United they standup

Pay day is no laughing matter

By ELIZABETH GUIDER

It's not a lot of laffs for stand-up comedians these days. Auds have grown tougher and the pay is paltry.

To rectify the latter, a coalition of some 300 Gotham comics is taking the bull by the horns, banding together to push club owners for a hike in rates.

Currently, weekend sets, which run about 20 minutes, are paid a measly $60; performers are asking for a 100% increase. They're also lobbying for raises for weeknight stints and for some modest holiday pay.

But, say club owners, we have problems, too, pointing to rents, insurance and competition.

All of which means comics will probably find that taking their act on the road is the only way to make ends meet.