Elayne Boosler crashed comedy’s boys’ club in 1986 when her first Showtime special, "Party of One," opened the door for women comics to headline their own cable shows and earn club fees equal to the guys. Boosler still works regularly, doing mainly corporate gigs, while running her non-profit animal rescue, Tails of Joy, and polishing a book about the New York and Los Angeles club scene when she was coming up.
She spoke with Eric Estrin about the strength she gained through one-time boyfriend Andy Kaufman, the push she got from superstar Bill Cosby, and the recognition she finally earned from gatekeeper Peter Chernin.