Second City cancels The Late Live Show

Chicago’s live late-night talk show landscape has grown dimmer with the news that Second City has decided to pull the plug on The Late Live Show. According to the show’s co-creator and host Joe Kwaczala, the reason given for the cancellation was that the show’s producers were “using the Second City name to further the show.” That seems like what most folks would do when booking and promoting a weekly production at one of the most successful and recognizable venues in the city, so it’s safe to assume there’s an ulterior motive behind the show’s sudden dissolution.

The Late Live Show began its third season just over a month ago with a run of sold-out shows Saturdays at midnight. Since kicking off last summer, this tribute to the late-night talk format has featured guests like Community’s Danny Pudi, co-owner of Weird Chicago Tours and guy behind Northwestern University’s notorious “fucksaw” incident Ken Melvoin-Berg, and The A.V. Club’s own Nathan Rabin and Keith Phipps.

Kwaczala is unsure about the show’s future, but can potentially revive it in another form. “Luckily, no one owns the name ‘The Late Live Show,’” says Kwaczala, “so I’ve got that if I ever realize my dream of owning a petting zoo and can’t think of anything better.”

Late last night, Kwaczala posted a statement on the show’s website, announcing the cancellation. Kwaczala writes, “From here, the future of The Late Live Show is uncertain but hopeful... Our party fundraiser on September 4 is still happening, as we’re serious about both archiving all the previous shows and keeping the spirit of the show alive.” The fundraiser he mentions is a house party being thrown in the show’s honor as a means to purchase hard drives to archive past editions of the show (all of which have been filmed).

The final installment of The Late Live Show is at Second City this Saturday night, and looks to be a night of frustration, catharsis, and raw emotion. Kwaczala recalls Conan O’Brien’s last night on NBC when discussing plans for the final show, which will feature guest Beth Melewski of Cash Cab Chicago as well as a musical performance by local garage popsters Tyler Jon Tyler. Fans of late-night TV, local comedy, and being able to say, “I was there…” would be remiss to skip out on this one.