Word Balloon Comics Podcast

For years, Word Balloon has celebrated comics, pop culture, and the creative voices that shape them. Now, I want to turn the spotlight home, to Chicago radio comedy, a tradition that doesn’t always get its due.Other cities produced comedy collectives that broke out nationally—groups like The Credibility Gap, The Committee, Ace Trucking Company, and The Firesign Theater. They built reputations that went far beyond their local airwaves. Chicago took a different path. Our radio comedy was more idiosyncratic, more personality-driven, and deeply rooted in the city itself. But make no mistake—we had stars, innovators, and voices that mattered.This series of Word Balloon episodes will explore that history by talking directly to the people who lived it. Writers, performers, hosts, and producers who made Chicago radio funny, fearless, controversial, and unforgettable. Today’s episode starts on a personal note. During my years at WSCR The Score, I was lucky enough to contribute parody songs and character voices during