Something to smile about

This, my friends, is a beautiful thing:

And it reminds me that spring is indeed around the corner. It's amazing how different 40 degrees feels in February than it does in October. The snow is beginning to melt and only a few man- and plow-made icebergs linger in the corners of parking lots. This may be the first weekend in a long time that I don't feel like hibernating, and that's a good thing, because we are going to see the lovely Maria Bamford and local comic Dan Telfer at the Lakeshore Theater tomorrow night. The best part? It's free! The Lakeshore is always a good time, and there is nothing I would rather do on a Saturday night than go to a comedy show or concert.

In other Chicago comedy news, I was listening to one of my favorite podcasts today at work (well, I listened to a few goodies, but I have something to say about this one in particular), and I felt the need to post about it on *GB*. I'm always happy when I can post about something I love on the site and if it turns even one new person into a listener, I will be beyond thrilled!

Comedy and Everything Else is a weekly comedy podcast featuring Todd Glass, Jimmy Dore, and Stephane Zamorano. I started listening because when I was a young, impressionable 24-year-old, I watched Todd Glass on Last Comic Standing and thought he was the shit. He was the only person on Seasons 2 and 3 that I found even remotely funny (sorry, Ant!), mostly for his straightforward and sort of goofy (in a good way...playful may be a better word?) persona. When I found out he was starting a podcast, I was on board immediately.

30 episodes in, I still love it and am a loyal listener and fan. The "comedy" is not anyone doing a written set of jokes, mind you (though there is a little shtick thrown in sometimes). It involves a lot of talk about early days in their careers, being on the road, good and bad comedy clubs, heckling, heroes in the biz, and a tiny bit of industry gossip. The "everything else" includes politics, religion, infomercials, marriage, gay rights, raising children, education, smoking cigarettes, smoking pot, pop culture, and much much more. Sometimes controversial, always funny, I like that they aren't afraid to say some of the things that I would like to say if only I had the balls. I almost always agree with them, too...and sometimes, I even learn.

The episodes are all a bit long compared to most podcasts, usually hovering somewhere around the two hour mark, but I always feel like it's worth the investment to listen to the whole thing. They also have amazing guests (in my opinion), from Doug Benson to Jimmy Pardo and Jeneane Garofalo to Jen Kirkman. Ok, I didn't intend for this entry to be a plug for anything, but there it is! Get me going and I can't stop! I like spreading the word about things that give me joy, even if it is to only one or two people. I'm not saying that my cup of tea will be everyone's, but it can't hurt to throw a little love out there into the universe, right?