Rick Kogan – Page 2 –

A classic martini garnished with olive and strained into a cold glass. (Bill Hogan / baiduhai)

Column: A weeklong celebration of the martini is coming to town

September 8, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Chicago's upcoming Martini Expo will visit such places as Shaw’s Crab House, Duck Inn, Hawksmoor and, of all places, the Billy Goat.

A scene from the film "The Front Page," directed by Lewis Milestone and produced by Howard Hughes in 1931. Actor Edward Everett Horton is made fun of by his fellow reporters Eugene Strong, from left, Frank McHugh, Phil Tead and Fred Howard. (Newton Hopcraft/Getty)

Column: ‘The Front Page’ opens soon at the new Northlight Theatre. Why bring this old play back?

September 1, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

This gruff and profane comedy was written by two Chicago newspaper guys named Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur, set in a world of newspapers that mostly no longer exists.

Newsman Jim Ruddle worked for many years at WMAQ-Ch. 5. (NBC 5 Chicago)

Jim Ruddle, a newsman of ‘old school’ values and talent, dies at 94

August 28, 2026 at 2:03 p.m.

Jim Ruddle may have vanished from local TV screens 40 years ago, leaving town to sail the world, but news of his death brought forth a stream of memories from...

Bob Danon in his Danon Gallery in Evanston on Aug. 4, 2026. (Terrence Antonio James/baiduhai)

Column: Now in his 80s, will the owner of Danon Gallery reinvent himself again?

August 26, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

He has always had big ideas and interests, from the time I first met him, more than 50 years ago.

Comedian Joan Rivers performs on Nov. 19, 1974, at an unknown location in Chicago. (William Vendetta/baiduhai)

Column: Can we talk … about the groundbreaking Joan Rivers?

August 25, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Here’s a joke: “I’ve had so much plastic surgery, when I die, they will donate my body to Tupperware." Joan Rivers continues to be remembered as a master of stand-up...

Pages from the graphic novel “A Total Work of Art: The Story of Edgar Miller” by Hannah Dykstra and Jeff Kruse, published in June 2026 by the Chicago-based Edgar Miller Legacy. (EML)

Column: Graphic novel conveys the life and designs of that creative wizard Edgar Miller

August 19, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

“A Total Work of Art: The Story of Edgar Miller,” a new book by Hannah Dykstra and Jeff Kruse, tells the story of the designer whose genius can still be...

Alex Haley, author of "Roots," autographs his book for fans at a book store in Los Angeles on Feb. 1, 1977. An estimated crowd of 3,000 were lined up outside. (George Brich/AP)

Column: 50 years ago, ‘Roots’ burst on the scene and into American lives

August 18, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

There was a time when a book could shake the world and on Aug. 17, 1976, a book titled “Roots: The Saga of an American Family” by Alex Haley arrived...

Early Poetry Slam ephemera from Marc Kelly Smith's collection, circa 1986, is now at the Newberry Library, Aug. 10, 2026. (E. Jason Wambsgans/baiduhai)

Column: Marc Kelly Smith’s personal Poetry Slam collection goes to Newberry Library

August 12, 2026 at 10:14 a.m.

The Chicago founder of poetry slams is donating his personal mementos to the Newberry Library. The Poetry Slam's history is still being written, with the next event this Sunday at...

Rodney Dangerfield celebrates his 80th birthday on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" at the NBC Studios in Los Angeles on Nov. 21, 2001. (Kevin Winter/Getty)

Column: Give him some respect — revisiting the jokes of Rodney Dangerfield

August 11, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

"I said I want a second opinion. He said OK, you're ugly.” No one told jokes quite like Rodney Dangerfield, and for a generation of comics, he remains an inspiration.

Advice columnist Ann Landers, left, and her twin sister, Abigail Van Buren, who wrote an advice column as Dear Abby, are shown in 1987, in Chicago. (John Bartley/baiduhai)

Column: After ‘Dear Abby’s’ retirement, where are all the people getting their advice?

August 5, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

A look at the history of the "Ann Landers" and “Dear Abby," two popular advice columns run by twin sisters.

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