

Punchline
Dying is easy. Comedy is hard.
Genres
Overview
Lilah Krytsick is a mother and housewife who's always believed she could be a stand-up comedian. Steven Gold is an experienced stand-up seemingly on the cusp of success. When the two meet, they form an unlikely friendship, and Steven tries to help the untried Lilah develop her stage act. Despite the objections of her family and some very wobbly beginnings, Lilah improves, and soon she finds herself competing with Steven for a coveted television spot.
Details
Budget
$15000000
Revenue
$21032267
Runtime
123 min
Release Date
1988-10-07
Status
Released
Original Language
English
Vote Count
138
Vote Average
5.5
Sally Field
Lilah Krytsick
Tom Hanks
Steven Gold
John Goodman
John Krytsick
Mark Rydell
Romeo
Kim Greist
Madeline Urie
Paul Mazursky
Arnold
Damon Wayans
Percy
Taylor Negron
Albert Emperato
Pam Matteson
Utica Blake
George McGrath
Brian, the Singing Nun
Barry Neikrug
Krug
Ángel Salazar
Rico
Joycee Katz
Joycee
Mac Robbins
Billy Lane
Max Alexander
Mister Ball
Paul Kozlowski
Jerry Petroviak
Barry Sobel
Robyn Green
Marty Pollio
Juggling Comic
Katie Rich
Eve
Charles David Richards
Maitre D'
Casey Sander
Ernie the Bartender
Michael Pollock
Piano Player
Wanda Balay
Waitress of the Gas Station
Tiffany Terry
Waitress of the Gas Station
Christiane Eden
Waitress of the Gas Station
Renna Bogdanowicz
Waitress of the Gas Station
Susan Michael
Waitress of the Gas Station
Kimberly L. Ryusaki
Waitress of the Gas Station
Consuela Nance
Waitress of the Gas Station
Barbara Collier
Waitress of the Gas Station
Darunee Doa Hale
Waitress of the Gas Station
Andrea Adams
Waitress of the Gas Station
Marcy Del Campos
Waitress of the Gas Station
Candace Cameron Bure
Carrie Krytsick
Laura Jacoby
Jenny Krytsick
Bianca Rose
Heidi Krytsick
Ron Ulstad
Madeline's Boss
Howard Weller
Crew-Cut Talent Scout
Richard Parker
Talent Scout with Glasses
George Wallace
Man with Arm in Cast
Andrew Parker
Boy on Gurney
Randy Fechter
Young Doctor
Angela Bennett
Nurse
Bob Zmuda
Audience Participants and Hecklers
Mark Eric Charbonneau
Audience Participants and Hecklers (as Mark Helm)
John Kirby
Marketing Man
George D. Wallace
Doctor Wishniak (as George D. Wallace)
Sam H. Ginsburg
Sam, The Laughing Patient
Cameron Thor
Audience Participants and Hecklers
James C. Lewis
Audience Participants and Hecklers
George Novogroder
Audience Participants and Hecklers
Suzanne Rains
Audience Participants and Hecklers
Susan Avants
Audience Participants and Hecklers
Scott Williams
Audience Participants and Hecklers
Carin Badger
Audience Participants and Hecklers
Sharon Stein
Audience Participants and Hecklers
Eva Dunlap
Audience Participants and Hecklers
Robina Suwol
Buffy
Robert Britton
Murray
Mark Goldstein
Mark
Melissa Tufeld
Mark's Wife
Dottie Archibald
Mrs. Ball
Susie Essman
Lilah's Hairdresser
Joey Vega
Waiter in Coffee Shop
Ben Hartigan
Older Clergyman
Jimmy Brogan
Younger Clergyman
Crane Jackson
Second Faculty Examiner
Rich Ramirez
Taxi Driver
Mike Starr
Man with Bullhorn
8.0
Michael Mittermeier #13
2024-07-02 | de
5.6
Bill Burr Presents: Friends Who Kill
In a night of killer comedy, Bill Burr hosts a showcase of his most raucous stand-up comic pals as they riff on everything from COVID to Michael Jackson.
2022-06-06 | en
0.0
Matthew Steven Rife
Matt Rife’s new self-titled special is the perfect look into his charismatic wit. In his second self-produced hour special, built by friends and fans, Matt pushes comedic boundaries with stories, improv, and positive messages.
2023-04-04 | en
8.0
Todd Barry: Domestic Shorthair
Todd Barry is back with a brand new stand up special from The Den Theater in Chicago.
2023-08-28 | en
4.0
Routines
An self-destructive comedian falls in love with the singer of a punk band.
2020-08-30 | en
5.8
Heckler
HECKLER is a comedic feature documentary exploring the increasingly critical world we live in. After starring in a film that was critically bashed, Jamie Kennedy takes on hecklers and critics and ask some interesting questions of people such as George Lucas, Bill Maher, Mike Ditka, Rob Zombie, Howie Mandel and many more. This fast moving, hilarious documentary pulls no punches as you see an uncensored look at just how nasty and mean the fight is between those in the spotlight and those in the dark.
2007-11-04 | en
7.2
Man on the Moon
The story of the life and career of eccentric avant-garde comedian, Andy Kaufman.
1999-12-22 | en
3.8
Ahir Shah: Ends
From London's Royal Court Theatre, acclaimed comedian Ahir Shah dishes on class, family and multiculturalism in the UK from his grandfather's view.
2024-09-10 | en
7.3
Lenny
The story of acerbic 1960s comic Lenny Bruce, whose groundbreaking, no-holds-barred style and social commentary was often deemed by the establishment as too obscene for the public.
1974-11-10 | en
6.2
Beth Stelling: If You Didn't Want Me Then
Comedian Beth Stelling is aging in dog years, camping with a fake husband and monitoring her dad's raccoon army in this slyly laid-back stand-up special.
2023-10-03 | en
0.0
Janeane Garofalo: HBO Comedy Hour
Comic Janeane Garofalo gives a performance in New York City.
1997-08-23 | en
6.3
I Am Comic
Through unprecedented backstage access and candid interviews, the film weaves through the absurd world of the working comedian and reveals a crazy and hilarious psychological profile of its practitioners. We also follow retired comic Ritch Shydner's attempt to climb back on stage after a thirteen-year hiatus. At the top of his game in the 1980's, Shydner had HBO specials, shot five pilot TV shows, and numerous late night appearances (Carson, Letterman, Leno, etc.) but the big time eluded him. Equipped with the collective wisdom and nutty musings of over 80 of his peers, he gives it another shot. Does Ritch have what it takes to connect with today's young crowds and still get the laughs?
2010-01-10 | en
6.0
Matt Rife: Natural Selection
From his problem with protection crystals to his beef with social media trolls, comedian Matt Rife holds nothing back in this rollicking stand-up special.
2023-11-15 | en
5.7
Bebe's Kids
When Robin meets the lovely Jamika he thinks he's in heaven. But when he meets her friend Bebe's children, whom she is looking after, he knows he's in hell.
1992-07-31 | en
7.7
Jellyfish
In Margate, England, life is not easy for teenager Sarah Taylor, between being bullied at school, being exploited by a dominant boss and having to take care of her depressive mother and her two siblings. But Sarah finds a way to channel her growing despair and fight adversity when her drama teacher gives her a new purpose.
2019-02-15 | en
6.2
Kevin Hart & Chris Rock: Headliners Only
From back in the day to the top of their game, Kevin Hart and Chris Rock offer an unparalleled, behind-the-scenes look at their friendship and careers.
2023-12-12 | en
5.7
The Original Latin Kings of Comedy
This stand up special features material from five of the most famous Hispanic standup comics of their era. Paul Rodriguez, George Lopez, Cheech Marin, Alex Reymundo, and Joey Medina deliver material on a variety of topics that will seem familiar to audiences of every race.
2002-03-01 | en
5.6
Good on Paper
After years of putting her career ahead of love, stand-up comic Andrea Singer has stumbled upon the perfect guy. On paper, he checks all the boxes but is he everything he appears to be?
2021-06-23 | en
5.7
Road Hard
After his movie and television career has run dry, Bruce Madsen (Adam Carolla) is forced to go back on the road playing one dingy comedy club after another, spending endless nights in budget hotel rooms and always flying coach. Amidst trying to revitalize his career, rekindle his love life and put his daughter through college, Bruce knows one thing for sure - he must get off the road. ROAD HARD is the story of that journey.
2015-03-06 | en
5.9
Wyatt Cenac: Brooklyn
Wyatt Cenac heads to Brooklyn to share his observations on the borough that's the backdrop for three sitcoms and a reality show about cheesemongers.
2014-10-21 | en