Just For Laughs Chicago: Ross Roasts And The TBS LOL Lounge
June 20, 2011 Brian Elles Features, Reviews
JEFFREY ROSS ROASTS CHICAGO
Just like a dog marking its territory, The Just For Laughs comedy festival is leaving it’s stain all over the city of Chicago. The funniest names in the business continue to bring their A-game as audiences fill close to fifteen different venues every night.
After recently ripping apart Donald Trump, Roast Master General Jeffery Ross focused his sarcasm and vulgar humor on the windy city. Even though boo’s and heckles resulted from the lame opening act, MC Mr. Napkins, Ross took stage with full force and quickly won over his audience.
This live performance was unique in many ways as Buddy, a local guitarist playing on stage, chimed in with short guitar riffs. This supplied Ross with a steady supply of ammunition as instant attacks toward the musician sounded like:
“Who is this guy, lead performer from the group Gay-C/DC?”
Following traditional roasts, he brought on stage Chicago Cubs pitcher Ryan Demster for a true Ross bashing. Even though his jokes were strong, loud slander was shouted from Chicago White Sox fans in attendance as they clearly expressed their hatred for their cross town rivals.
Unique twists in the show happened when Ross roasted prominent figures of history that he wished could have been in attendance. From Abe Lincoln to Adolf Hitler, audiences’ moaned and groaned at some of the raunchiest jokes ever told.
Also unique to the Just For Laughs roast of Chicago, Ross welcomed up a dozen members of the audience as he trialed a new form which he called speed roasting. All of the volunteers and brave souls went up in good fun as nothing was held back from the quick wit of Jeffery Ross.
TBS LOL LOUNGE
Inside the trendy comedy club The Red Bar, comedians took center stage as four shows were being taped for presentation on justforlaughschicago.com. Hosted by Are We There Yet? star Christian Finnegan, twenty rising comics delivered their stories as they were finalists from the fourth annual Rooftop Comedy National College Comedy Competition presented by TBS.
At this show I had the privilege to sit next to and talk with SNL head writer and Weekend Update anchor Seth Meyers. In between ladies throwing themselves at Seth and flash photography which appeared like strobe lights, I had great conversations with this down to Earth guy.
“Comedy is all about finding out who you are and what you can bring to the table,” he explained in between photo shoots. “Determination is what it takes for upcoming comics to crack the scene and that’s why I’m here. To support their hard work.”
After further discussions about The Second City, iO Theatre, and Comedy Sportz, we both laughed at the original performances being delivered by these talented individuals.
FUN OFF THE STAGE
From midnight bowling to professional baseball games, comedians relaxed at different events throughout the week. In these photos Tim Minchin prepares for some serious bowling activity, George Lopez throws out the first pitch at the New York Yankee vs. Chicago Cubs baseball game as Seth Meyers performs the 7th inning stretch.
