www.improvgenius.com

For those of you who don't know, Del Close was an improviser. And an improv director. And an improv teacher. And he taught a lot of great people... like John Belushi, Bill Murray, Mike Meyers. Some of these great people were kind enough to speak with me about him... like Tina Fey, Rachel Dratch and Andy Dick.

So then I made a video about him, so that people who never met Del could hear about him first hand from the greats he helped.

And then I made a radio piece about him.

I'm proud of both, but honestly more proud of the radio piece, which aired on NPR stations across the country (ahem).

Anyway, you can judge for yourself (my imaginary friend), by checking out my website devoted to Del Close: www.improvgenius.com

Thank you.

Ed in a Video for Sustainable Cities

I was attending the US Green Building Council's annual GreenBuild Conference with Amber Kuchar (dear friend/ Manager of Calvert Foundation's Social Enterprise Fund/ rock star), when we were asked to be in a video to promote the Sustainable Cities Collective.

The conference was held shortly after the last election, and President Obama and the promise his new administration, were on everyone's mind. The Sustainable Cities Collective video reflects all that. I think it turned out pretty well. Anyway, check it out...


Sustainable Cities Collective Video

Tina Fey / My Vanity Fair letter, part 2

Heh, and here is what they published:

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"Maureen Dowd neglected to mention one of Tina Fey’s finest achievements; reforming the infamously harsh offstage culture at Saturday Night Live."

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They cut the vast majority of the letter, but kept the main idea. Whoever said "brevity is the soul of wit," would have done well as an editor at Vanity Fair. Ah well, I guess that's just what editors do.

I think there's an article here, actually. If only there were academic journals devoted to pop culture. Hmmm... maybe there are.

Anyway, I'd like to say that my impression is that it wasn't *just* Tina Fey who changed the tone over there. In the book "Live from New York" by Tom Shales, Janeane Garolfalo mentions producer Steve Higgins as someone who improved the vibe after she left.

Also, then-head writer Adam McKay definitely deserves props and historical love for being an awesome influence at SNL in general. I was lucky enough to work with McKay on a film our friend Jonathan Appel made. I found McKay to be genuinely cool; thoughtful, smart, supportive. I've got to believe that was reflected in his work at SNL.

Anyway, my comment is is on page 152 of the March issue. (Just for you "trust but verify" types.)

Finally, thanks to Melissa Zakri. Melissa is a fellow improviser, an educational theater grad and a feminist writer. Melissa interviewed me for her upcoming article on women in comedy. Our conversation inspired me to write the letter.

Tina Fey letter to Vanity Fair

Vanity Fair recently published part of a letter I wrote to their editor. The letter was in response to their story on Tina Fey. Here's the letter in its entirety:

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Dear Editor,

Maureen Dowd neglected to mention one of Tina Fey’s finest achievements; reforming the infamously harsh offstage culture at Saturday Night Live.

For decades, horror stories circulated about Saturday Night Live’s wicked backstage politics, bare knuckle infighting, and long standing grudges. Ben Stiller and Janeane Garofalo fled the show shortly after arriving. Martin Short, an established professional, departed quietly after a single season. Celebrated alumni Jane Curtain and Eddie Murphy still refuse to set foot in Studio 8H.

Michael O’Donoghue, SNL’s first Head Writer, fathered its notoriously cruel backstage culture. His wit was so sharp, so aggressive, that O’Donoghue likened getting laughs to “spilling blood” on stage. He savaged audiences and co-workers alike. Mr. O’Donoghue’s vicious tone dominated SNL’s brood long after his departure.

Tina Fey changed that. As Head Writer Ms. Fey’s tough but gracious style fostered a lasting sense of creative safety and professional decency. Breaking with tradition, Ms. Fey encouraged her peers, and presided over an SNL heyday. Considering the far-reaching influence of Saturday Night Live’s progeny on American comedy-- and the entertainment industry in general-- this is a profound achievement, for which Tina Fey deserves recognition.

Ed Zareh
Researcher
“Live From New York! The First 5 Years of Saturday Night Live”