Video Night at CIF
We got a chance to trek out to Goodbar last night for the second night of the Chicago Improv Festival, featuring the video and film portion of the program. The stars of the night were members of Sports Action Team, an improv-based television show filmed entirely in Chicago with Chicago comedians; the show has been renewed with NBC for a second season. Cast members Al Samuels and Kevin Fleming were on hand to introduce two episodes, explain some of the methodology of creating the show, and answer audience questions.
Al Samuels and Kevin Fleming.
In addition, festival executive producer Jonathan Pitts introduced several video shorts from Chicago improv alums, including "The Vagina Monologues Monologues", written by Rachel Dratch and starring Dratch, Tiny Fey, and Amy Poehler; "Dutch Puck Disease", the short that launched Lorne Michaels back in the '70s; five digital shorts by Adam McKay (one starring Will Ferrell and an infant, possibly the same child in the now super-famous "Landlord" short?); and a great Onion Network montage of clips, our favorite being, "The Human Cost of Mexicans".
Tonight's shows includes MADtv's Nicole Parker in a one-act show on Second City's e.t.c. stage, and Chicago Night, hosted by pH Productions and featuring Chewties!, Stubs, Pimprov, Duchess, pHamily, and Dirty Water, at Stage Left Theatre.
