Showtime Casts Melissa Leo, Sebastian Stan, and Clark Duke in Stand-Up Comedy Show I'M DYING UP HERE

If you're a fan of the world of stand-up comedy, a subscription to Showtime may be a necessity in the near future.

The network just sent over a press release revealing that they're going to shoot a pilot for a dark comedy series called I'm Dying Up Here that's based on the book of the same name by author William Knoedelseder. Here's the official description:

Set in L.A.’s celebrated, infamous stand-up comedy scene of the 1970s, during which the careers of most of our comedy superstars began, the pilot will delve into the inspired and damaged psyches that inhabit the hilarious, but complex business of making an audience laugh.

The show already had actors Ari Graynor (For A Good Time Call), Andrew Santino (Mixology), RJ Cyler (Earl from Me and Earl and the Dying Girl), Erik Griffin (Workaholics), and Stephen Guarino (the hilariously flamboyant Derrick on Happy Endings) attached, but it's just added a trio of bigger names to its cast: Oscar winner Melissa Leo (The Fighter), Sebastian Stan (Captain America: The Winter Soldier), and Clark Duke (Hot Tub Time Machine). Here's what the press release has to say:

If the pilot is picked up to series, Leo and Duke would appear as series regulars, Stan would guest star. Leo will play the role of “Goldie,” a brassy comedy club owner who rules over her business with an iron fist and nurtures her comedians with tough love. Stan will play “Clay,” a funny, charming comedian on the rise, who declares irrelevancy as his biggest fear. He is idolized by his ex and fellow comedian Cassie (Graynor). Duke will play “Larry,” a ballsy young comedian from Boston who moves to L.A. with the hopes of making it big.

This is a pretty solid cast, and it sounds like a cool concept for a show. Jonathan Levine (50/50) is directing the pilot, and I'm hoping this one gets picked up so we can see more. Jim Carrey is executive producing with Michael Aguilar (The Departed, Semi-Pro) and Christina Wayne (Copper), and it sounds like the showrunner will be Dave Flebotte (Masters of Sex, Will & Grace, Desperate Housewives), who's writing and executive producing.

Looking forward to this one?