Blog Archives
Happy Monday!
Laughter is the best medicine…unless you have the world’s worst dentist.
However, if you’re at an improv comedy show, you actually want to hear about the “world’s worst dentist.” Plus, you want to see a driver pick-up the strangest hitchhikers and witness an interrogation for the most random murder you never thought was possible.
This is exactly what happened (and so much more) at the Improv Workshop Graduation at the Columbus Funny Bone club, which included yours truly within a very talented, hilarious group of improvisers. And everybody showed up yesterday under the bright lights and gave the audience entertaining performances with lots of laughs.
As I work on posting the video footage from this improvisational showcase (thanks Mom for recording!), let’s take a look at two improvising favorites. This is, according to the video, the first time Whose Line Is It Anyway? comedic giant Ryan Stiles did a skit with his hair-impaired friend Colin Mochrie. They do shake hands as if meeting for the first time.
In improv, you want to add a new twist that takes a common activity or profession to the next level. Evidenced by the clip below, Ryan Stiles and Colin Mochrie have been doing exactly that from the very beginning.
Big thanks again to my parents for coming to the show and a standing ovation for my incredible classmates and our great improv teacher, Jeff Gage.
Cuatro a Cero Sounds Good Too
(MAPFRE Stadium Twitter)
First: Columbus, Ohio is THE undisputed soccer capital of the United States of America.
Second: WWJCD?
(What would Johan Cruyff do?)
As tributes from the Netherlands to Spain and all around the world continue for the recently deceased footballing legend Johan Cruyff, his name should be on the minds of the USMNT (United States Men’s National Team) and its fans.
Why?
When you consider the confusing insistence of Jürgen Klinsmann to use the same players who struggle to win big games against top teams (and lesser opponents), who lead squads that lack any apparent tactical purpose, how is anything going to change without making a big change at the top. Mr. Klinsmann selects his players and decides who plays and who he develops.
Too many players who should be on the pitch gaining valuable experience aren’t getting genuine opportunities to play and improve, which is ironic given Jürgen’s prowess for recruiting young, dual-citizenship talent.
The 2-nil loss at Guatemala this past Friday was shocking, but, sadly, not entirely surprising. Guatemala is not a powerhouse by any stretch of the imagination and if the 95th FIFA ranked CONCACAF foe becomes the standard for success, the USMNT is really in trouble. And this is why Cruyff should be on the minds of American coaches, players and fans tonight and in the near future.
Johan Cruyff’s style was/is world-class that looks like a high-stakes, speed-infused master level chess game. However, don’t be fooled, it takes tremendous vision, hard work and talent to execute his philosophy. Most teams can get results just playing for the win. But teams with an objective focused on carrying out a grand strategy with complex, purposeful movement and possession that can attack at will, while simultaneously simplifying the game with clarity and mesmerizing with creativity are commonly referred to as champions.
Is this how you would currently describe the USMNT?
Win or lose tonight (I predicted a win), Jürgen Klinsmann’s future should still be discussed with pressing questions going forward. My vote has been for a new coach for quite some time now. The issue isn’t just advancing in World Cup qualifying, but whether or not the USMNT product on the pitch can play against, and not just chase, the best teams in the world.
Granted, Klinsmann and Co. delivered a massive win in a massive stadium when they needed a victory. 4-nil warrants congratulations. The goals were great and the atmosphere was incredible. At Crew Stadium, the USMNT team has won 8 games, including 7 World Cup qualifiers with absolutely zero losses.
Once again, well done Columbus!
However, is keeping Klinsmann as manager worth risking another underwhelming 4-year World Cup cycle?
That’s the massive question leaving Columbus, Ohio.
P.S. Local fan favorite Ethan Finlay was clearly onside when he scored.
Happy Monday!
“{I understand we’re in} the place of the champions.”
While Mick Jagger was trying to get some local street cred (well done, by the way), the crowd was thinking they were in the presence of some musical champions.
It was that kind of night.
The Rolling Stones erupted on stage with “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” to kick-off their rocking concert in Ohio Stadium this past Saturday night with 60,000+ fans singing and dancing along. And the crowd was quite eclectic, featuring several generations of people that made for a great environment to see such a legendary rock n’ roll band. Their 19-song playlist (with one special rendition of a hometown favorite) focused on their immensely popular album, “Sticky Fingers,” as well as a few of their smash hits: “Satisfaction,” “Start Me Up” and “Paint It Black.”
Running and dancing (or grazing for Keith Richards) to every square inch of their enormous stage revealed that these older gents from across the pond are not only still very talented, but are first-class entertainers. Age wasn’t a factor. Mick Jagger had moves like, well, Jagger! The Stones emphatically proved that there is no age limit from having unbridled fun.
They put on a spectacular show for more than 2 hours and, perhaps best of all, it looked, felt and sounded like an old school rock n’ roll concert with some welcomed modern flare. They even brought in the Ohio University Singers to help them with, “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” which was amazing.
Fans stood for the entire night, which just raised the already incredible energy level. This was in addition to Jagger’s infectious buoyancy on stage. Turning to occasionally look around the packed stadium revealed that we were all in this thing together and it was an awesome feeling. And even with all the aforementioned classics that were played and received with remarkable enthusiasm, the moment that got the foundation shaking was when the Stones performed a song that has a very special place in the hearts of all Ohioans.
Yes, they happily went there.
Have a Rolling Good Week!
P.S. This special logo for the concert and accompanying custom-made apparel didn’t hurt.
(Schottenstein Center)
Ohio State’s 12th Man
Normally, I wouldn’t post a link that takes you away from Jimmy’s Daily Planet. However, this story/video is the amazing exception.
Jacob Jarvis is THE definition of a Buckeye Champion.
Jimmy's Daily Planet 