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Improv Everywhere

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What's On at Flavorpill: The Links That Made the Rounds In Our Office

By Alison Nastasi on

Today at Flavorpill, we found out the answers to 29 of fashion’s biggest mysteries. We visited the World Pizza Games/Pizza Expo, which we momentarily confused with The Hunger Games since it made us ravenous. Speaking of pizza … We wondered what possessed Urology Associates of Cape Cod to offer a free cheesy… Read More

Comedy

Aubrey Plaza Wants You to Support the Improv Everywhere Doc

By Caroline Stanley on

Like most people who have experienced one of Improv Everywhere’s crazy “missions,” whether firsthand or through a viral video, we’re huge fans of the New York City-based prank collective; that’s why we’re excited to hear that they’re working on a feature-length documentary that will give viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the group founded by Charlie Todd back in 2002. Which is where you come in: They’re currently trying to raise $125K on Kickstarter in order to help fund the film’s post-production and distribution. There are various exciting prizes to incentivize you to give, but for a contribution of $5,000, you’ll get to participate in one of their upcoming projects as a featured agent. Need a little more convincing? Check out this teaser clip featuring appearances by Aubrey Plaza, Ben Folds, Nick Kroll, and Mad Men’s Rich Sommer after the jump. … Read More

Web

What’s On at Flavorpill: The Links That Made the Rounds in Our Office

By Caroline Stanley on

Today at Flavorpill, we discovered that some of our favorite writers have voiced their support for the Occupy Wall Street protests. (On a related note, we read about a new “I’m Getting Arrested” Android app that could come in handy for a few of them.) We were happy to hear that… Read More

Art

In Homage to Improv Everywhere: A Few Great Art Hoaxes

By Rozalia Jovanovic on

Yesterday Improv Everywhere staged an unauthorized signing in the Metropolitan Museum of Art by an actor who looked very much like King Philip IV of Spain. The actor greeted museum visitors and signed 8 x 10 photos before a portrait of the king by Velasquez, a 400-year-old painting that had just been restored. This stunt, produced by Charlie Todd, called to mind some great art hoaxes of the not-too-distant and sometimes distant past that captured our imaginations. … Read More

Comedy

Darth Vader: The Universe’s Most Revered Prankster

By Paul Hiebert on

A few days ago, Darth Vader was seen in New York City’s subway system making fellow commuters laugh. While most people know Lord Vader as an evil tyrant determined to crush the Rebel Alliance, fewer acknowledge his ability to pull off a humorous practical joke. Since we’re all about giving people a chance to show their positive side, we gathered five of the greatest Darth Vader gags out there that put Jar Jar Binks’s comedic antics to shame. (Not that that’s hard or anything, but we just thought it was still worth mentioning, even after all these years. The Dark Side runs deep.) … Read More

Performance Art

Video of the Day: Ghostbusters at New York Public Library

By Paul Hiebert on

New York City just doesn’t seem safe these days, and people don’t always know where to look for protection. Recently, when the New York Public Library became infested with ghosts, who do you think they called? That’s right, Improv Everywhere. Studious patrons were disturbed during the evacuation, but the team of faux-parapsychologists got the job done and the reading room is better off because of it. At least they hope so. … Read More

Music

Gotcha Where I Want Ya: The 7 Best Musical Pranks Ever Played

By Heidi Vanderlee on

Ah, April Fools. The day when no one is safe from a good hoodwink, and adding a soundtrack makes the embarrassment smart even more. Even if you’ve already been had today, take refuge from the merry pranksters surrounding your desk and find comfort in snickering over the musical hoaxes that have fooled the best of pop stars and proletarians alike over the years. … Read More

Performance Art

Exclusive: Charlie Todd Takes You Behind-the-Scenes of Improv Everywhere

By Spyridon P. Panousopoulos on

You’re walking through Grand Central and the people around you inexplicably start to freeze in place. You’re riding the subway and several sets of twins sit across from one another, perfectly mirroring one another’s movements. You are waking by a public fountain and a group of synchronized swimmers emerge and go into their routine. No, you haven’t stumbled into an episode of The Outer Limits. Chances are, you’ve happened upon another public gag, pulled off by performers/prankster troupe Improv Everywhere. The performance-art pranksters execute spontaneous public spectacles, or “missions” as they like to call them, for the amusement of the general public. On the dawn of their next big stunt we asked Improv Everywhere founder Charlie Todd to let us in on the… Read More

Web

Video of the Day: Best Funeral Ever

By Caroline Stanley on

Somehow we missed this awesome April Fools’ Day hoax from the Improv Everywhere guys; before you judge them for toying with the bereaved, make sure to read the disclaimer: Everyone involved (including the deceased’s family) is an actor or a friend of the group.