Zach is an improvisor who's written for MST3K, been a commentator for Resistance Pro Wrestling, and has been a recurring guest on Hello From the Magic Tavern. He joins Mark and Bill to discuss competitiveness in all its forms. Is strife part of utopia, or would all conflict be removed in an ideal political situation? Is the controlled competitiveness of sports or improv … [Read more...] about PvI#53: XTREME BEEF Quicheticles w/ Zach Thompson
Improv Guest
PvI#50: Pro Tips w/ Marla Cáceres
Marla is an improviser from the Whirled News Tonight iO Theater show. We talk about obeying proper forms of behavior and drawing improv inspiration from outside sources. Plus, a thruple blind date and BBQ chain of custody. And introducing a new character, Lil' Confucius. Image from here. Follow Marla @MarlaCaceres and @marlacaceres. Hear more PvI. Support the … [Read more...] about PvI#50: Pro Tips w/ Marla Cáceres
PvI#47: What’s in the Chili? w/ Rachael Mason
Rachael was a mentor of Bill's and works with him at the newly reopened iO Theater. So it's like we have TWO improv instructors here. We run some scenes, talk a bit too much about chili, and touch on functionalism, idealism, napism, and other isms. Jump into the marzipan! Brucie and Frucie are waiting for you! Rachael has been a guest on many improv podcasts. Hear … [Read more...] about PvI#47: What’s in the Chili? w/ Rachael Mason
PvI#45: Meaningful Road Trips w/ Dee Bradley Baker
Voice actor Dee, who has a background in both improv and stand-up, talks to Mark and Bill about the meaning of life and engages in THREE scenes all about a parent trying to get some kids into a vehicle and on the road. Also, does COVID cause ennui? Hear more PvI. Support the podcast! You'll get all of our post-game discussions and other exclusive bonus content, including the … [Read more...] about PvI#45: Meaningful Road Trips w/ Dee Bradley Baker
PvI#41: Situatedness in Three Persons w/ Sarah Shockey
What is personhood? How can a group best collaboratively invent a scene? Sarah is a host of Marty and Sarah Love Wrestling and a repeat guest on Hello From the Magic Tavern. We fit in THREE scenes, some discussion of the various layers of what it is for something to be (or not be) person, and some musings about the weather and such. Follow us @sarahjoyshockey, @btarnett, and … [Read more...] about PvI#41: Situatedness in Three Persons w/ Sarah Shockey
PvI#38: The Bones of Tragedy with Jay O. Sanders
Jay Sanders, famed not only for his appearances on Law & Order: Criminal Intent and The Day After Tomorrow and many many other screens and stages, joins us to talk tragedy, how he's applied the lessons of improv to his scripted acting, and more. Jump into the improv maelstrom with us! In the post-game, which just this once, we're sharing with the general public, we … [Read more...] about PvI#38: The Bones of Tragedy with Jay O. Sanders
PvI#35: Submarine Observations w/ Chris Rathjen
We talk about observations and how they relate to theories and other types of preconception. Is there such a thing as pure observation? For our pen-pen-ultimate episode here of season one, I must say that these were some of my favorite scenes we've ever done. We tour a submarine and plan a party. There is no Chumbawamba in either case. Improv guy Chris starred in … [Read more...] about PvI#35: Submarine Observations w/ Chris Rathjen
PvI#31: Signs, Signs, Ubiquitous Signs w/ Brooke Breit
Contemplate the difference between signs, symbols, and symptoms. Did our improv scene get Zoom-bombed, or is that just real life intruding? THINK OF THE CHILDREN (eating Doritos)! What flavor of chip is Bill trying to teach today? Why is Brooke sad? Brooke is of course an improviser and has also been on TV and works for Jackbox Games. Follow her @brookebreit, For more … [Read more...] about PvI#31: Signs, Signs, Ubiquitous Signs w/ Brooke Breit
PvI#28: Enhanced Interrogation w/ Adal Rifai
Today's episode is about questioning: how one might question, what sets the parameters for a proper answer, and how to give those answers in an informative and/or dramatically effective way. Watch out for dream pigs! Also, how to get into the VIP room at Stuckey's. Perhaps a pair of paralegals can help. In the post-game, included JUST THIS ONCE for public enjoyment, we … [Read more...] about PvI#28: Enhanced Interrogation w/ Adal Rifai
PvI#26: Monetize Your Syphilitic Storytelling w/ Linda Orr
Is money the root of all evil, or does it save us from needless cabaret bartering? What is money qua social construction? Should we retain the chocolate fountain? Are you ready to run? Did you bring your NFTs to trade for blue powder? Bill is master of the frustration scene. Here's the Stanford article about money and finance. Listen to Linda and her husband Noah (who was … [Read more...] about PvI#26: Monetize Your Syphilitic Storytelling w/ Linda Orr
PvI#22: Punishment w/ Noah Gregoropoulos
There's trouble at the work site! There are secret shifts of emotion going on. Do they make sense? Later, a guy's car is blocking a driveway. Does he deserve the electric chair, or a beer? It depends on your theory of punishment. Ep. art cribbed from a Psychology Today article. Audio editing by Tyler Hislop at Pixelbox Media. Hear more PvI. Support the podcast to get … [Read more...] about PvI#22: Punishment w/ Noah Gregoropoulos
PvI#18: Utopias w/ Jill Bernard and Michelle Gilliam
Hell is NOT other people, and the more the merrier, with our second episode with guests being with TWO guest improvisers, Jill, co-founder of HUGE Theater and her friend Michelle, owner of Improv MKE. Bill and our guests each start a scene to explore something of what utopia might amount to, and of course how it will inevitably go bad. Then we discuss whether there is some … [Read more...] about PvI#18: Utopias w/ Jill Bernard and Michelle Gilliam
PvI#16: The Legend of Kermit’s Gold w/ Tim Sniffen
Do you believe in miracles? If doctors believed in miracles, would they just let surgeries finish themselves? Do assumptions of a logical universe make it not just unjustified by psychologically impossible for us to really believe in miracles? Read about our VERY FIRST guest, Tim Sniffen at timsniffen.com. Follow him @MisterSniffen and hear him talking more with Mark about … [Read more...] about PvI#16: The Legend of Kermit’s Gold w/ Tim Sniffen