• Laughs Unlimited • 1980-? • X
Old Sacto • 1124 Firehouse Alley
Pictured: Scott Edwards celebrates with "Clancy", a clown who opened all shows for over 5 years
In August 1980, R. Scott Edwards opened Laughs Unlimited All Comedy Showroom, one of the pioneering venues of America’s emerging comedy-club era. At the time, Laughs Unlimited was only the 12th full-time comedy club in the United States. What began as a bold new entertainment concept became part of stand-up comedy history, providing a stage for both established performers and rising young comics—many of whom would go on to become some of the biggest names in comedy.
Citrus Heights • Birdcage & Greenback
In 1984, Laughs Unlimited expanded with a sister club in Citrus Heights, about 22 miles east of the original showroom. The smaller venue became part of a three-club comedy circuit that also included Stockton, giving comedians multiple stages to perform throughout the region. In 1989, the Citrus Heights club moved to a new location on Greenback Lane, where it expanded to include a full kitchen, offering dinner and live stand-up comedy. After a decade of laughs, the Citrus Heights location closed in 1994.
Stockton •
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Feature Articles & Press
Sacramento Union • various Authors • 1983-85
Sacramento Discovers Stand-up Comedy
The early success of Laughs Unlimited quickly outgrew its original home in a restaurant banquet room, leading to a move into a 200+ seat comedy theater on Firehouse Alley. The new showroom helped bring a fresh entertainment scene to what was then considered sleepy, government-town Sacramento. Before long, the Laughs Unlimited stage was attracting nationally known stars including Soupy Sales, Pat Paulsen, Graham Chapman, Harry Anderson, Jerry Seinfeld, Yakov Smirnoff, Garry Shandling, Paul Reiser, Bob Saget, and even Robin Williams—putting Sacramento firmly on the comedy map. Staying Connected with Sacramento
From the beginning, Laughs Unlimited stayed closely connected to the local audience through an active presence in Sacramento media. The clubs were regularly featured in newspaper articles and advertising, while visiting comedians made entertaining drop-in appearances on local radio shows to promote their performances. Radio advertising, special promotions, and creative press events kept Laughs Unlimited—and stand-up comedy—in front of Sacramento audiences and helped make the club an important part of the city’s entertainment scene.
Sacramento News and Reviews • 1983-85
• Pull Quotes • Blurbs •
“The town’s best buy in comedy is unquestionably the show at Laughs Unltd.~ Sacramento Union ~byline
“Taleggio melted cheese cheese and biscuits. Macaroni cheese cheese and wine cheese on toast taleggio stinking bishop camembert de normandie the big 198x • ~ review
cheese camembert de normandie. Ricotta port-salut airedale cheddar caerphilly red leicester cheesy grin” • 198x • ~ Yakov Smirnoff
Taleggio melted cheese cheese and de normandie the big cheese camembert de normandie. Ricotta port-salut airedale cheddar caerphilly red leicester cheesy grin.
~ Sacromento Union • Sacramento Bee • TV Guide
Quick Takes
Old Sacto
Where it All Began
The original Laughs Unlimited All Comedy Showroom opened in the heart of historic Old Sacramento, surrounded by the area’s Gold Rush-era buildings, restaurants, shops, and nightlife. The unique setting provided the perfect backdrop for something completely new to Sacramento—a nightclub devoted entirely to live stand-up comedy—and became the starting point for the Laughs Unlimited story.
August 7, 1980
Opening Night Review
WHEN STAND-UP COMEDY
Was the Hot Ticket
In the early 1980s, stand-up comedy was exploding in popularity, and this was before comedians were everywhere on television and cable. At Laughs Unlimited, weekend shows were regularly sold out, and for special events the demand was so strong we would simply add more shows! Weeknights stayed lively too, thanks to creative promotions like “T-Shirt Tuesdays,” $2 Open Mic Nights, and other fun specials designed to keep audiences coming through the doors. It was an exciting time when seeing live comedy was still something new—and Laughs Unlimited was right in the middle of it.
Onstage @ Laughs Unlimited
Paula Poundstone
Tim Bedore
Dana Carvey - onstage
& backstage
Amazing Johnathan
Milt Able
From Comedy to Magic
& Everything in Between
Laughs Unlimited was never just about stand-up. Our stages featured an incredible variety of Bay Area talent, from comedy favorites like Andy Kindler and Kevin Meaney to magicians Harry Anderson and Larry Wilson; comics including Will Durst, Steve Bruner, Dana Carvey, and Bobby Slayton; and world-class ventriloquists Jay Johnson and David Strassman. We even welcomed jugglers like Fred Anderson and Chris Barnes, along with musical entertainers Dick Bright and Sam Guttman. If it could make an audience laugh, smile, or say “How did they do that?”—there was a good chance it found its way onto a Laughs Unlimited stage.
At Laughs
VARIETY WAS KING!
Laughs Unlimited was never limited to traditional stand-up comedy. If you could entertain an audience, we wanted you on our stage! Along with great comics, we showcased talented Bay Area magicians, ventriloquists, jugglers, musicians, and other specialty performers. We even featured a comedy tap dancer! That mix of talent kept every show fresh, unpredictable, and fun—and helped make a night at Laughs Unlimited more than just another comedy show.
The Bay Area Comedy
Gold Rush
During the 1980s and ’90s, the Bay Area was a gold mine of comedy talent, producing an amazing collection of performers who regularly made their way to the Laughs Unlimited stage. Comics like Dana Carvey, Bobby Slayton, Tony Camin, Johnny Steele, Tim Bedore, Moe Betterman, Arj Barker, Del Van Dyke, Matt Weinhold, Jerry Miller, and many more helped make Northern California one of the most exciting comedy scenes in the country. Some went on to national fame, while others became longtime club favorites—but they all helped create an unforgettable era of live stand-up comedy.
Comedy Wasn't the Only
Thing on the Menu
Laughs Unlimited served up plenty of laughs—but we had some fun with the food and drinks, too! Our famous “Not-So-Macho Nachos” were made with real cheddar cheese—none of that canned cheese slurry—along with sandwiches, quesadillas, and even “Worms” on the menu as a joke. At the bar, you could order everything from champagne and a variety of beers to Thunderbird Wine served in a brown paper bag. And, of course, it was the ’80s, so the Long Island Iced Tea was all the rage. Good food, strong drinks, and great comedy—it was all part of a night at Laughs Unlimited.
Building an Audience
Bands, Beer & BAlloons
Loads of promotions kept the clubs full. Including "Tee-Shirt" Tuesday (buy a shirt and get in FREE on Tuesdays) $5 Beer Mug, had our logo...buy once and free refills rest of the evening, One year we let loose 500 helium ballons...each with a free pass on them (about 45 made it back), had bands during "Jazz Festival", a Western Show for "Gold Rush Days", and even had Pat Paulsen (Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour and Bay Area native) run for Mayor on the steps of the State Capitol.
One Laugh at a Time
Laughs Unlimited used plenty of creative promotions to keep audiences coming back night after night. T-shirts, hats, buttons, giveaways, contests, special events, and promotional merchandise helped turn the club into more than just a place to see comedy—it became a recognizable local brand. These promotions created excitement, rewarded loyal customers, and helped spread the Laughs Unlimited name throughout the community.
When Stand-Up Comedy
If Needed
Your Style
Macaroni cheese cheese and wine cheese on toast taleggio stinking bishop camembert de normandie the big cheese camembert de normandie. Ricotta port-salut airedale cheddar caerphilly red leicester cheesy grin
Big Events, Bigger Venues
Grand Opening
Annual Event
February-March X
Comedy Competition
Annual Event
Vents and Baby Man
Concert Venues
to accomodate 1994 audience
SF Talent
March X • Full Color
That was then, This is Since then
Scott's Club
After the sale of the 2 clubs, had a room for open mikes, running Wenesdays through Saturdays in 2005, downstairs by LoMo Grill on 106 K Street in Old Sac.
A collection of short videos to prove there are many forms of comedy…Enjoy!
A video podcast sharing the Variety Arts (Juggling, comedy, magic, ventriloquism, impressions, and more) through short and entertaining videos. The main Host R. Scott Edwards has over 40 years of experience in entertainment production and there are several co-hosts to keep things lively.
Book? Album/ CD? What else you got up your sleeve, Scott?
Here's a quick way to give feedback to you as I work on your wing.
- Images
- Words
- Links
- Video
- Done
This temporary communication section will disappear when you’re finished filling in the gaps and satisfied with the look and feel of your ‘wing’ of AMUSEum. Never fear, you can always make additions, if you unearth more artifacts or memories.
Scott! Holy Shit!!!!!
NOW the skeleton starter page has some juicy meat on its bones. Placeholders are being filled with your much informed version of photos, news coverage, reviews, and labels. Your style and imagination in telling the story of Laughs Unlimited is either an inherent… or a finely honed skill. The personal adventures and triumphs bringing comedy to Sacramento is a deep and fascinating ride.
But wait… Thought Jim Valentine’s success with The Last Laugh in San Jose spoke to your generosity, but a September 15 podcast talking about little ol’ AMUSEum is above and beyond! Best.Karma.Ever!
Thrilled you can give me definitive dates from your booking calendars. The development timeline of your comedy empire is well on the way to completion.
Thanks for checking back here to see what I’m thinking as I move the furniture around…
- Thinking of your 3! concurrently running clubs, thought they could share the top of the page among them. Is there a representative photo of both/either of the Citrus Heights clubs and Stockton?
- Any intel you can give on year dates of the flyers or posters, in the gallery (so far) will be helpful in ordering them chronologically. Likewise the beginning of your CALENDARS page >>
- If you have any other current socials (Facebook, LinkedIn) I can add their icons with links to the destination.
- Book still in Print? How about the CD?
- Can’t wait to see the rest!
- How about 2 hand-chosen faves of yours to balnce out the Video of Paula, Amazing and Dana. You know your catalog better than I do, if you don’t mind showcasing //sharing your offerings