No, T9, I don't mean NFL...

Earlier this week the motherload of comedy arrived in our fair city.  Importing such giant superstars as Ellen Degeneres and, for the alternative set, Bob Odenkirk and David Cross, and showcasing some top local talent, Just for Laughs Chicago makes this a week unlike any other. 

For six magical days, comedy is the sun and all must fall into it's orbit.  Decider knows it.  So does Time Out.  Even the Sun-Times and ChicagoNow's parent company, the Tribune, are on board. 

I'm sure the big names are gonna nail it, but in case you're looking for an off the beaten path show, here are two recommendations:

The Team Submarine boys and their zippers.

1. Team Submarine, Friday, June 19th, 9 PM, IO Theater
This beloved comedy duo recently relocated to New York from Chicago.  Their timing is spot on and their material beautifully strange, but most impressive of all is their ability to give and take on stage...you won't believe they actually have separate brains.  (I don't.)

Don't Spit the Water. Do go shirtless.

2. Don't Spit the Water, Saturday, June 20th, 8 and 10:30 PM, Playground Theater
Created by Blewt Productions and billed as Chicago's original "crazy live game show," DSTW had a four-year run of packed houses at the Playground before calling it quits.  Blewt has since developed Impress These Apes, another wildly popular game show, and DSTW  hosts Sasha and the Noob have kept up their funnies with local cable access show, Talkin' Funny.  Here's the most recent episode of Talkin Funny:



To purchase tickets to either of these shows, or see a full festival schedule, visit www.justforlaughschicago.com.  Read more about JFL on Jason Chin's An Improvised Blog.