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Today’s Forecast

35º | Cloudy | 15% chance of sleet | Sunrise 7:28 a.m. | Sunset 4:39 p.m.
 

🤣 Knock knock. Who’s there? Madison comedy.

Knock knock. Who’s there? Madison comedy.
Chris Farley entertaining friends backstage
“Everybody who saw him perform got a little piece of his soul” - Bob Odenkirk on Chris Farley | Photo via @thesecondcity
This may sound cheesy, but we think you’re really grate. Perhaps that Wisconsin-centric dad joke made you smile some. No? Perhaps this, “What did the bottle write on the postcard? Wish you were beer.”

Madison has a rich history of goofs and guffaws. We’re writing this on December 18, the day, sadly, Chris Farley passed away in 1997.

With him in mind, here’s our Madison Comedy Mount Rushmore:

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The movie “Airplane!” is considered by many to be one of the funniest comedies of all-time. | Photo via Paramount Pictures

Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker

These three men created, in the opinion of City Editor Jonathan, the greatest comedy movie of all-time, “Airplane!.” It is also, hot take, Kareem Abdul-Jabaar’s greatest performance.

The three all attended UW-Madison and founded a small theater named Kentucky Fried Theater in 1971. The shows were a big hit, consistently selling out.

They took it to Los Angeles where it was well received there, too. So much so, “The Kentucky Fried Movie” was released in 1971.

From there, their breakout hit was “Airplane!,” with subsequent collaborations including “Top Secret!” and “The Naked Gun” series.

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Award-winning actress Joan Cusack attended UW-Madison pursuing an English degree. | Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Joan Cusack

Born in New York City, and raised in Evanston, Illinois, Joan Cusack came to UW-Madison to study English. She started her film career as a student. One of her first roles was 1984’s “Sixteen Candles.” After graduating, she moved back to New York and joined “Saturday Night Live.” She started taking more roles in films, including “Working Girl” and those “Toy Story” movies.

Chris Farley

The “fat guy in a little coat” has become a legend. From dancing alongside Patrick Swayze to living in a van down by the river; from drinking coffee to nearly being the voice of Shrek; the Madison native is a Madisonian through and through (as he and Letterman discussed).

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The Onion, the satiric news organization, started as a weekly newspaper in Madison. | Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Christopher Johnson and Tim Keck

On August 29, 1988, a newspaper launched in Madison. The first headline read, “Mendota Monster Mauls Madison.” So began The Onion.

It was conceived by UW-Madison students Christopher Johnson and Tim Keck. It was originally a weekly print newspaper for satirical news. Their friends, Scott Dikker and Peter Haise joined them in their endeavor. The paper was a success.
Keep on cracking up
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Events
Monday, Dec. 18
  • Happy Pawlidays Party at State Line Distillery | Monday, Dec. 18 | 7-9 p.m. | State Line Distillery, 1413 Northern Ct., Madison | Free | Have a howling good time at a dog-friendly holiday event.
  • Winter Reading Bingo | Monday, Dec. 18-Saturday, Jan. 20 | Monona Public Library, 1000 Nichols Rd., Madison | Free | Read some books in winter and win some prizes.
Tuesday, Dec. 19
  • Smarty Pints Trivia | Tuesday, Dec. 19 | 7 p.m. | High Noon Saloon, 701 E. Washington Ave., Madison | Free | Be a whiz with a weizenbock.
  • Darren Sterud Orchestra’s Ellington’s Nutcracker | Tuesday, Dec. 19-Wednesday, Dec. 20 | 7-10 p.m. | The Cardinal Bar, 418 E. Wilson St., Madison | $10-$30 | The magic of holiday music meets the magic of jazz legend Duke Ellington.
Wednesday, Dec. 20
  • Waksik Woosga Revitalization Class | Wednesday, Dec. 20 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Aldo Leopold Nature Center, 330 Femrite Dr., Monona | Learn about ceremonial practices with the Ho-Chunk Nation.
  • The Spice Box | Wednesday, Dec. 20 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Sun Prairie Public Library, 1350 Linnerud Dr., Sun Prairie | Free | Something’s cooking at the local library: fish stew and vegetarian quinoa with instructor Huma Siddiqui-Seitz.
Thursday, Dec. 21
Friday, Dec. 22
  • Tim Whalen Nonet | Friday, Dec. 22 | 8 p.m. | North Street Cabaret, 610 North St., Madison | $20 | There’s none better than this nonet.
    Events calendar here
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    News Notes
    Civic
    • The city’s Planning Division and the Wisconsin DOT are inviting residents to discuss the Highway 51 project. Changes being considered include major intersections along East Washington Avenue. The event takes place tonight at 6 p.m. at the Madison College Gateway Atrium.
    Cause
    • DAIS is looking for volunteers to help those impacted by domestic violence in Dane County. Volunteers go through an advocacy training program that starts in January. Interested parties are encouraged to apply.
    Biz
    • UW-Madison’s winter commencement was yesterday. Recent grads will be happy to know that the local job market looks promising. The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development recently stated that local businesses are looking for employees, particularly in the IT sector. (WKOW)
    Weather
    • Though there hasn’t been much measurable snowfall yet, it’s bound to come. When it does, the city is asking residents to curb our salt use. Bad for the environment, the city will be monitoring excessive salt use and can issue citations to violators. (Wisconsin State Journal)
    Civic
    • Congratulations, Jon Frank. The 17-year veteran of the Madison Fire Department received top honors from the Wisconsin EMS Association (WEMSA). The firefighter/paramedic at Fire Station 8 was recently named the 2023 WEMSA Paramedic of the Year.
    Community
    • Know a teen who wants to have fun and earn a few bucks in the process? The Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center is looking for paid interns to help with festival planning, particularly the popular Fête de Marquette event. Those interested are encouraged to register.
    Holiday
    • 2024 is right around the corner. How will you celebrate the New Year? There are a plethora of options. (Channel 3000)
    Feel Good
    Family
    • Winter Break is almost upon us — and that means lots of free time for the kiddos. If you’re looking for fun things to do, why not explore the play spaces at Madison Public Library? Each of their nine libraries offers something unique (think: art supplies, colorful building materials, and more). Stay warm and have fun at the library.*
     
    Environment

    🦅 Bird, bird, bird, bird is the word

    Have you heard you can help birds, Madisonians?
    A bald eagle and her young in a nest.jpeg
    There are around 1,600 nesting pairs of bald eagles in every county in Wisconsin. | Photo by Amber Leifheit via Badgerland Bird Alliance
    “Fly Like an Eagle,” sings the Steve Miller Band. Eagles are starting to fly again over Wisconsin’s winter skies. You can help our local feathered friends by volunteering to be a bald eagle nest watcher.

    Badgerland Bird Alliance is seeking citizen scientists to monitor our resident birds. Participants are matched with a nest, most about an hour’s drive from Madison, and will visit it once per week for an hour each time. Monitoring starts in February when adult birds begin preparing nests, until their young fledge.

    During that hour, volunteers will observe and document what the birds are doing. Training is provided and volunteers will learn all about bald eagles.

    Did you know: In the mid-1900s, bald eagles were on the brink of extinction due to various environmental hazards. In 1972, there were only 100 nesting pairs of bald eagles in Wisconsin. Today, there are around 1,600 nesting pairs in every county.
    The Buy

    The Buy 12.18.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
    A great game you can break out with the family this holiday season. Learn the rules to “Ransom Notes” in under a minute and get ready for belly laughs.
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    The Wrap
     
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    Today’s edition by:
    Jonathan
    From the editor
    I’ve always had thoughts of trying my hand at a few minutes of stand up comedy at an open mic night. Thus far, however, I’ve been a big chicken about the whole thing. Maybe, I’ll be brave and head to The Rigby.
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