Chris Knutson

Last updated
Chris Knutson
Born1982or1983(age 39–40) [1]
OccupationStand-up comedian
Years active2006-present
Known forValley Meadows

Chris Knutson is an American stand-up comedian from Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is known for his work as half of the comedy-rap duo Valley Meadows. Patrick Strait of City Pages said that "Knutson has established himself as one of the most consistently funny performers" in the Midwest. [2]

Contents

Knutson has released three albums on Stand Up! Records, most recently 2021's Rewound.

Career

Knutson began performing improv comedy in 2006, [3] [1] and stand-up in 2009. [4] He won Acme Comedy Company's "Funniest Person in the Twin Cities" contest in 2010. [5] [6] [7] His comedy style is sometimes experimental, veering away from traditional first-person stand-up to blend in sketchwork or perform as a character, often one who does not realize he is bad at stand-up. [8] He has toured nationally [9] [10] [11] and performed at comedy festivals including 10,000 Laughs [12] [13] and Gilda's LaughFest. [14] Vincent Terrace, reviewing the series in his book Internet Comedy Television Series, 1997-2015, felt that "the characterizations are a bit rough" but called the series "an interesting idea about two friends just trying to get by." [15]

Knutson formed Valley Meadows in 2008 with Zach Coulter. [12] The duo perform in character as substitute teacher Gary Shinchenshenzenski and MC Tom Johnson, [16] [17] who try to become rap stars in a foolish attempt to earn respect, with songs about unlikely topics such as ice cream, karate, and Paul Reiser. [18] The duo also starred in an online video series, Valley Meadows, in 2014, which Knutson wrote. [15] The syndicated newspaper column In Focus praised the series as "capable of going anywhere". [19] [20] [21] [22] The webseries was nominated for four awards at the 2015 Los Angeles Web Series Festival: Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Writing, Outstanding Lead Actor (for Knutson), and Outstanding Guest Actor (for Dan Susmilch). [23] [24] In 2012, laughspin.com nominated Valley Meadows for its Readers Choice Award for Best Musical Comedy Act. [25] [4] Vincent Terrace, reviewing the series in his book Internet Comedy Television Series, 1997-2015, felt that "the characterizations are a bit rough" but called the series "an interesting idea about two friends just trying to get by." [15]

Knutson was also a founding member of sketch comedy group The Turkeys. [26] [3] [27]

Knutson and his wife had a son in 2014, and fatherhood quickly become a main topic of his comedy. [28] A stop-motion video Knutson made of his son's teddy bear meeting the baby for the first time went viral, receiving more than 2 million views on YouTube [4] and national coverage on ABC News, [29] the Associated Press, and other news media. [30] Another video series, Baby Cop, followed in 2014–15. [31]

Albums

Knutson has released three albums on Stand Up! Records. His solo stand-up album Rewound was recorded at Sisyphus Brewing in Minneapolis in 2015 [2] [32] and released in 2021. Valley Meadows released a self-titled album in 2012. [16] [33] Jake Austen of Roctober magazine called it "white-guy rap absurdity [that's] amusing even if the form is flawed." [34] Knutson was also part of the Stand Up!-released group album Nerd Alert!, a compilation of Minnesota comics riffing on science fiction and other geek-friendly topics. [35] Austen called Nerd Alert! "a product of [Minneapolis'] impressive comedy scene [that] is something that town can be very proud of." [34]

Discography

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gabriel Iglesias</span> American comedian (born 1976)

Gabriel Jesús Iglesias is an American stand-up comedian and actor. He has produced a number of stand-up specials for television outlets such as Comedy Central and Netflix, including I'm Not Fat… I'm Fluffy and Hot & Fluffy. As an actor, he has appeared in numerous live-action and animated TV shows and films, including starring in the sitcom Mr. Iglesias on Netflix, playing Tobias in the 2012 movie Magic Mike and its 2015 sequel, and providing the voice of Speedy Gonzales in Space Jam: A New Legacy. He was also the host of the shows Stand Up Revolution on Comedy Central and Fluffy's Food Adventures on Fuse.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul F. Tompkins</span> American actor and comedian (born 1968)

Paul Francis Tompkins is an American comedian, actor, and writer. He is known for his work in television on such programs as Mr. Show with Bob and David, Real Time with Bill Maher, and Best Week Ever, later renamed Best Week Ever with Paul F. Tompkins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Hardwick</span> American comedian and actor (born 1971)

Christopher Ryan Hardwick is an American comedian, actor, television and podcast host, writer, and producer. He hosts Talking Dead, an hourlong aftershow on AMC affiliated with the network's zombie drama series The Walking Dead and Fear the Walking Dead, as well as Talking with Chris Hardwick, a show in which Hardwick interviews prominent pop culture figures, and The Wall, a plinko-inspired gameshow on NBC, Hardwick created Nerdist Industries, operator of the Nerdist Podcast Network and home of his podcast The Nerdist Podcast, which later left the network and was renamed to ID10T with Chris Hardwick. His podcast has broadcast 1,000 episodes as of December 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stand Up! Records</span> American comedy record label based in Minneapolis

Stand Up! Records is an American independent comedy record label founded in Minneapolis, Minnesota, by Grammy-winning producer Dan Schlissel. It has been called "the country's most respected indie comedy label." Stand Up! has released more than 200 comedy albums and videos since its founding in 2000, including albums by Lewis Black, Patton Oswalt, Greg Proops, David Cross, Maria Bamford, Hannibal Buress, Judy Gold, the Sklar Brothers, and Eddie Pepitone. Comedian and actor Marc Maron, who released his first three albums on Stand Up!, described Schlissel as "a guy who loves comedy, and is very attentive to the process of recording comedy," and, referencing the large number of noteworthy comics who were given important exposure in their early careers by the label, joked that "you've done everybody's first two records."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fancy Ray</span> American stand-up comedian

Fancy Ray McCloney is a stand-up comedian and advertising pitchman from Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is known for his flamboyant comic persona, once described as "gleefully narcissistic," blending elements of Little Richard, Muhammad Ali, James Brown, Prince, and a tent-revival preacher. He is known for producing and starring in low-budget TV ads for local businesses in the Twin Cities and markets across the U.S., including a Taco Bell ad aired during the 2016 Super Bowl that played off his status as a "local legend." Rarely breaking character on stage or off, Fancy Ray is a buoyantly self-aggrandizing, larger-than-life personality given to spontaneous poetry and mock-boastful proclamations including his oft-repeated characteristic catchphrase "I'm the best-lookin’ man in comedy."

Tim Harmston is a stand-up comedian from Minneapolis. He competed on Last Comic Standing in 2014, and has performed on The Late Show With David Letterman and Comedy Central's Live at Gotham. Star Tribune critic Jay Boller wrote that Harmston combines "the cadence of Brian Regan and the observational absurdism of Jim Gaffigan." He has released two albums on Stand Up! Records, The Most Bees Ever and The Whim of Tim.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Mande</span> American screenwriter

Joseph Mande is an American stand-up comedian, writer, and actor.

Mikelle Louise Budge, professionally known as Mary Mack, is an American comedian, musician, and writer. Mack currently stars as Jesse Wearsprada Solar-Opposites in the Justin Roiland-produced animated sitcom Solar Opposites, which debuted May 8, 2020 on Hulu. She has released five albums of her stand-up.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chad Daniels</span> American comedian from Minnesota

Chad Daniels is an American comedian from Fergus Falls, Minnesota. His albums have reached the top 10 on the Billboard comedy charts three times: No. 2 for 2017's Footprints On The Moon, No. 6 for 2019's Dad Chaniels, and No. 7 for 2014's Natural Selection. As of 2019, his albums have been streamed more than 700 million times. Footprints on the Moon also reached No. 1 on the iTunes comedy chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Lawrence (comedian)</span>

Michael Patrick Lawrence is an American comedian and writer from Davie, Florida. He formerly lived in New York City and currently lives in Los Angeles.

Mike Bocchetti is an American stand-up comedian, actor, and writer from Staten Island, New York. He is most notable for his role as the announcer on The Artie Lange Show from 2012 to 2014, and has acted frequently on film and television.

Tommy Ryman is an American stand-up comedian who was a semifinalist on Season 8 of the TV show Last Comic Standing. After getting his start in the Minnesota comedy scene, Paste magazine named him one of 12 Great Stand-Up Comedians from the Midwest. In 2015, he won Best of Midwest at Gilda's Laugh Fest. In 2018, he was invited to perform at the Great American Comedy Festival at Johnny Carson Theater, first performing there in 2010. In 2016, he was named "Best Local Standup Comedian" by City Pages. He refrains from off-color humor, instead relying on observational comedy, sarcasm, and satire; in doing so, he gained recognition in 2018 on VidAngel's Dry Bar Comedy Season 3 series entitled Activated.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amber Preston</span> American stand-up comedian

Amber Preston is a stand-up comedian originally from North Dakota and Minnesota and now living in Los Angeles.

Robert Baril is a stand-up comedian and radio talk-show host from Minneapolis, Minnesota. He has released two albums on Stand Up! Records, Sex and Politics and TMI, both produced by Grammy winner Dan Schlissel. He was the host of Laughing Matters on AM950 in Minneapolis.

Chris Maddock is an American stand-up comedian from Minneapolis, Minnesota. He has released two albums and a DVD on Dan Schlissel's Stand Up! Records, most recently 2020's Country Music Legend, which reached No. 5 on the iTunes comedy chart.

Ryan Patrick Cownie is an American stand-up comedian originally from Lincoln, Nebraska. His album I Can't Die, which includes a theme song by Riverboat Gamblers' Mike Wiebe, was released by Dan Schlissel's Stand Up! Records in 2019. Comedy site Laughspin called him "a future superstar."

Corey Adam is an American stand-up comedian from Minneapolis, Minnesota. He has released three comedy albums on Stand Up! Records, including 2018's Jokes.

Dwight York is an American stand-up comedian and writer originally from Wisconsin.

Johnny Taylor, Jr. is an American stand-up comedian, writer, actor, and podcaster from Sacramento, California.

Dave Losso is an American stand-up comedian, writer, and comic-book artist from Chicago now living in Seattle.

References

  1. 1 2 Corey Adam, Tom Colvin (2012-08-09). "Dirty Bomb Shop Episode 3) Chris Knutson". Internet Archive (Podcast). Retrieved 2021-04-14.
  2. 1 2 Strait, Patrick (September 23, 2015). "Standup Chris Knutson records debut album at Sisyphus Brewing this Saturday". City Pages . Minneapolis, Minnesota . Retrieved 2021-04-14.
  3. 1 2 "About". Chris Knutson. Archived from the original on 2014-07-03. Retrieved 2021-04-14.
  4. 1 2 3 Mehta, Raghav (March 19, 2015). "Comedians on Comedians: Chris Knutson". City Pages . Minneapolis, Minnesota . Retrieved 2021-04-14.
  5. ↑ Zoss, Jeremy. "Bizz Buzz: Comedy Corner Underground launches monthly triple feature program". The Journal. Minneapolis-St. Paul . Retrieved 2021-04-14.
  6. ↑ Tenseth, Terese (2013-10-09). "The Live Feed Presents: The Comedy of Chris Knutson and Isaac Witty". AMPERS (KQAL-FM). Winona, Minnesota . Retrieved 2021-04-14.
  7. ↑ Tenseth, Terese (2013-10-09). "The Live Feed Presents: The Comedy of Chris Knutson and Isaac Witty". KQAL-FM . Winona, Minnesota . Retrieved 2021-04-14.
  8. ↑ Levi Weinhagen (2015-04-30). "What's So Funny? – With Chris Knutson". Mn Artists (Walker Art Center) (Podcast). Retrieved 2021-04-14.
  9. ↑ "Sioux Falls Nightlife: Shaun Latham & Chris Knutson". Argus Leader . Sioux Falls, South Dakota. 2016-09-08. p. F12. Retrieved 2021-04-14.
  10. ↑ "Sioux Falls Events: Show with Minnesota Comedians". Argus Leader . Sioux Falls, South Dakota. 2011-03-24. p. 35. Retrieved 2021-04-14.
  11. ↑ Miller, Diane (2014-12-23). "Ultimate New Year's Eve Guide: Courtney's Comedy Club". High Plains Reader . Fargo, North Dakota . Retrieved 2021-04-14.
  12. 1 2 Strait, Patrick (October 20, 2014). "Valley Meadows Takes Over the Twin Cities (Comedy) Rap Scene". City Pages . Minneapolis, Minnesota . Retrieved 2021-04-14.
  13. ↑ Carlson Gustafson, Amy (2016-10-11). "Comedy festival organizer picks 3 shows you'll die laughing over". Pioneer Press . St. Paul, Minnesota . Retrieved 2021-04-14.
  14. ↑ Schulte, Jordan (2016-03-15). "LaughFest's 'Best of the Midwest' competition to showcase regional comedians". Grand Rapids, Michigan . Retrieved 2021-04-14.
  15. 1 2 3 Vincent Terrace (25 February 2016). Internet Comedy Television Series, 1997-2015. McFarland. pp. 311–. ISBN   978-1-4766-2393-1.
  16. 1 2 Miller, Bryan (August 15, 2012). "Valley Meadows CD-release party". City Pages . Minneapolis, Minnesota . Retrieved 2021-04-14.
  17. ↑ Strait, Patrick (July 8, 2015). "Jokes that Rock: Local comedy music gets its moment in the spotlight". The Growler. Minneapolis, Minnesota. Retrieved 2021-04-14.
  18. ↑ Strait, Patrick (October 15, 2014). "5 Must-See Shows at 10,000 Laughs Comedy Festival". City Pages . Minneapolis, Minnesota . Retrieved 2021-04-14.
  19. ↑ "In Focus: Valley Meadows". Fort Worth Star-Telegram . Fort Worth, Texas. 2016-01-31. p. T37. Retrieved 2021-04-14.
  20. ↑ "In Focus: Valley Meadows". The News Tribune . Tacoma, Washington. 2016-01-31. p. V12. Retrieved 2021-04-14.
  21. ↑ "In Focus: Valley Meadows". Daily Reporter (Greenfield, Indiana) . Greenfield, Indiana. 2016-01-30. p. D15. Retrieved 2021-04-14.
  22. ↑ "NetPicks: Valley Meadows". The Santa Fe New Mexican . Santa Fe, New Mexico. 2016-01-30. p. Z008. Retrieved 2021-04-14.
  23. ↑ Michael Ajakwe (2020-10-04). "L.A> Webfest 2015 Award nominations". Facebook. Retrieved 2021-04-14.
  24. ↑ "Valley Meadows award nominations at LAWEBFEST". Joe Filipas. 2014-12-01. Retrieved 2021-04-14.
  25. ↑ Gadino, Dylan P. (2012-12-03). "Laughspin Presents: 2012 Readers' Choice Comedy Awards". Laughspin. Archived from the original on 2012-12-10. Retrieved 2021-04-14.
  26. ↑ Strait, Patrick (August 12, 2014). "Flock of Turkeys: How a group of Minnesota comedians is taking flight". The Growler. Minneapolis, Minnesota. Retrieved 2021-04-14.
  27. ↑ Armbruster, Jessica (May 29, 2014). "The Turkeys launch new material on My Damn Channel". City Pages . Minneapolis, Minnesota . Retrieved 2021-04-14.
  28. ↑ Strait, Patrick (June 16, 2016). "More than just "Dad Jokes": For Twin Cities comedy dads, fatherhood means learning to take things a little less seriously". The Growler. Minneapolis, Minnesota . Retrieved 2021-04-14.
  29. ↑ Kindelan, Katie (June 25, 2014). "Baby Meets Teddy Bear in Adorable Video". ABC News . Retrieved 2021-04-14.
  30. ↑ "Minneapolis comedian makes heartwarming video for newborn son". Bring Me the News. Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota. 2014-06-22. Retrieved 2021-04-14.
  31. ↑ Carlson Gustafson, Amy (January 31, 2015). "Twin Cities baby stars in online series 'Baby Cop'". Pioneer Press . St. Paul . Retrieved 2021-04-14.
  32. ↑ Armenian, Bert (September 25, 2015). "Chris Knutson and Friends Blowout Celebration Recording Grand Opening Party". Secrets of the City. Minneapolis, Minnesota. Retrieved 2021-04-14.
  33. ↑ Valley Meadows at AllMusic . Retrieved 2021-04-14.
  34. 1 2 Austen, Jake (August 2013). "The Stand Up! Records Listener's Guide". Roctober. Chicago.
  35. ↑ "Various Artists - Nerd Alert!". Discogs. Retrieved 2021-04-14.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.