"South Side" debuts season 3

Why it matters: The show is authentically brilliant and succeeds where many Chicago-based shows don't.

• It feels like these characters have actually lived these storylines, as absurd as they are, and they get the local references right.

State of play: Beyond the creators and stars, the show employs homegrown actors that Chicago audiences have already come to love:

Antoine McKay: He plays Uncle Spike, who traffics black market viagra to senior centers and later sets up an illegal, underground urgent care in the mall.

• McKay has been featured on several Chicago productions, including "Empire," after spending years doing sketch comedy and improv on local stages like Second City.

Rashawn Scott: Scott plays Kitty, who is hilariously positive and busts into impromptu songs throughout the show.

• Scott moved here in 2013 and was a mainstage cast member at Second City.

Will Miles: The Chicago-born standup's character is a small role, but he always finds himself hitting funny lines to punctuate scenes. Miles is also a co-producer on the show. Guy Barile: OK, my real-life uncle was featured in an episode of season 1. I just wanted to point that out 🤣.