You may know today’s interviewee from the popular and funny show Workaholics on Comedy Central, now in its second season. Holm stars, writes and was co-creator of the series along with his colleagues from the comedy group Mail Order Comedy. If you’re like me, however, you know today’s interviewee because you attended high school with him in Evanston, and are not at all surprised that he’s gone on to a career in acting/comedy, mostly because you watched him (and perhaps wrote a few sketches for him) in the renowned ETHS comedy revue show YAMO. If you’d like to follow Holm on Twitter, you may do so here.
What did you learn working on the first season of Workaholics that you applied to the second season, either in terms of writing or just the technical aspects of making a show?
Anders Holm of Comedy Central's 'Workaholics'
Oct. 7, 2011Witty Women at the Book Cellar: Tonight!
Oct. 6, 2011
I'm not just saying this because I'm reading, but I highly encourage you to check out Witty Women at the Book Cellar (my favorite bookstore in Chicago) tonight. You'll be entertained by wonderful local writers Jen Lancaster, Stacey Ballis, Amy Guth, Wendy McClure (and yours truly as well.) If you haven't been, the Book Cellar is a great place to catch a reading for the following reasons: a.) It's cozy and fun b.) They serve booze c.) They serve food d.) It's in adorable Lincoln Square, where you can find plenty of other cozy fun places that serve booze and food after the reading. This show fills up so get there early for a seat!
'Missed Possessions,' by Frank Lesser
Oct. 5, 2011
Frank Lesser is an Emmy-winning writer for The Colbert Report who lives in New York. He studied fiction and film at Brown University and edited the school’s humor magazine. While growing up in Columbus, Ohio, he was tormented by the monster under his bed, a situation that only got worse in high school when the monster stole his girlfriend. His new book, Sad Monsters, brings to life humorous stories about the undead ... and the unloved. Here is an excerpt.
Succubus in search of physical relationship—
No strings attached—(Lower East Side)
Saw you sleeping last weekend when I was drawn to your
bedchamber by your darkest desires. But the timing wasn’t
right—I had just gotten out of another nocturnal visitation.
Please write me back. I’m desperate to enter your room
while you slumber, have my way with you, and spawn
human-demon hybrids with your seed. And then maybe
spoon?
I want you inside me—(Williamsburg)
Sorry I called that exorcist. I don’t know—I think I just
freaked out because things were moving so fast. Specifically,
List: Zulkey.com Interviewees Who Went On to Win McArthur Genius Grant Winners (Plus One Pulitzer Prize)
Oct. 4, 2011Jennifer Egan (just the Pulitzer)
(Not related to geniuses in the least, but "Pop-Up Video" is back, and I reviewed it here.)
Dog bless you!
Oct. 3, 2011Hi! If you enjoy the show “Dexter,” you may like my recaps over at the L.A. Times.
There are lots of fun, possibly ridiculous events you can attend with your dog if you live in Chicago.
The Tom Skilling interview
Sep. 30, 2011First, a tiny plug: tomorrow I am running the Chicago AIDS Foundation 10K and am trying to raise a few bucks for the cause. In case you have a few dollars left over after the WBEZ pledge drive and want to feel like an extra-good person, go here.
Today’s interviewee is WGN-TV’s chief meteorologist and has been with the network for over 30 years. You can catch him weekdays on WGN Midday News, WGN Evening News and WGN News at Nine. Since 1997, he has masterminded the weather page in the Chicago Tribune and more recently readers can interact with him on his oft-updated Facebook page. His passion for weather led to a daily column and his own weather page in the Chicago Tribune and a weekly series on WGN News, "Ask Tom". Tom is a member of the American Meteorological Society (AMS) and the National Weather Association.
A cad in goth's clothing: My summer at camp before High School
Sep. 28, 2011When I graduated from my small, K-8th grade Catholic school, I won the not-coveted “Most Likely to Do Her Homework Ahead of Time” award. Obviously, there was only one way to celebrate this achievement before heading off to high school: summer camp.
I got to spend one final year as a camper before old age forced me to become a counselor. We campers mostly already knew each other from prior summers together, but that year, there was a new kid in the group I’ll call Dylan. It seemed strange that he would even be there, by the looks of him. He wore all black: leather jacket, black jeans, Converse All-Stars and a fedora over the long, greasy hair that fell limply over his birdlike frame. I was so used to the hale boys of eighth grade who played Bombardment with abandon that Dylan's rebelliously bony body was somehow exotic.
List: Three ways to see me live
Sep. 27, 2011Before I promote my stuff, let me promote some more of my stuff: If you enjoyed the show The Big C, you can read my writeup of the finale here at the AV Club.
1.)
2.) Witty Women at the Book Cellar on October 6 at 7 PM: Featuring: Jen Lancaster, Stacey Ballis, Claire Zulkey (me!), Amy Guth, and Wendy McClure. Eat, drink, and laugh with some of the best writers and humorists Chicago has to offer. Seating is limited so come early!
3.)
