[7] After graduating from New York University in 1987 with a degree in communications, Attell began performing at open-mic nights.

The appearance was seen by Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels, who then recruited Attell to be a writer and occasional performer on SNL.

In 1999, the network issued Attell an installment in the second season of Comedy Central Presents series.

[11][12][13] In May 2008, Attell announced a casting call on his MySpace page for Comedy Central's relaunch of The Gong Show.

In January 2010, he co-hosted the AVN Awards show, along with porn actresses Kirsten Price and Kayden Kross;[14] and again in 2012 with co-hostesses Sunny Leone and Bree Olson.

Typically, during a given show, Attell and his guest view clips that give an overview of a particular retro porn star's career.

[17] Over the last three days of the tour they taped a three-part documentary series, Bumping Mics with Jeff Ross & Dave Attell for Netflix.

Interspersed footage showcases the duo's interactions both off-stage and on as they return to the Comedy Cellar, where a spontaneous first performance marked the birth of their ensemble act.