PvI#88: The Dark Side of Improv w/ Randy Fertel

Philosophy vs. Improv

Randy is a literature guy who has written a couple of books about improv and here joins Mark and Bill to talk about WINGING IT: Improv’s Power and Peril in the Age of Trump, wherein he basically blames improv for giving us the orange man.

Can one be an expert about philosophy, or improvisation for that matter? Is the essence of these activities in the historical products (e.g. Christopher Guest films, philosophy books) or in the doing of it by each individual? Randy connects this to philosophy of science: the improvisational activity of the individual is the disruptor of existing patterns and paradigms, of experiments designed to merely reinforce and develop the status quo. According to Randy, our admiration for these rebel innovators thinking outside the box has led to Americans being struck by this trickster political figure that flouts norms and promises substantial disruption. So while you might have thought that improv was just an activity for a special kind of marginalized geek, it’s actually central to our political theater. Randy also blames improv for toxic social media, but you’ll have to listen to see whether the argument makes sense at all.

Our scenes are about Trumpers hustling a fast food joint and improv for dogs.

Note that this was recorded 11/25, so the election was a bit fresher.

Mark and Bill stick around for some post-game bringing in yet another metaphor: music and its stylistic development.

The orange man drawing was lifted from here.

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