Kidding aside: Morty's Comedy Joint closing

December 29, 2009
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Morty's Comedy Joint is slated to close for good this weekend after a four-year run at 3625 E. 96th St. The upscale entertainment venue next to Eddie Merlot's is closing for financial reasons and is offering free admission to all weekend shows, along with 20 percent off food and beverage purchases, said marketing director Margaret Medley. "The owners are open to offers for inventory, supplies, assets, customer database, the name, etc.," she wrote in an e-mail. "The business could be very successful with some minor operational changes. This is an amazing opportunity for businesses looking to expand into the north side market or simply keep live entertainment going in Indianapolis." The final day is scheduled for Jan. 3.

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  • No Laughing Matter
    MattDecember 30, 2009 1:24 PM
    So sad...this was easily the best comedy club in the city and it has ruined my day to hear about the closing. I hope you all bounce back soon and get something else rolling! And I will most certainly be there this weekend to celebrate four great years of comedy!
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  • You're kidding, right?
    AndrewDecember 30, 2009 2:19 PM
    Best comedy club in the city? Have you been there? Crackers is the best comedy club in the city... and why most bigger acts go to Crackers... and why Crackers hasn't gone out of business. The total count of failed comedy clubs in Morty's location is now at 2 (I think the one a few years before was called Funny Bone, correct me if I'm wrong). And Crackers has outlived both.
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  • Agreed...
    caliboy28December 30, 2009 4:15 PM
    Crackers is the bomb!
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  • OMG
    wtfDecember 30, 2009 9:32 PM
    Crackers is losing money too. Morty's was mismanaged and had some terribly misfortunate things happen. Combine this with the recession Morty's didn't stand a chance. As far as who's better, Crackers is survive because it's in Broad Ripple. I saw funnier shows at Morty's so it's a matter of choice. But a biz can't survive if you comp half the audience.
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  • jb2
    Johnson BeckettDecember 31, 2009 10:13 AM
    i attended 2 shows @ Morty's, both of which featured african american comedians who made several racial comments targeted towards the white, middle class community. while the all-black audience laughed at the jokes, i bit my tongue and subsequently told everyone i know NOT to go to this venue. i am glad they are going out of business, serves them right.
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    • Morty's
      BerwickGuyDecember 31, 2009 11:57 AM
      Johnson Beckett:

      If the attendees laughed at derogatory comments towards whites, perhaps they are black bigots, not African Americans.
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    • If you mean
      AnonJanuary 1, 2010 5:56 AM
      @andrew if you mean bigger acts going to crackers because crackers told talent agencies throughout indiana and other states if they signed up their acts with morty's they'd do no more buisness with them..ect then yes those comedy acts stayed away.
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    • then you must not go to any comedy joint
      AnonJanuary 1, 2010 5:59 AM
      @Johnson
      you must not go to any comedy joint then because that happens every where, its todays comedy edgy verging on racist comedy.

      Whites do it, blacks have been doing it for a while, asians? I've been to quite a few of the shows and ""african american"" commedians made fun of their people was well...but someone that refers to them as african american instead of the perfectly okay black...yeah..
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    • Thx
      AndrewPJanuary 2, 2010 1:33 PM
      Morty's thanks you for the support you've given us over the years. We did our best to bring quality entertainment to Indy and to run a business that we were proud of. And despite some of the comments here, we did feature some of the best talent in the industry, including DL Hughley, Damon Wayans, Ralphie May, Jeff Ross and Robert Klein. Sure, we featured a lot of black comics, because that's what our market demanded. Some of them may not have been your cup of tea, but comedy is a matter of perspective, and I can asure you that those comedians appealed to many. Crackers is a fine business and was always a good competitor; we wish its management the best in dealing with these difficult economic circumstances.
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    • Failure #2
      AndrewJanuary 4, 2010 11:00 AM
      Say what you want... but you can't ignore the fact that 2 comedy clubs have failed in this location now.
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    • Get Over Yourself
      KevinJanuary 9, 2010 2:22 PM
      Get over yourself!! Learn to laugh at a joke. Who cares if it is directed towards your group of people. Yes I am white.
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    • what about my unused groupon coupon?
      SusanMarch 10, 2011 9:52 AM
      I purchased two groupons for Morty's Comedy Joint. Haven't been able to use them yet and now I find out the place is closing this weekend??? How can I get a refund????
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