- Freddie Roman: Stand up comedy was an art form developed by Jews. And where did they develop it? The Catskills were the comedy clubs of the 30's, 40's, 50', and 60's and at one time there was almost 300 places for a comedian to work in the Catskill Mountains. The Catskill Mountain audiences were very unique. The comedians that worked in the mountains had to gear their entertainment for their audience and the audiences in the mountains were primarily Jewish.