Just for Laughs 2013: Chelsea Peretti review

Chelsea Peretti
Before Chelsea Peretti's show last night at Stage 773, we were already pretty obsessed with the L.A.-based comedian: her podcast; her writing for Parks and Recreation; her hilarious, of-the-moment social commentary–comedy (commendy?), including tweets like: "If instagram had private messaging, we'd all be dead of a new STD within a week." (#true) So we went into it with high hopes. Read our review here.
Just for Laughs 2013: Best jokes we heard during the fest
In some cases, it's really true that "you had to be there," but some of the best jokes from Just for Laughs stand on their own. Check out our slideshow of one-liners from comics like David Cross, Brian Posehn, John Hodgman and Chelsea Peretti.
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Heard on the Yeezus: best and worst lyrics on the new Kanye West album
Kanye West's mouth is a bottomless pit of intrigue. Ye has been dropping some particularly megalomaniacal shit in interviews, especially that New York Times piece where he compares himself to everyone from Michael Jordan to Steve Jobs.
It follows then that his latest album Yeezus (Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam), out Tuesday, June 18, comes chock full of insane lines that we cherry-picked for your entertainment. We present them to you in the style of our Heard on the Street.
Just for Laughs 2013: Nick Swardson review

Nick Swardson
Is Nick Swardson a dumb bro or a brilliant character actor? It's hard to believe the man who made Terry the roller-skating gigolo one of the funniest characters on Comedy Central's Reno 911! is the same guy who launched a too-long bit about his drinking exploits at last night's Just for Laughs show with "I love getting hammered." And yet he still managed to make me laugh—even when I was completely offended. Here's my review.
Father's Day: Dysfunctional movie dads

In case you couldn't tell by all the books about war on the Amazon bestseller list, Father's Day is Sunday, people. Did you totally space? Just "go Homer" and get him a case of doughnuts. Let him know he's not as terrible as that stereo-obsessed jerk in Risky Business. You remember him, right? He wouldn't let Tom Cruise play Bob Seger on the hi-fi, even though Bob Seger is total dad-rock. He's just one of the fathers on our list of memorable dick dads. Argue away and let us know who else you hate.
Just for Laughs 2013: John Hodgman review

John Hodgman
A Malört-swigging, midlife crisis-battling, Ayn Rand–dressing John Hodgman performed at Park West last night as part of Just for Laughs. His low-energy, high-comedy set didn't disappoint. Read my review here.
Just for Laughs 2013: David Cross and His Super Duper Pals review

With a little help from his friends, Mr. Show co-creator and Arrested Development castmember David Cross hosted a Just for Laughs stand-up showcase last night at the Chicago Theatre. Not all of Cross's pals were super duper, though. Read our review here.
5 things to do today: Friday, June 14

Kim Deitch
AROUND TOWN
Taste of Randolph Street 2013 Don't sleep on the Taste of Randolph fest. Every year, Star Events slides in a handful of fantastic bands to play Restaurant Row. Superchunk and Los Campesinos! graced street stages in years past. This summer, we get two of TOC's favorite new rock acts of the last few years—the Joy Formidable and Divine Fits, the side project of Spoon's Britt Daniel. Also on tap: disco revivalist Escort, Genesis devotee Bear in Heaven, feel-good L.A. indie-pop group Milo Greene and many more. The Mid hosts a DJ stage. Plus, sample some of the West Loop's best cuisine, including grub from Publican Quality Meats, bellyQ and de cero. 900 W Randolph St. 5pm–10pm. $10.
ART & DESIGN
"Battles in the State Capitols: The Right to Have a Union" This group show features 20 artists and activists from Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. Also included are art displays, poetry, posters, stories from each of the states, live music and a screening of the film We Are Wisconsin. Plus, don’t miss the roundtable discussion at 7:30pm moderated by Illinois Labor History Society President Larry Spivack. URI-EICHEN Gallery. 6pm–11pm.
Just for Laughs 2013 | Paul F. Tompkins interview

DRESSING HIS BEST Tompkins [pictured sans 'stache] rivals Don Draper in the dapper department.
Blame it on the bowtie, the mustache, the distingué inclusion of a middle initial (F. for Francis, natch): Paul F. Tompkins may be the dandiest comedian in the game. We tend to imagine him most at home in a low-lit study, sitting in a tufted leather chair, puffing away at a cigar and swirling a snifter of cognac. (Make that a lowlit bar, sipping fancy cocktails with Alison Brie and others. Close, but no cigar!)
At this point in his career, it's kind of lazy to dwell on his dapperness and decorum. The media always does. (Maybe it's just 'cause we're more used to cargo shorts–wearing, five-'o-clock-shadow–sporting, dick-joke–dropping stand-ups?) A more meaningful point to make is that PFT may be the most down-to-earth, unpretentious dude in the game. I spoke with him today in advance of his Just For Laughs appearances and he was disarmingly casual despite his rat-packy uniform.
How many times have you done Just For Laughs Chicago?
This is my second year. Last year, or the year before, I did a show with Demetri Martin, called Demetri Martin and Friends, at the Chicago Theatre.
And now you're part of David Cross and His Super Duper Pals, so more friends. Old friends. Deep cuts.
[Laughs] That's right. My ol' stomping grounds. [Tompkins was a writer and performer for HBO's Mr. Show with Bob and David.] I'm also doing the Combo with me and Brendon Walsh, which is curated by Team Coco. That's the first time I've said "curated," which I don't enjoy. I don't know when we started saying the word "curated," but now everyone's saying it all the time.
Lillie's Q reopening today at 5pm

Lillie's Q
Forgive us for being a little jaded, but when Lillie's Q said it was going to reopen mid-June, we didn't honestly believe them. Shows us right that word just came in that Charlie McKenna is firing up the 'cue at his Bucktown barbecue spot—which has been shuttered since a fire on March 14—tonight beginning at 5pm. McKenna and crew will be serving Lillie's Q's full menu: pulled pork, tri tip, baby-back ribs, hot links, chicken, shrimp-and-grits, fried pickles—wait, you know all this already. Just go eat!
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