Do you guys know about the Improv Everywhere folks? The ones who make up scenes and act them out in front of an unsuspecting populous? My favorites in the past included the cell phone symphony held at the bag check of The Strand (people checked their bags in the store, and friends called those cell phones from Union Square,) and the one where a bunch of them froze in place in the middle of Grand Central. Back in the day when I was stage managing a few small shows at improv theatres, I crossed paths with some of the people that run Improv Everywhere, and sometimes I wish I had never left because I wonder if I could be involved today. But that’s not the adventure I chose for myself. If I had gone with choice A, maybe I could have participated in the most recent mission, the one where they turned a little league game into a major league game, complete with programs, Jumbotron, and Goodyear freaking Blimp! Watch it and try not to smile.
Speaking of unexpected things, yesterday I was so excited to go to the gym for free pizza and using my new iPod and Nike+, that I forgot to actually bring my iPod to the gym. I had to settle for gym music through my headphones, which is not inspiring. I remembered forgetting it when I was a mile away from the gym, at the same time I remembered that I had forgotten to turn down my heat, because I had put the iPod next to the thermostat so I wouldn’t forget to turn it down as I packed my iPod. When I came home, the cat was warm and content, again, for the 10th time this heating season. I hope she finds a way to make some money, because I’m looking at a huge bill next month, which is exactly equal to the refund that I’m hoping to get when the IRS figures out about my doppleganger.
Posted by xsquared on April 8, 2008 at 6:55 am
Try not to smile? Hell, I’m trying not to cry. Things like this make me love the internet. That was AWESOME, just awesome.
Posted by Deb on the Rocks on April 8, 2008 at 7:10 am
I love their work too, especially the Grand Central Station one..except I saw one of their stories on a This American Life showtime show (available on Netflix for PLAY NOW, fyi) about how they gave a no-name band a treatment like the little league game. They learned the lyrics, went to a show, sang along, and made the guys feel like they had the best gig ever. But then when they publicized their mission, the band was humiliated by people viewing the gig and by the very idea that they needed that sort of contrived attention. It is a fascinating example of everyday ethics on a larger scale. I recommend it.
Posted by Allie on April 8, 2008 at 8:31 am
Wow! That’s great!
They did one where a bunch of guys went to the Abercrombie store and took their shirts off and got yelled at. It was pretty funny too.
Posted by andrea on April 8, 2008 at 8:33 am
Stuff like that makes my cold heart happy.
Posted by 3carnations on April 8, 2008 at 8:57 am
Surely there’s some sort of work at home opportunities for cats…
Posted by The Modern Gal on April 8, 2008 at 9:02 am
I always seem to forget things that I take painful precaution not to forget. I think it’s some kind of affliction.
And I LOVE Improv Everywhere!
Posted by courtney on April 8, 2008 at 9:07 am
Ha! That video is pretty funny. I like how they had announcers and everything.
Posted by Vicious Headbutt on April 8, 2008 at 9:23 am
Those Improv Everywhere guys rock!
That is neat that you actually worked with some of those folks.
Posted by mickey on April 8, 2008 at 9:25 am
Our heat hasn’t kicked on for about a month now and probably won’t again until sometime in November. I didn’t even put socks or slippers on when I got out of bed and had breakfast this morning. Did I mention I’ve been wearing shorts? Outside?
Posted by nancypearlwannabe on April 8, 2008 at 10:11 am
Mickey: I still hate you.
Noelle: At least it’s been a little warmer out! Warm weather is so close!
Posted by stefanie on April 8, 2008 at 10:51 am
Mickey is just trying to get beat up… or, more likely, to get us all to come beat down their down and decide to live with them.
Didn’t you put a note on your door to remind you about the heat? That’s what I did before I had a programmable thermostat. (You may recall I later realized I obviously picked up that behavior from my grandma. Lima beans, dammit.)
And to Deb–I was all excited by that TAL comment and went over to Netflix to add it to my queue, but it says it’s not released yet! Do you have special Netflix privileges that I do not?? Bummer.
Posted by stefanie on April 8, 2008 at 10:52 am
“beat down their down” was supposed to be “beat down their door.” It wasn’t even a very good comment, but I could at least have spelled it right.
Posted by Laurel on April 8, 2008 at 11:05 am
I had heard about the Grand Central stunt… but this baseball one is great! Adorable!
Posted by sadieandleo on April 8, 2008 at 11:15 am
That little baseball video was so cute! I loved it! Thanks for introducing the Improv Everywhere to me!
Posted by jennifer on April 8, 2008 at 2:41 pm
I have never seen them but they sound fascinating!
And the forgetting ipod and stuff? I just admire that you go to the gym! I am forgetful and out of shape.
Be blessed.
Posted by erikka on April 8, 2008 at 3:55 pm
What a great idea! Improv Everywhere rocks!
Posted by Kelli on April 8, 2008 at 4:14 pm
I LOVE Improv Everywhere. Have you seen the one where they stage a musical (Can I get a Napkin Please) in a LA mall food court? HILARIOUS.
Posted by Anika on April 8, 2008 at 4:48 pm
I bought my cat a tie at Target in hopes that he’d be inspired to start working. He was not inspired, however, and the tie has now gone missing. . .
Posted by Jules on April 8, 2008 at 7:57 pm
Hey, on the note of your IRS doppleganger, have you contacted your congressional delegation? They have caseworkers who can help you with federal agency issues. Try your congressman/woman or senator…. it never hurts to try with them!!
happy running. I’m waiting for this cold to disappear so I can get back on that bandwagon.
Posted by Aaron on April 8, 2008 at 11:20 pm
Free pizza at the gym. Hmm…it stirs some sort of memory…
Posted by kir on April 9, 2008 at 12:31 am
i loooove improv comedy. give me the deets on san fran!!!