Improv Obsession
I run a podcast that I use to talk to awesome people about improv. You probably already know this.
What you likely don’t know is that when I ask guests to come on, they often question whether or not they’ll have anything interesting to say, are smart enough, know enough, or if anyone will care what they think. Seriously, this happens… a lot.
I know from doing enough of these that everyone, everyone has an interesting story to share. From the most experienced to the least experienced. The person who has been doing comedy since they were a kid, to the person who left their job to do improv. Students who still don’t REALLY get game, to teachers who want you to REALLY get game.
I feel like often the things that are most interesting come out 30 minutes into the episode when the guests aren’t really thinking much about what they’re saying and just are honest. Improv, as collaborative as it is, feels lonely a lot. And it’s nice when you hear someone has gone through what you’re going through. And it’s even better when they mention something that could help.
I dunno why I felt the need to post this. I’ve just been running into people more and more second guessing how they came off on their appearance on the show or fearing they wont be good if they come on.
I guess we’re all sensitive. We all want approval. We all don’t wanna seem like jerks.
So, if someone came on the show that you enjoyed and you see them, let them know that you appreciated what they had to say. And, if you talk to someone you think should be on my show, tell them. And tell me. We’ll get the story of all these wonderful journeys one day…
Paul Welsh is on the show! You know him from Cooper, Styx Martin, Grandma’s Ashes, Monstro and more. Paul and I talk about following dreams, getting stage time, and hanging back in scenes. Also, we decide that no one wants to hear you fucking shoe horn in your stupid fucking initiation that that you thought of on the subway. And, we discuss the confidence that comes with getting validated in improvisation. Rate. Review. Subscribe. Comment. Enjoy.
I’m Doing Shows:
Friday, June 21 9:00 PM Manifesto Show at The Clubhouse Styx Martin!
Saturday June 22/13 8:30 PM at Jackpot Improv at The Underground Annex Styx Martin!
Friday June 28th 7:00 at Neon Venus Brandon and Stephen.
“Just realized your show is, on average, as long as the feature length movie Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves.”
That’s mighty high praise. Thank you.
Lauren Lapkus is on the show! You may know here from Bangarang! or a whole bunch of TV. Don’t forget to support Lauren by watching Orange is the New Black. Lauren and I talk about her long journey as an improviser. We also talk about the process of getting into character. We also chat about the struggle of learning game over just being funny. And, Lauren gives us insight into how to get her cool career. How cool! Rate. Subscribe. Comment. Donate. Enjoy.
ALSO, you should really review the show. See here: Ian Roberts and Matt Walsh Episodes Available Now.
Click here to download/subscribe in iTunes
I’ve had the privilege of performing on Harold night at the UCB Theater for 5 years now for the best audiences in Los Angeles. I really do appreciate people taking time out of their Monday nights to go see a comedy show in a tiny black box theater. That’s awesome.
Last night, Cooper and Winslow…
A fair request from friend of the show, and overall good guy, Josh SImpson.
Harrison Brown stopped by the show! You know Harrison as the host of The Cagematch at Upright Citizens Brigade Los Angeles, maybe you’ve seen one of his famed air guitar, drum, and high-fiving solos. Also, Harrison is the host of Tuesday Night Thunder, and he was on early UCBLA Harold Teams, MacGuffin, Perfect Crime and Panama. Harrison and I chat about what is the element required for your best shows. We also talk about the origins of Tuesday Night Thunder the value of indie shows and the boom of the indie scene. Finally we discuss whats the deal with Cagematch. Rate. Subscribe. Comment. Review. Donate. Enjoy!
ALSO, you should really review the show. See here: Ian Roberts and Matt Walsh Episodes Available Now.
Click here to download/subscribe in iTunes
Any highlights? Great shows? Great moments? Proud of your improv moments?
Adam McCabe is here! You probably know Adam from Bangarang!, Oh, Brother, and as one of the hosts of Sketchbar. We talk about the merits of Short Form, how simple games can be great, and the way to straight man awesome. Also, Adam confesses his fear of robot sentience and I confess my fear of people being nonchalant with knives. So, yeah, we’re pretty much best friends with very specific fears.
ALSO, you should really review the show. See here: Ian Roberts and Matt Walsh Episodes Available Now.
Click here to download/subscribe in iTunes
Debunked! UCB’s “The Straight Men” is fake. It was entirely pre-planned by Will Hines.
Watch this video to learn how Will Hines:
1) Knew the suggestion beforehand
2) Wasn’t authorized to be in this show
3) Manipulated the audience with his clothing
4) Communicated with an off-stage puppet master DURING THE SHOW.Mr. Hines will not justify these baseless accusations with a response, and does not confirm or deny the presence of scripted material in this or every show he does.
Whoever is doing these is winning comedy.
This Saturday, May 25th is the Los Angeles Indie Improv Festival from 11 AM to Midnight. There are a ton of teams going up, and I thought I’d share who I’m gonna go see.
Cute Guys 12:20 ArtWorks Theatre - Main Theatre (Blake Hogue, David Danipour, Drew Coolidge, Erik Voss, Mark Schroeder, Michael Trubiano) Just a team filled with super talented dudes.
Private Street 12:40 ArtWorks Theatre Main Theatre (Anais Fairweather, Charlene deGuzman, David Brown, Dylan Booth Vigus,Mark Schroeder, Yak Manrique) The Cagematch Kings! 25 wins at Second City, 5 wins at UCB, 100% worth checking out.
Triops! 12:12 at The Lounge Theatre (Brynna Campbell, Richie Root) I saw this adorable couple at the Valentine’s 11th Hour Show and they KILLED it.
Roadtrip! 1:40 The Lounge Theatre (Allan McLeod, Colton Dunn, Dan Lippert, Jacob Womack, Jonny Svarzbein, Pam Murphy) WOAH! Cool line up!! I’m there.
Typhoon 2:40 ArtWorks Theatre - Main Theatre(Allen Loeb, Casey Feigh, Dave Theune, Jacob Reed, Lauren Lapkus, Mike Leffingwell) These guys are always super fun, and I guess they’re doing all group games? AWESOME!
Big Grande 3:40 at ArtWorks Theatre - Main Theatre (Dan Lippert, Drew Tarver, Jon Mackey,Ryan Rosenberg) These guys bring such creativity to their improv it’s constantly impressive.
Werner Hotdog 4:40 ArtWorks Theatre - Main Theatre (Anthony Gioe, Casey Feigh, Cissy Fenwick,Clay Larsen, Greg Tuculescu, Josh Simpson,Julie Brister, Rene Gube) I love seeing this team host/do shows at Shapeshift. It’s an interesting form and it always goes in fun surprising directions.
Mr. Fahrenheit 5:20 ArtWorks Theatre - Main Theatre (Lilan Bowden, Lindsay Katai, Wilder Smith) Super funny ladies! I don’t know if I’ve ever seen this group, but I’m REALLY excited to.
MurderCliff 6:20 ArtWorks Theatre - Main Theatre (Chris Teregis, Dan Foster, Darien Clark, Jessica McKenna, Jon Schmidt, Zach Reino) These guys I think are the ideal indie improv team. What does that mean? They’ve stuck together for a while, they do their own form, and they’re AMAZING. Also they dethroned longtime cagematch champs Heather and Miles. WOW.
Hip Hop Penguin 6:40 ArtWorks Theatre - Main Theatre Casey Feigh, Jacob Womack, Nicholas Mandernach, Rene Gube) These guys did the best harold I’ve ever seen. In 5 minutes. Looking forward to seeing what they do in 20.
Reuben Starship 7:00 Art Works Theatre - Main Theatre (Anthony King, Charlie Sanders, Chris Kula, Eric Scott, Eugene Cordero, Joe Wengert, John Reynolds, Kate Spencer, Katie Dippold, Lennon Parham) Duh, go. Look at that line up.
Styx Martin 7:40 The Lounge (David Christenson, Dickie Copeland, Jonny Svarzbein, Lilan Bowden, Paul Welsh, Sarah Claspell, Scott Davis, Stephen Perlstein) When you can’t get into all the headliner teams, come see my team!
Shakedown 8:40 ArtWorks Theatre - Studio A (Hector Santa Cruz, Joel Jensen, Matt Sheelan, Nicholas Mandernach, Rene Gube, Toni Charlene) I admire this team so damn much.
Lord Willin’ 8:40 The Longue Theatre (Drew Tarver, Grant McFadden, Jacob Womack, John Mackey, Marcy Minton, Mary Holland, Matt Newell, Will McLaughlin) These guys do amazing southern style improv. Oh, and they’re all amazing.
9:40 Power Slot! Slave Leia, PALS, King and Woods, TAB. Be ANYWHERE at 9:40, and you’ll be watching a great show. (King and Woods technically starts at 9:30)
Ranger Danger and the Danger Ranger 11:00 ArtWorks Theatre - Main Theatre (Drew Coolidge, Luis Cortes) A two man powerhouse. They had a good long run at the iO cagematch. They’re real funny, real talented, real unafraid. Check them out.
The Younger Statesman 11:20 The Clubhouse (Danny Tieger, David Kantrowitz, Matt Chester, Matt Schwartz) These guys are talented and I swear they do the most entertaining interesting opening I’ve ever seen.
It Came True 11:40 ArtWorks Theatre - Studio A (Andrew Law, D’Arcy Carden, Dickie Copeland, Marcy Jarreau, Mike Scollins, Paul Welsh, Sarah Claspell) I’m looking forward to ending my night watching my friends.
What shows are you seeing? What should I see? Who did I miss?
Today, we’re talking Los Angeles Indie Improv Festival, THE SECOND YEAR! And back each for their second time, Casey Feigh, Nick Mandernach, and Jonny Svarzbein. First we cover all the important information about the LAIIF, like it’s Saturday May 25th from 11AM to Midnight. Also we talk a bit about the organizing of the show with help from Crashbar, Tuesday Night Thunder, Room 101, 11th Hour Show, and the Manifesto Show And we talk about some of the wonderful people who helped get the show on it’s feet this year including Improv Artvice master David Kantrowitz and the man behind Danny Cohen’s greatest hits, Danny Cohen! Also, someone throw an after party.
ALSO, you should really review the show. See here: Ian Roberts and Matt Walsh Episodes Available Now.
