68. Billy Merritt & Should I Quit Improv

We’re back! 2017! Will this be the only podcast I record all year? Who knows! Today on the show, it’s Dave Theune. Los Angeles improvisers may know Dave from the legendary Bangarang, or Sassy Bluff, or Midbest, or his run with Bonafide on Maude Night. And, all the TV watchers may have seen dave on Brooklyn 99, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Michael Bolton’s Big Sexy Valentine’s Day Special, or in 1000 commercials. Dave flips the script on me today, and starts asking me questions. And in turn, I divulge too much information about my life and this podcast. But, not before taking a second to have Dave talk to me about straight manning, and doing comedy on your own terms. Plus, we talk a bit about Dave’s personal journey in improv, and the merits of short form improv, which Dave wants you to know, he loves.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike McLendon is on the show! You may know Mike from his incredible teams, Outside Dog, Orpheus Roy, Tatertown, Second City, Mission Improvable, and more! Mike talked to me in this one about how he found his way in improv, and maybe some of the trials and tribulations that go along with it. And, as always, we talk about HOW to do good improv. Is it easy? You bet it is. HA. This is another in the series of, whoops why didn’t I release this. So, if you have the chance, reach out to Mike, and tell him how much you liked this one, I’m sure he’d appreciate it.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James Bachman is on the show today to talk about the indie improv scene, and how it’s completely broken, and needs to be destroyed and rebuilt from scratch. LA improvisers may know James from his Mess Hall Team Green Light Go, or if you’re a fan of comedy, you might know him from The IT Crowd, The Mighty Boosh, Saxondale, and more! James and I have a lively debate on the state of indie improv, with which, the real goal is to make the whole improv community better. Did we achieve it? Who knows?! Let us know what you think. For further show notes and past episodes, go http://boardwalkaudio.com/improvobsession/  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Carl Tart is on the show! You may know Carl from UCB Harold Teams Queen George & Six Killer, as well as his Maude Team, The Bus, OR maybe his improv and sketch group White Women. Carl’s also an alumni of Second City and Boom Chicago, so yeah, Carl’s got quite the performance history. I pick Carl’s brain for as long as I possibly can to learn how he performs. And I figured it all out, so if you wanna be good listen to this.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jake Jabbour (Shapeshift, We're Gross with Gilli Nissim) is on the show! Improv fans will know Jake from hosting 4,3,2,1 and Shapeshift. Podcast fans will know his podcast, The MEAT Improv with Josh Simpson and Jake Jabbour, in my opinion the best improv podcast ever. He’s also on the teams Puddy, Church, and Squeeze, who are all funny and incredible. In this episode Jake and I talk about how to coach teams, how to improv, and some of our favorite things to see in improv. Also, Listen! Rate! Review! Share! Enjoy!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Becky Drysdale is on the show! Improv fans will know Becky from the Hebecky Drysbell, Elephants Gerald, Baby Wants Candy, and Brand New Ball. You may also know Becky as the benevolent landlord of The Clubhouse. Plus, she’s written for Baskets, and Key And Peele. Becky talks about finding her place in improv, writing and keeping her career growing, her goals and wants for The Clubhouse, and even a good bit on how to actually DO improv. Guys, this was a great episode, if you liked this episode, tell a friend about it! Listen! Rate! Review! Share! Enjoy!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kyle Parulski is on the show! Improv fans will know Kyle from the Delta Flow, Argo Navis, and plenty of other lovely indie improv teams. Kyle is one of the hosts of Happy Hour every Tuesday in the UCB Sunset Inner Sanctum. Kyle and I have a great talk about improv today, where we focus on the value of strong emotional reactions, keeping scenes simple, and working on our deficits while still playing to our strengths. We also talk a bit about Kyle’s unique approach to improv, and he shares some practical tips on how to make your script much easier to say yes to for readers. As always, if you like the show, please subscribe, give it a nice review on iTunes, tell a friend about it, all that good stuff. Subscribe to the Podcast Improv Obsession on iTunes or Listen Online at BoardwalkAudio.com Follow Me On Twitter @Perlstein Reach Out To Me For Improv Coaching  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Farley Elliott (Scandal! Squeeze, Comrades, Los Angeles Street Food, Eater LA) is on the show talking about improv in a continuing conversation I’m having about my tense relationship with improv. Farley is a super interesting multi-talented man. Boldy, Farley came to the conclusion that he wanted to stop doing comedy and he could have the things improv provided for him without doing improv. We also talk a good bit about Farley’s approach to improv, how he coached, and since he’s a food writer, he indulges me in some food conversation. Subscribe to the Podcast Improv Obsession on iTunes or Listen Online Follow Me On Twitter Reach Out To Me For Improv Coaching  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Billy Merritt comes on the show to talk about the the darker side of improv. Jealousy. Loneliness. Failure. Fading passion. Billy helps me with the existential question of, should I just quit improv. We talk about the struggles being part of the community, and facing one’s changing place in that community.Plus, we talk about coaching best practices, Billy gives a perl of wisdom, and he notes that my head is now the right size. All of that and more. Subscribe to the Podcast Improv Obsession on iTunes or Listen Online Follow Me On Twitter Reach Out To Me For Improv Coaching  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ronnie Adrian is on the show! Improv fans will know Ronnie from the UCBLA Harold Team The Dragons. You may also know Ronnie from hosting Tuesday Night Thunder or hosting the Cagematch, or even his sketch and improv team White Women. Ronnie talks about his approach to getting on Harold Night. Spoiler alert, it worked. Also, we talk about coaching, the stresses of Harold Night, how he scouted talent for the team White Women. Plus, we compliment a bunch of great improvisers. Listen! Rate! Review! Share! Enjoy! Subscribe to the Podcast Improv Obsession on iTunes or Listen Online Follow Me On Twitter Reach Out To Me For Improv Coaching  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices