''Chicago Live!'' is an hour-long stage and radio variety show hosted by Chicago newspaperman and radio personality
Rick Kogan
Rick Kogan (born September 13, 1951) is a Chicago newspaperman, a Chicago radio personality and a noted author.
Early life and education
A native of Chicago's Old Town neighborhood, Kogan is the son of longtime Chicago newspaperman Herman Kogan ...
. The multi-platform show is produced by the ''
Chicago Tribune
The ''Chicago Tribune'' is a daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, United States, owned by Tribune Publishing. Founded in 1847, and formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" (a slogan for which WGN radio and television ar ...
'' in partnership with
The Second City
The Second City is an improvisational comedy enterprise and is the oldest ongoing improvisational theater troupe to be continually based in Chicago, with training programs and live theatres in Toronto and Los Angeles. The Second City Theatre op ...
and broadcasts on
WGN Radio 720-AM Saturday nights at 11 p.m. It is taped in front of a live studio audience. Short, individual segments from each show are distributed in video and podcast format.
History
''Chicago Live!'' debuted at the
Chicago Theatre Downstairs on October 14, 2010, and continued recording and airing in six-week seasons through 2011. ''Chicago Live!'' performed live in 2011 at the Haymarket Pub & Brewery place. Billy Corgan was a guest on the show in 2011. In November 2011, ''Chicago Live!'' announced that it would shift to eight-week seasons in 2012 and move to the Up Comedy Club in Chicago's
Old Town
In a city or town, the old town is its historic or original core. Although the city is usually larger in its present form, many cities have redesignated this part of the city to commemorate its origins after thorough renovations. There are ma ...
neighborhood. John Conroy was a guest on the show in 2012. ''Chicago Live!'' was still active in 2013. In 2013 Kathy and Judy of WGN Radio were guests on the show.
Notable guests have included Chicago Mayor
Rahm Emanuel
Rahm Israel Emanuel (; born November 29, 1959) is an American politician and diplomat who is the current United States Ambassador to Japan. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served two terms as the 55th Mayor of Chicago from 2011 ...
, musician
Billy Corgan
William Patrick Corgan Jr. (born March 17, 1967) is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and professional wrestling promoter. He is best known as the lead singer, primary songwriter, guitarist, and only permanent member of the rock band the ...
, former White House Social Secretary Desirèe Rogers, Sesame Street puppet
Cookie Monster and rapper
Lupe Fiasco
Wasalu Muhammad Jaco (born February 16, 1982), better known by his stage name Lupe Fiasco ( ), is an American rapper, singer, record producer, and entrepreneur. He rose to fame in 2006 following the success of his debut album, ''Lupe Fiasco's ...
.
Lara Weber does the production work for the show.
Format
As described by host Rick Kogan, the show's mission is to "bring the paper in its wonderful variety on stage."
Each episode of ''Chicago Live!'' includes:
* Interviews with Chicago newsmakers and entertainers
* Topical comedy from The Second City
* Almanac segment in which Rick Kogan presents stories, videos around a selected year in Chicago history
* Performances by Chicago artists and entertainers
Further reading
*
References
External links
*
The Second City Official websiteWGN Radio Official website
Audio podcasts
Chicago radio shows
Chicago Tribune people
2013 podcast endings
2010 podcast debuts
News podcasts
Interview podcasts
2010 radio programme debuts
2013 radio programme endings
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