Chicago comedians in the news: Happy surprise in our Happy Meal: Kumail Nanjiani as his Eternals character Kingo.

CBS Sunday Morning interviewed iO alum Adam McKay about his new movie Don’t Look Up starring Meryl Streep and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Ticket Alerts:

December 23: Erev Christmas Eve Show at The Skokie Theatre. Starring Lia Berman, Seth Davis, Jeremy Drazner, Eunji Kim, Drew Loryn and Jan Slavin.

January 22-23: Due to popular demands, Pat McGann‘s appearance at The Vic has been extended through Jan. 23.

April 29: Marc Maron at The Vic.

June 23-35: Hari Kondabolu at The Den Theatre

Following is just a small fraction of all the original comedy happening around Chicagoland this week. I have an expanded list here with events that were previously announced including David Sedaris, Sebastian Maniscalco, and Whitney Cummings, all in Chicago this week. List of 2022 ticket alerts here. Roundup of New Year’s Eve events coming soon!

Please confirm all details before leaving home!

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5

Robert Kane’s Funny Sunday at Riddles, Alsip, 8:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Guest hosted by Larro. Featuring Richie Santana and Schmitty B.

Correy Bell at Zanies Chicago, 7:00 p.m. Correy Bell says, “At my shows, I love to remind women of how much power we have. I would call myself a motivational speaker – I just use jokes to capture the audience and to get my point across.” She frequently tours with Mo’Nique and has many television and radio credits.

It’s A Wonderful Life Table Read 7 p.m., Online Star-studded virtual table read benefitting the Ed Asner Family Center which provides community enrichment and mental health support to neurodivergent and special needs families. Ticket packages available. Cast includes Jason Sudeikis, Rosario Dawson, Mark Hamill, Frances Fisher and Martin Sheen. 

MONDAY, DECEMBER 6

Julie Kim at Zanies Chicago, 8:00 p.m. The award-winning comedian from Canada. She is currently touring with Ronny Chieng.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7

Patti Vasquez at Zanies Chicago, 8:00 p.m. One of Chicago’s most talented and hilarious comedians, Patti is a popular radio host with many TV credits, too. Her comedy covers family and everyday life with a unique perspective. Patti is one of a few comedians who’ve made me laugh so hard I thought I might need an ambulance.

Messing with Cindy Caponera at The Annoyance, 9:30 p.m. Internationally renowned improvisor Susan Messing with Cindy Caponera, known for her work on Saturday Night Live and Nurse Jackie, At Home with Amy Sedaris and more.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8

Comedy One Nighter: Tinder Live with Lane Moore at The Hideout, 9:00 p.m. “The critically acclaimed, anything-can-happen, totally improvised, interactive comedy show, where Moore projects her Tinder onto a screen, swipes through the best of the worst Tinder profiles live on stage, and the audience votes whether she swipes right or left, and she messages them in real time, to hilarious results.”  

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9

My Best Friend is Black at The Lincoln Lodge, 9:00 p.m. Produced by Rho Hudson, Mike Atcherson, Chloe Mikala, Marcus Banks, and Justin Walker.

The Excited State at The Revival, 7:30 p.m. Improv with “Chicago’s most outgoing scientists from UChicago, UIC, IIT, Fermi Lab, Argonne and elsewhere.” With special guest tonight: David Archer (University of Chicago Geophysicist).

Joe Gorga at The Improv, Schuamburg, 7:00 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. From The Real Housewives of New Jersey. Early show is already sold out.

Mike Lebovitz at The Lincoln Lodge, 9:15 p.m. Hosted by Kristen Toomey. “Lebo returns to Chicago to do an hour of destruction to the Lincoln Lodge. Extra fun with a hint of danger!” 

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10

Pat Tomasulo at Zanies Rosemont, 7:30 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. Tickets to Pat Tomasulo’s live special recording tomorrow night sold out fast, but here’s a chance to see him in advance.

The New Normal at The Lincoln Lodge, 11:00 p.m. “The topics are supplied by the audience, the entertainment is supplied by the Comedians. This is your chance to be a part of the show.”

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11

ImprovBus presents: Funnier than your holiday socks! at Laughing Academy, Glenview, 8:00 p.m. Holiday improv comedy and musical revue. 

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12

Mel Brooks at NYC’s Streicker Center, 6:30 p.m. ONLINE A pre-recorded discussion with the comedy icon about his career and new memoir All About Me.