The Paper Machete

Matt Klingler as Terrence McCarthy: Sharing a Birthday with Elvis [Extra Slice]

info@thepapermachete.org (The Paper Machete) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 06:06:35 +0000

Matt Klingler shares his birthday with Elvis . . . and several other people of note. On this their birthday, we go to the archives for Matt’s debut performance as Terrence McCarthy, The Paper Machete’s Big Idea Man, on the woes of celebrity birthday sharing. Recorded at Ricochet’s on 1/8/11.

Machete Extra Slice: Kim Bellware on Al Jazeera English in Chicago

info@thepapermachete.org (The Paper Machete) — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 20:19:11 +0000

In this Extra Slice from the 11/5/11 show, Kim Bellware (the Chicagoist) welcomes Al Jazeera English to its new Chicago home.

Machete Extra Slice: Nick Vatterott

info@thepapermachete.org (The Paper Machete) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 16:20:52 +0000

For this week’s Machete Extra Slice* we present the full comedy set of New York comedian Nick Vatterott, who investigated the oracle powers of Google at the 10/22 show. *Machete Extra Slices are bonus clips from shows, beyond what we’re able to fit on the Radio Magazine.

Machete Extra Slice: Thea Lux as Nadine Valentine

info@thepapermachete.org (The Paper Machete) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 17:38:34 +0000

For our first web-site-exclusive Machete Extra Slice, we present the full 10/15/11 set of local singer/songwriter/comedienne Thea Lux, who appeared in the show as indie rock sensation Nadine Valentine. You know: Nadine Valentine? Pronounced Valen-TEEN? She’s that chick who sounds like she might have a speech impediment and you hear her all the time in [...]

8/20/11 Live Magazine + Radio Magazine [PODCAST]

info@thepapermachete.org (The Paper Machete) — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 23:52:00 +0000

The 8/20 show featured guest host Steve Waltien in for Christopher Piatt. Table of contents (hh:mm:ss) ACT I 0:00 Steve’s Intro 05:00 – Jeremy Owens on Kim Kardashian’s wedding 14:01 – Mary Fons on Madison Young’s MILF art exhibit 24:03 – Paul Whitehouse with the Expert Expart report on Wisconsin 33:40 – Mal Darcy‘s first [...]

7/23/11 Live Magazine + Radio Magazine [PODCAST]

info@thepapermachete.org (The Paper Machete) — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 01:30:52 +0000

Topics in the 7/23 show included the heat wave, Groupon, En Route, Marilyn’s statue, sexual coming-of-age in the internet age, and a religion report. Musical guests Good Evening brought the house down with two sets & a little tap dancing. Recorded at The Horseshoe, 7/23/11 You can also find this week’s issue of THE PAPER [...]

7/16/11 Live Magazine + Radio Magazine [PODCAST]

info@thepapermachete.org (The Paper Machete) — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 21:06:53 +0000

The 7/17 docket reads like an all-star line-up of our favorite Machete regulars. We also present the Machete debuts of Mark Bazer and Will Phalen! Mark hosts The Interview Show at The Hideout on first Fridays, and Will just released his new album, Holy Ghost/Gold Coast. Remember, you can now also get this week’s issue [...]

7/2/11 Radio Magazine – New Format! [PODCAST]

info@thepapermachete.org (The Paper Machete) — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 21:42:37 +0000

Here’s the third edition of The Paper Machete Radio Magazine, where we bring you multiple pieces from a single Paper Machete show. With the 7/2/11 issue, we launch a new format: The producers DJ a few selections from that week’s live show. Christopher Piatt and Ali Weiss offer a little behind-the-scenes info about each piece [...]

The Paper Machete Radio Magazine: Issue Date 6/25/11 [PODCAST]

info@thepapermachete.org (The Paper Machete) — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 03:06:02 +0000

The 6/25 show included a number of Pride-related pieces, ranging from an uproarious gay iconography lesson by Rob Anderson (Impress These Apes) to a provocative essay about the gay movement’s path from camp to moral seriousness by Sharon Greene (The Neo-Futurists). This week’s Radio Magazine also includes Zach Wahls (University of Iowa student best know [...]

The Paper Machete Radio Magazine: Issue Date 6/18/11 [PODCAST]

info@thepapermachete.org (The Paper Machete) — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 04:49:03 +0000

We’re proud to present the second installment of The Paper Machete Radio Magazine, featuring selections* from the 6/18/11 show, our inaugural gig at the Horseshoe. We’ve got Kate James of Schadenfreude, with her story of unintentional viral video stardom; slam poet Emily Rose with a piece imagining Sally Ride’s message to Amelia Earhart; music from [...]

The Paper Machete Radio Magazine: Issue Date 6/11/11 [PODCAST]

info@thepapermachete.org (The Paper Machete) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 20:09:43 +0000

In a first here at the Machete, we present you with an entire show in one podcast. We call it The Paper Machete Radio Magazine, Issue Date 6/11/11. This show will always hold a place in our hearts, as it was our last regular Saturday afternoon performance at Ricochet’s. We welcomed our own 47th Ward [...]

Brendan Dowling and Tim Sniffen with Relationship Advice for Newt [PODCAST]

info@thepapermachete.org (The Paper Machete) — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 04:23:19 +0000

The Second City’s Tim Sniffen and Brendan Dowling share the transcript of a marriage counseling session with their friend Newt Gingrich. Introduction by Christopher Piatt. Recorded at Ricochet’s by Tim Mata for WBEZ.

An Original Paper Machete Radio Play by Brett Neveu [PODCAST]

info@thepapermachete.org (The Paper Machete) — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 13:17:06 +0000

In a new experiment, we asked playwright Brett Neveu (A Red Orchid Theatre) to write a radio play based on a current event of the week, and we then performed it in the show. Brett chose a New York Times article, “Learning to Let Go of Your Money,” about the outlandish scam of a so-called [...]

Dennis O’Toole on the Joakim Noah and the History of Sports Heckling [PODCAST]

info@thepapermachete.org (The Paper Machete) — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 13:15:58 +0000

So, for 5/28/11 show we assigned the sports report before the Bulls lost the NBA Eastern Conference Finals to the Heat. Nonetheless, writer Dennis O’Toole’s piece on Joakim Noah’s $50,000 fine, sports heckling and Catholic school nerds is one for the ages. Note: Edited out are some dramatic pauses where Dennis, dressed in the most [...]

Dan Caffrey: The New Muppet Movie [PODCAST]

info@thepapermachete.org (The Paper Machete) — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 13:13:21 +0000

Dan Caffrey (writer/director, Artistic Director of Tympanic Theatre) speculates about the upcoming new Muppet Movie in the 5/21/11 show. Introduction by Christopher Piatt. Recorded at Ricochet’s by Anna Weber.

Chloe Ditzel on The Doughnut Vault [PODCAST]

info@thepapermachete.org (The Paper Machete) — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 13:12:28 +0000

In the 5/21/11 show’s controversial Food Report, comedian Chloe Ditzel (Impress These Apes) pokes some holes in Chicago’s new “It” pastry destination, The Doughnut Vault. Introduction by Christopher Piatt. Recorded at Ricochet’s by Anna Weber.

Bethany Thomas: “Mellow My Mind” by Neil Young [PODCAST]

info@thepapermachete.org (The Paper Machete) — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 13:05:59 +0000

From the archives: Bethany Thomas, now appearing in the Court Theater’s Porgy and Bess, sings a deep cut by her favorite singer/songwriter at the 7/10/2010 show. Guitar: Tony Focht. Introduction by Christopher Piatt. Recorded by Kyle Hamman at Ricochet’s.

Eric and Andy Take the Rapture

info@thepapermachete.org (The Paper Machete) — Thu, 26 May 2011 03:52:12 +0000

It’s been four days since the world ended and we still can’t get over Eric & Andy’s final farewell to the universe at the 5/21/2011 show. Of course, Harold Camping has since insisted that his Judgement Day prediction was correct — we’re all being judged right now, just not with earthquakes because God is nice, [...]

Alan Metoskie Waxes Poetic on Common

info@thepapermachete.org (The Paper Machete) — Thu, 19 May 2011 15:47:15 +0000

Comedian Alan Metoskie (Comedy Sportz) looks at the controversey surrounding rapper Common’s White House appearance while revealing his incredibly deep (as in, listener-discretion-advised deep) admiration of the artist. Introduction by Christopher Piatt. Recorded at Ricochet’s on 5/7/11 by Tim Mata for WBEZ

Dan Granata on Lewis & Clark & Buyer’s Remorse

info@thepapermachete.org (The Paper Machete) — Thu, 19 May 2011 15:47:00 +0000

Dan Granata (actor/writer) came to the show on 5/14/11, the anniversary of the Lewis and Clark expedition kick-off, to offer some insight into WTF they were doing. Introduction by Christopher Piatt. Recorded at Ricochet’s on 5/7/11 by Tim Mata for WBEZ

Jonas Friddle 5/7/11

info@thepapermachete.org (The Paper Machete) — Thu, 19 May 2011 14:42:35 +0000

Machete house musician and jug band champion Jonas Friddle plays 3 songs on his banjo at the 5/7/11 show. Jared Facknitz (Beaten by Yuri) on percussion. Introduction by Christopher Piatt. Recorded at Ricochet’s on 5/7/11 by Tim Mata for WBEZ

Hans Holsen: What Will Grant Achatz Do NEXT?

info@thepapermachete.org (The Paper Machete) — Thu, 19 May 2011 14:33:26 +0000

Comedian Hans Holsen (Baby Wants Candy, The Annoyance, The Second City) offers an exclusive peek at the next groundbreaking projects from molecular gastronomy wunderkind Grant Achatz. Introduction by Christopher Piatt. Recorded at Ricochet’s on 5/7/11 by Tim Mata for WBEZ

US Army Sgt Matt Ulrich on Osama bin Laden

info@thepapermachete.org (The Paper Machete) — Sat, 14 May 2011 17:28:17 +0000

Comedian and Iraq War veteran Matt Ulrich offers a soldier’s perspective of the bizarre media frenzy and social network buzz surrounding Osama bin Laden’s assassination. Introduction by Christopher Piatt. Recorded at Ricochet’s by Tim Mata for WBEZ.

Julie Cowden: Life in Tornado Alley

info@thepapermachete.org (The Paper Machete) — Sat, 14 May 2011 16:45:06 +0000

Faced with major events around the nation and the globe, The Paper Machete calls in “Expert Expats” for the insider perspective. Julie Cowden, an Arkansas native living in Chicago, came to the 5/7/11 show to discuss the tornado devastation in Alabama and throughout the southern states. She gave us an eloquent and chilling glimpse into [...]

Aemilia Scott on the SCOTUS Blow to Class Action

info@thepapermachete.org (The Paper Machete) — Sat, 14 May 2011 01:46:06 +0000

Following the April 2011 Supreme Court decision in AT&T Mobility v Concepcion, Aemilia Scott (writer/actress, Best Church of God) looks at the tide against class action lawsuits in favor of corporate interests — and the futility of feudal law.