OH MY GOD TWINKIES! ...and other news.

Credit to"Luke"... whoever you are.

That's the first image that comes up if you google "dead twinkie." I bet a lot of people are doing things like that today. So, aside from no more twinkies, CIA and FBI agents gettin' their groove on, and Gangnam Style, what else is happening in the news?

Anything new with Think Tank?

Why yes. Yes there is.

This weekend the guys are all taking part in the shooting of a comedy pilot directed by our good friend Alec Pinkston. Alec is the executive producer at the Odd Machine, a recent award-winner at the New York Television and Film Festival, and was MVP of the episode of the Price is Right in which he appeared... at least according to this freak.

The show we're shooting is called "Sick Day" and is sort of a morning show on crack. And speed. And acid. Alec has assembled a cast of many hilarious Chicago comedians and actors to take part in the show. Paul and Kevin will be providing a fashion segment. Brent will be doing investigative reporting. And Peter will be providing doctor's tips on diseases you can use to call in sick to work that day. We're looking forward to a fun, long weekend in the studio.

Sick Day set mid-construction

The 2013 Chicago Sketchfest lineup was just announced and we're glad to be making our 6th appearance at the best sketch comedy festival in the world. Think Tank's show will be January 12th at 6pm on the Thrust stage. Well get you more info on tickets when they go on-sale. We always make a blow-out spectacle of these shows, and this year will be no different.

AND FINALLY, (but most importantly as it's coming up soon and I probably should've put this at the top) we're doing our 3rd Annual Holiday Show To Benefit A Worthy Cause (working title).

For the second year in a row we've chosen the Maebell Ward Foundation, a partner with the Alzheimer's Association and started by our good friend Terron Edmonds. The show will be December 13th at 8pm at Fizz Bar. Keep an eye on our facebook page for an invite and more details about what will be a candy-caney, egg-noggy jingle-belly good time.

OK, thanks for reading. You can go back to mourning your favorite hostess snacks now, gangnam style.

NEW LIVE VIDEOS - Think Tank @ Chicago Underground Comedy

Earlier this year we had the immense pleasure of being the opening act at the Adam Burke Unlimited Show at ChUC (Chicago Underground Comedy). Thanks to one of the show’s producers, Elizabeth McQuern, we were able to retrieve some great footage. We’ve edited it down to 3 quick fun little clips for your enjoyment. Enjoy!

More Kickstarter Reward Muckleberry Videos!!!

As promised, here's a new batch of the Kickstarter reward videos from the Muckleberry Brothers!  This week, we're featuring videos for Colleen Bland, Judy Oltman (Brent's mom), and Colin Joliat from the Flint Skinny and Guyism, all of whom were gracious enough to contribute at least $100 to our kickstarter campaign and pushing this dream a little farther toward reality!  Thanks guys!  ENJOY!!!

Colleen Bland:

Brent's Mom:

   

Colin Joliat (the Flint Skinny):

 

And just in case you missed it, here's the latest video, Liptitor from Think Tank Comedy!!!

Kickstarter Rewards - Personalized Songs by The Muckleberry Brothers!!!

We began quite a big undertaking last year, raising over $5,500 to help shoot our original sketch comedy pilot Misguided TV. The first episode is in the final stages of post-production and should be finished in the next few weeks. We are getting really excited to submit it to the New York Television Festival for consideration!

In appreciation of all those who helped us raise the funds, we owe people some rewards!

For the first round of rewards, some of our kickstarter backers who pledged at least $100 are receiving short original songs composed and performed for them by The Muckleberry Brothers. We recorded about 20 songs total, so keep checking back. We will be releasing them gradually over the next two weeks.

The first three are dedicated to:

Michael "Rog" Gentile

Michael "Rog" Gentile's Kickstarter Reward from Think Tank's Muckleberry Brothers!!!! from Think Tank on Vimeo.

David Weglarz

Dave Weglarz Kickstarter Reward from the Muckleberry Bros. from Think Tank on Vimeo.

Casey Gustus

Casey Gustus Kickstarter Reward from the Muckleberry Bros!!!! from Think Tank on Vimeo.

Stay Tuned!!!

We have a bunch more songs coming over the next two weeks!!!!

International Women's Day!!

Happy International Women's Day!  We hope that you are all celebrating the international women in your life (if you don't have any, just be thankful for Alanis Morrisette, Shania Twain, Maria Sharapova, Shakira, and Giselle Bundchen).  One quarter of Think Tank has been lamenting the end of Peyton Manning's career in Indy, one quarter has been celebrating the end of Peyton Manning's career in Indy, one quarter has been lost in the Big East Tournament, and the last quarter is Peter.

We're still rocking and rolling as a unit, too.  We made our debut at Chicago Underground Comedy, Chicago's premiere standup comedy showcase, opening for the venerable and brilliant Adam Burke.  Chad Briggs hosted with some brilliant new hand job material, we did our thing for 20 minutes, then Burke went off on an 80 minute set that left us saying "Oh my God..." over and over again.  It was a room on fire, and he murdered it.

"Wilson?" -photo by Erin Nekervis

We just found out that we did not make the finalist list of the NYTVF (tear), but that's ok, it was our first run at it, and we're going to do nothing but get better.  As for this month, we have Pistol Party on March 13th at the Underground Lounge, and just in case you missed Adam's set last month, he'll be hosting this month's Pistol! (Although no 80min set this time, there's a show after us, and we gotta get ours too!)  The theme this month is a "St. Partridge Day Celebration," in honor of St. Patrick's older, lesser known brother who hated the color green, was quite opposed to drinking, loved snakes, and preferred mashed onions to mashed potatoes.  Should be a silly one for sure: Underground Lounge, Tuesday March 13th at 8pm.

Here's a parting shot for you.  Even if you've seen the Macho Man video we made last year, go back and watch it again, then read the ridiculous amount of hate comments people have left on it.  It's quite hilarious how much people hate it!  If you giggle, go ahead and give it a like to help counteract all of that evil.

Pistol Party is Tonight!! Here's a Little More About Our Host, Chad Briggs

Hey guys, we're getting really excited about the triumphant return of Pistol Party next week (Tuesday, November 8th, at Underground Lounge 8pm) and wanted to tell you a little more about our guest host, Chad Briggs.  We have been collaborating with Chad over the last month for videos and live bits that we will be unveiling on the 8th.  Here's a teaser for one video we're unveiling at the show:

Chad has been performing comedy Chicago for years, and has built up such accolades as Chicago Underground Comedy cast member, Andy Kaufman award finalist, and a regular at the Lincoln Lodge.  He is also a previous winner of the comedy talent competition, "Impress These Apes."  And now he can add "Hosted Pistol Party" to his resumé.  He regularly cracks us up on twitter <@mrchadbriggs>.  Here are a few of our recent favorites (as he sometimes refers to them, briggsy-twits):

MrChadBriggs Please leave Herman Cain alone. He's way too funny. We need to laugh and I don't think that Sandler in a dress picture's gonna cut it. 11/1/11 9:26 AM

MrChadBriggs I think the CTA should replace "If you see something, say something" campaign with "please wash your ass before boarding." 10/31/11 6:46 PM

MrChadBriggs Powdered eggs scooped out of a chafing dish and the phrase "Good morning" creep me out. Independently and together. 10/28/11 11:10 AM

And here's another great clip of Chad's stand up at ChUC:

He also performs regularly as Safety Specialist, D.K. Ediger, which is one of our favorites.  D.K. has appeared multiple times at Pistol Party.  Here's a PSA from D.K.:

See you November 8th.  Stay tuned this week for Funeral parts 2 & 3.

Pistol Party Housewarming Show with host Chad Briggs!!!

November 8th, 8pm at the Underground Lounge

952 W. Newport (intersection of Clark/Sheffield/Newport)

Just $5.