2017
Creator:
Matz, Jenni
Creator:
Emerson College. American Comedy Archives
Record Type:
digital moving image formats
Record Type:
oral histories (literary works)
Date:
2007-02-19
Description:
In his one-and-a-half hour interview for the American Comedy Archives at Emerson College, Jamie Masada talks about how he came to found the Laugh Factory, and Richard Pryor being the first comedian to take the stage there in 1979. He describes figuring out the business of owning a comedy club in Los Angeles, and the challenge of booking comedians when it first opened. He discusses a few controversies that have popped up at the Laugh Factory, including 'Seinfeld’s' Michael Richards using a racial slur, and Carlos Mencia stealing jokes. Masada recalls many incidents of the healing power of laughter at his club, including shows done after 9/11, and holding a memorial for Richard Pryor on the evening of his death. He concludes by discussing his comedy camp for underprivileged kids, and the then-future of comedy. Bill Dana and Jenni Matz conducted the interview on February 19, 2007 at the Laugh Factory on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, CA. Additional topics covered include: 9/11, Creative Influences and Inspiration, Historic Events and Social Change, Pivotal Career Moments, and Comedy Series. An additional show mentioned during the interview is 'Comic Strip Live.'
Extent:
01:32:07
Subject:
Businesspeople
Subject:
Career development
Subject:
September 11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001
Subject:
Dangerfield, Rodney, 1921-2004
Subject:
Foxx, Redd, 1922-1991
Subject:
Hackett, Buddy, 1924-2003
Subject:
Mencia, Carlos
Subject:
Pryor, Richard, 1940-2005
Subject:
Richards, Michael, 1949-
Subject:
Laugh Factory
Collection:
Bill Dana Oral History Interview Collection (ACC-MSS 002), 1L
Location:
Emerson College Archives and Special Collections
Rights Restrictions:
This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s) (http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/). For questions about rights statements, or access to the original document please contact the Emerson College Archives and Special Collections at www.emerson.edu/library/archives.
Access Restrictions:
No known access restrictions.
Language:
English
Identifier:
acc_mss002_masada_2007_02_19.mp4
