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The Opinion Page
Editors: Jeff Catanese &
William T McEvoy
An
Open Letter to Drew Carey and Lorne Michaels:
This
letter has been sent to op-ed pages and entertainment media all over the
country.
We are the editors of ImprovReview.com, the website that created a spoof article this April Fool's stating that Mr. Carey would be hosting an all improvised version of Saturday Night Live for this season's finale on May 19th. To our great surprise it was picked up as a legitimate story by some web news outlets (though we put up a disclaimer the next day), and word spread quickly that the episode was actually going to happen. When revealed as a hoax, everyone seemed to have a nice chuckle, and it even got some more press. Thanks for not suing us.
The impetus behind this article, however, was sincere if perhaps far-fetched. It is our hope to see this show actually happen, and we are
fervently asking you to consider it. The idea was well received by fans of Mr. Carey's shows, Saturday Night Live, and improv fans everywhere. Everyone in the cast of
Saturday Night Live has improv experience, and you, Mr. Carey, who has done so much to promote the form, would be the perfect candidate to host such a show. Why not try it?
Yes, it's risky. No edits, the cameramen and the directors will have to improvise as well, and, of course, there's always the fear of a slip of the tongue on live television. But you have put the the show on a seven-second delay before, and it works for Howard Stern. We think half of America will be on the edge of their seats to watch such a bold experiment. The talented cast, with experience at such improv centers as Second City, the Groundlings, Improv Olympic and Upright Citizen's Brigade, are certainly qualified to attempt such an experiment. Come on, Mr. Michaels, take that risk! With the writer’s strike looming, you might find yourself an entirely new format for the fall season!
Mr. Carey has done wonders to bring prominence to improv. Mr. Michaels
has shown he knows how to do live television. We would love for the two of you to join together to take the next step.
Besides... we double-dutch dare you.
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Letters
to the editor:
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Three Strikes. Dear
Editors: Reviewing improv is definitely something that is needed. I will agree with
most people that your reviews are usually biting. It becomes harder and
harder to trust your opinions though, when you rarely find good things.
Since improv is different every night, perhaps Improv Review should adopt a
new way of reviewing. When critics review regular plays they go once. When
restaurant reviewers do a review, at least professional ones who know their
opinion must be responsible, they dine at least twice in an establishment,
sometimes three. This ensures that they are getting a broader picture, and
reviewing in a responsible way.
Jeaux R. Brown Improvoholics, NYC Editor's
note: Our re-review policy is outlined in out FAQ.
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I
Was Acting!!!
Dear
Editors:
I
have read your review of our performance in Polywumpus.
Although I agree with several of your comments and it is true that the
members of our group are truly differing in experience levels, some
of the comments in your review were unfair. For example, when I was
called out in the game
Story, Story, Die, you commented something about my emotional stability or
that I was on the verge of tears. How dare you suggest that I have some
issue to work out and that I was truly on the verge of tears??? The goal
is to involve the audience, and we find it effective to act sincerely hurt
when we're called out. That's called acting, and I take offense at your
suggestion that I was acting out some kind of residual rehearsal issue.
That's an unwarranted personal attack.
Lauren Fisher
Polywumpus,
Philadelphia, PA
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Improv Review reserves the right to edit all letters for space and
content. In order to get your letter published, please include your full
name, the way you would like your name to appear, your city, your improv
affiliation (if any), your e-mail address and a daytime telephone
number. (so we may confirm your identity)
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