Annie's Favorite Things About LA: Facebook at the Upright Citizens Brigade

The "Facebook" show at the Upright Citizens Brigade in Hollywood is hands down one of the greatest things in Los Angeles.  Every Wednesday, Paul Scheer, Rob Huebel, Chad Carter, Owen Burke, and Seth Morris do incredibly hilarious improv skits based on two audience members' facebook profiles.  They are often joined by amazing surprise guests like Ed Helms, Rob Riggle, and the guy who plays Kenneth on 30 Rock.  Here's the cast giving a nice little explanation of their brilliant show:





As you might have guessed, I go to this show often.  A few weeks ago, I had the exciting and unique experience of being one of the audience members they chose to interview. This is how that choice is made: willing audience members raise their hands and give a one-sentence pitch about themselves that would entice the guys to choose them.  The range of these pitches runs the gamut.  I've heard everything from something lame like "I'm Jewish" to hilarious winners like "I was pepper-sprayed by a transvestite on a bicycle" and "I am a recently retired professional figure skater."  Usually the guys pick the best pitch, but occasionaly they choose stupid ones. (Like the time I bravely raised my hand and said "I participated in a tomato fight with over 50,000 people in Spain last week" but they chose a fool who said "Jim Carey yelled at me once."  I was a bit bitter about that.. can you tell?) After that experience I vowed to never volunteer again.  Until....


As the unofficial "social chair" of my community group (a.k.a. 'small group', 'Bible study', etc.), I suggested that we all go to this show for a fun and laughter-filled social night (although I warned them it was definitely not rated PG).  A big group of us went.  The first girl they picked to interview was a complete and total skank. Most of their skits were based on the little biatch's promiscuity, and therefore, were pretty uncomfortable to watch with my community group.  I decided to capitalize on this awkwardness; I raised my hand and said, "I went to the Oscars last month and I'm here with my entire Bible study right now."  They were astounded by this and called me up immediately. 


To give you an idea of how the interviews/skits work, I'll explain what they did with my profile. First, I signed into my FB account which is displayed on a big screen for all to see. Paul Scheer then asks questions...things like "So why did you go to the Oscars?" "Who was the biggest biatch you saw on the red carpet?" "Who was the nicest on the red carpet?" "So, you're in charge of the red carpet bleachers? What are some crazy things the bleacher fans do?" "Why is your Bible study here??" "Why is 'She's the Man' your favorite movie?? etc..."  I answered all of these questions and more with little anecdotes.  


After about 10 minutes of perusing my profile and interviewing, they begin making up skits based on my profille including but not limited to: Red Carpet bleacher fans looking for the restroom and accidentally stumbling onstage at the Kodak Theatre as the Best Actor Oscar is being announced; George Clooeny being insanely friendly and shaking everyone's hands (as he did with the bleacher fans at the Oscars) until he loses Best Actor and then bursts into a fit of rage; an overly enthusisastic "youth group" of 20-somethings planning a social night at a highly inappropriate place; a movie rental place called "She's the Video Man" that only carries Amanda Bynes movies; etc.  I obviously cannot give these hilarious skits any sort of justice in writing, but hopefully this gives an inkling of their geniusly inspired improv.  


If you live in LA: go to this show!!
If you don't live in LA: come visit and go to this show!!
It is an absolute must.
And if you're feeling moxie, think of a cool pitch, and who knows, they just might pick you!






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