… Yes. It sounds like the opening line of a terrible stand-up, but really, there is no other way to give you the setup for this video. Furniture tycoons, the Walter E. Smithe Brothers, brought together some of the most important, most influential and most popular people in Chicago for One Night Only event to say farewell to the man who made Chicago what it is today.

And they asked Schadenfreude to perform.

Doesn’t matter how that happened, what matters is that we took that honor, and ran with it. For the life of our sketch group, we have ALWAYS had loving adoration for our Mayor, what he is to the city, and how much material he has given us over the years. Like they say, “Mine it, it’s gold.” And we mined like Chinese-Americans brought over to California in the Gold Rush.

It only seemed right that we take this opportunity to not only memorialize Mayor Daley, but also make him laugh. And that’s just what Jason Challenger and Alderman Ed Bus did for 4 1/2 minutes.

If you would like to read Justin’s take on actually sitting up there and performing with the Mayor – click here. If you just want to watch the video – well, you’re in luck. It’s right here.

**Important Note: There’s a jump in the cut (I think there were tapes being changed, or something) but the bit is referring to Alderman Ed Bus telling Daley that we’re renaming Ada between Fulton & Lake Streets after him.**

Finally, special thanks to Bill O’Neill who went above and beyond the call of duty to put this together for us – Thanks Bill!

A good friend of Schad’s has been trying for the last few years to get his live show “Don’t Spit the Water” on to TV. He went to Nickelodeon, Comedy Central and even talked with some people over at the Price is Right.

Nothing panned out. But – the spirit of the guy who founded I Want To Draw A Cat For You keeps the project alive. He hooked up with the gang at WCIU-TV here in Chicago, and he has the official promise that if he can deliver a finished, air-ready pilot – it will be shown. ON TV. Not CAN-TV, but REAL TV. This is great. It’s a lofty goal, but he’s almost 50% of the way there with more than a month left. We can do it… If we all get together and help a buddy out.

Watch his video, click his link – get involved – it’s original, creative programming with some of Chicago’s funniest personalities!

It was with a heavy heart that Alderman Ed Bus gave his concession speech on Tuesday night. It was a long road of campaigning, shaking hands and kissing babes. But he did it. He even did it without a coat in the dead of winter, and both hands on a shovel, clearing the Blizzard of ’11 from everyone’s minds.

Watch Alderman on stage with Che “Rhymefest” Smith (Candidate for 20th Ward Alderman), Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd Ward), IL Senate President John Cullerton, Ald. Burt Natarus (Former) and Burt the Regular.

Bus in 2015.

Also, be sure to follow the whole story over at The 53rd Ward!

The Alderman holds a press conference at City Hall. Questions were asked, answered, skirted and tempers rose. All in all, it’s just business as usual in the 53rd.

Also, be sure to follow the whole story over at The 53rd Ward!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Better order now! Supplies are limited!

Guest Directed/Edited by Nick Wagner.

Also, be sure to follow the whole story over at The 53rd Ward!

It’s hard being Alderman. Sometimes, you need to retreat, and sit down with one of your closest confidants for dinner, just to talk things through, be a sounding board for ideas… Help you formulate your plan, and give advice when needed.

To Alderman Bus, that man is none other than Alderman Burt Natarus. For decades, the two have sat down, in the back of the chophouse, to meet, and discuss what’s troubling them. Tuesdays with Burt… This time, Alderman Bus discusses the current run for Mayor…

Click here to view the embedded video.

Also, be sure to follow the whole story over at The 53rd Ward!

It’s here – 53rd Ward: Episode 4

It’s just business as usual in the 53rd Ward, and, it seems the FBI is interested in that business. Jason is downloading movies, Alderman Bus is fishing off the back of a train, alone, and who is Martin Cassel? Everything is not as it seems, and it’s going to take someone like Alderman Bus to get to the root of the problem.

Watch this week’s episode with guest stars: T.J. Jagodowski and Alex Fendrich.

Also, be sure to follow the whole story over at The 53rd Ward!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Check out all the hot fundraising action when Alderman Bus and Jason head over to the Steppenwolf to discuss some grand fundraising ideas with Martha Lavey! The final product… is not what Alderman Bus expected, but The Neo-Futurists, Greg Allen and John Pierson bring to life the words Jason wrote in the new play, “Killshot.”

Also, be sure to follow the whole story over at The 53rd Ward!

Alderman Ed Bus appeared on “Chicago Newsroom” with host Ken Davis and guest Ben Joravsky from The Chicago Reader.

It wasn’t mean as an appearance as much as they were impeding on his time at Can-TV with “Ward Issues with Alderman Ed Bus.” Technically, this is the first mention, publicly of his run for Mayor of the City of Chicago.

Click the pic or the link – it will jump right to his spot!

YouTube Video

Also, be sure to follow the whole story over at The 53rd Ward!

Click here to view the embedded video.

You think it’s easy to just go out and say you’re running for Mayor? Oh no… There’s media planning. And how do you do it? You put it at the top of your weekly newsletter. And go talk to the gang at the Tribune.