Seth Meyers and the rise of the Chicago writer-performer
Back in 1999 — a gut-wrenching 14 years ago — a theater just north of Wrigley Field was filled on weekend nights with the nervous laughter of people on dates. "Pick-Ups and Hiccups" (a title with admirable descriptive prowess), was a hugely popular sketch-comedy show that poked fun at the absurdity of the mating ritual, a time-honored way to attract a crowd. The show was the work of a couple of wildly dis…