Over the next several weekends, i.O. will be previewing the new Let Them Ho's Fight show, in which the players approach longform improv with what we hear is a lot of crazy energy. We're trying to clear a space on our calendar to see this show - Saturdays at midnight - maybe you should, too.

Also this week at i.O., a new show called "The Promise Keepers" starts Wednesdays at 11 PM, opposite the benchmark TJ and Dave show. It features Ben Johnson and Tim Baltz, is directed by The Reckoning's Holly Lauren, and is something of a new form of a modified Harold. (Which reminds us, darn, we need to get a clearer explanation of what exactly constitutes a Harold. Hm. Perhaps a field trip is in order.)

Chicago stand-up comics Ricky Carmona, Joey V, Mikey O, and others will be featured on HBO's Habla Mas throughout September. Check it out.

Second City writing instructor Nancy Beckett has completed Volume One in her series of "Writing With Nancy - Listenables," writing lessons on CD. "Each 45-minute lesson entertains writers of all ages and abilities with Nancy's wit and her realistic treatment of many aspects of creative writing." Click here for info and samples.

Also this week, Chicago-trained comedy supernova Amy Poehler is profiled in Bust magazine.

And Irish comic Tommy Tiernan will be doing a series of shows at the Mercury Theater in September.