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John Mulaney came home to Chicago and made a little history in the process. The comedian became the first stand-up to perform at Wrigley Field on Saturday night, selling out the iconic ballpark and delivering one of the largest comedy shows the city has ever seen.
For the milestone stop on his “Mister Whatever” tour, Mulaney brought along an impressive group of friends, including David Letterman, Fred Armisen, Richard Kind and Chicago blues legend Buddy Guy.
Guy opened the evening with a short set as fans filed into the stadium, giving the night an unmistakably Chicago beginning.
Richard Kind, Mulaney’s longtime friend and sidekick on Netflix’s Everybody’s Live with John Mulaney, served as the night’s emcee, appearing onstage wearing a “Mayor” sash. Kind then welcomed Fred Armisen, Mulaney’s former Saturday Night Live colleague, who performed a comedy set that included musical material.
But the biggest surprise came when David Letterman walked onto the field. “How did this happen?” Letterman asked as the sold-out crowd erupted. “What, are the Beatles here tonight, ladies and gentlemen? This makes that Taylor Swift wedding look like a student film.”
Letterman had the honor of introducing Mulaney, continuing a recent run of appearances between the two. Mulaney had joined Letterman at a May event at Hollywood’s Montalban Theatre during the Netflix Is a Joke Festival, while Letterman previously appeared on Everybody’s Live.
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Once Mulaney took the stage, the Chicago native delivered a lengthy, well-received set touching on life with his wife, Olivia Munn, and their children, Malcolm and Mei.
The historic Wrigley date had been months in the making. Mulaney had openly expressed his excitement about performing at the ballpark and joked during a recent television appearance that, if the wind cooperated, fans throughout Wrigleyville might be able to hear the show.
Apparently, he was right.
By the end of the night, even Mulaney seemed overwhelmed by the moment.
“Every Chicago thing in me tells me to stop bowing, but I’m going to enjoy the moment,” he told the crowd. “Thank you very much for being with us tonight. Another round of applause please for Fred Armisen, Buddy Guy, Richard Kind and Ball State’s David Letterman. Words can’t describe how cool this is.”
For a comedian who has spent years turning his Chicago upbringing into some of his sharpest material, the sold-out Wrigley Field performance felt less like another tour stop and more like a hometown coronation.
Mulaney’s Mister Whatever tour continues through 2027.
