`Today’s newspapers tonight,” says comic Jeff Cesario of his alternative for the late-night talk show, a roundtable with comics and others discussing the day’s news.
“We’ll kick around the day’s events,” says Cesario of his “Night Owls.” “News, entertainment and sports. The top five stories in each of those catagories.”
Cesario, 40, a native of Kenosha, Wis., says this is an idea that he has considered in one way or another for about four years. But maybe he should consider having his home checked for bugs. Of the electric variety.
Two separate outlets are talking about using the day’s news for fun and profit. Former chairman of NBC and Paramount Pictures Brandon Tartikoff, now an independent producer, announced plans for “Last Call,” a weeknight program scheduled for 1994 with an ensemble group taking on the day’s events.
“Certainly that was an interesting morning read when I opened the paper and saw that,” jokes Cesario.
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A Chicago columnist, whose nickname rhymes with cup, has reported that Fox-TV is talking to noted news authority and conversationalist Andrew Dice Clay to come up with a comedy show based on the day’s news, which would replace Chevy Chase’s alleged late-night talk show.
While Cesario pursues “Night Owls,” he’ll fill in the “. . . & Friends” part of “Kevin Matthews & Friends” Saturday, along with local boy Brian McCann, who hosts a Sunday afternoon comedy show on WLUP-FM (97.9). The show will be held at the Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville, Ind. Call 219-769-6600 or Ticketmaster, 312-559-1212.
Def no more
Take a good look at Chicago’s Adele Givens whenever any of her appearances are rerun on HBO’s “Def Comedy Jam.” There won’t be any new guest shots for the woman who became known as the “Queen of Def Jam.” Or the “First Lady of Def Jam.” Or the “Grande Dame of Def Jam.” Or the “Diva of Def Jam.” Or . . .
“It’s my own belief that, a lot of times when I’m on there, I do the material that I’m doing, but it’s pretty much chopped up because of the time limits that they have,” says Givens, 29.
Givens, who has appeared on “Def Jam” three times, typically does seven minutes of material when taping the show, of which only four or five will be used. “And they run it and run it and run it, and I have to throw the jokes away and I haven’t even really used the entire premise.”
Givens and Joe Torry are performing two shows at the New Regal Theatre, 1645 E. 79th St., on Saturday. Tickets are on sale at the Regal box office or Ticketmaster, 312-559-1212.
The standup lineup
Here’s who’s working at the comedy clubs. Current sets are scheduled to run through Sunday; all new acts begin on Tuesday unless otherwise noted. Lineups are subject to change.
All Jokes Aside (1000 S. Wabash Ave.; 312-922-0577): Talented Steve Harvey, in addition to appearing through the weekend, will be the guest DJ for WGCI-FM’s (107.5) Tom Joyner from 2 to 6 p.m. Friday.
Zanies (1548 N. Wells St.; 312-337-4027): Scheduled to appear as part of Zanies’ 15th anniversary celebration through Sunday are Laura Kightlinger and David Cross. Next week are “Star Search” winner Felicia Michaels and local favorite Dale Irvin.
And . . . Kenny Howell, who made an appearance on Comedy Central’s “Comic Justice” standup show, is starring Friday and Saturday at Jokers Wild (17 E. Balbo Ave.-Club United Nations; 312-663-0100).