This busy reporter took some time out this weekend to go see what all of this improv hubbub was about. Usually, I don’t see anything if Will Smith isn't in it but I went to two shows at The Chicago Improv Festival last weekend.

Friday night I saw Chicago comedy vet and Colbert Report writer Peter Grosz, Saturday Night Live's John Lutz, and Rob Janas (pictured at right) perform together at iO. Here is a summary of highlights: excellent improv in a packed theater, the lights/power went out, the show went on even though the power was intermittent, these guys were so pro they made it seem planned. I also talked to them after the show.

Lutz and Janas both agreed to say this to me: “Chicago is the best place for improv, even when the power goes out.”

After talking to those two I thought I should meet Peter so my friend Kate James from Schadenfreude (name drop!) offered to introduce me and I jumped at the chance.

I told Grosz what Lutz and Janas said to me and Grosz responded with this, “I thought Jutz was a professional writer.” I should’ve given Grosz my card so he could see this professional writing. But I think he was kidding.

Saturday Night I saw Rob Belushi and Jon Barinholtz (pictured at right) at Donny’s Skybox. These guys have great chemistry and energy and packed the place out. No power problems at Second City.

I didn’t have an in with these guys, and they’re not on TV so I didn’t stick around to talk. Just kidding, I did and they thought I was just a regular audience member so I told them I would give them a bad write up then they came running behind me trying to get an interview and I told them it was too late. None of that really happened. I did go to the show and enjoy it though, and I didn’t stick around because I had to go, to the bathroom, just for number one.

There you have it folks, news from the front lines at Chicago Improv Festival. Sweat, darkness, and laughter. Mostly, I’ll remember the laughter. No, wait, I’ll probably remember talking to people that have been on TV.

-–Tammy Connors