tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486244714643027014.post3973069402305581673..comments2024-03-24T23:57:28.687-07:00Comments on Undercover Black Man: Another ‘SNL’ history lessonUndercover Black Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08704721024820668555noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486244714643027014.post-55683297133223392092007-10-06T16:35:00.000-07:002007-10-06T16:35:00.000-07:00The free improvs were great!For a while in L.A., l...The free improvs were great!<BR/><BR/>For a while in L.A., like late '90s, a clique of ex-Second City players -- including some I saw in the '80s -- would do weekly long-form improvs. (A construct called "The Harold.")<BR/><BR/>I became a geek for that, too. Because whereas some of the Second City free improv sessions seems only loosely connected to audience suggestions... seemed more like a way for them to road-test written bits... the Harold is total fly-by-the-pants improvisation... thrilling to witness.Undercover Black Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08704721024820668555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486244714643027014.post-70694580211109460652007-10-06T16:13:00.000-07:002007-10-06T16:13:00.000-07:00I was there 1994-97, which was a lot of Adam McKay...I was there 1994-97, which was a lot of Adam McKay and Scott Adsit. Dratch, I remember clearly. There would be nights my third year I'd wrap up at Law School late, and on my way from Hyde Park to Lakeview stop at Second City for the free improv on Thursdays and Saturdays. Miss that place.Adamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02113168955236758821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486244714643027014.post-42345344256918490752007-10-06T12:58:00.000-07:002007-10-06T12:58:00.000-07:00Lucky you, Adam. I miss Second City so much. I rem...Lucky you, Adam. I miss Second City so much. I remember seeing Dan Castellaneta when he was with the third-string company (National Touring Co.). I remember Bonnie Hunt with the main company. Isabella Hoffman too.<BR/><BR/>We're talking mid-'80s, before the Second City once again became a feeder to "SNL" and "Mad TV" and Comedy Central.<BR/><BR/>As for having no memory of Tina Fey... time has shown us that her main strength was never as a sketch player, but as a writer. Lucky her.Undercover Black Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08704721024820668555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486244714643027014.post-70066917058753841422007-10-06T08:41:00.000-07:002007-10-06T08:41:00.000-07:00I saw this in person back then, when I was in law ...I saw this in person back then, when I was in law school there. Dratch was someone I always thought would hit it big, and I have no memory of Fey at all.Adamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02113168955236758821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486244714643027014.post-47075024809841663262007-10-04T17:50:00.000-07:002007-10-04T17:50:00.000-07:00I missed her... dammit. I should've been on the lo...I missed her... dammit. I should've been on the lookout.Undercover Black Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08704721024820668555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486244714643027014.post-71884217093971693532007-10-04T17:19:00.000-07:002007-10-04T17:19:00.000-07:00Did you catch Tina on Conan yesterday? I have such...Did you catch Tina on Conan yesterday? I have such a huge crush on her...and she was on the cover of geek magazine!SJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01245472084190224186noreply@blogger.com