Comedy is a brutal business When comedians define success they don t talk about money they talk about not quitting They work in a business where even big names work for free and the inequalities of race class and gender create real barriers But they also work in a business where people still believe that hard work and talent lead to the big time How do people working in comedy sustain these contradictions and keep laughing In Behind the Laughs Michael P Jeffries brings readers into the world of comedy to reveal its dark corners and share its buoyant lifeblood He draws on conversations with comedians as well as club owners bookers and managers to show the extraordinary social connections professional humor demands Not only do comedians have to read their audience night after night but they must also create lasting bonds across the profession to get gigs in the first place Comedy is not a meritocracy and its rewards are not often fame and fortune Only performers who know the rules of their community are able to make it a career