Josh Ballew is one of the funniest, most active, and most all-around ambitious comedians in Milwaukee. When he’s not delighting audiences throughout Wisconsin and northern Illinois with his stand-up skills, the motivated funnyman hosts a bi-weekly open mic at Art Bar, gets other comics sauced on his “Having A Few” YouTube series, is a writer and cast member of The Goodnight Milwaukee Show, and just concluded a two-year run co-hosting Levity Radio on Riverwest Radio. With your help, Ballew will soon add “author” to his comedic credentials.
Also featured on his already-bursting résumé is his credit as the creator of #ThingsThatShouldExistButDoNot, a hashtag that quickly gained popularity in and around the world of Wisconsin comedy, and has found countless others coming up with their own punny contributions. With literally hundreds of his own to choose from at this point, Ballew wants to immortalize some of his favorite “Things” he’s forged in the near-two-year life of the hashtag in book form. Back in March, the aspiring author launched a campaign for “Things That Should Exist But Do Not: Volume One” on IndieGoGo. With the campaign set to conclude Friday, Ballew is just a few backers from hitting his $1,000 goal.
Beyond the expected rewards like a $5 social media shoutout and an in-book dedication ($20), Ballew is offering $75 signed prints of his “Felon Degeneres” entry (above), illustrated by Chicago-based artist and comedian Meredith Kachel (who co-produces regionally-renowned Hoo Ha Comedy). Kachel has also brought such Ballew “Things” to illustrated life as “Broprah” (above) and “Arsenio Hall And Oates” among others, all of which will be featured in the book. At the time this was written, the campaign was $194 short of its goal with under four days to go. If you want this unique collection of written entries and drawings of things that should exist to become something that does exist, check out the page and consider throwing a few bucks Ballew’s way. After all, this book might be your only chance to see what an artist’s rendering of Joaquin Kleenex looks like.