Comedy

Comedy

Chris Rock, on live Netflix special, jokes about Will Smith slap: ‘I got “Summertime” ringing in my ears.’

‘I’m not a victim, baby,’ the comedian says, also commenting on Jada Pinkett Smith, trans people and ‘selective outrage.’

By Jake Coyle | Associated Press

Comedy

During stand-up gigs, David Koechner offers fans a night at ‘The Office’

The former Chicago actor, who played Todd Packer on the classic sitcom, will revive the character during his upcoming stint in Batavia.

By Carl Kozlowski — For the Sun-Times

Obituaries

Richard Belzer, comedian and ‘Law & Order: SVU’ actor, dies at 78

He played Detective John Munch for more than two decades and across 10 series.

By Jake Coyle | Associated Press

In this file photo, Tina Fey (from New York) and Amy Poehler (from Beverly Hills, Calif.) speak virtually at the 2021 Golden Globe Awards ceremony.

Entertainment and Culture

Tina Fey, Amy Poehler live tour heading to Chicago

The Tina Fey & Amy Poehler: Restless Leg Tour is the duo’s first-ever joint road trek.

By Miriam Di Nunzio

Movies and TV

In HBO special, Marc Maron gets laughs from the most somber of subjects

Comedian touches on abortion, dementia and death in contemplative new show ‘From Bleak to Dark.’

By Richard Roeper

Comedy

‘Drop Challenge’ creator Atsuko Okatsuka starts with the silly

The comedy rising star, coming to Chicago this weekend, makes a name for herself with TikTok gags and an acclaimed HBO special, ‘The Intruder.’

By Carl Kozlowski — For the Sun-Times

Comedy

Along with the jokes, Maz Jobrani offers some insight about upheaval in his native Iran

In response to the regime’s brutal treatment of protesters, the veteran stand-up has gone ‘from being a comedian to being an activist.’

By Carl Kozlowski — For the Sun-Times

Celebrities

Kelly Monteith, US comedian who gained popularity in the UK, dead at 80

Monteith was a St. Louis native who built enough of an audience to appear in the 1970s on the “Tonight” show with Johnny Carson.

By Associated Press

Comedy

Practical Theatre Company comes back to Evanston, where the laughs began

The sketch group that launched Julia Louis-Dreyfus in the ’80s puts on a new show in the comedy-conducive suburb.

By Steve Heisler | For the Sun-Times

Entertainment and Culture

Countdown to 2023: 10 Chicago New Year’s Eve events

From hotel parties to bar pop-ups and comedy shows to concerts, here’s a guide to some of the events to ring in the new year on Dec. 31.

By Selena Fragassi - For the Sun-Times

Movies and TV

WATCH: ‘I feel real lucky,’ Cecily Strong says as she closes her ‘SNL’ run in character

Former Chicagoan’s tenure of more than a decade is the longest ever for a woman performer on the show.

By Darel Jevens

Entertainment and Culture

Noah Gregoropoulos, influential Chicago improv performer and teacher, dies at 63

“No one was smarter, funnier and no one loved improvisation more,” said Oscar-winning writer-director Adam McKay. “No one.”

By Darel Jevens

Adam Sandler, photographed on stage during a conversation with Josh Horowitz at The 92nd Street Y last month in New York City, is bringing his comedy tour to Chicago in February.

Entertainment and Culture

Adam Sandler tour kicks off 2023 dates in Chicago

The comedian brings an evening of stand-up comedy to the United Center in February.

By Miriam Di Nunzio

Comedy

Adam Sandler to receive prestigious Mark Twain Award

‘Hustle’ star will accept the honor in March at the Kennedy Center in Washington.

By Associated Press

Movies and TV

‘Sebastian Maniscalco: Is It Me?’: In great new special, comedian revives old-time Vegas

Popular performer from the northwest suburbs goes retro in his jokes, too.

By Richard Roeper

Movies and TV

FIRST LOOK: ‘South Side’ ups the Chicago ante for a bold season three

With new episodes of the locally made comedy set to arrive Dec. 8 on HBO Max, co-creator Bashir Salahuddin says, “We’re really pushing the boundaries in the writers room this season.”

By Mariah Rush

Comedy

Comedian Natasha Leggero writes with candor about her path to parenthood

In new book, the Rockford native describes the anxieties and obstacles she overcame to give birth at 42.

By Steve Heisler | For the Sun-Times

Cameron_Esposito._Photo_courtesy_WME.jpg

Comedy

As her star rises, Cameron Esposito makes it ‘a priority’ to return to Chicago, where it all started

The comedian, now appearing on ABC’s “A Million Little Pieces,” feels connected to the places that used to showcase her unique voice.

By Steve Heisler | For the Sun-Times

Obituaries

Gallagher, watermelon-smashing comedian, dies at 76

With a beret on his head and a few simple props, from a can of oil to a bull whip, the man born Leo Anthony Gallagher Jr. built a nationwide following in the 1970s and ‘80s.

By Associated Press

Movies and TV

On HBO Max special, comedian Chris Redd makes even the heavy stuff hilarious

The ‘SNL’ alum tells anecdotes about drugs, gang violence and prison in a way that makes us laugh and nod our heads in recognition.

By Richard Roeper

Comedy

Done with ‘SNL,’ Melissa Villaseñor savors her freedom and ‘feels like a little kid’

At her stand-up shows in Chicago, comedian and impressionist promises silliness and a bit of darkness

By Darel Jevens

The original 1959 cast of The Second City (left to right) Eugene Troobnik, Barbara Harris, Alan Arkin, Paul Sand, Bill Mathieu, Mina Kolb, Severn Darden and Andrew Duncan. | Second City

Obituaries

Andrew Duncan, original Second City actor, dies

‘The quintessential straight man’ appeared in the Chicago theater’s first revue and later in the movies ‘Love Story’ and “Slapshot.’

By Darel Jevens

“SNL” alum Kevin Nealon will be in town this weekend as part of the Chicago Humanities Festival for an event celebrating the release of his new book.

Books

Caricatures are the real draw of Kevin Nealon’s new book

In “I Exaggerate: My Brushes with Fame,” Nealon shares original full-color caricatures of some of his celebrity pals as well as other famous folks he knows a little, or not at all.

By Mike Householder | Associated Press

Columnists

Do you know who James Corden is?

Uncongenial TV host hooked on the barbs of fame.

By Neil Steinberg

Comedy

Not quite a revelation, Chris Rock’s Chicago Theatre show still satisfies

In a set that’s more about jokes than insights, the comedian sounds off on pop culture, single life and that Will Smith thing.

By Darel Jevens

Obituaries

Judy Tenuta, comedian known as ‘Goddess of Love,’ dies at 72

The Oak Park native’s heart-shaped face, topped by bouffant hair with a flower accent, conveyed an impression of sweet innocence that was quickly shattered by her loud, gravelly delivery and acidic humor, expletives included.

By Lynn Elber | AP Television Writer

Theater

Second City plans expansion to New York

A new space in Brooklyn will supplement the existing theaters in Chicago and Toronto.

By Darel Jevens

Movies and TV

Fear not, Cecily Strong fans: She hasn’t left ‘SNL’

Longtime cast member from Chicago is left out of the show’s opening while on leave for a play.

By Darel Jevens

Movies and TV

Trevor Noah says he’ll leave ‘The Daily Show’

‘My time is up,’ the comedian says after seven years on the topical Comedy Central series.

By Darel Jevens

The IMDb Studio At Acura Festival Village On Location At The 2020 Sundance Film Festival – Day 3

Comedy

Chicago’s Chris Redd leaves ‘SNL’ after five years

Comedian says he had ‘the experience of a lifetime’ on the NBC show, where he won an Emmy and impersonated Cory Booker, Kanye West and Eric Adams.

By Darel Jevens