40 people have been shot in our city in the last week. Global food inflation has prompted Sam's Club to restrict consumer purchases of rice. Gasoline is $3.75 in Chicago, and $4 in other parts of the United States. Arby's is buying Wendy's. What the hell is going on? We don't know either, so we're going to drown our sorrows in comedy. We suggest you do the same.

The Chicago Improv Festival, gearing up for its June improv blowout, is hosting Preview Weekend this Friday and Saturday nights at Donny's Skybox, Second City. Ten Chicago acts will perform in the preview shows, including Whirled News Tonight, Revolver, pHamily, Pimprov, Dirty Water, BASSPROV, Cornwallis, The Reckoning, Wing Night, and Barinholtz & Belushi. Tickets are $12.

Prescott Tolk's stand-up album recording and show tonight at the Lakeshore Theater is the Reader's Critic's Pick. Slip a measly $10 out of your pocket and be there for what's sure to be a fantastic show.

Also tonight catch Kyle Kinane as he makes his second stand-up appearance on Last Call with Carson Daly, 12:35 a.m. Central time.

Comics want to be on tv? Advice from Dan French, at Shecky Magazine. "There are six things a comic needs in order to get on TV, in no particular order: a killer showcase set, a connected manager, the ability to be schmoozey, the ability to audition, the ability to act, and a cosmically lucky fit between what is needed and what you are."

Bob Odenkirk will be shooting a special with Jeff Garlin at Second City on May 12.