The Funniest One in the Room: The Lives and Legends of Del Close

by Kim Howard Johnson

Nichols and May. John Belushi. Bill Murray. Chris Farley. Tina Fey. Mike Myers. Stephen Colbert. For nearly a half century, Del Close—cocreator of the Harold, director for the Second City, San Francisco’s the Committee, and the ImprovOlympic, and “house metaphysician” for Saturday Night Live— influenced improvisational theater’s greatest comedic talents. His students went on to found the Groundlings in Los Angeles, the Upright Citizens Brigade in both New York and Los Angeles, and the Annoyance Theatre in Chicago. But this Pied Piper of improv has gone largely unrecognized outside the close-knit comedy community.             Del was never one to let the truth of his life stand in the way of a good story—and yet the truth is even more fascinating than the fiction. In his early years, he traveled the country with Dr. Dracula’s Den of Living Nightmares, knew L. Ron Hubbard before Scientology, and appeared in The Blob . Del cavorted with the Merry Pranksters, used aversion therapy to recover from alcoholism, and kicked a cocaine habit with the help of a coven of witches. And when he was dying, Del bequeathed his postmortem skull to the Goodman Theatre for use in its productions of Hamlet— a final legend that lives on, long beyond the death of the father of long-form improvisation.

Genres: Biography, Comedy, Humor, Nonfiction

416 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Harvey · Rating 4 out of 5]

- known 'in the business' as the father of long-form improvisation, Close was director of the Second City, Improv Olympic, and was 'house metaphysician" for Saturday Night Live. He worked with/directed a who's who of American comedy: John Belushi, Bill Murray, Chris Farley, Tina Fey, Mike Myers, Stephen Colbert, Bonnie Hunt, Gilda Radner, Dan Aykroyd, Joan Rivers, etc, etc, etc.
- appeared in the movie The Blob
- was friends with L. Ron Hubbard (before Scientology)
- consumed vast, immeasurable volumes of drugs
- blackouts, psychiatric admissions
- bequeathed his skull to be used in a production of Hamlet

[Brandon Will · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty good book about a pretty great man, altogether fascinating.

Chicago has been such a huge part of this countries' comedic growth. Del Close was here when it was happening - was part of the people that were making it happen; change in comedy and how its performed. Kim "Howard" Johnson was there for the end of Close's life, was mentored by him, and knew the people who knew him.

It's the epic story of a kid from Kansas who ended up changing the world (a little bit) (for better or for worse) (or both)

[Monty Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very detailed examination of Del Close's life, somewhat hampered by Del's lifelong habit of making stuff up about himself. So the first third of the book basically relays unlikely stories that Del told, then it tags all of them with the reluctant note that this one probably didn't happen either.

The weird thing is that for a book called "The Funniest One in The Room," it doesn't make Del seem very funny. Unstable and brilliantly creative, yes. But even the snippets from his stand-up act (which later, in a throwaway passage, seem like they might have been cribbed from a book that goes unnamed) aren't all that funny. I'm sure Del was funny, but I'm basing that on the number of very funny people he influenced, rather than anything I know about the actual guy.

[Tom Matthews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting account of a very influential -- and often concerning -- comedy legend. Humor as we know it would not be what it is now without the improv form he championed and the talents he discovered.

[Jackson Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

genius on stage but notorious arse

[MJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I kind of wish this book were slightly better written and more tightly edited. Still the subject is so interesting that it makes for an interesting read, and the author's friendship with Del Close gives it real warmth and heart. I was a fan of Close's writing, and lucky enough to see him in a couple of productions, and I feel that this book just expanded what I already knew about him immeasurably.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is very detailed about Close's life. The author definitely did his research. I may have gone in with too high of expectations since I am an improv nerd. I think I was looking for more insight into his process for performing and teaching improv whereas this book more details Del's day to day life events.

[Jill]

So far I'm a little sad. Johnson is debunking great crazy Del stories faster than he's providing new ones. It'll probably pick up, I'm only a little ways in.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Legendary creator of long-form improv who remains largely unknown. In comedy circles, the name Del Close is like a password to a secret society.

[Will Biby · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a great insight into the guru of improv. You might not have every heard of him, but you've seen his students on stage and screen.