Catching up on Chicago comedians in the news: Meg Indurti was the author of the New Yorker’s Shouts & Murmurs column on December 13th.

Chicago comedians were prominent on Vulture‘s 10 Best Comedy Podcasts of 2021. On the list: Adam Peacock’s My Neighbors Are Dead and Caleb Hearon’s and Shelby Wolstein’s Keeping Records.

Drew Michael was a guest on Marc Marons WTF podcast this week and on Jimmy Kimmel Live on December 14. His new standup special Red Blue Green can be seen on HBO.

Godfrey will speak about his role in the movie Americanish with writer and director Iman Zawahry on Saturday, January 15 online. You can also stream Americanish through January 17. Details here.

Jim Gaffigan appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live this week to talk about adventures during omicron and his new very timely Netflix special Comedy Monster. His Fun Tour comes to the Chicago Theatre March 3-March 5.

Paul Farahvar has the best tribute to Bob Saget with “I was a lawyer — until the night I met Bob Saget” on CNN.com.

Following is a spotlight on twelve shows this week. Please confirm all details in case of last-minute Covid changes. This is just twelve, but I’ve got a 2022 master calendar here with even more shows.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 14

Chastity Washington at Zanies Chicago, 8:00 p.m. Chastity Washington is a nationally touring headliner who has has appeared on BET Comic View, Coming to the Stage & HBO Def Jam.

Michael Palascak at CG’s Comedy Club, Bolingbrook, 8:00 p.m. Michael is a nationally touring headliner who has appeared on Late Night with David Letterman, Late Night with Stephen Colbert and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Last Comic Standing where he was a finalist.

A Dope Comedy Show at North Bar, 8:00 p.m. An all-headliner lineup. Dave Helem hosts Just Nesh, Calvin Evans, Leon Rogers, Marvin Phipps. Music by Chris Ill.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 15

Betty White Tribute at Classic Cinemas Lake Theater, Oak Park, 10:00 a.m. Betty White’s hometown celebrates her Centennial. Bob Goldsborough reports in the Pioneer Press that “Betty White lived with her family on the third floor of an apartment building at 218 Pleasant Street in Oak Park from her birth in January 1922 until she was a little over a year old.”

SUNDAY, JANUARY 16

Sauteed Standup at The Lincoln Lodge, 7:30 p.m. Chicago’s only live comedy cooking show.

MONDAY, JANUARY 17

Betty White Birthday Celebration at Local Theaters Follow link for a time near you.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 18

Ladylike at Lincoln Lodge, 8:00 p.m. “A storytelling show where women and non-binary performers tell their grossest stories.”

Best Night Ever at Lincoln Lodge, 8:00 p.m. Also a chance to win prizes.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19

50 First Jokes at The Laugh Factory, 8:00 p.m. Clark Jones and Ali Drapos host Tom Thakkar and more comedians TBA previewing their first jokes of 2022.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 20

Together at Last at Second City, 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. “A non-stop celebration of how we have persisted and even thrived during these impossibly difficult times.” 

Comedy Tub at The Kedzie Inn, 8:00 p.m. Weekly standup showcase.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 21

We See You Comedy Show at North Bar, 9:00 p.m. Hosted by Ben Noble.