Trust Us, This is All Made Up - Tj Jagodowski and David Pasquesi

[semisorick]

TJ Jagodowski and David Pasquesi are two of the world's finest improvisers. Their two man show "TJ and Dave" has a cult following at the iO in Chicago and at the Barrow Street Theater in New York. This documentary captures one of their New York shows, bookended with their thoughts on the process of improv and their partnership together.

This is the best documentary I've ever seen about improvisation and their performance is really phenomenal. If you have Netflix, you can stream it on demand. I really can't recommend it enough.

Here's the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnuohnCNUY4

And here's a link to an audio interview I did with them before one of their shows last summer: http://hostandguest.blogspot.com/200...-and-dave.html

[J.B.]

Thanks for the Netflix tip! I haven't seen the doc yet, but I've really wanted to. When I first got into improv I saw TJ and Dave - no joke - 35 times in one year (I haven't seen nearly enough in the recent past as I've spread out my improv tastes). I've seen them dozens of times alone and many times with great guests like Tracy Letts and Scott Adsit. The best TJ and Dave show is probably the best theater I'll ever see in my life.

[pollymaepry]

i didn't like the doc

[nathansmart]

I've seen it and it's pretty amazing. BTW, folks in Columbus can see a screening of it at Wild Goose Creative next Saturday at 9:30 - I'm hosting it.

[thegreg]

Pittsburgh people, we have our own screening too:

http://www.ironycity.com/events/trust-us

March 24 at Modern Formations

[Hated Milk Machine]

i didn't like the doc

why not buddy

[spriest]

Having not seen the doc yet (dvd has been pre-ordered since forever) I can't comment directly on that, but if anyone in the chicago or new york area needs another nameless person on a message board plugging this show, I fully recommend it.

I know how much of a turn off the word "improv" is to a lot of people, I get that. TJ and Dave is a show that transcends the gimmick of improv and ends up being fantastic, hilarious theater. For an up and coming improviser, the show is amazing and inspiring... for the average audience member, the show is amazing and fantastically entertaining. I can't recommend them enough.

[Umlaut]

I've only seen TJ and Dave twice since I moved here, but the show truly is astounding and hilarious. The only reason I haven't checked it out more is because you have to remember to order your tickets a few days in advance, as it always sells out.

[sharilyn]

It was screened here in Toronto a few weeks ago. Fantastic. My favourite part was the post-mortem, when they were backstage asking each other things like "did we give that one character a name?" These are questions beginner/intermediate improvisors ask each other too, but in the back of their minds think guys at the level of TJ & Dave never have to. It's reassuring to know that no matter how incredible a performance is, there's no such thing as perfection in improv.

[semisorick]

I hope this film catches on so that "Are you Lon Chambers?" becomes a great comedy catchphrase.

I have a collection of their iO shows on DVD and each one has at least two or three infinitely memorable lines that deserve more exposure. They have a myspace set up to order their iO shows (http://www.myspace.com/tjanddavedvds) but if you don't want to go through that route, PM me and I can give you the e-mail address for the guy who sells them.

It's great to see that so many people know how great these guys are and how amazing their shows can be.

[semisorick]

Just a heads up that you can now get the physical DVD of this from Netflix (it is also available for purchase at Amazon). There's a pretty solid audio commentary and a 15 Q&A with them from SXSW on the disc.

[Keith Whitener]

I remember when this was first mentioned and I was too slow to watch the preview. Will def watch this on Netflix On Demand!

[Adamonius]

What was with the super-dramatic intro? I mean, it was shot well, but with the quotient of gravitas given, you'd think the doc was about undercover junkie neurosurgeons infected with AIDS. In Africa.

[thegreg]

Bump, because I saw it last night and it was great.

[hellyesbrandon]

Yepp. Loved it.