#27 | Lue Deck

On episode 27 of The Ian Ira Rousso Show, I spoke to comedian and author, Lue Deck, who I met at a storytelling show in January. I read about some of Lue’s experiences in William Knoedelseder’s “I'm Dying Up Here”, a book whose accounts became the inspiration of the Showtime series of the same name. Some of these stories left me in absolute awe so when I finished, I invited Lue to be on the podcast. In the early-1970’s, Lue quit law to pursue comedy in Houston before moving to Los Angeles where he found work at The World-Famous Comedy Store both on Sunset and in Westwood. Dubbed one of Mitzi’s Boys, Lue would work with soon-to-be household names, originated The Comedy Channel and eventually becoming the club’s archivist, as well as the head of security. The camaraderie of the young club was put to the test in 1979 when much of the club’s talent would go on strike; an issue that has caused contention even 45 years later. Lue talks about his experience working The Comedy Store during the strike, as well as some of the remaining tension with a then soon-to-be Tonight Show even today. Over the course of a career most new to this business would only dream of (including myself), Lue has performed stand-up comedy all over the WORLD. He recalls fondly of getting to perform in North and South Korea literally AT THE SAME TIME, performing for Apple, Microsoft and NASA, as well as a story of performing for the president of The Philippines; a story that he says resulted in the best thing that’s ever happened as the result of being a comedian. When you have a career that long, you might have some wisdom to dispense. Lue’s is to learn to say “thank you” in as many languages as you can. For him, it’s literally 40! I know TWO! That, and it all starts with a smile! Lue has performed thousands and thousands of shows; clubs, USO tours. He was featured in “I Am Sam Kinison” and even had the honor of being nominated for a Peabody award. He has a book out now called Stand-Up Decoded. This was one of those episodes where I tried listening far more than I did talking. Did I knock it out of the park? Absolutely not! However, I am absolutely grateful for the opportunity. Order Lue Deck's book titled "Stand-Up Decoded" https://www.amazon.com/Stand-Up-Decoded-Inside-Lifetime-Secrets/dp/1640070869 Follow me on the things: https://www.instagram.com/ianirarousso https://www.threads.net/@ianirarousso https://www.tiktok.com/@ianirarousso https://www.twitter.com/ianirarousso See me perform stand-up comedy live, maybe order a shirt? https://www.ianirarousso.com #TheIanIraRoussoShow #TIIRS #ImDyingUpHere #TheComedyStore