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Just letting you know up front — this one’s an epic ;)

I just got home from Chicago and the inaugural TBS/Just For Laughs Chicago Comedy Festival. I wasn’t in town long enough to catch most of the shows I wanted to see, but from what I hear the shows were great. I went there and came home in less than 24 hours. Here’s a recap of what went down… :)

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Patron and Grey Goose bottles just chilling on the dresser — the hotel they put us up in was way nicer than anywhere I should ever be staying. I did my best to ignore all the fancy liquor and yummy treats, but I did take full advantage of the fluffy robe! ;) Check out the thumbnail on the far right… TBS gave us a swag bag that contained — among other things — a bottle of Remy and a flask shaped like a cell phone. It even came with a cell phone carrying case. Perfect for sneaking alcohol into sporting events and concerts carrying small bits of water to the gym. BOY do they know comics!!!

Me with Wendy Liebman

Me with Wendy Liebman

The show taped at Zanies Comedy Club in Old Town Chicago. During our downtime, I got to spend some time with the hilarious Wendy Liebman. I’ve been a huge fan for years, and it was a pleasure to be working on the same show with her. When I first got into comedy I sent her an e-mail thru her website just introducing myself and telling her what a big fan I was and how excited I was about stand-up, and she wrote me the nicest e-mail back and was so encouraging. I’m relatively sure I printed it out and have it somewhere… I should try and dig it up!

This was the show set

This was the show set

As far as the actual show and taping, Murphy’s Law was in full effect — as it often is on big days in my life…Let’s see… there was a stain on the fabulous, new silk tunic I scrimped to buy and planned to wear and when the wardrobe director tried to help me get it out, the shirt was basically ruined. So I had to go with wardrobe option B :( My earrings broke and we had to use electrical tape to keep them on… OH and there was a heckler (not the belligerent, mean kind, but a talker just the same) at the table in the front row, who ran his mouth through my entire set.

Yeah…

Things worked out well in the end though. I mean, Option B (the blue top in the photos below) worked fine, you couldn’t see the tape on the earrings, and despite Chatty Kathy in the front row, I had what I think was a pretty good set. I just hope that idiot didn’t get picked up on my mic.

Me with the super funny and super sweet Dale Jones

Me with the super funny and super sweet Dale Jones

Dale was on this show too. He and I met on Last Comic last year — coincidentally at a Zanies Comedy Club in Nashville and went as far as Vegas together. So much energy! Go see him if he’s in your town. Worth the price of admission and then some — he can pack two hours worth of comedy into about 45 minutes ;)

Me and the fab Miss Rachel Rusch

Me and the fab Miss Rachel Rusch

From HBO to TBS, she’s been one of my absolute biggest advocates in the industry. Such an awesome lady, and she’s super funny herself. Her tweets make me wanna PIMP! She’s my Twee-ro ;)

Me and the handsome Trelle ;)

Me and Trelle ;)

My good friend Montrelle who you may recognize from my Chicago trip video also came out to the taping. He always makes my day! Not only is he a great guy and a super supportive friend, but he’s really pretty to look at too! ;) Though some of the bigger shows from the festival will air later this month on TBS, the series I taped for — The Very Funny Show — won’t begin airing until November. Haha… but don’t worry, I’ll remind y’all to watch when the time comes! OK, off to bed I go…

5 thoughts on “Very Funny Weekend — a photo essay

  1. Court

    You look fabulous in the blue. Thanks for Sharing your journey I enjoy every minute. Oh and I’m now faithful to cvs! Saved $20 bucks today! Luv ya…court

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