(Dick Gregory / Facebook)

The comedian and civil rights activist died on Saturday. He was 84. 

Liz McArthur, left, and Jill Valentine, right, co-founded the Chicago Women's Funny Festival. (Courtesy of Stage 773)

When two local comedians launched the Chicago Women’s Funny Festival in 2012, they were regularly asked: “What’s it like to be a woman in comedy?” Find out what’s in store for this year’s fest—and how the business of comedy is evolving.

Peter Kim performs in The Second City e.t.c.’s 40th revue, “A Red Line Runs Through It.” (Todd Rosenberg / The Second City)

Comedian Peter Kim talks about the state of stand-up comedy, and why he recently left a hit show at The Second City.

Peter Kim performs in The Second City e.t.c.’s 40th revue, “A Red Line Runs Through It.” (Todd Rosenberg / The Second City)

Second City cast members report racist audience outbursts, and some cast and management have left the venerable theater. We take a closer look at recent changes with theater critic Chris Jones.

Kate McKinnon and Larry David portray Democratic candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders in a “Saturday Night Live” sketch that aired in May 2016. (Courtesy NBC)

Monday's presidential debate sparked some laughs. We look at how comedians have tackled this election, what's resonated and what has fallen flat. 

Steve Harvey was just one of the comedians who made All Jokes Aside one of the most influential black comedy clubs ever. We talk with the club's owner, who tells his story in a new book.  

Cap Gun Collective Executive Producer Matt Abramson, Cap Gun Producer PJ Fishwick, and “Teachers” co-creator Matt Miller (Photo / Chloe Riley)

Cap Gun Collective has been behind both NBC’s “Bobby & Iza” and TV Land’s “Teachers”

The past year has seen national attention for the Chicago-based production group. The group, which has offices in Chicago and LA, was behind the pilot for “Bobby & Iza,” which won NBC's Playground Contest last month, and additionally produced the web series that led to TV Land’s “Teachers,” now helmed by “Community’s” Alison Brie and set to premiere in January. 

The pilot, which follows the trials of a Chicago actor, will now move forward as an NBC Web series. 

Conan O'Brien. (Meghan Sinclair / Team Coco)

A freelance comedy writer from Winnetka accuses Conan O’Brien of using jokes he posted on Twitter and has filed a lawsuit against the late-night comedian. Tonight, we’ll talk about the ethics of comedy and how jokes are shared with comedian Dwayne Kennedy and Curtis Flagg, the director of operations at Chicago’s Laugh Factory.

In town for standup shows at Zanies Comedy Club, Chicago native Jeff Garlin stops by to chat about his show “The Goldbergs” and his production work on the documentary “Finding Vivian Maier.”

Curb Your Enthusiasm's Jeff Garlin joins us -- and brings along his mother. It's an interview you won't want to miss.

Hedy Weiss

It's being praised as one of the best performances currently on stage in Chicago. Hedy Weiss reviews Larry Yando in Angels in America and three more shows.

David Pasquesi

A veteran of Chicago’s improv scene tries a new venture: a comedy series for the web. We talk with comedian David Pasquesi.