Chicago Live!
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 | |
| Genre | News/entertainment, variety show |
|---|---|
| Running time | 60 min. |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Language(s) | English |
| Home station | WGN Radio |
| Hosted by | Rick Kogan |
| Executive producer(s) | Kelly Leonard, Lara Weber |
| Recording studio | Chicago, Illinois |
| Original release | October 2010 – 2013 |
| Website | Website |
| Podcast | Podcast |
Chicago Live! is an hour-long stage and radio variety show hosted by Chicago newspaperman and radio personality Rick Kogan.[1] The multi-platform show is produced by the Chicago Tribune in partnership with The Second City 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.[2]
Chicago Live! debuted at the Chicago Theatre Downstairs on October 14, 2010, and continued recording and airing in six-week seasons through 2011.[3][4] Chicago Live! performed live in 2011 at the Haymarket Pub & Brewery place.[5] Billy Corgan was a guest on the show in 2011.[6] 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 neighborhood.[7][8][9] John Conroy was a guest on the show in 2012.[10] Chicago Live! was still active in 2013.[11] In 2013 Kathy and Judy of WGN Radio were guests on the show.[12]
Notable guests have included Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, musician Billy Corgan, former White House Social Secretary Desirèe Rogers, Sesame Street puppet Cookie Monster and rapper Lupe Fiasco.[2]
Lara Weber does the production work for the show.[13]
Format
As described by host Rick Kogan, the show's mission is to "bring the paper in its wonderful variety on stage."[14]
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
