Just For Laughs Update!

Yo!  We got some Just For Laughs updates! We're super excited about it too because this year there are more kick ass shows involving Chicago based comedians then ever.  Also more events are taking place at  venues dedicated to comedy, which is timely because there are finally so many great spots to choose from. It's nice to see JFL taking advantage of the burgeoning comedy renaissance that is this scene.

In case you live under rock let me explain why having the Just For Laughs Festival in Chicago is awesome (and I usually hate using that adjective because it's so overdone but in this case it fits). JFL started in 1983 in Montreal and is currently the largest, international comedy festival in the world. In 2007 they branched out launching a festival in Toronto and did it again for Chicago in 2009.  The festival got a little more Chicago centric each installment, but this year they kicked the goddamn doors down.

There are so many Chicago comics involved this year it's making my head spin.  I was going to make a "JFL Chicago Comic 2012 Line Up" list, but to be honest I stopped cause there were so many damn names.  Suffice to say its a shit ton.  Check out the JFL Chicago website and see for yourselves.  The stand out Chicago centric shows in my opinion, are as follows.

Hannibal Buress: Still saying stuff
New Faces of Chicago
Janeane Garofalo and Kyle Kinane  
Chicago Underground Comedy Presents: Secret Big-Time Local Comedy Showcase
Starting 5 

The Black Out Diaries 

TJ Miller Presents Performance Anxiety The AV Club/Hideout present: [REDACTED]
Never Been to Paris 
The Eric Andre Show
TBS LOL Lounge

Cameron Esposito's Animated short

I came across this hilarious animated short (animated by Meredith Kachel and Matteo Lane) featuring Cameron Esposito performing a story so funny I laughed out loud, hard, when I watched it and just had to share it with you all. Cameron, if you don't know, is one of the hardest working comics in the Chicago scene. She is also leaving town. We will miss her. Make sure you catch her before she leaves, which you can do at her farewell show.  We have plugged this show once already this week, and usually that's the limit but for Cameron, were gonna make an exception, plus it's one hell of a show with a Chicago powerhouse lineup.

Complaints: By Drew Michael

In light of the recent influx of complaints regarding (Chicago) comedy, I thought I would weigh in with some things that you can hopefully take with you. I have been doing stand-up in Chicago for the last four years so here are some thoughts I have at this stage as they pertain to some common qualms:

1. Comedy owes you nothing. 
I know this is harsh especially when a lot of us consider comedy to be the only significant other that could possibly “get us.” But even though you might pour your heart and soul to this oft-succubus of an art form, it CAN NOT make you happy and is under no obligation to provide you with any type of satisfaction. You make your own happiness in comedy and in life. Life, like stand-up, is a process. As much as people try to contrive them in life, there are no check points. In stand-up, no gig or accomplishment means anything other than what it is. In other words, the only satisfaction you will get out of “achieving” something is a mirror image of the work and focus you put into it. People get gigs they don’t deserve; people don’t get gigs they do deserve; etc. If you can enjoy the process then you’ve already won. No matter who you are, the adulation you may or may not receive is completely intangible. Louis CK can’t sleep next to his Twitter followers. Bill Cosby can’t call Himself on the phone. Likewise, the people who hate Dane Cook don’t live with him. These things only provide satisfaction (or dissatisfaction) insofar as the performer/artist/person enjoyed (or didn’t enjoy) being a part of the process necessary to achieve them. The self-discovery, the vulnerability, the theatrical intimacy, whatever. So even if it’s having a good set at an open mic, having a bad set at a showcase, struggling to write a new bit, writing six great new bits in a row, any of that - it’s all part of the process. Everyone’s process is unique yet contains a very sacred thread of commonality. We are all doing the same thing yet we are all completely different. It’s special. It’s terrifying. It can be brutal. It can also be insanely rewarding in ways that few things on this planet are. Enjoy the process, with all its ugly points and highlights, otherwise you’re fucked.

Interview with Jeanie Doogan!

Jeanie Doogan is one funny mother, both literally and figuratively. She's one of those comics you see performing everywhere, open mics, showcases, the north-side, the south-side, suburbs, you name it. Her dedication to the art/craft of comedy is as apparent as her no-nonsense stage presence.  Off stage she's as nice as apple pie but onstage, Jeanie will rip your balls off... but in a good way. Not mean spirited, just very direct and funny as f*ck.

Currently (in our opinion) Jeanie is one of the top 10 local comics working the Chicago scene right now. She works incredibly hard, pushes boundaries, tweaks gender stereotypes, and has a great freaking attitude.  Ask Jeanie and she will tell you, she's not in this for fame and fortune, (would be great, but not a motivating factor). Jeanie performs comedy for the love of the art form, period.

Aside from being a comedic workaholic Jeanine also co-produces a weekly showcase called Speak Easy Comedy which consistently puts up some of the best comics in the game on stage. Through all this Jeanie is a working mother and public school teacher. Somehow she still found time to give us an interview.  Check it out.

42X42 @ The Two Hour Comedy Hour!

42 comics in 30 Minutes!  At least thats the theory. I know we briefly mentioned this event in the what's popping post from yesterday, but I truly feel this show deserves it's own post because it's gonna be freaking ridiculous, so much so that the AV club did a story about it as well.

Everyone should go check it out, it will be an amazing, never before seen feat of comedic brilliance or a hilarious train wreck of epic proportions, maybe both. Either way I'm in.  Check out the press release and HUGE line up.

"As some of you know, the Two Hour Comedy Hour features a weekly segment called "the tight 42 seconds." This week, we're honoring that feature by booking 42 of Chicago's best comics to do 42-second sets. These guys are way above getting booked for this, so please come out and support their decision to give their time to make this show awesome! Hosted by ANDY FLEMING & CHARLIE LIND (a.k.a. THE FLEMING TWINS). This will be the only show Saturday night that will give you almost FIFTY great comics onstage in TWO HOURS for FREE. This is a chock full show and it will start at 7pm sharp, this Saturday at the Gallery Cabaret!"

What's Popping!

Well it looks like were just going to have to resign ourselves to blasting out theses "what's popping" posts about once a week since there are so many quality comedy shows going on in the Chicago scene right now.
 
On Thursday night alone there are like a million top showcases and open mics to choose from... OK well maybe only 8... but still... for those of you new to the scene that's a butt load compared to a few years ago.
 
All the shows listed have solid line ups, should be exceptional shows and are recommended, (would not be listed otherwise) but standouts are marked as HOT.
 
Complete comic lineups are listed for some shows, times are stated for all. Without further ado here's whats shaking.

Casey Brown's Cupcake Comedy Cabaret
Thursday at 6:00pm - Free Show Plus CUPKAKES.. what!?
Lineup:
Mike Sheehan
Bob Palos
Prateek Srivastava
Christina M. Slyter

The Blackout Diaries at The Comedy Bar

Thursday at 8:00pm - A sweet lineup with tales of drunken debauchery: Hot!
Lineup:
The Puterbaugh Sisters
Nate Simmons
Cameron Esposito
Brian Bowden

Political Comedy: by Thomas Harty

It's hard not to notice that comedians tend to bash Republicans far more often than Democrats. I think the reason is it's much easier to make people laugh by mocking tradition and authority vs. defending them, and so conservatives are the natural target. However, I think that picking a side is a mistake for several reasons. For one, comedians who beat the conservative dead horse (elephant?) are unlikely to standout against all the other comedians doing likewise. Secondly, they risk being seen as cheerleaders rather than comedians.

Imagine a comedian telling a long bit about how awful hotdogs are and why no one should like them. This is how I perceive most political comedy- hot dogs vs. hamburgers. I find it dull because the plain truth is the isn't a huge difference between the two. Hamburgers and hot dogs are both processed, fatty meat served as sandwiches.

The Lucas Brothers Perform @ YFF

We try not too plug too much shit in the same week but... I simply could not neglect to let folks know about the insane line up of talent that will be melting the stage at "Your Funniest Friends" this Saturday.  YFF, which is already an exceptional showcase, will be extra bananas this week.  I'm especially excited that The Lucas Brothers, who made their TV debut last week will be there. Also twins are hot.  Headliner Adam Burke, fresh off his sold out LIVE album recording, is no slouch either.  Watch the video and read this excited Facebook post by YFF member Matt Riggs, then buy a freaking ticket.

"Super excited about this weeks Your Funniest Friends show! We have Mookie Thompson in from NYC, we have the very talented musical act chox N brizz, AND straight off of doing comedy on JIMMY MOTHER FUCKING FALLON we have the Lucas Bros, ALSO our headliner just recorded his first CD to sold out crowds, Mr. Adam Burke! This show could not get any better, unless I mentioned the host, which I will, Lane Pieschel! Get your tickets now, because they are going to sell out for sure!"

YFF is every week @ a classy venue called The Joynt in downtown Chicago.

James Allen Kamp
Editor

Kumail Nanjiani Performs @ The UP Comedy Club

BIG freaking show this weekend. Kumail Nanjiani will be performing at Second City's own super swanky UP Comedy Club, which I highly recommend.  Kumail, who got his comedic start right here in Chicago, is hotter then lava right now and keeps popping up in TV shows like Portlandia and Franklin & Bash as well as Late night with David Letterman.  ALSO (and this is huge at least to me) local comics Will Miles and C. J. Toledano will host and feature respectively.  Will and C.J. are talented hardworking cats that have been mentioned in this blog numerous times so you know the deal. Love the fact that UP management is actively booking real Chicago comics who have been grinding it out in the scene. So, enough said, watch the video, read Kumail's bio, then go buy your ticket!

What's Popping!

The Wind UP Crew Killed it.

Holy smoke what a busy week.  Adam Burke killed Thursday night for his Live Album Recording and The Wind Up Boys destroyed at the Chicago Laugh Factory for the opening night show.

Went to 4 comedy shows in 4 days and have a shit ton of new pics that will be uploaded to our Faccebook fan page soon. (THEY ARE UP)

Meanwhile here's whats popping in the Chicago comedy scene, check out as much as you can...