John Mulaney Makes Wrigley Field History

John Mulaney has spent much of the past year talking up what it would mean to headline Chicago’s Wrigley Field. On Saturday night (July 11), the hometown comic made good on that promise, becoming the first comedian to perform — and, as previously announced, sell out — the Cubs’ iconic ballpark.

The stop on Mulaney’s Mister Whatever tour drew more than 40,000 fans, placing him alongside music heavyweights such as Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen and Pearl Jam, all of whom have previously headlined the historic venue. Ahead of the show, Mulaney joked, “I’m honored to stand on the same field where I saw [former Cub] Mark Grace rip cigarettes during games, and yell all of my jokes.”

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Per The Hollywood Reporter, The evening unfolded more like a variety show than a traditional stand-up set. Chicago blues legend Buddy Guy opened the festivities with a brief performance of “Damn Right, I’ve Got the Blues” and “Sweet Home Chicago” as fans filled the stadium, while Mulaney’s Everybody’s Live sidekick Richard Kind served as emcee, wearing a ceremonial “Mayor” sash. Former Saturday Night Live cast mate Fred Armisen followed with a comedy set that included musical performances before introducing another surprise guest, David Letterman.

“How did this happen?” Letterman asked as he took the stage to a roar from the sold-out crowd. “What, are the Beatles here tonight, ladies and gentlemen? This makes that Taylor Swift wedding look like a student film.”

Letterman then welcomed Mulaney, capping a stretch of recent collaborations between the pair that has included appearances on Everybody’s Live and Letterman’s live show during the Netflix Is a Joke festival.

Mulaney’s headlining set centered on stories about life with wife Olivia Munn and their two children, Malcolm and Mei, mixing family anecdotes with reflections on his hometown. The Chicago native had spent months building anticipation for the landmark performance. During a recent interview with Chicago public radio station WBEZ, he described the city’s relationship with him as “99% friendly,” adding that “when it’s hostile, it’s hilarious.” He also told Jimmy Kimmel Live! he was “very unabashedly excited” about the show, while joking on Today that, “if the wind is right in Wrigleyville,” people in surrounding neighborhoods would be able to hear the performance.

As the night came to a close, Mulaney admitted the moment was almost too much to process. “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.”

The Mister Whatever tour continues through 2027.

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