By some streak of comedic luck, three nationally renowned comics perform in Chicago this weekend. Rising South Carolinian Rory Scovel will move in for a four-set residency at UP Comedy Club tonight, while on-screen stars Wanda Sykes (Last Comic Standing) and Brian Posehn (The Sarah Silverman Show) headline their own (unfortunately conflicting) Saturday night shows. Take a peek at each comic's style below to help decide which.
Wanda Sykes
Style: Raunchy realism
From the Mike: "Our education system does not work. That's why we have shows like 'are you smarter than a fifth grader?' People sitting at home [going] ‘Oh, I think I know this one.' You're supposed to! You're 32 years old!"
Details: Saturday at 8 p.m. Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State. $54–$90.
Rory Scovel
Style: Smooth-talking stoner
From the Mike: "Get high. Go grocery shopping. It will quickly become the most expensive scavenger hunt you've ever been on."
Details: Friday and Saturday at 8 and 10 p.m. UP Comedy Club, 230 W. North. $20. (Chicago émigré Liza Treyger opens.)
Brian Posehn
Style: Sophomoric and nerdy
From the Mike: "[My wife] is so sick of hearing the word ‘star' next to the word 'wars' and then what comes out of my mouth afterwards. Because it's my Vietnam. I'm the old guy who loses his shit when it comes up."
Details: Saturday at 7:30. Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont. $20.