5 Reasons Heckling Still Sucks

Heckling sucks. It's not funny nor cute nor helpful. Hecklers don’t make a show better. They stop a show cold and turn it into a bad high school play. Contrary to popular myth - comedians don't like heckling. They hate it, trust me on this. Believe it or not comedians really just want to do the jokes they've written and perform the act they've worked really hard on. Don't forget this is their job. Dealing with a drunk moron is not necessarily part of a comics game plan when they step on stage. Sure, most pros can cope with hecklers and shut it down when necessary, but that's comes from years of dealing with assholes who just don't seem to understand the basic concept that they should NEVER HECKLE.

Here's a list of 5 reasons why.

1. Your Not Helping.

The #1 misconception is that a shouted out, (usually drunken) verbal abuse/comment is somehow helpful to a comedians act on stage. This is pure bullshit. Heckling is not helpful or sought after. It doesn't make the show better and it's not showing anybody how clever you are. You want to help? keep your comments to yourself, clap your hands and most of all - just laugh dummy.

Legal Aliens # 1: Tales From The Hood

New Podcast alert - Veteran Chicago comedians Abi Sanchez & Joey Villagomez premiere their brand new podcast & prove once and for all that Puerto Ricans and Mexicans can get along....

Day Jobs & Stand-Up Comedy

Melissa Richelle

I was having a bad day at work. I didn't want to talk. I work as a leasing agent in one of the towers downtown, which is a lot of talking to strangers and being excited for their new job and/or new apartment. I was upset I had to use MY time at the 9-5 instead of creating art.

And then I decided to shift my attitude. This WAS my art - talking to these strangers and trying to sell them on an apartment is very similar to doing crowd work and selling yourself to the audience. A lot of the times my rentals end up picking our building over one of the very similarly priced ones because they like me. That human aspect we explore in art is what makes one product stand out from another that is very similar, and maybe even a better price! You have to make people care. The same is true with stand-up. Even if you are a more abrasive comic, in order to make people want to hear your point of view you have to make them care. There are A LOT of comics and other artists out there. The market is saturated, but why should they listen to your podcast, your album?

This Week at Zanies...

Kellye Howard

2018 marks Zanies 40th anniversary which the legendary club has been celebrating all year by booking top notch and iconic comedians from all over the country. Zanies prides itself as the only club in the country to feature professional nationally touring headliners every night & this week is no exception.

Home town favorites Kellye Howard and Michael Issac both headline this week!.

Check out the lineups.

At Zanies this week.

Kellye Howard (Chicago and Rosemont),

Michael Issac (Chicago), 

Mark Normand (Chicago)

Steve Rannazzisi (Chicago and Rosemont), 

Russ Williamson (Rosemont), 

Nate Craig (St. Charles).

Comedy Cocktails at HOUSE OF BLUES

YO - check out one of the hottest comedy rooms in the city - This Tuesday (11/13)

COMEDY COCKTAIL

At House of Blues Chicago

DOORS 6 PM - FIRST SHOW 7:30 PM

Fun crowds,& great professional comedians inside the amazing VIP Foundation Room

TWO SHOWS A NIGHT (No Cover)
First show at 7:30 PM - Second show at 9PM

DJ's spin the classics before and after show.
Featuring Chicago's Finest Comics 

Lil Rel Gets Roasted On The Bus in Chicago

Peep this great Comedy Central clip of Chicago comedian, Lil Rel Howery (who has his own show on fox now). Lil Rel tries to reminisce about his days of taking the bus - In less than two stops he realizes that shit is overrated the moment he gets roasted by a group of teens.

Staff Editor - Ashley Lane

Interview with Filmmaker Michael Alexander

Filmmaker Michael Alexander

"Laugh Till You’re Winded" is a new in-depth, full length documentary that goes deep into Chicago’s stand up scene - from its boom in the 80’s - to the bust in the late 90's - and to its current resurgence.

Directed by Michael Alexander, the documentary takes viewers behind the scenes in candid interviews with Hannibal Buress, Jeff Garlin, Deon Cole, Judy Tenuta, Tom Dreesen, Jimmy Pardo, Kyle Kinane, Lil Rel, Chris Redd, Beth Stelling and many more monster comedians that cut their teeth in the Chicago scene.

Alexander has a long 33 year history as both a stand-up comedian and a comedy writer. His credits include writing for The Arsenio Hall Show, the Tonight show with Jay Leno, a freelance writer for George Lopez and has opened for Smoky Robinson and Gladys Knight (among others). The film will have it's exclusive premier this Monday Nov 5th.

Hannibal Buress Headlines Fundraiser @ Zanies Rosemont

On October 24th Hannibal Buress will headline Zanies in Rosemont for a fundraising event dedicated to the completion of the buzz worthy Chicago comedy documentary film, Laugh Till You're Winded, a documentary by Michael Alexander.

Laugh Till You’re Winded is a new in-depth documentary that delves into the inner workings of Chicago’s stand up scene from its boom in the 80’s - to the bust in the lates 90's - and now to its current resurgence.