But we have to ask: Why is this show set in Chicago ? The angst of the 20-something creative class is the story of New York so much more than Chicago. City Room realizes that New Yorkers have long been accused of a self-absorbed view of the world. But still, the fields that the Quarterlife main characters are pursuing are ones people move to New York for: publishing, acting, music, filmmaking.

What new musical forms has Chicago given us since jazz and blues ? What national magazines are based in Chicago? Catholic Magazine ? Baffler ? That one s not even online. And yes, Columbia College may be one of the biggest film schools in the country, but is is known more for its technicians. The only creative industry that Chicago could claim superiority over New York is in its new theater and improv, which produced Stephen Colbert and Tina Fey who then moved to New York.