The Best of Second City

by The Second City, Ed Asner, Arye Gross

Take an unforgettable ride with the classic sketches that helped make this Americas foremost comedy troupe. The Second City lampoons every aspect of modern American life, with brilliant improvised sketches on subjects ranging from salad bars to affairs of state. A L.A. Theatre Works full-cast performance Fran Adams, Scott Adsit, Scott Allman, Edward Asner, Samantha Bennett, Jennifer Bill, Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert, Paul Dinello, Arye Gross, Jenn Jolovitz, Tim Kazurinsky, Laura Krafft, Joe Liss, Marsha Mason, Michael McCarthy, Jerry Minor, Tim O'Malley, David Razowsky, Mitch Rouse, John Rubano, Ruth Rudnick, Amy Sedaris, Brian Stack, Jill Talley, Miriam Tolan, Nia Vardalos, Ron West, Peter Zahradnick and Jim Zulevic.

Genres: Humor, Audiobook, Comedy

1 pages, Audio CD

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Luckily this was short, but I barely cracked a smile the entire book. My library has 3 of these & they're done in conjunction with LA Theater Works who has other productions I've enjoyed a lot, but it just didn't work. Seeing the people act might have helped, but it fell flat in this format. I'm only giving it 2 stars because I did manage to get through the entire thing, but I can't recommend it at all.

[JZ · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK. What you need to know is that this isn't any different from the first hour of The Best of Second City.

Now, I face the ethical quandry (yes, my ethical quandries are trite and insignificant in the greater perspective of life, the universe, and everything) as to count this as a seperate volume to count toward my 'book challenge' count, or not.

Ha.

Let's get to the nitty-gritty. There are some absolutely brilliant pieces here. The final one, about men dealing with childbirth, is timeless. Men, as all mothers know, are totally clueless. Effing clueless.

The Salad Bar is so freaking funny, I can hardly stand it. I know that I would not have found it so funny 50 years ago, but, I am not that person any longer.

I find it noteworthy, if not sobering, that most comedy is written by the young, for the young. They're just beginning to find out how screwed we are. They should listen to George Carlin.

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a lifelong Chicagoan, I FULLY enjoyed this audio-book. So many hilarious takes on Chicago culture from the Italian family with the plastic on the furniture to the "friendly" Chicago government's welcome to a couple new to Chicago. These sketches had me in stitches.

[Jan C · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was great. I haven't been to Second City in years. Although I don't recall any of these bits, they were just as funny. And it brought together a wide variety of Second City alumni. I think this has to be listened to.

[Dave Sucharski · Rating 2 out of 5]

Most of these sketches really do not age well.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
There were some skits that made this worth the listen. However, I do think some things were lost in not being present. Steve Carell and Stephen Colbert are part of the cast and it was fun to hear them improvise. Some funny pieces were "gifts" and the last one with Steve Carell where they took suggestions from the audience: A Roman Bath during the Depression...

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super fun book that allows you a peek into the improv process. I"m glad I chose this. In addition, there are power house performances that inadvertently illuminate the development of characters, an invaluable skill for those in today's comedic and dramatic entertainment businesses.

[James Biser · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an entertaining recording of the Second City cast. There are several funny skits by some well-known comedians.

[Nick D · Rating 2 out of 5]

A nice mental break from the typical audiobook.

[Ron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Doesn't hold up well over time.

[Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

The audio record includes some sketch scenes from Second City. The best sketch scenes show how simple setup and genuine emotion & reaction can create a great story. Listening through the scenes reminded me of some key concepts in comedy:

- Best comedy scenes come out of people being genuine and authentic at the moment. This idea applies to everyday life as well. A great person is a person who acts genuinely, and it’s much easier to say then do.
- A great story involves around one focus point. The focus point maybe a personal conflict, a conversational confusion, or a crisis a group of people is dealing with. Having a center point for a story makes a story digestible and enjoyable for the audience.

P.S. The recording also reminded me that I am very lucky to live in Chicago, it is a town of comedy and it gives me access to some most talented comedians and actors.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, so 'read' isn't exactly an accurate fact. But I was in hopsital the last three days and I listened to it on audio book while I was there. I enjoyed it and it brought back memories of whatching it on tv. I think it kept me sane while i was recovering. if you every were a fan of the show you would probably enjoy the book.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess I thought this was a book about The Second City's philosophy or history. It wasn't. It was a collection of sketches for radio. It was funny and I enjoyed the listen, but it just wasn't what I thought.

[Christopher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Intermittently amusing.

[Michelle Winters · Rating 4 out of 5]

some amazing funny stuff from famous comedians BEFORE they were famous LOL

[thewestchestarian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some of it is funny but not much.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

more than a few are side splitting

[Glenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

lol. . .I listened to this on my MP3 player and downloaded it from HDL/MLC.

[Bridget Morse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plastic seat covers, the opera, GENIUS

[Kristen]

I think this was a tough audiobook, but i am sure thus was a hilarious cast in the day!

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as funny as I expected for a best of, but still pretty good. I also thought there would be more improv.