Showtime Lights Up the Fourth of July with I'M DYING UP HERE

In celebration of Fourth of July weekend, Showtime is giving viewers nationwide an opportunity to sample the first five episodes of the revealing new drama series I'M DYING UP HERE for free, starting today. The fifth episode -- which marks the debut of series star Jake Lacy (Obvious Child, The Office) as bad boy comic "Nick," who returns to town with some tricks, and secrets, up his sleeve - will be available for early sampling starting today, ahead of its on-air debut on Sunday, July 9 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Consumers who do not subscribe to Showtime can now watch episodes 1-5 for free on YouTube and and SHO.com. Consumers can also sample the I'M DYING UP HERE episodes across multiple television and streaming providers' websites and applications and their free On Demand channels.

I'M DYING UP HERE is available to subscribers now on Showtime ON DEMAND® and Showtime ANYTIME®. The episodes are also available on the Showtime stand-alone streaming service through Amazon, Apple®, Google, Roku®, Xbox One and Samsung TVs and the service's websitewww.showtime.com, as well as through Amazon Channels, Hulu, Youtube TV, Sling TV, and Sony PlayStation™ Vue, among others. Additionally, the first five episodes are available through TV providers' authenticated online services.

Since its premiere, I'M DYING UP HERE has TAKEN viewers behind the curtain of the famed Los Angeles '70s stand-up comedy scene that birthed the careers of legends such as Richard Pryor, Robin Williams and David Letterman. The fictional series explores this storied heyday, but its core themes - fighting, struggling, striving, for a spot on the main stage and a chance at superstardom - remain resonant. Academy Award® winner Melissa Leo (The Fighter, Treme) channels Goldie, owner of the eponymous club where the comics hone their craft while waiting for the nod that they pray will earn them a coveted spot on Johnny Carson's couch. Every night is make or break, to the death and no laugh ever comes easy. Upcoming episodes find Nick's (Lacy) arrival setting off the comics in unintended ways: Goldie and Cassie (Ari Graynor) harnessing their inner girl power on a much bigger stage, Edgar/Manny (Al Madrigal) tagging along on a disastrous and comical road trip with Ralph (Erik Griffin), Eddie (Michael Angarano) and Ron (Clark Duke) with complicated love lives at parallel career crossroads, Goldie and Barton (Obba Babatundé) warring over Adam (RJ Cyler), and Bill (Andrew Santino) weathering a devastating loss. The season finale will air Sunday, August 13.

I'M DYING UP HERE is created and executive produced by Dave Flebotte and executive produced by Golden Globe® winner Jim Carrey, Michael Aguilar and Christina Wayne. Produced by SHOWTIME, the series is based on the non-fiction book of the same name by William Knoedelseder. The pilot was written by Flebotte and directed by Jonathan Levine (50/50, Warm Bodies). For more information about I'M DYING UP HERE, follow Twitter and Facebook, and join the conversation using #IDUH.