The Cellar

2 Pauls, 1 Show

Fri, Apr 11, 2025
Sat, Apr 12, 2025
The Cellar

2 Pauls, 1 Show

Paul Ollinger quit his job at Facebook to chase his comedy dream. (Don’t ever do that.) This highly unprofitable decision has allowed him to headline major clubs like Carolines on Broadway, Cobbs (SF), and Zanies (Nashville). He has performed at the Hollywood Improv and Comedy Cellar, headlined his own show in the 20th Annual New York Comedy Festival, and has shared the stage with stars such as Norm Macdonald, Dave Attell, and Chelsea Handler.

Paul is the host of the Reasonably Happy podcast (fka, Crazy Money) on which he explores the connection between money, happiness, work, and meaning in conversations with some of the world’s most interesting people. Previous guests include Judd Apatow, LL COOL J, Moby, and winners of the Nobel Prize, Heisman Trophy, and Olympic gold medals. He has just published a collection of essays, also titled Reasonably Happy in which he shares humorous, thoughtful, and sometimes touching insights from over 200 of these interviews.

Paul lives in New York City with his wife, two teenagers, and French bulldogs, Theo and Colonel Tom Parker.


Chicago based Comedian Paul Farahvar delights audiences with his unique, quick witted dry humor, centered on being an aging bachelor and former litigator. After becoming a staple on the Chicago Comedy Scene for years at his home club Laugh Factory, he began touring, first as a feature for headliners like Demetri Martin and Gary Gulman, and later as a headliner. With no manager or agent, he managed to build a following in multiple cities, even selling out rooms in Chicago, Rockford, Denver, Milwaukee, Scottsdale, Sarasota and Tampa in the last two years.

He was runner up in the Chicago Reader for Best Stand up Comedian in 2021 and was voted "Top 40 Up and Coming Comedians" in 2017. Prior to being a comedian, Farahvar was a trial litigator, earning the "Top 40 under 40" honor in Illinois. His podcast SINGLES ONLY! (SWSW 2020, was voted Best Podcast in 2021 (Chicago Reader) and he was a regular guest host on WGN Radio. He played "Karam Haddad" on NBC's "Chicago Med." His Dry Bar special “Always a Groomsman" dropped in April, 2023 and his new special “Middlewestern, Middle Eastern” with Helium Comedy Studios dropped in April, 2024. He was one of two Americans invited to the Halifax Comedy Festival in May, 2024.