Chicago - A message from the station manager

The Weekend Desk Report

By Steve Rhodes

“This year Zanies celebrates its 40th anniversary,” Steve Heisler notes for the Reader, “but it’s the only remaining comedy club within city limits that programs stand-up seven nights a week.”
I did not know that.
“Its vibe, however, remains trapped in the 80s. Most shows cost $25 but stipulate a two-drink minimum.”
So two drinks on top of $25 tickets? That’s pretty pricey, especially to see folks who are probably at least moderately funny but not exactly household names.


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It’s also kind of odd to me that the comedy clubs in the area outside of the city limits are mostly tourist traps. Tourists travel to the suburbs just for a few generic laughs?
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OTOH, I suppose some folks find a stand-up comedy club to be a better bet than improv, which dots the city (right?). Improve is more likely to be hit-or-miss. Right? Ah, the taxonomy of the Chicago comedy scene.
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Plus, I wonder how much laughter a two-drink minimum induces. Those are unearned laughs!
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Time to disrupt the stand-up model!
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Some might say the Neo-Futurists, and others I’m sure, already have. But more! Uber for comedy!
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And, of course, content-wise, stand-up has been constantly disrupted, either in singular approach or, say, the alt-comedy movement. But the comedy club model? I’d like to know more. Assignment Desk, activate!
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New on the Beachwood . . .
The Beachwood Radio Sports Hour #195: Ramblers Wrap, Baseball Begins
Candlesticks always make a nice gift. Plus: White Snox, Bulls Stank, Scrubs, Shohei Goodman, Blackhawks Bigwigs Back, and just a little Schweinsteiger.
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Weekend ChicagoGram


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Weekend ChicagoTube
The 1956 American Derby at Chicago’s old Washington Park.

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Weekend BeachBook
A sampling.
Black Father Gives Son The Talk About Holding Literally Any Object.

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Weekend TweetWood
A sampling.


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The Weekend Desk Tronc Line: Chicken roost.

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Posted on April 7, 2018