I’m perpetually torn on the "list" format of article writing, particularly the best-of variety: On one hand, it’s easy for readers to quickly grab ahold of some extremely subjective concept (like, crazy example, "The 12 best fresh comic talents in the scene right now"); on the other, it feels cheap—a down-and-dirty way of playing catch-up, falsely earning authority in whatever discipline it’s covering ("Comedy"). We here at TOC play the list game once a year—our annual "100 best things we ate" which also includes "Best of the year" articles in each of the sections—but those serve to be reflective rather than prescriptive. The rest of the time, for the most part, it’s straight-up articles and such.
But it seems the competition, at least as I see it from the Comedy desk (very fancy), is quite fond of the form. The Chicago Tribune had a "Top Five Comics to Watch" sidebar a few years ago; New City included the obligatory "Top rising comics" as part of their late-to-the-game survey of what’s funny back a year or so; the Chicago Reader did their own Best of Chicago issue over the summer, dividing it up into categories like "Best improv group" and "Best place to see improv/sketch that isn’t Second City or iO."
Now Chicago Magazine is getting into the game, as their November issue contains a piece touting: "Need a laugh? Check out these 12 fresh comic talents—the best of the scene right now," authored by local stand-up comedian/scenester Robert Buscemi. The article isn’t online yet—we know Chicago Mag isn’t the quickest to go digital—but here’s their list:
Marz Timms (Pimprov)
Megan Hovde Wilkins (Second City)
Ross Bryant (Baby Wants Candy, ComedySportz, Improvised Shakespeare Company)
Heather Simms (ComedySportz)
Mark Raterman (Cook County Social Club)
Colleen Murray (Co-Ed Prison Sluts)
Dana Quercioli (Second City)
Prescott Tolk (Your Sunday Best open mike host and Chicago Underground Comedy)
Abby McEnany (Sirens)
Mary Sohn (Sirens)
CJ Sullivan (Chicago Underground Comedy)
Jenni Lamb (The Spew)
At the top of the article, Buscemi mentions that "we steered away from comedians recently profiled in this magazine," a list that includes Hannibal Burress (um, that’s Buress actually—notice his email address), Susan Messing, Nick Vatterott, every one on Second City’s stages, Schadenfreude, TJ & Dave and Bassprov.
Now, there’s no denying that everyone on this list is deserving of merit—nor can I shake the palpable genius of Timms, Hovde Wilkins and Bryant. It’s just that when I saw the list, I felt the need to throw in my two cents about the following absentees:
Steve Waltien
With a wit so quick you can feel it snap, Waltien lights up Whirled News Tonight sets and recently threw down some of the smartest sketch I’ve seen in Steve and Jordan, Respectively.
Beth Melewski
Yes, another Siren, but Melewski’s willingness to attack scenes head-on by playing whatever character’s needed—even unflattering, boorish ones—makes her an easy stand-out.
Blaine Swen
The man who brought Improvised Shakespeare Company to Chicago is also its most natural, playful, easygoing performer. The sets he helms are the closest things to magic you’ll see in the Del Close Theater.
Seth Dodson
Currently participating in Impress These Apes, Dodson has proven himself to be an innovative, adaptable and instantly hilarious performer. (Note his first week ITA video.)
Sarah King
Whether it’s big ensemble work or solo performance artsy pieces, King lights up the room with natural charisma and total stage comfort.
Mort Burke
There’s nothing this lanky, floppy haired improviser can’t make funny; whatever the scene, Burke plays everything so matter-of-fact that you’ll forget you were supposed to do anything but laugh.
Adam Burke
In the span of only a year and some change, Burke has gone from shaky, brainy open miker to cool, still brainy stand-up showcaser. His humor is a tough sell—favoring wordplay and left-brain shenanigans—but he stuck with it, and the work is now paying dividends.
Steve,
It was a “Best of Chicago” issue that happened to come out in 2008, not a “Best of 2008″ issue. There’s nothing particularly year-specific in the issue.
Thanks in advance for amending or correcting the post.
Regards,
Whet Moser
Chicago Reader Web Editor
Whet, you are correct. I was under the impression that Best of Chicago: 2008 Edition was actually Best of Chicago 2008: Edition. I don’t know what I was thinking.
Change made above.
Hey. It seems that you are watching/maybe keeping up with Impress These Apes. Yes, seth is splendid and so is the show. It’s really been a blast to be involved in. Thanks for your interest and for posting seth in your blog. Hopefully you’ll come and check out the show again.
Also, silly chicago plug for our variety show on sunday nights “entertaining julia” at town hall pub. Maybe you can come and drink with us and check out the show and get some free giggles in. Myself, my sister (tiffany puterbaugh) and stand-up comic beth stelling host and book the weekly variety show. Everything from full bands, comedy, clowns and circus acts. Thanks bro.
Keep fighting the good fight,
danielle puterbaugh
By the way, Adam Burke and Mort Burke are not related. I didn’t even realize they were next to each other until just now.
OK, this is fine, Steve.
My basic reaction to your complaint is “feh.”
I mean … aren’t you kind of complaining about my list by countering with your own list / expanding on my list?
I originally wanted to profile 20 comics, actually, but my editor said “Nah, do 12.” Which I immediately agreed to. Because, whatever, you know? We wanted to get in some detail and print great photos of everyone, and we only had the two pages to work with (still quite a generous amount, I think).
I don’t know. I know the comedy scene (including sketch and improv) pretty well. Not comprehensively, but pretty darned well. The people I profiled I either know quite well and have seen extensively (including my pal Hannibal Burress, or “Buress,” or however you spell his daggone name, which I spell wrong CONSTANTLY, and whom clearly our fact-checkers screwed up too), or I watched and talked with the people I profile who were brand-new to me extensively before writing them up, and was given their names by several insiders I asked for recommendations.
What can I say? Your additions to my list are fine. King, Burke, and Burke in particular are all very, very funny performers and pals of mine, and I certainly considered them for inclusion. (Part of it, as I say up-front, was that I wanted to profile people who had not gotten tons of press recently — and King, for example, had just gotten some nice press for her excellent one-woman-show work.)
I don’t know, you know? It’s arbitrary. We say up front it’s arbitrary. We also say it’s almost inexcusably partial. Don’t I have a sentence saying exactly that in the introduction? I did in some draft anyhow. I actually cringed several times as I was watching some sketch and improv in preparation for the piece that we didn’t have a bit more room for people I saw and thought were hilarious.
But … what can I say? My editor said pick 12 — so I sweated and sweated and consulted and went back and forth with my editor and winnowed it down. She’s a great editor. She’s not hiring me to write a phone book of comedy.
I’m actually quite proud of my piece, in particular …
1) For at least … five of these comics, I know their styles REALLY well, and if I do say so, I nailed them in my write-ups. Look at the one on Ratterman (and don’t fact-check my spelling of his freaking name right now, OK? just read to the end and then fact-check it if you have to.). I’ve seen Ratterman (Rater-Man?) perform for years — and he IS a straight man. And his quotes are freaking awesome, and come on — read my description nails him. I get him, Steve. Give me some props for that.
2) I think VERY few people would have written up Marz Timms’s “Cocoa and Symbals” musical comedy duo. That act is insane, and I nailed it in one sentence, baby. Read it again. I should get a journalism award for that sentence.
3) I know how to write up people like CJ Sullivan and Prescott Tolk, because I’ve seen them … arrive where they are now through years of honing their voices, and … I feel a special knowledge of and kinship with them. And they are absoLUTEly two of the best standups in Chicago. You can ask anyone that.
You mention Adam Burke, another terrific standup. And Burke IS fantastic. We’ll all be hearing way more about Adam Burke. But … I dunno. I wanted to keep the standups I profiled to two in number, because I myself am a standup and … I just didn’t want to use the piece as a platform for my compatriots solely, even though I am friends with basically all the Chicago standups and many in the sketch and improv worlds.
So why not include Adam Burke? You know what? It came down to Burke being around for a shorter time. That’s basically it. I’ve seen CJ Sullivan in particular find his voice over many years, and it’s been one of the most satisfying things I’ve ever seen in comedy. He’s now bullet-proof and does well every time. Adam Burke will get his share of press. He’s terrific, his writing is amazing, and he will rise.
4) Mine’s a very diverse list — mostly women, and racially and orientationally (sure I made that word up, readers — so sue me) diverse too. I had that as a personal goal, since I loathe when people say women aren’t funny (”yeah? and you’re funnier than tig notaro? sarah silverman? amy sedaris? maria bamford? sure thing.”).
Finally, I don’t really blame Chicago magazine. You know? They’re not a “critical” journal in the way Time Out and the Reader are, which is why I feel comfortable writing for them. They don’t “rate” shows or artists. That’s just not their mission. I’d be uncomfortable doing that, actually. I just don’t have the stomach for it, even though I realize there’s a place for it. Chicago mag has as its readership a more general, less insider readership. So you serve them, you know?
So … sure, you can complain about the limitations of “lists,” and I agree somewhat. But … whatever. It’s easily digestible to non-insiders, you know? So I look at my write-up as introducing some (not ALL, not even ENOUGH) mondo-talented people to folks who may know only Second City Mainstage. I’m trying to expand people’s palates and tastes and the places they’ll consider going to watch comedy (The Annoyance, Chemically Imbalanced Theater, Chicago Underground Comedy, ComedySporz, etc.), and giving some under-touted people a bit of much-deserved recognition.
So that’s it. This isn’t a defense, and I see your point to an extent. But Chicago mag has a particular readership and has to its more-general-than-Time-Out audience.
So it was harrowing to pick 12, but I picked. And you know what? I’m really, really happy about it and found it hugely satisfying.
My only regret was not being able to include myself under the separate sub-heading “Best Comic of EVERYone! In All of History, No Less!”
Thanks. Be well, Steve.
xo,
Robert Buscemi
http://robertbuscemi.blogspot.com/
PS: Adam Burke and Mort Burke are TOO related. Do your research, Mr. Cinched-Underwear! They’re each other’s AUNTS!
BASSPROV….
I just wanted to see the name of my show in print.
:)
Here’s the piece, by the way:
http://chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/November-2008/Gag-Order/.
Thanks Steve! I saw you on the train today and totally didn’t know you’d written this. Just reading it made me somehow even more lanky and floppier.