The Perfect Amount of Wrong: The Rise of Alt Comedy on Chicago's North Side

by Mike Bridenstine

In just over a decade, a tiny, do-it-yourself stand-up scene on the North Side of Chicago produced some of the most successful and influential stand-up comedians of their generation. Hannibal Buress, T.J. Miller, Kyle Kinane, Cameron Esposito, Pete Holmes, Beth Stelling, Matt Braunger and Kumail Nanjiani make up a partial list of names of comics who emerged from a scene that had very little industry attention--or even a home club. It was also a scene that took a backseat to the city's vaunted improv institution, and if we're being completely honest, it was a scene where comics mostly performed to drunks in the backs of dingy bars on their off nights. None of it was glamorous. None of it should have worked at all. But somehow, some way, the comedians from this scene have managed to etch their own names into the Chicago comedy pantheon. The Perfect Amount of Wrong is the story of that scene, as told by its veterans.

Genres: History, Comedy

224 pages, Paperback

Published September 25, 2023

Reviews

[Adrienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book because my boyfriend recommended it — we met at open mics in Chicago in the late 2010s. It's funny, because the book feels like many conversations I've had with older comics about the era of comedy *they* came up in, too: endless names, places that may no longer exist, and jokes you can't fully understand unless you heard them and knew the characters involved. It's a whole world, before it changes. And reading this honestly did give me a newfound appreciation for the history of Chicago comedy and all of the twists & turns & labors of love that created the spaces we still use now, where I've met some of my best friends. Very cool to get a peek into the beginnings of things like ChUC and Lodge, which feel now like they've been around forever. Ultimately it's a great reminder that beloved mainstays of comedy don't appear out of nowhere and aren't guaranteed forever - people have to show up & make them happen & care & sometimes argue & participate in their community.

[Scott Brady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cool to have a brief time in an underground scene that produced some great comedians documented. This book made me wish I was around a for a place and time that I could have never been around for. Had me laughing out loud several times. Would recommend for the comedy fan.

[M P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mike covers the scene with extensive detail like only one who has experienced it can. The stories and anecdotes are amusing and hilarious. Mike writes with the nuance and proficiency far beyond the skills of a first time published author.

[Len or Len · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full disclosure: I was running around Chicago, doing improv at the same time all of these comedians were doing their thing at places like the Lincoln Lodge and the Lyon’s Den. Some of these standups are famous now (Kumail Nanjiani, Pete Holmes, TJ Miller) and some never really got there, but it’s still a fascinating look at what was going on in Chicago at that time.

[Chris Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite genre of book is oral history of a specific comedy scene where tons of famous people came through but everyone agrees this one person no one has heard of was the funniest comic. This book has like 5 or 6 of those funniest comics and I loved it every time.

[Nick San Miguel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome to learn about the origins of this scene

[Lowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully put together history by a first-time author. It felt like I was in the rooms while reading it. Bridenstine captures the feeling of a scene, the movement and my attention!

[Charlie Vinopal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book of the largely unknown history of emerging stand-up comedy in Chicago. Worth a read.

[Dan Bogosian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little self-indulgent in its first person passages but truly an interesting and thorough examination of a very specific comedy scene that I enjoyed reading.

[Mac Ferrone · Rating 4 out of 5]

The “Iron Man” of the ICU (Improv Cinematic Universe) 😎

Btw, “Something Wonderful Right Away” is “Fantastic Four: First Steps”