Just for Laughs Chicago Festival: Day 2

Day two of the 2009 Just for Laughs Chicago Festival was an improvement over the first day, largely thanks to bigger, better lineups and some higher-profile shows. Of course, in some cases, that high profile was as much a curse as a blessing.

The first show I took in was "Let Freedom Hum: An Evening of Comedy Hosted by Martin Short" at the Vic Theater. While I really don't understand that "Freedom Hum" title, the performance was essentially just a showcase for several club comics in a big theater setting. The best of the comics were Greg Giraldo, as I anticipated, and John Pinette, who I had mistakenly written off years ago but who proved himself to be an incredibly efficient, effective stand-up. Unfortunately, TBS (the festival's sponsor) was recording the performance to be broadcast on June 26, and too often the logistics of a TV taping got in the way of the live performance. For more on what I mean, check out my full review of "Let Freedom Hum".

Perhaps the most exciting part of "Let Freedom Hum" for me was seeing Harold Ramis in the audience (pictured here). His Year One is out today, and I love the fact that the night before his big comedy opened he was seeing his friend Martin Short perform in Chicago. This is but another reason why I love Harold Ramis, who I'm convinced is one of the best people alive. I don't usually get starstruck but have to admit that I was pretty geeked to see him there.

Then it was back into The Vic for the sold-out "Nasty Show," one of two shows I was most looking forward to during the festival. It absolutely didn't disappoint. With a lineup including Nick Di Paolo, Jim Jeffries, Patrice O'Neal and the brilliant Louis C.K., "The Nasty Show" never let up once it got going (it took a bit to get going). There are still three days left in the festival (including the upcoming "Bob and David and Friends"), but I suspect "The Nasty Show" is going to be tough to beat. Check out my full review of "The Nasty Show" for more on what made this such a filthy, funny performance.

I had every intention of heading over to the Bob Odenkirk "Best of Sketchfest" at ImprovOlympic, but the performance of "The Nasty Show" began late and ran past 12 a.m., so I wasn't able to make it. Maybe Friday will work out better, but now it's competing with Paul Provenza's "Green Room" and "The Very Funny Show" at Zanies, featuring the great John Mulaney. Can I do both? Decisions, decisions.

• Just for Laughs Chicago Festival: Day 1
• 10 Shows to See at the Just for Laughs Festival
• 2009 Just for Laughs Schedule

Photo by Barry Brecheisen/Getty Images