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The Second City: Chicago, Comedy, Comedy Club, Comedians And Television
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Published: October 25, 2007
Many forms of entertainment change over time. New music genres emerge and movies make thrilling technological advancements. One thing that never changes is the love of laughter. Since the 1950's The Second City has been home to many rising comedians and entertained guests.
In the 1950's, a group of University of Chicago students started performing comedy routines that grew into a comedy club. The Second City opened December 16, 1959 in Chicago. The name, like the club, was comedic: a sarcastic shot at the New Yorker article that gave Chicago the title of second city.
The improvisational style of comedy gave The Second City national recognition. The troupe performed improvisational comedy, or improv for short. Improv is a style in which comedians perform unscripted material. Feeding off of each other, the audience, or pre-selected topics requires the performers to stay alert and ready for anything. Often the audience has no idea what the show will be about, or even what the second half will be like following the first half. The fun part is neither do the performers. At intermission the audience is invited to give ideas for the second half, and the cast creates a show based on some or all of these ideas. Giving the audience the power to shape the entertainment is one reason
The Second City regularly plays to large audiences.
The Second City has since become an international sensation. The act has spread to radio, television, and even records. The need for The Second City humor has also led to the formation of multiple clubs. Currently, The Second City has clubs in Chicago, Toronto, Detroit, and Novi (Michigan). Revues have been performed in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Scotland, and on Norwegian Cruise Lines.
Even if guests have not been to a show or club, they may have benefited from The Second City alumni.
Over the years, many alumni of The Second City have found a home on the hit NBC show “Saturday Night Live.” Others have been in movies, other theater productions, or the Canadian show “Second City Television (SCTV).” Some familiar names from the original comedy club include John Belushi, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Tim Meadows, Chris Farley, Ana Gasteyer, Tina Fey, and Horatio Sanz. The comedians Dan and Peter Akroyd began their careers in Toronto's club. In addition to “Saturday Night Live” and “SCTV,” these stars have been in movies such as “The Blues Brothers,” “Tommy Boy,” “The Ladies Man,” and “Mean Girls.” Other popular television shows include “Seinfeld” and “30 Rock.”
In addition to being a live theater, The Second City has shaped today's entertainment industry in so many ways. Many new stars are enrolling in classes and beginning a stage career. There are more TV shows and theaters doing improv, and more stars waiting to become the new faces of the entertainment industry. While the name was never meant to be first, it has not stopped the comedy clubs and their stars from being the best entertainers in the comedy business.
Sources:
Saturday Night Live: Trivia. IMDb.com. 2007. Internet Movie Database, Inc. 24 Oct 2007. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072562/trivia
The Second City: Timeline. SecondCity.com. 24 Oct 2007. http://www.secondcity.com/?id=history/timeline
"The Second City." Wikipedia. 21 Oct 2007. 24 Oct 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Seco nd_City&oldid=166015586
In the 1950's, a group of University of Chicago students started performing comedy routines that grew into a comedy club. The Second City opened December 16, 1959 in Chicago. The name, like the club, was comedic: a sarcastic shot at the New Yorker article that gave Chicago the title of second city.
The improvisational style of comedy gave The Second City national recognition. The troupe performed improvisational comedy, or improv for short. Improv is a style in which comedians perform unscripted material. Feeding off of each other, the audience, or pre-selected topics requires the performers to stay alert and ready for anything. Often the audience has no idea what the show will be about, or even what the second half will be like following the first half. The fun part is neither do the performers. At intermission the audience is invited to give ideas for the second half, and the cast creates a show based on some or all of these ideas. Giving the audience the power to shape the entertainment is one reason
The Second City regularly plays to large audiences.
The Second City has since become an international sensation. The act has spread to radio, television, and even records. The need for The Second City humor has also led to the formation of multiple clubs. Currently, The Second City has clubs in Chicago, Toronto, Detroit, and Novi (Michigan). Revues have been performed in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Scotland, and on Norwegian Cruise Lines.
Even if guests have not been to a show or club, they may have benefited from The Second City alumni.
Over the years, many alumni of The Second City have found a home on the hit NBC show “Saturday Night Live.” Others have been in movies, other theater productions, or the Canadian show “Second City Television (SCTV).” Some familiar names from the original comedy club include John Belushi, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Tim Meadows, Chris Farley, Ana Gasteyer, Tina Fey, and Horatio Sanz. The comedians Dan and Peter Akroyd began their careers in Toronto's club. In addition to “Saturday Night Live” and “SCTV,” these stars have been in movies such as “The Blues Brothers,” “Tommy Boy,” “The Ladies Man,” and “Mean Girls.” Other popular television shows include “Seinfeld” and “30 Rock.”
In addition to being a live theater, The Second City has shaped today's entertainment industry in so many ways. Many new stars are enrolling in classes and beginning a stage career. There are more TV shows and theaters doing improv, and more stars waiting to become the new faces of the entertainment industry. While the name was never meant to be first, it has not stopped the comedy clubs and their stars from being the best entertainers in the comedy business.
Sources:
Saturday Night Live: Trivia. IMDb.com. 2007. Internet Movie Database, Inc. 24 Oct 2007. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072562/trivia
The Second City: Timeline. SecondCity.com. 24 Oct 2007. http://www.secondcity.com/?id=history/timeline
"The Second City." Wikipedia. 21 Oct 2007. 24 Oct 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Seco nd_City&oldid=166015586
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