Ellen DeGeneres kicks off “Very Funny” Festival: Just for Laughs

By April MacIntyre Jun 15, 2010, 5:03 GMT

Ellen DeGeneres at NBC Chicago Dick Johnson, Marion Brooks, Brant Miller, Photo by Mike Rozman courtesy of TBS

Ellen DeGeneres kicked off the second annual TBS Presents a “Very Funny” Festival: Just for Laughs this afternoon by taking over NBC Chicago. 

The daytime chatter and American Idol judge surprised local newscasters with a visit to the station and a live appearance on the evening news.  She spent time behind the news desk and gave her own unique weather report, giving new meaning to the term "low pressure."  

Ellen will tape her fourth variety show for TBS, Ellen’s Somewhat Special Special, on Wednesday, June 16, at the Chicago Theatre.  A limited number of tickets are still available.  The special will air on TBS on Sunday, June 27, at 9/8c.
 
TBS Presents a “Very Funny” Festival: Just for Laughs officially returns to Chicago for five nights at 17 venues with more than 100 comedians.  The star-studded event takes place Tuesday, June 15 – Saturday, June 19. 

Also taping for TBS, Cedric The Entertainer will host Cedric The Entertainer’s Urban Circus, and Andy Richter and Reggie Watts will be among the talents as Team Coco presents Conan’s Writers Live hosted by Andy Richter.
 
Other Festival performers include Russell Peters, Denis Leary, Greg Giraldo, Jim Norton, Aziz Ansari, Patton Oswalt, Tim Meadows, Adam Carolla, JB Smoove as his character Leon Black, Rob Corrdry and his new series Childrens Hospital and George Wendt, Tim Kazurinsky and other comedy greats from the Second City class of ’79. 

Tickets for Festival performances are available at all Ticketmaster locations, online at http://www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at 800/745-3000.  Tickets for Festival events will also be available at respective venue box offices.  A complete schedule of announced performances and other Festival information are available at http://www.justforlaughschicago.com.