The Tribune’s William Lee and Nina Metz previously reviewed Season 1 and Season 2 of “South Side,” an absurdist comedy about working stiffs on Chicago’s South Side. We’re back for its third season, premiering Thursday on HBO Max.
William Lee: During my visit to the set of “South Side” over the summer, showrunners Bashir Salahuddin and Diallo Riddle said they were working on the most Chicago-focused ideas ever for the new season. And in the first four episodes provided to critics, we see glimpses of Central City Auto Pound and Joey’s Red Hots, as well as plenty of cameos, including Chance the Rapper, comedian and actor Adele Givens and Chicago Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu.
Co-creator and South Side native Salahuddin told me the writers were also aiming to include real-life characters and you see that in the first episode with an appearance from John Stringfellow, an actual South Side snow cone vendor, who was brought on the show because of his big character. “He had so much personality,” Salahuddin said. “I just wanted to buy snow cones and he made me laugh.” Days later, a scout from the show went to Stringfellow and hired him.
