Message Board

IS IT JUST ME, OR HAVE THE LAST TWO EPISODES FELT WAY TOO "PLOTTY"? AKA COMMITTING TO NON-INTERESTING PLOT ELEMENTS INSTEAD OF DOING A FUNNY SHOW WITH DISCUSSIONS AND BANTER? I DUNNO, CALL ME SOMEONE WHO IS AFRAID OF CHANGE.

I DO LIKE WEIRD SHIT, BUT REPRIMANDING CALLERS FOR NOT PLAYING ALONG WAS A LITTLE MUCH FOR ME.

"NEVER PROMISE MORE THAN YOU CAN PERFORM.” -- PUBLILIUS SYRUS

I TAKE IMPROV CLASSES AND PEOPLE'S LIVES.

I think this note is spot on, Death! But when you're doing time travel based sci fi parodies, you can really only mirror the plotty heavy handed exposition of the real thing. I did my best to get all that info out and get to the fun in both episodes. Also, it's a shame you are the manifestation of a concept and not an actual entity. If you could have seen the scene in our studio leading into this episode, you would be astounded. I am consistently amazed that the show even happens. It was mostly the Keeper pulling on his costume while myself and the LLC screamed across the room at each other trying to figure out who would do their thing first after Phil Jackson wrapped up the intro. (Obviously, Phil was fucking relaxed through all of it.) We ran out of time and the LLC, my mics, and the phones were not sound checked this week. Then we launched into the show. The beginning was bound to be a little bit all over the map. Not making excuses, just offering explanation.

As far as reprimanding callers, I definitely have no desire to do so. Andres is a great caller and I have nothing but love for the guy. But there have been a number of weeks recently where phone calls are at the core of the execution of the episode. On those nights it's necessary to make sure you know the bit and are ready to enact it. I have nothing but love for all of our callers, and I do think this show is a two way street. We write about 60-70 % of it on any given night and the callers write the rest. That being said, when we need them to write that other piece of the puzzle, we all gotta get to work! I think it is really hard to get through on the phones these days, and sometimes people get on the line just to get through - but it doesn't serve them or us to float on calls that don't address the bit we announced earlier in the week when we can move on to the next one and get things moving. It's not a huge deal at all, I hope this doesn't come off as defensive - again, I just want to offer up explanation to yourself and any other people with similar concerns.

I feel very, very lucky to be able to put this show together each week. Handling the calls is a huge and tricky responsibility. Between technical failure, missing what people say on my end, and finding a rhythm for the all, it is an unexpectedly difficult task with the show. Very tough to pull off, which I didn't know before we started doing calls! So I do feel like it's my responsibility on a night when the bit itself relies on calls to make sure we get as many calls as possible that speak to the bit and to find the pace for them that will make things feel alive on camera. This is not a matter of getting upset at people for not playing along - it's recognizing that if your call is off topic and the show is one that needs to be on topic, the call will be shorter and we will have to move on sooner. If anyone felt reprimanded or felt uncomfortable and feels like anyone else was being reprimanded, I promise you that my goal in situations like these is absolutely not to reprimand, it is to move on and get to the game asap while making sure the parameters for callers on that night become clearer as things go on.

I LOVE YOU DEATH,

Geth

SORRY I MEANT 2054.

Dear Yama (Death)
Plotty has included fun costumes and, in my case, the opportunity to discover wearable electric glow-wire - um, that's an awesome win. Plus, anything having to do with time-travel, alternate universes, over- or under-realms, fantasy, sci-fi, epic journeys or spiritual quests I eat with a spoon! Death, you are universal and I appreciate your looking out for the under-caller (as it were). You are frequently in my thoughts as a way to keep things in perspective.
Best,
Mimi on the Hoops

I DID COMPLAIN TO BERGMAN. SUMMER OF 2007.