Both Tom Hanks and Sally Field did stand-up routines in comedy clubs to prepare for this film. Stand-up comedian Susie Essman and comedy writer Dottie Archibald coached Field for her role. Archibald also served as consultant for the film, recruiting real stand-up comedians to appear in the film. Hanks enlisted stand-up comedian Barry Sobel and comedy writer Randy Fechter to help write his routine. One night, a young, up-and-coming Chris Rock shared a set with Hanks, and has stated since that Hanks was the funniest stand-up he had ever seen.
David Seltzer first wrote the script in 1979 based on his experiences frequenting comedy clubs. Howard Zieff was attached to direct. When Zieff dropped out, the project was forgotten. In 1986, Daniel Melnick found the screenplay in a Columbia Pictures vault and wanted to revive the project. It was originally intended to be a small budget film with no stars but the studio sent the script to Sally Field. When she agreed to star in and produce the film, the budget was raised and Tom Hanks was cast.
Lilah Krytsick:
Oh okay, so I'm not funny, SHOOT ME!
Steven:
What do you need it for?
John:
$500! What the hell did you buy for 500 dollars?
Lilah:
Jokes.
Steven:
We are all Gods animated cartoons.
Steven Gold:
I've been coming down here for 18 months. 18 months! And I have not missed a night. I take the money that my father sends me and I pay for a shrink, and I buy groceries. Now I owe my shrink, and I'm behind in my rent. My roommate's a bastard - he's changed the locks in in my front door - I can't get in! He won't give me a key until I pay him. You wanna play games? I can play games! I can play games. I can play ventriloquist with my underwear. I can play darts while maintaining an erection. I can gargle dishwater and fart O Canada at the same time! I can play piano without being popular. I once had this dream - I was dancing on the streetcorner with a jackhammer up my ass - now that was either a sex dream or I need more fiber in my diet. If any of this is turning you on, just let me know.
Madeline Urie:
Is - is this a joke?
Steven Gold:
If you're sending someone down, you better send him fast - 'cuz funny Steve's going under.
Steven:
Don't be scared, 'cuz I'm Funny Steve... with a lampshade on his head. Singing and dancing, for your entertainment, his own rendition of "Singin' in the Rain"!
Stand-Up Comic:
[doing an impression of Ghandi's mother] Please, sweetheart... just a sandwich?
Albert Emperato:
You don't want carpet! You want an area rug!
References
Singin' in the Rain (1952)
"The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" (1962)
- Tom Hanks' character Steven Gold had a chance to appear on the Tonight Show
Referenced in
Through the Eyes of Forrest Gump (1994) (TV)
- mentionned once
Featured in
AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Tom Hanks (2002) (TV)