# Chris Knutson

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This article is about the American stand-up comedian. For the American luthier, see [Chris Knutsen](/source/Chris_Knutsen).

**Chris Knutson** is an American [stand-up comedian](/source/Stand-up_comedian) from [Minneapolis, Minnesota](/source/Minneapolis,_Minnesota). He is known for his work as half of the comedy-rap duo Valley Meadows. Patrick Strait of *[City Pages](/source/City_Pages)* said that "Knutson has established himself as one of the most consistently funny performers" in the Midwest.[2]

Knutson has released three albums on [Stand Up! Records](/source/Stand_Up!_Records), most recently 2021's *Rewound*.

## Career

Knutson began performing improv comedy in 2006,[3][1] and stand-up in 2009.[4] He won Acme Comedy Company's "Funniest Person in the Twin Cities" contest in 2010.[5][6][7] His comedy style is sometimes experimental, veering away from traditional first-person stand-up to blend in sketchwork or perform as a character, often one who does not realize he is bad at stand-up.[8] He has toured nationally[9][10][11] and performed at comedy festivals including 10,000 Laughs[12][13] and Gilda's LaughFest.[14] Vincent Terrace, reviewing the series in his book *Internet Comedy Television Series, 1997-2015*, felt that "the characterizations are a bit rough" but called the series "an interesting idea about two friends just trying to get by."[15]

Knutson formed Valley Meadows in 2008 with Zach Coulter.[12] The duo perform in character as substitute teacher Gary Shinchenshenzenski and MC Tom Johnson,[16][17] who try to become rap stars in a foolish attempt to earn respect, with songs about unlikely topics such as ice cream, karate, and Paul Reiser.[18] The duo also starred in an online video series, *Valley Meadows*, in 2014, which Knutson wrote.[15] The syndicated newspaper column *In Focus* praised the series as "capable of going anywhere".[19][20][21][22] The webseries was nominated for four awards at the 2015 [Los Angeles Web Series Festival](/source/Los_Angeles_Web_Series_Festival): Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Writing, Outstanding Lead Actor (for Knutson), and Outstanding Guest Actor (for Dan Susmilch).[23][24] In 2012, laughspin.com nominated Valley Meadows for its Readers Choice Award for Best Musical Comedy Act.[25][4] Vincent Terrace, reviewing the series in his book *Internet Comedy Television Series, 1997-2015*, felt that "the characterizations are a bit rough" but called the series "an interesting idea about two friends just trying to get by."[15]

Knutson was also a founding member of sketch comedy group The Turkeys.[26][3][27]

Knutson and his wife had a son in 2014, and fatherhood quickly become a main topic of his comedy.[28] A stop-motion video Knutson made of his son's teddy bear meeting the baby for the first time went viral, receiving more than 2 million views on [YouTube](/source/YouTube)[4] and national coverage on [ABC News](/source/ABC_News_(United_States)),[29] the [Associated Press](/source/Associated_Press), and other news media.[30] Another video series, *Baby Cop*, followed in 2014–15.[31]

### Albums

Knutson has released three albums on [Stand Up! Records](/source/Stand_Up!_Records). His solo stand-up album *Rewound* was recorded at Sisyphus Brewing in Minneapolis in 2015[2][32] and released in 2021. Valley Meadows released a self-titled album in 2012.[16][33] Jake Austen of *Roctober* magazine called it "white-guy rap absurdity [that's] amusing even if the form is flawed."[34] Knutson was also part of the Stand Up!-released group album *Nerd Alert!*, a compilation of Minnesota comics riffing on science fiction and other geek-friendly topics.[35] Austen called *Nerd Alert!* "a product of [Minneapolis'] impressive comedy scene [that] is something that town can be very proud of."[34]

## Discography

- Chris Knutson, *Rewound* ([Stand Up! Records](/source/Stand_Up!_Records), 2021)
- Valley Meadows, *Valley Meadows* ([Stand Up! Records](/source/Stand_Up!_Records), 2012)
- Various Artists, *Nerd Alert!* ([Stand Up! Records](/source/Stand_Up!_Records), 2011)

## References

1. Corey Adam, Tom Colvin (2012-08-09). ["Dirty Bomb Shop Episode 3) Chris Knutson"](https://archive.org/details/podcast_dirty-bomb-shop_dirty-bomb-shop-episode-3-chr_1000335700517). *Internet Archive*. Retrieved 2021-04-14.

1. Strait, Patrick (September 23, 2015). ["Standup Chris Knutson records debut album at Sisyphus Brewing this Saturday"](http://www.citypages.com/arts/standup-chris-knutson-records-debut-album-at-sisyphus-brewing-this-saturday-7684968). *[City Pages](/source/City_Pages)*. Retrieved 2021-04-14.

1. ["About"](http://www.chrisknutsoncomedy.com/about.html). *Chris Knutson*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20140703042844/http://www.chrisknutsoncomedy.com/about.html) 2014-07-03 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-04-14.

1. Mehta, Raghav (March 19, 2015). ["Comedians on Comedians: Chris Knutson"](http://44.228.233.147/arts/comedians-on-comedians-chris-knutson-6579590). *[City Pages](/source/City_Pages)*. Retrieved 2021-04-14.

1. Zoss, Jeremy. ["Bizz Buzz: Comedy Corner Underground launches monthly triple feature program"](https://www.journalmpls.com/news/2011/10/bizz-buzz-ruff-love-dogs-celebrating-grand-opening-with-halloween-party/). *The Journal*. Retrieved 2021-04-14.

1. Tenseth, Terese (2013-10-09). ["The Live Feed Presents: The Comedy of Chris Knutson and Isaac Witty"](http://ampers.org/mn-art-culture-history/the-live-feed-presents-the-comedy-of-chris-knutson-and-isaac-witty/). *[AMPERS](/source/AMPERS) (KQAL-FM)*. Retrieved 2021-04-14.

1. Tenseth, Terese (2013-10-09). ["The Live Feed Presents: The Comedy of Chris Knutson and Isaac Witty"](https://www.kqal.org/2013/10/the-live-feed-presents-the-comedy-of-chris-knutson-and-isaac-witty/). *[KQAL-FM](/source/KQAL-FM)*. Retrieved 2021-04-14.

1. Levi Weinhagen (2015-04-30). ["What’s So Funny? – With Chris Knutson"](https://mnartists.walkerart.org/whats-so-funny-with-chris-knutson). *Mn Artists ([Walker Art Center](/source/Walker_Art_Center))*. Retrieved 2021-04-14.

1. ["Sioux Falls Nightlife: Shaun Latham & Chris Knutson"](https://www.newspapers.com/image/229633850/). *[Argus Leader](/source/Argus_Leader)*. 2016-09-08. p. F12. Retrieved 2021-04-14.

1. ["Sioux Falls Events: Show with Minnesota Comedians"](https://www.newspapers.com/image/222730386/). *[Argus Leader](/source/Argus_Leader)*. 2011-03-24. p. 35. Retrieved 2021-04-14.

1. Miller, Diane (2014-12-23). ["Ultimate New Year's Eve Guide: Courtney's Comedy Club"](https://hpr1.com/index.php/eat-and-drink/all-about-food/the-ultimate-new-years-eve-guide/). *[High Plains Reader](/source/High_Plains_Reader)*. Retrieved 2021-04-14.

1. Strait, Patrick (October 20, 2014). ["Valley Meadows Takes Over the Twin Cities (Comedy) Rap Scene"](http://44.228.233.147/arts/valley-meadows-takes-over-the-twin-cities-comedy-rap-scene-6591205). *[City Pages](/source/City_Pages)*. Retrieved 2021-04-14.

1. Carlson Gustafson, Amy (2016-10-11). ["Comedy festival organizer picks 3 shows you’ll die laughing over"](https://www.twincities.com/2016/10/11/10000-laughs-comedy-festival/). *[Pioneer Press](/source/Pioneer_Press)*. Retrieved 2021-04-14.

1. Schulte, Jordan (2016-03-15). ["LaughFest's 'Best of the Midwest' competition to showcase regional comedians"](https://therapidian.org/placematters-laughfests-best-midwest-competition-showcase-regional-comedians). Retrieved 2021-04-14.

1. Vincent Terrace (25 February 2016). [*Internet Comedy Television Series, 1997-2015*](https://books.google.com/books?id=TmKkCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA311). McFarland. pp. 311–. ISBN 978-1-4766-2393-1.

1. Miller, Bryan (August 15, 2012). ["Valley Meadows CD-release party"](http://digitalissue.citypages.com/publication/index.php?m=5512&i=122485&view=articleBrowser&article_id=1146048). *[City Pages](/source/City_Pages)*. Retrieved 2021-04-14.

1. Strait, Patrick (July 8, 2015). ["Jokes that Rock: Local comedy music gets its moment in the spotlight"](https://www.growlermag.com/jokes-that-rock/). *The Growler*. Retrieved 2021-04-14.

1. Strait, Patrick (October 15, 2014). ["5 Must-See Shows at 10,000 Laughs Comedy Festival"](http://www.citypages.com/arts/5-must-see-shows-at-10000-laughs-comedy-festival-6593065). *[City Pages](/source/City_Pages)*. Retrieved 2021-04-14.

1. ["In Focus: Valley Meadows"](https://www.newspapers.com/image/652033487/). *[Fort Worth Star-Telegram](/source/Fort_Worth_Star-Telegram)*. 2016-01-31. p. T37. Retrieved 2021-04-14.

1. ["In Focus: Valley Meadows"](https://www.newspapers.com/image/673850871/). *[The News Tribune](/source/The_News_Tribune)*. 2016-01-31. p. V12. Retrieved 2021-04-14.

1. ["In Focus: Valley Meadows"](https://www.newspapers.com/image/246629311/). *[Daily Reporter (Greenfield, Indiana)](/source/Daily_Reporter_(Greenfield,_Indiana))*. 2016-01-30. p. D15. Retrieved 2021-04-14.

1. ["NetPicks: Valley Meadows"](https://www.newspapers.com/image/218781028/). *[The Santa Fe New Mexican](/source/The_Santa_Fe_New_Mexican)*. 2016-01-30. p. Z008. Retrieved 2021-04-14.

1. Michael Ajakwe (2020-10-04). ["L.A> Webfest 2015 Award nominations"](https://www.facebook.com/notes/3602921279729135/). *Facebook*. Retrieved 2021-04-14.

1. ["Valley Meadows award nominations at LAWEBFEST"](https://www.joefilipas.com/valley-meadows-award-nominations-at-lawebfest/). *Joe Filipas*. 2014-12-01. Retrieved 2021-04-14.

1. Gadino, Dylan P. (2012-12-03). ["Laughspin Presents: 2012 Readers’ Choice Comedy Awards"](https://web.archive.org/web/20121210125725/http://www.laughspin.com/2012/12/03/laughspin-presents-2012-readers-choice-comedy-awards/). *Laughspin*. Archived from [the original](http://www.laughspin.com/2012/12/03/laughspin-presents-2012-readers-choice-comedy-awards/) on 2012-12-10. Retrieved 2021-04-14.

1. Strait, Patrick (August 12, 2014). ["Flock of Turkeys: How a group of Minnesota comedians is taking flight"](https://www.growlermag.com/flock-of-turkeys-how-a-group-of-minnesota-comedians-is-taking-flight/). *The Growler*. Retrieved 2021-04-14.

1. Armbruster, Jessica (May 29, 2014). ["The Turkeys launch new material on My Damn Channel"](http://44.228.233.147/arts/the-turkeys-launch-new-material-on-my-damn-channel-6580780). *[City Pages](/source/City_Pages)*. Retrieved 2021-04-14.

1. Strait, Patrick (June 16, 2016). ["More than just "Dad Jokes": For Twin Cities comedy dads, fatherhood means learning to take things a little less seriously"](https://www.growlermag.com/more-than-just-dad-jokes/). *The Growler*. Retrieved 2021-04-14.

1. Kindelan, Katie (June 25, 2014). ["Baby Meets Teddy Bear in Adorable Video"](https://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/baby-meets-teddy-bear-adorable-video/story?id=24300885). *ABC News*. Retrieved 2021-04-14.

1. ["Minneapolis comedian makes heartwarming video for newborn son"](https://bringmethenews.com/life/minneapolis-comedian-makes-heartwarming-video-for-newborn-son). *Bring Me the News*. 2014-06-22. Retrieved 2021-04-14.

1. Carlson Gustafson, Amy (January 31, 2015). ["Twin Cities baby stars in online series 'Baby Cop'"](https://www.twincities.com/2015/01/31/twin-cities-baby-stars-in-online-series-baby-cop/). *[Pioneer Press](/source/Pioneer_Press)*. Retrieved 2021-04-14.

1. Armenian, Bert (September 25, 2015). ["Chris Knutson and Friends Blowout Celebration Recording Grand Opening Party"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150928194651/http://www.secretsofthecity.com/events/view/stand-up-records-presents-chris-knutson-and-friends-blowout-celebration-recording-grand-opening-party). *Secrets of the City*. Archived from [the original](https://www.secretsofthecity.com/events/view/stand-up-records-presents-chris-knutson-and-friends-blowout-celebration-recording-grand-opening-party) on September 28, 2015. Retrieved 2021-04-14.

1. Austen, Jake (August 2013). "The Stand Up! Records Listener's Guide". *Roctober*

1. ["Various Artists - Nerd Alert!"](https://www.discogs.com/Various-Nerd-Alert/release/13982571). *Discogs*. Retrieved 2021-04-14.

## External links

- [Chris Knutson at Stand Up! Records website](https://standuprecords.com/collections/chris-knutson)
- [Chris Knutson](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12403672/) at IMDb

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Chris Knutson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Knutson) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Knutson?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.