Popular Laughs

I am the owner of the Laugh Factory, which has thrived on Sunset Boulevard for 14 years. I was not contacted regarding “Stand-Up Crashes Into ‘90s Reality” (Jan. 2).

When Rick VanderKnyff writes that “nationally, club attendance has fallen sharply at even the prestige venues,” I wonder which clubs he is talking about. The Laugh Factory attendance in Hollywood was up 20%, and the Laugh Factory recently opened in Memphis has performed at capacity.

Additionally, when VanderKnyff says that “most” local comedy clubs bring in comics for one week, it would be helpful to know which clubs actually do that. Our audiences do not expect, nor do we present, solo acts for one week. We don’t expect comics to fill the club; the club should fill the club.

Another implication was that the “onslaught” of comics on television was conducive to a lowering of standards. I can’t speak for cable, but the network show “Comic Strip Live” originates from my club, and I am proud of that. For millions of people without the means or the access to pay-TV or large performing arenas or even local comedy clubs, that does not constitute an “onslaught.”

JAMIE MASADA, Owner

Laugh Factory

Hollywood