Pauly Shore on Growing Up Around Stand-Up Legends at the Comedy Store

Who is Pauly Shore on Growing Up Around Stand-Up Legends at the Comedy Store?

Taken from JRE 1981 w/Pauly Shore:

Topics and Timestamps

• 01Pauly Shore grew up immersed in stand-up comedy at the Comedy Store where his mother Mitzi Shore was a legendary owner and promoter
• 02He witnessed firsthand the development and performances of comedy greats like Richard Pryor, George Carlin, and other titans of stand-up
• 03Pauly discusses how being around comedy legends shaped his own comedic sensibilities and approach to performing
• 04He shares stories about the Comedy Store culture and what it was like as a kid backstage around some of the best comedians ever
• 05Pauly reflects on how his mother's influence and the Comedy Store environment led him into entertainment
• 06The conversation covers the transition of comedy and how the club scene developed during that era
• ▶Pauly discusses growing up at the Comedy Store and his mother Mitzi's legendary role0:00:00
• ▶Stories about witnessing Richard Pryor and George Carlin developing material0:10:30
• ▶Pauly talks about the unique culture and education of being backstage at the Comedy Store0:25:15
• ▶Discussion of how his mother's influence shaped his path into entertainment0:40:00
• ▶Reflection on finding his own comedic voice while surrounded by comedy legends0:55:45

The Show

Pauly Shore sits down with Joe to talk about one of the most unique upbringings in comedy history. Growing up at the Comedy Store wasn't like a normal childhood. While other kids were playing in suburban neighborhoods, Pauly was backstage at one of comedy's most sacred venues, watching legends work on their craft night after night. His mother Mitzi Shore ran the place with an iron fist and built it into the most important comedy club in the world.

What's fascinating about this conversation is how Pauly breaks down what it actually meant to be around that level of talent on a daily basis. He didn't just see Richard Pryor or George Carlin perform once or twice. He was there watching them develop material, refine jokes, and test new bits. That's an education you can't get anywhere else. Joe and Pauly dig into how that environment shaped not just his sense of humor, but his entire understanding of what comedy could be.

Paruly talks about his mother's legendary status in the comedy world and how she had an almost supernatural ability to spot talent and nurture comedians. The Comedy Store became a proving ground for comedians who wanted to be taken seriously. Working there meant something. Getting stage time there meant you were being vetted by the best in the business. That kind of environment creates a very specific culture, and Pauly gives real insight into what that was actually like from a kid's perspective.

The conversation naturally flows into how all of that influenced Pauly's own path into entertainment. You don't grow up in that world without being shaped by it. He talks about the pressure, the inspiration, and the weird reality of trying to find his own voice when surrounded by titans of the craft. It's one of those episodes where you get genuine insight into comedy history told by someone who lived it, not someone who just read about it in a book.

Best Quotes