Monthly Archives: March 2014

What About Dick?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITBXP89xvW0

I just realized that, during the 6 months or so that I’ve been blogging, I haven’t mentioned WHAT ABOUT DICK?, Eric Idle’s hilarious, only slightly naughty comedy. It’s not exactly a comedy, it’s not exactly a play, and there is some improv and stand-up.

A few years ago, Eric wrote a script called THE REMAINS OF THE PIANO, which he has transformed into WHAT ABOUT DICK? He assembled an incredibly talented cast consisting of Billy Connolly, Russell Brand, Tracy Ullman, Jim Piddock, Eddie Izzard, Jane Leeves, Sophie Winkleman, and Tim Curry for a one-time-only performance in L.A. For those of us not in L.A., however, it was filmed and edited and is available as a digital download at whataboutdick.com.

If you’d like to order it but aren’t sure how to digitally download anything, I’ve included a video here that should help, featuring a very kind gentleman who packs more Dicks into three minutes than–well, you can insert your own Dick joke here. Enjoy.

The Funniest One in the Room…

And even though that’s also the title of my book, it’s a particularly appropriate day to recycle it.

ImageIt was 15 years ago today, March 4, 1999, that Del Close left us. His official last words: “I’m tired of being the funniest one in the room.”

He was just five days short of his 65th birthday, way too young to leave us without imparting more of his improvisational wisdom, and sharing his genius with yet another generation of performers.

Of course, Del never thought he would live anywhere near as long as he did, and anyone who knew him in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s might agree. (Much later in life, he encountered one of his cronies from that period, and began rattling off his list of performing and directing accomplishments. The man gasped “My God, Del–you’ve gone sane!”)

He left behind a legacy that anyone would envy.

The Improv Olympic, now the iO, turns out hundreds of students every year, thanks to Charna carrying on his dream of “Theatre of the Heart.” Whether they know it or not, everyone that climbs on a stage and improvises today probably owes a debt of gratitude to Del. His students are on stage, screen, and television, and establish their own theatres across the country and around the world. And for those of us who knew him and were lucky enough to be his friend, he left us with memories. 

A Class Act

and the best moment of the 2014 Oscars. Thanks Bill. We’ll miss you, Harold.

Improv Champs

Just a quick note to congratulate the 2014 College Improv Tournament Finals winner, Tall Grande Venti–a three person improv group! Well done, guys, and congratulations. In fact, congratulations to everyone who competed Saturday. My prediction for next year: ISU’s Improv Mafia. We’ll be starting doubles soon, guys!

Here’s a short video of Eric Idle viewing the final version of the MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL app for the iPad (it sounds like it’s being presented to him by John Goldstone, though he’s off-camera). If I had an iPad (and when I get an iPad), this would be an essential piece of equipment…