Stand Up Comedy

Previous | Image 1 of 10 | Next

Doug Stanhope of ‘The Road Dog.’

CHICAGO – Stand-up comedy icon Doug Stanhope will be featured in a new film releasing through Video-On-Demand beginning October 6th, 2023. “The Road Dog” features Stanhope as an alcoholic comedian who re-connects with a long lost son who wants to go into the family business.

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for “Joke Man,” a documentary about Jackie Martling, the rapid-fire funny man who spent 18 years as a commentator and sidekick on the Howard Stern Show. Available on digital Video-On-Demand beginning July 18th.

CHICAGO – Recently topping over its 100th episode, the popular “Media Path Podcast” continues its eclectic journey through the podscape and the two host’s curiosity. Focusing on pop/media culture for boomers and beyond, Fritz Coleman and Louise Palanker covers the show biz culture of the 1960s, ‘70s and other fancies of that era.

CHICAGO – Combine the hilarity of prime observational comedy with the zen of inner peace, and you have Melinda Hill’s downloadable stand up special “Inappropriate.” This sharp master of laughs delivers an hour of riffs on her life and loves, including her viral tweet on fellow comedian Louis CK (#MeTooSoon).

CHICAGO – One of the great new premium channel TV series, which piggybacked on the “Twin Peaks” return on the Showtime Network, is “I’m Dying Up Here.” Set in the 1970s, it tells the stories of fictional stand up comedians in Los Angeles, and one of the Consulting Producers and series writers is Cindy Caponera.

CHICAGO – The dry, hangdog demeanor of comedian Demetri Martin is familiar to fans who have watched his Comedy Central show, “Important Things,” experienced his notable stand up routines and read his best-selling books. It seemed a natural to leap into film, so Martin has written, directed and portrays the title character in the new release, “Dean.”

CHICAGO – One of the hottest new shows on HBO is “Crashing,” a quasi-autobiography of the star of the show, comedian Pete Holmes. Last week, at the Chicago International Television Festival, Holmes stopped by and presented the latest episode.

CHICAGO – Mention this possibility…Robert De Niro portrays an aging stand-up comic who once had a popular sitcom in the 1980s…and 99% of filmgoers are in. Add that he beds a woman 25 years his junior, does community service, roasts Cloris Leachman and becomes a reality show host, and suddenly 80% of that 99 are out. That’s just part of the over-extension and dread in “The Comedian.”

Previous | Image 1 of 4 | Next

The new book from Richard Lewis is ‘Reflections From Hell.’

CHICAGO – The “Prince of Pain” was in Chicago recently. Richard Lewis, the overtly introspective and hilarious stand up comedian, has written a new book – “Reflections From Hell” – and appeared at Chicago’s City Winery, plus sold out two shows at the legendary Zanies comedy club.

CHICAGO – Raconteur, comedian and Twitter star Patton Oswalt has a new book out, entitled “Silver Screen Fiend.” In it, he chronicles his love for the movies and how it shaped his worldview. He appeared at North Central College in Naperville, Ill., at an event sponsored by Anderson’s Bookshop.