Adam Bozarth Enjoys the Internet

benzado:

So, this happened on Twitter yesterday:

I think those of us who are already “plugged in” take for granted how hard it is for someone new to the scene to get a group together. If I want to, I’m spoiled for choice, but it took some time to get here. Most of the people I started practicing with were not classmates. You would likely never have heard of me if I hadn’t been a regular at Improdome. I never would have been a regular if I didn’t used to live so close to the PIT; I had a day job.

If “interviewing” isn’t acceptable, what’s the right way to do it? Sitting in for a practice is great, if you can afford to spend the time and money. What’s wrong with wanting to talk to the person first, to get an idea if you get along or not?

I know it’s just Twitter, where the goal is to fit as much snark as you can in 140 characters or fewer. But it’s unfair pass judgment on interviewing, or any idea, if you don’t have a better idea to offer.

I stand by my statement.

If you are just taking classes and are trying to get into the practice group momentum, then you are still just learning and having fun. But the whole idea of interviewing puts a pressure on you to prove your worth. Unless the interview consists of “Can you make regular practice and bring money?” then it seems superfluous to interview people to help come along with you to learn.

I mean, I did have sort of a “try-out” practice for Stamp and Coin Club, but they were already performing regularly and had a few guys on the team who hadn’t seen me yet. I didn’t have to answer any questions about my theory , or game moves, or whatever. I don’t know what the questions were.

And then imagine the feeling of rejection when you interview for a practice group and are rejected. It is not hard to get a group together. I did it about 3 times. Start with a few people in a class you like, then have them ask people in their other classes that they liked. Check the IRC to find out about space and get a coach. Bing bang boom.

I can understand why a team might feel they need to do this, especially with the amount of new students there are each year, but improv should be fun and about having fun at its core. At least, that’s my thought. I got into doing comedy because I wanted to get away from the business world for a few hours.

November 06, 2009, 2:10pm   Comments

In honor of Back to the Future Day (today being the day Doc Brown hit his head and had a vision of the flux capacitor, and Marty McFly traveled to from 1985), Here’s a composite of the Marty we know, and the original Marty, Eric Stoltz.

Good thing Michael J Fox went back in time and cleared his Family Ties schedule.

November 05, 2009, 4:29pm  Comments

» The Insiders on MySpace Music

My friend Evan sent me this link earlier today and I am still listening to these jams. These two teenage kids from Bushnell, IL (pop. 3,221) got ahold of Fruity Loops and an autotuner and made some of the best jams on earth.

They all have amazing lyrics. My favorites:

“You’ve heard of Captain Morgan, and you heard of Captain Hook. If you haven’t heard of me, you should read a fuckin’ book.” —Lost at Sea (This is a whole pirate-themed jam)

“Come to the trailer park, bitch. We can have sex on my dad’s couch.”—Deep Dickin

“A gynocologist told me ‘Son, titties is the healthiest thing for a dong.” —Beyond the Bra

November 04, 2009, 5:17pm  Comments

Papercraft Self Portrait

Man goes as himself in Big Head Mode for Halloween.

November 03, 2009, 1:28am  Comments

Paul F Tompkins’ new album Freak Wharf out 12/01/09

One of the best comedians working today. His first album, Impersonal, is still one of my favorites to listen to on long work nights and road trips. The link above has a bit of preview copy announcing some of the material that will be on the new album. Some of the bits I heard when I saw PFT perform at Comix two years ago, which makes me think this album might be even better than the last. I mean, look at the cover art (unconfirmed)!

November 02, 2009, 3:16pm  Comments

» Chris Christie Rips Off Monty Python, Troupe Threatens Suit

Republican candidate for New Jersey governor Chris Christie takes a sketch from Monty Python, adds dumb captions to it to make it about John Corzine, and doesn’t clear the clip for use.

Corzine has responded by hiring Mark McKinney to crush Christie’s head.

November 02, 2009, 1:44pm  Comments

» Tracy Morgan on Fresh Air with Terry Gross

A really honest interview with Tracy Morgan, which is a very rare thing. It’s pretty heart-breaking to hear him talk about his parents, growing up in Bed-Stuy and The Bronx, and collaborative work on SNL.

October 30, 2009, 12:28pm  Comments

brianglidewell:

In the third century B.C. the Greek stoic philosopher Chrysippus died of laughter after giving his donkey wine, then seeing it attempt to feed on figs

Guess you had to be there.

October 29, 2009, 2:41pm   Comments

Trailer for House

Tonight at 10 PM, at The Creek and the Cave, Matt Little and Nate Kushner will present this gem of a horror movie. It is Japanese (really Japanese), and it is based on a story by the director’s then-11-years-old daughter.

Nate and Matt will be watching the movie, as well as myself and the incomparably funny Mike Still.

Please come out tonight. It’s a free show. 10 PM at The Creek in Long Island City.

You don’t want to miss this.

October 29, 2009, 11:30am  Comments