Author Archives: howardjohnson1985

No One Expects…

…Well, some of you know that I coach Illinois State University’s Improv Mafia on an irregular basis. Although I often get more out of it than they do, none of them will forget Saturday’s workshop.

It all started a couple of days before. I learned that my good friend and Baron’s Barracuda Brother Joel Murray would be in the area. In addition to acting in loads of TV shows (including one called Mad Men), directing, and improvising out of the iO West nowadays, Joel also tours with Whose Live Is It Anyway?, the live-on-stage version of the long-running improvisational TV series.

So, I made a quick trip to the theatre where they were appearing, and Joel introduced me to the rest of the cast, including the spectacularly talented Ryan Styles, Greg Proops, and Jeff Davis. As I was leaving, Joel happened to mention that they would be performing Who’s Live in Bloomington, Illinois on Saturday night. I happened to mention that I would be running an improv workshop in Bloomington that very afternoon. The wheels began to turn…

Cut to Saturday afternoon. The group was in the middle of some longform improvisation, when Joel and Ryan Styles walked in.

Consider that many of these students first learned about improvisation watching Whose Line Is It Anyway? and you should have a clue as to how amazing it was for them. You could compare it to a group of music students going to a guitar lesson in rural Illinois and having Eric Clapton walk in.

They sat watching, asking questions, making some valuable suggestions, until they had to get back to their hotel. (Joel told me later that if he hadn’t dragged Ryan away, he never would have left.) Of course, they happily posed for pictures with the class before leaving.

And this is the great thing about most of the improvisers that I know. They are generous with their time, and happy to pass along what they have learned to the next generation. The last thing Ryan and Joel needed to do on a beautiful fall afternoon was to sit down and watch a group of college students passionate about learning the things they learned about many years before. But that’s just what they did. Thanks so much guys.

#whoseliveanyway @improvmafia @joelmurray9of9 @iochicago

Funny Men

I had the pleasure of seeing a wonderful new play at the Northlight Theatre in Skokie this weekend, and if you’re anywhere in the vicinity–or even if you’re not–I strongly urge you to go way out of your way to see this world premiere that is running for two more weeks. Full disclosure: Funnyman stars two friends of mine, George Wendt and Tim Kazurinsky, but I’d be strongly recommending it even if I’d never heard of either one of them.

Folks who know George only from Cheers may be in for a surprise. This is a very emotional role that runs the gamut from laughs to heavy drama. And Tim is wonderful as his agent/friend–they first worked together at Second City back in the 1970s, and they bring the feeling of their real-life friendship to these roles. George and Tim have both been tearing up the Broadway stage recently, so we are lucky to have them back here. And when you add in Amanda Drinkall as the daughter, along with the other supporting cast, well, I haven’t seen a better show all year.

Funnyman is based on the story of Bert Lahr, who, late in his life, was offered the chance to star in the world premiere of Waiting for Godot, with elements of Buster Keaton’s childhood mixed in as well. It’s well written and well directed, and–well, just go see it. You’re welcome.

Together Again, Again…

John Cleese and Eric Idle are continuing their two-man sit-down comedy tour of the Southeastern U.S. If you are anywhere it Florida, it will soon be impossible to escape them. So why not give in? Ticket info is here, and the sooner you do, the better your seats will be.

#cleeseandidle

Birthday present…

Very excited to read Eric Idle’s The Writer’s Cut, brand new today on Amazon. Perfect way to celebrate a Python anniversary… @ericidle @montypython

Happy birthday Monty Python!

On October the 5th, 1969, the very first episode of Monty Python’s Flying Circus first aired on the BBC.

A lot of things have changed since then, but those shows are just as funny now as they were then. The second episode recorded was the first one aired. Here’s what BBC audiences first saw that evening:

Graham…

Remembering Graham, who became an ex-Chapman this day in 1989.

Taken from us before he wreaked nearly enough havoc.

Happy 125th!

A quick break from Python posting:

One hundred and twenty five years ago today, Julius Henry Marx was born.

When he was visiting Rome, a priest came up to him and said “I’d like to thank you for all of the joy you’ve brought into this world.”

He immediately responded “And I’d like to thank you for all of the joy you’ve taken out of this world.”

Happy birthday Groucho.

#groucho

Paperback Cleese

Here’s a link to John’s NPR interview for his just-released-in-paperback memoir So, Anyway… in bookstores now. @johnCleese #johncleese @montypython

Terry Jones and Monty Python and the Holy Grail’s 40th Anniversary

As promised–here are some of the memories of Terry Jones at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta on September 8th for the 40th anniversary screening of Monty Python and the Holy Grail! As seen through the lens of Bryan Willy!

In Case You Missed This:

…John Cleese will be guesting on Real Time with Bill Maher this Friday night. If you enjoyed his solo interview last year, wait till you see him on the panel!