By Peter Lindblad
It was pouring rain a few weeks ago, and suddenly, the car’s check engine light came on. The exit to the Milwaukee Improv in Brookfield was still a few miles away.
Somehow, we made it to the comedy club, parked in the underground garage, and breathed a sigh of comic relief, before arranging to stay over at a friend’s place and get our vehicle towed and looked at after the weekend. Chris Porter was performing that night, and my girlfriend and I needed some laughs.
Kansas City’s favorite son did not disappoint, taking out his frustrations on a packed house that happily lapped up like hungry dogs a seemingly endless stream of funny, outrageous rants – delivered with a slight Southern accent – on technology, relationships, and growing old that are very relatable, especially for anyone over age 45. You can laugh at his pain. It’s okay. Go and see him when he’s in your area.
In an old interview with Out & About Wisconsin, Porter explained that his onstage persona is different from what you see offstage.
“You get a little more frustrated with the world I guess as you get older,” said Porter. “Yeah, I’m angry onstage, but that allows me to be much healthier offstage. It’s almost like a therapy session.”
Here are some more therapy options for you. It’s cheaper than the real thing.
Milwaukee Improv – Brookfield (https://improv.com/milwaukee/)
American Misfits (July 12-13) – If there was ever an island of misfit comics, Joe Devito, Dave Landau, and Michael Loftus would have a home. Together, they form a three-headed monster of stand-up comedy. Landau is a fast-talking Detroiter, with improv skills honed at Second City and jokes that cut like a razor. Devito’s Dry Bar special has eclipsed 10 million views, and 10 million views can’t be wrong – his hilarious self-deprecating thoughts on dating at 50 hit a little too close to home. And then there’s Loftus, a longtime headliner who’s written and produced for Charlie Sheen’s “Anger Management” and “The George Lopez Show,” among others. https://davelandau.com/ https://www.joedevito.com/ https://x.com/mikeloftuscomic?lang=en
The Laughing Tap – Milwaukee (https://laughingtap.com/)
RNC Therapy (July 14) – Relief for election fatigue is on its way. PalmerTrolls (https://www.instagram.com/palmertrolls/?hl=en) – aka Ben Palmer – and Louis Lourant are bringing RNC Therapy to a city that’s going to need it. Milwaukee, prepare to be invaded by Republicans. It’s national convention time. These journalists have a way of hilariously trolling clueless politicians, providing priceless postgame analysis onstage. They have my vote. Evidently, they had quite a time recently at the U.S. Capitol, being asked to leave after bothering Marco Rubio, John Fetterman, and Josh Hawley. Here’s a taste of their act: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMG_yyRM_Zk
Skyline Comedy Club – Appleton (https://www.skylinecomedy.com/)
Dan Donohue (July 12-13) – Try washing dishes and telling jokes at the same time. Go ahead. It isn’t as easy as it sounds, but Dan Donohue did it in 2020 and became a Tik Tok and Instagram sensation. Having opened for the late Norm MacDonald and Ryan Hamilton, as well as other top-notch comedic talent, Donohue hosts the podcast “Danswers.”