By Matt Byrne. Byrne is a freelance writer based in Chicago, IL. He runs The Steamroller, a blog about the alt/not shitty comedy scene.
For the last eight years, I’ve been using this platform to promote the Comedy Exposition of 2014, and it’s all coming to a head now. This weekend, July 11-13th is the first-annual Comedy Exposition, a DIY, (mostly) comedian-run standup comedy festival in Chicago, and the festival’s very special headliner, Andy Kindler, is the final Funny Human of the Week before it all happens.
As you’ll hear in this first clip, Andy’s been a working standup comedian for nearly 30 years, originally coming up in the stand up boom of the late 1980s. Since then, he helped pioneer what became “alternative” standup, with his circuitous and self-referential style. Let’s watch Andy on his most recent Letterman appearance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Apyka7DQER8“Applause is always an appropriate response to humor!” So loose on national TV! I love hearing Dave and Paul cackling offscreen.
Andy’s been a guest on Letterman countless times, doing taped segments in addition to standup sets like the one we just watched. Here’s a clip from 2008, where Andy meets with a handful of life coaches as he begins on a path towards self-improvement.
He’s known as a bit of a shit-stirrer, doing goofs on comedy itself as well as other comedians, (you may have read about his vitriolic and fearless State of the Industry speeches, which he gives each year at Just For Laughs Montreal). His Twitter feed’s blends those sort of observations and comments with the self-aware one liners he’s so good at dishing out onstage.
“Justin Bieber is in the news again” – @jayleno into the rear view mirror of a vintage car he no longer cares about.
— Andy Kindler (@AndyKindler) March 1, 2014
My new web based show about the web is premiering on FreeWebEntertainment.Hello. Watch it on a small device and see if you don’t agree.
— Andy Kindler (@AndyKindler) July 4, 2014
“I heard you were responsible for like 30 million deaths. That’s crazy.” Jimmy Fallon interviewing Stalin
— Andy Kindler (@AndyKindler) November 17, 2012
After trying a free sample at the supermarket I always attempt a “that’s tasty” look.
— Andy Kindler (@AndyKindler) June 15, 2014
Looking forward to the the next franchise movie.
— Andy Kindler (@AndyKindler) June 15, 2014
There’s a lot of buzz around me. I assume it’s tinnitus.
— Andy Kindler (@AndyKindler) July 3, 2014
During my search for fun Kindler vids to share with you, I came across this short clip from some morning zoo radio show that perfectly encapsulates Kindler’s massive improvisational talents. Chatting with Schmonty and Conklin (sigh), he comes up with a new, more relaxing form of standup comedy.
For more Kindler (and 70+ other standup comics, including 14 past Funny Humans of the Week), definitely definitely come out to the Comedy Exposition of 2014 this weekend. Passes are on sale now!
