Anyone here into comedy or improv?

Sandy Denny is gone off of YouTube because of you.

john: I've been through the training program at Second City, roughly half the program at iO, random classes and jams and drop-ins, and had an independent dramatic improv group (much more my speed, as I'm not particularly wild about the general tendency towards max yuks per minute) that imploded. I've been out of town/the scene for a while and have just recently returned, dipping my toe ever-so-gingerly into stand-up (maybe not exactly my cup of tea but the logistics of which don't involve other people following through) and in the planning stages of some performance stuff that'll incorporate a degree of improv (including a show I hope to direct in the not-too-distant future). And, again, I had nothing to do with anything performance-related prior to '08. It's a bug and it'll get under your skin if you let it.

If you're pretty much new to the game, I'd highly recommend the SC training center. The early levels are like improv kindergarten in the best possible way.

Cool, Radar. Looks like next round of classes starts in March at Second City. Are you doing the stand up/show up in Chicago?

> Also had a problem trying too hard to be funny and not understanding the craft and "accepting the offer" and all that stuff.

Oh, yeah. Right now, I'll analyze, say, a question I answered lamely, and mentally kick myself for the missed opportunity. The other day we were working on character and detail, trying to keep consistent and to elaborate. Hard enough when I'm still trying not to stare at the floor while I'm speaking.

are there improv groups that are specifically geared towards things that aren't comedy, like improv as speech therapy or improv as increasing your salesmanship?

Second City has classes in Dramatic Improv and Improv for Anxiety.

I wonder how many people are in regular improv because they didn't want the stigma of being in improv for anxiety.

Ted Flicker, a key talent in the Compass Players and The Premise, who went on to create The President's Analyst and Barney Miller.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/18/arts/television/theodore-j-flicker-sitcom-creator-dies-at-84.ht

sorry

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/18/arts/television/theodore-j-flicker-sitcom-creator-dies-at-84.html

Been listening a lot to "Improv4humans", with Matt Besser, on Earwolf podcasts.

I find this type of improv way more funnier than what I remember of "Who's Line..." being, weren't they all just smug gits on that?

Anyway Matt introduces the occasional debate with callers, or rants about stuff in the news, which is usually interesting.

In Del, “Mike Myers will portray one of his own mentors, Del Close, an early influencer of improv comedy who was also known for training many notable comic actors.” The Hollywood Reporter‘s Rebecca Ford: “Betty Thomas (Private Parts, 28 Days) will direct.”

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/berlin-mike-myers-star-film-as-comedy-coach-del-close-973791

"Barbara Harris established the role at Second City of ferociously smart women who refused to be mere adjuncts to the boys. She brought an emotional complexity that has rarely been matched."

Read more about Barbara's incredible life & unequalled talent: https://t.co/JJyUqhYjC3 pic.twitter.com/Run482YFiM

— The Second City (@TheSecondCity) August 21, 2018

RIP Fred Willard. Second City trained, part of a comedy group I remember from my youth, The Ace Trucking Company. He was a sketch comedy pioneer. A great part of Christopher Guest's films. pic.twitter.com/ufmIvqj7xU

— Dennis Perrin (@DennisThePerrin) May 16, 2020

Who else is in that picture?

From the Wikipedia entry for the 2000 AD 'Ace Trucking Co.' strips:

The title was lifted from a 1970s improvisational comedy group whose membership had included Fred Willard, Patti Deutsch, Michael Mislove, George Memmoli, and Bill Saluga.

Thanks. She looks a little different from when she was on Tattletales.

Bill Saluga was the "You can call me Ray or you can call me Jay" guy from 1970s beer commercials

George Memmoli was the pool hall owner in Mean Streets.

Sad news. I met Noah a few times, and he was a real mensch. And an incredibly solid, very smart performer.

Noah Gregoropoulos, influential Chicago improv performer and teacher, has died at 63. https://t.co/l37SSLZCuk

— Chicago Sun-Times (@Suntimes) December 17, 2022