Chicago Comedy: A Fairly Serious History

“An overview of Chicago’s comedic legacy, from its early days . . . to its present day position as a breeding ground for some of comedy’s biggest names” (Gapers Block). Famous for being a city of broad shoulders, Chicago has also developed an international reputation for split sides and slapped knees. Watch the Chicago style of comedy evolve from nineteenth-century vaudeville, through the rebellious comics of the fifties and into the improvisation and sketch that ushered in a new millennium. Drawing on material both hilarious and profound, Second City alum Margaret Hicks touches on what makes Chicago different from other cities and how that difference produced some of the greatest minds comedy will ever know: Amos ‘n’ Andy, Jack Benny, Lenny Bruce, Del Close, John Belushi, Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert and so many, many more. Includes photos!

© 2011 The History Press (Ebook): 9781614231523

Release date

Ebook: April 22, 2011