Actors: Agents Whines, Rodgers, Skinner, Shelktone, Ace$Thugg
DV Cams: Agents Kula, Cragg
Digital Photography: Agents Nicholson, Todd
Undercover crowd members: Agents Simmons, Montague, Lathan, Purnell, Rainswept, Becket, Shafer, Hart, Appel, Pally, Moore, McMullen, Cavin
A few weeks ago I was walking down 31st Street near 8th Avenue and noticed a four-foot tall ledge protruding from a seemingly abandoned building.
The next logical step was to stage an Improv Everywhere Mission with a suicide jumper on the absurdly small ledge.
At around 3:30 in the afternoon, a somber man crawled up the far side of the ledge at the edge of the building and began carefully inching his way towards the center.
Agent Nicholson brought his fisheye lense
The view from across the street
Many cars slowed down as passengers gawked at the jumper
A crowd looks on at the taxi-line across the street
Someone must have called the police, because Officer Randy McNabb soon arrived to talk the jumper down.
“It’s ok. Everybody gets a little depressed around the holidays”
Officer McNabb soon ascertained that the jumper’s name was “Will” and that he was devastated after not receiving a Christmas bonus. He couldn’t even afford to buy his kids presents this year, and suicide seemed like the only way out. Suddenly a cab pulled up to the scene and Will’s wife, Eliza frantically dashed out.
“We got your wife here. She says she loves you very much.”
As the scene gets more dramatic, more people join the crowd to figure out what’s going on.
Out of nowhere a shout is suddenly heard at the far edge of the ledge. “Will! What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Will’s coworker, Nate, had braved the dangerous ledge in attempt to save the day.
“Sir, don’t try to be a hero.”
As the plot thickens, the crowd grows larger.
Much to everyone’s relief a fireman appeared on the scene. He sprinted down the street with a trampoline, ready to save the day.
Man watches the fireman do his duty
The fireman moved the trampoline back and forth as Will paced on the edge.
“You got a lotta people who care about you, Will.”
Officer McNabb encouraged the crowd to cross the street and come closer to show their support for Will.
Will looked deep into the eyes of Eliza and realized he was about to make a huge mistake. “I’ll come down. I’ll come down,” he shouted as the crowd gasped with relief. It was determined that jumping down to the trampoline would be safer than walking back along the narrow ledge. The fireman instructed Will to aim for the “x” in the center of the trampoline and the crowd cheered him on by chanting “Hit the x!” Just before Will was about to jump a huge gust of wind caused him to lose his balance.
Unable to regain his balance, Will bravely pushed off the ledge.
He hit the “x” right in the center and collapsed on the street.
The fireman quickly covers Will with a warm blanket as Eliza rushes in to hug him. Officer McNabb announced on the megaphone, “We got him! He’s ok!” It was a true Christmas Miracle.
Nate jumps to safety.
“Use your head next time.”
Agent McNabb broke the crowd up. “Show’s over everybody. Let’s give these folks some space.” The crowd dispersed as Will and Eliza slowly walked off together.
VIDEO:
When Agent Todd contacted me to play the suicidal businessman, I was surprised to find myself completely flattered. I’d always believed that I could project sadness; I just hadn’t realized I was proud of believing that until I got this assignment.
Executing the mission felt extremely simple. About fifteen minutes before we started, the principal agents and I sketched out a very simple back-story: (the names of my children, name of the fictional company, the fact that I had not received a Christmas bonus). Then Agent Todd and I walked over to the site. I spent five minutes or so preparing myself, and then hopped up on the ledge. After that, I simply had to react to other agents as they entered the scene.
I’ve been impressed with the acting commitment of IE Agents in previous missions, and wanted to live up to that standard. Agent Todd instructed me — and all other agents agreed — that we would play the suicide near-attempt as realistically as possible, except for the four-foot ledge. The only time I felt close to breaking character and laughing was 1) when I first saw Agent Shelktone nervously stepping towards me, since watching him once again revealed how absurdly close to the ground we were and 2) when Agent Ace$Thugg told me I should not kill myself because “you gotta good-lookin’ wife.”
The ledge was narrow enough that shifting along it was difficult. That helped generate actual nervousness and panic — since if I really did fall off the ledge too soon, I would drop harmlessly three feet down, ending the mission.
The moment I first stood up on the ledge, a passerby laughed and said “Don’t jump.” This encouraged me that our scenario was visually very recognizable.
At first I avoided eye contact with people walking by underneath me, since I was trying to pretend that I was hundreds of stories in the air, and unable to see pedestrians. But after a few minutes, I decided that a big part of the mission was interaction with non-agents, so I let myself make eye contact if it happened naturally. Most people hurriedly looked away as if they didn’t want to interrupt me, or didn’t want me to talk to them. A second guy said “Don’t jump” and laughed.
I was really excited for the “accidental” fall which happens after my character decides that he’s going to get down safely. I was hoping for three or four really big buckles forward and backward before jumping onto Agent Ace$Thugg’s trampoline. I think I got three before actually losing balance and having to jump off.
Agent Rodgers (Officer Randy McNabb)
1445h: I met up with the other agents and changed out of my civilian clothes, into my police uniform.
1530h: Agent Ace$Thugg and I lean on a truck near the ledge, and watch as
the crowd grows.
I saw several police officers eyeballing me. I figured when I start talking on the megaphone they’re gonna give me a hard time, and it might cut things short. So at the last minute I decided to take off the badges on my arm, the only thing that said NY PD. This did not affect the mission at all, and I doubt if anyone but myself noticed, but it was a personal defeat, I felt it almost immediately, and it made me a little depressed. In the end no police officer gave a shit, they watched as confused as anyone else, it was too cold for them to care enough.
I made my move away from the truck and took my first glance at Agent Whines on the ledge. As I brought the megaphone to my mouth, two girls grabbed my arm and asked, “What is the fastest way to 45th St. and 3rd Ave.?” I told them a cab is the fastest route, but I also told them how to get there by subway. I noticed one of them realizing the unnatural quality of my mustache, while the other girl pressed on with more questions. I pointed behind me and asked, “I’m sorry girls, how long has this guy been out here? I think we might have a situation on our hands.” They said they didn’t know, thanked me for the directions, and walked away. I asked the crowd how long he had been up there, a horrified Agent Simmons came forth and said, “like fifteen minutes!”
People were confused. A woman pushing a stroller and fighting with her husband said something along the line of, “I want to watch this crazy bootleg shit!” Most people walking by didn’t realize anything was going on until they got between Agent Whines and myself. I would try to tell them, “Don’t worry we’ll get him down.” A few in the crowd started chanting “Jump! Jump!” This deeply hurt me, I turned around and shouted, “This is a mans life your joking with!” They stopped the chanting.
Agent Ace$Thugg’s firefighter had an interesting take on things. He was pretty bitter, asking the jumper, “What do you just need some attention?” and saying “Come on, you got a real good lookin’ wife down here, r-e-a-l good lookin’.” After the trampoline was put down, I think Agent Lathan started a ‘hit the X’ chant, which the entire crowd and myself joined in on.
1615: The jumper was down, Will hugged me and I realized my hands were just about frozen. So if you ever pretend to be a cop talking down a suicide jumper, wear gloves! Also remember most people get depressed this time of year, never kill yourself!
Agent Skinner (”Eliza” - the wife)
Agent Whines and I were an easy package deal. He’s my real-life boyfriend, so we have the emotional connectedness required to convince a cabstand full of strangers that we were a married couple on the brink. Before we started, we worked out a back story including two fictional children, Tristan (9 years old, our little scientist) and Elliot (6 years old, just started violin lessons!)
We were waiting behind a parked truck for our entrances, and Agent Rodgers - “the cop” - was the first to go out. As soon as he walked away from the rest of us, he got stopped by two girls who needed help with directions. I wonder how far into their question they realized that he was wearing a fake mustache.
After Agent Whines assumed his position on the ledge and Agent Rodgers made contact with him, I was supposed to join Agent Rodgers in trying to talk him down. At the last minute I decided it would be more dramatic to ride up in a cab, so I borrowed $3 from Agent Ace$Thugg and ran through Penn Station to get to the cabstand on the other side. When the cab pulled up, some cops were there but Agent Rodgers was still on the bullhorn, so I figured I should go down with him. I jumped out of the cab yelling, and generally freaking out, as I assumed I would in such a situation. From then on out I just stood by Agent Rodgers worrying and saying, “Don’t do this! We love you!” and that sort of hoo-haa. We frequently pleaded on poor little Elliot’s behalf, but apparently dropped Tristan from the family entirely.
When Agent Whines finally jumped onto the trampoline, I covered him with a blanket and we hugged heartwarmingly for a while. When we had all collected ourselves Agent Whines and I bid the crowd goodbye to go start putting our family back together (perhaps to find our poor forgotten Tristan). At this point Agent Shelktone stopped us, locked eyes with Agent Whines, and said very intensely “HEY…I’ll see you.” Which was hilarious.
Agent Shelktone (”Nate” - the coworker)
I had never seen the building that Agent Todd had referred to in our mission briefing so I was curious to finally get a look at it. It is quite an oddball building. In fact, it looks like how I imagine the book depository in Dallas to be. Which makes it all the more humorous that this is the place that Agent Whines and myself supposedly work at.
Agents Rodgers, Skinner, Ace$Thugg, and myself huddled behind a parked 18-wheeler truck. We were remarking how it felt like some sort of wings for the stage. Nobody seemed to notice that each new character in the ‘jumper’ drama emerged from behind the truck. A crowd started to gather, part plants of agents, and part genuine onlookers. The choice of location was clever as it was in front of a cabstand. So there was a built-in crowd.
The moment that Agent Rodgers emerged as the cop, two women asked him immediately for directions. Agent Rodgers had been worried that he might be mistaken for impersonating a policeman but I assured him that the giant fake moustache he was wearing could never be taken as real. Apparently these two women felt that fake moustache or not, he probably had a good idea of directions.
Agent Skinner came up with a great idea to arrive on the scene from a cab. There was a nice New York moment when she came up and got out and started yelling, and the person next in line for cabs pretty much just gave a nonchalant look and got in the cab.
Finally it was my turn to enter the scene and I crawled up on the side of the building and began edging my way towards Agent Whines. It proved to be more difficult than I imagined because every four feet the wall jutted out a little more and then went back to normal and then thinner again. I was wearing a heavy jacket too so this compounded things. I felt was I was going to fall a couple of times. I wondered what I would do if I fell but it never came to that. When I got to the last thin section near Agent Whines, I noticed that it was covered with bird crap. So I decided to flip myself around and inch that way so I didn’t have to touch the bird dung. I almost broke when Agent Whines scolded me for being out on the ledge what with my heart condition and trick knee.
I got to hop down on the rescue trampoline and hugged my co-worker and his wife. I waved them goodbye and then decided to get a cup of coffee with the Officer McNabb.
Agent Ace$Thugg (Fireman)
I was waiting at the end of the street before I came around the corner as the fireman. Every passenger in every car that drove by had their head turned back trying to get a glimpse of the suicide as they drove by. Then they saw me with my trampoline and fireman hat, pretending to be one of NYC’s bravest and the passengers all seemed to make the connection right then and laugh, even without witnessing the whole event.
Agent Lathan (bystander)
The first thing I saw when I got there was a guy laughing hysterically who had just walked past Agent Whines. He was talking on his cell phone and was like, “Check this out, some dude is threatening to jump to his death… off a three foot ledge!”
Some highlights included:
-Eliza racing out of her cab pleading with Will not to jump.
-Officer McNabb making the name connection to Will: “Your name’s Will? Well I have a son named Bill. That’s pretty close right?”
-Nate’s concerned and scared look on his face as he shimmied his way across the ledge.
-The fireman’s instruction to jump on the X. (Which led to the chant: “Jump on the X!”
-Will’s commitment and believability to a depressed man about to jump off a three-foot ledge. Plus his jump on the trampoline was highly dramatic. I actually wasn’t sure if we would really land on the trampoline. But he did!
I remember at one point a drunken old man came over and demanded to know what was going on. I gravely informed him that someone was about to jump. This made the drunken old man very angry. “Awww who cares? What’s gonna happen if he jumps?! It’s not even that high!!” To which I sincerely replied, “I’m not sure. He could twist an ankle.”
Agent Simmons (bystander)
A very intense vagrant stopped and stared at the scene in disbelief. He said “What’s this idiot think he’s gonna do from that height?” I replied “We’ve had some ice lately and he could slip on that marble”. He shot back “It’s made of granite–like his head. Good BYE!” And he stormed off.
Agent Moore (bystander)
I had a friend in town on Saturday, and I was showing him around the city. Agent Todd had briefed me about when and where the prank was to be (3:30 at 31st Street and 8th Ave), and I tried to casually end up at the location with my friend. Unfortunately it was pretty cold out, so I had to tell him that yes, there was a reason I wanted to stand nonchalantly on a street corner eating a pretzel. I didn’t tell him the reason, but he knew something was up.
I recognized a few agents standing around us also being nonchalant, which reassured me that things would eventually start and that I hadn’t somehow missed it. After a while, though, I started shivering, which is decidedly un-nonchalant, so we ran to get a cup of coffee. When we came back, I found that all the agents were moving away from the street corner on which we’d been loitering. We followed a familiar back that was disappearing down 31st street. I saw a couple of cameras flash ahead of us, and knew things had begun.
We joined the small crowd of what looked to be mainly agents and people queuing for cabs. Across the street, there was a policeman with a bullhorn talking down a well-dressed but obviously agitated businessman threatening to jump from a four-foot ledge. “My God,” I exclaimed. “My God, I think he’s going to do it!” My friend laughed momentarily, but immediately played along, putting on a very serious face and trying to shield me from what would obviously be a sad, gory ending for the poor man.
A middle-aged couple walked by, and the woman asked her companion what was going on. He glanced briefly across the street, and replied, “It’s theatre.” They kept walking. Some people stayed to watch, though, and a small crowd was growing. Several people asked me what was going on, “He’s threatening to jump,” I would respond worriedly. “I think he’s going to do it.” My favorite reaction came from a girl who approached me and asked, “Is this…funny?”
We cheered when the fireman approached with his tiny trampoline, and moved across the street when asked. I encouraged several passersby to come with us. There was another big cheer when the poor man finally agreed to come down safely. I got a little teary. My friend - an excellent sport — didn’t laugh until we moved far away from the site. “I always trust you to show me the best things in the city,” he told me.
Agent Montague (bystander)
I think this mission was best suited for cars passing by. I saw a couple of camera phones stick out of cab windows to take pictures. A couple of cars halted in the middle of the road. Without any time to really take everything in, these people might have gone home truly believing the stunt. People standing on the sidewalk were drawn in, and it wasn’t because they were concerned for the jumper or wanted to watch a film shoot, but they just wanted to figure out what exactly was going on. I heard a lot of people saying, “Is this a movie?” and “What is this?” We were near the crowded taxi line at Penn Station. I actually saw one guy put his family in a cab and tell them, “I’ll meet up with you later. I’m sticking around to see what happens.” As a planted audience member, I knew few details about the mission. The real highlight for me was watching everything unfold, not knowing what would happen next. Originally, I assumed the cast of characters consisted of nothing more than one guy on a tiny ledge, which would’ve been sufficient. To my delight, a whole cast of characters slowly entered the picture. For me, it was like watching a play unfold on a random sidewalk, which was a unique experience.
Agent Pally (bystander)
I think the funniest thing that I heard or saw by far were the nurses in the dentist office on the ground floor. I was hanging back faking calls on my cell phone to try and make the people in the cab line believe it was something real as opposed to a movie, and I heard a banging on the glass and when I turned around I saw three nurses looking through their ground floor window miming to me “what’s going on”. This was particularly funny because I would imagine that if this were going on in a building that was on a high floor, you would have people from the building across from it looking on and wondering what was going on. Only in this case, we were all standing on the ground looking at someone four feet up.
Agent Pally and the nurses
Mission Accomplished.
EPILOGUE:
In September of 2006, Officer McNabb and Will gave us an update at the IE 5th Anniversary Show:
Brilliant!
That poor man being so far up!
I would have fallen just being on that ledge. :(
Hilarious, you guys are so great.
Oh no, he’s got a spoon!
Absolutely fantastic, you’ve outdone yourselves again.
that was a riot
your really have gone and done it this time
ROFLMAO
amazing houw many people stopped to watch. hmmm what does that tell ya ‘-)
Awesome! The photos are so dramatic. Great photography. I can’t wait to install QT 7 and see the video. Bravo!
My brother commited suicide by jumping from his building roof 3 years ago today. Thanks.
Ouch! Did he twist his ankle?
Don’t worry, Petey. It was all in good fun. I enjoyed it from here in heaven with Johnny Carson and Dwight Eisenhower. Well done!
AAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!
This is the best one since the guy impersonating Anton Chekov!!!
I think this is my favorite mission yet.
So did he get the bonus or do I need to fire up the Winnebago and go kidnap his boss?
Once again you cats have outdone yourselves.
I’m still lmfao.
<cheers>
That was beautiful.
When I saw the first photos and read the first few lines, I got an eery feeling. How could this be funny, especially at X-mas time. But as the mission unfolded and more characters entered the picture, all I could think of was: BRILLIAAAAAAAANT!
Not to take anythign away from a truly good, funny idea, but I think either you don’t read the news, don’t pay attention to things that happen in the relatively small, well linked comedy community here in NY or you’re simply insensitive and selfish. A ‘Daily Show’ employee recently commited suicide by jumping off a building. I understand timing etc. seemed good for this mission and I know it’s just a joke but a lot of your readership & fans are probably aware of this event and/ or was personally effected by this event, so I must say this is pretty tasteless. Learn from your contemporaries, like Jon Stewart and the crew at TDS who took off a day (and the money and inconvience THAT must have cost).
Anonymous,
I aware of the fact that the TDS receptionist killed himself last weekend. In addition to reading about it in the news on Monday, a student in one of my UCB classes works there, and he told me on Thursday what an awesome guy he had been and how everyone was shocked and upset at what had happened. Your comment here is the first I’ve heard that his suicide was by jumping off of a building. None of the news articles related to the story mentioned his method. You also have to keep in mind that we executed this mission on December 10, before the suicide (or at least before anyone found out about it.) Suicide is obviously a senstive subject to anyone who has dealt with it on a personal level, and I’m sorry if our mission offends anyone.
There is always a connection to someone else in everything an artist attempts to do and unfortunately it can strike a sensitive nerve occasionaly. I’m sure there’s a relative of Chekhov out there or a restroom-attendant that’s been offended by the stuff these guys do but that’s life. This was great as always.
Agreed, Not insensitive. VERY FUN.
Keep up the good work.
Wow. To compare a recent suicide of someone in the community to a restaurant attendant being offended, or a relative of Chekov (who died over 100 years ago) being offended is absurd. CTodd’s answer was professional and sensitive, although I disagree that they should have been out with the mission so soon after such an event. Of COURSE something is always going to offend someone, but this kid jumped off a building a little over a week ago and he is linked to the community, and people close to him are even more linked to this community. So for many of us, who would usually have a sense of humor about these things, this was not "very fun."
great. you guys took improv to a whole new level.
Everyone loves to be a victim…. This mission had nothing to do with the "Daily Show" employee’s suicide. Accept that, and quit trying to make yourself feel like you’ve been a victim of insensitivity.
Speaking of the Daily Show, Comedy Central just linked to this prank on their "insider" blog:
http://ccinsider.comedycentral.com/cc_insider/2005/12/improv_everywhe.html
No shit it has nothing to do with TDS suicide. However, this is a finely linked community. And it’s not about loving being the victim, but it IS about actually being a mourner. I’m sure if some UCB person (take any of the agents on the mission) had commited suicide in the manner of TDS employee, this mission would have been ignored with the fear of it being too close to home– NOT because of the fact that the prank had been done, but the fact that it had been publicized at this point in time. This could have waited. Try stepping away from the comedy of things and look at the tradgedy of what actually happened- I’m not saying forever, I’m saying for a little while. Some sensitivity to your supporters in the comedy (and not just the swelled bubble that is the improv) community would be respectful. I think you guys are great, and funny and like I said– CTodd handled this well, the people who are trying to kiss his ass– not so much.
See, I just thought of <i>It’s a Wonderful Life</i>, and the appropriateness of the mission during the holiday season for this reason, etc.
Suicide is always a sensitive subject, no matter what. That doesn’t mean that art should always bow to sensitivity.
wow……you guys are great! merry christmas!!
That’s not funny; my brother died that way. Sorry, I can’t help myself when I get the chance to steal that line from the Onion. You needed to have a hysterical woman screaming, "Won’t someone please DO something?"May a police sniper to shoot him on the way down.
By the way, that was hilarious. It’s amazing to think that such genius was inspired by a four foot ledge.
If you can’t laugh at suicide what can you laugh at? Loved it. Very funny.
Sorry, I didn’t find this funny at all. What a downer that so many find the pain of others amusing. This "mission" and its video footage completely trivialize a serious mental health issue. I was hoping for something that didn’t make fun of those who are already rock bottom.
The way the actors relished their roles, as evidenced by their post-mission essays, also gave me a sick feeling.
I’m not sure what made me sadder - the "mission" or its many positive reviews. Gladiators, anyone?
Is it me or is the word "genius" and "brilliant" used in he improv world all too freely?
Wow people were accually being serious about it. The only way you could get hurt falling from that height is if you fell flat on your face. Still liked this mission though.
You guys rule! I personally cannot wait until the DVD comes out, this should definetely be on it. Also, has anyone ever considered starting a forum or message boad in which people could brainstorm ideas for improvs? That could help produce even more cool scenes.
I think what most people are completely missing, is that in this improv, the guy DOESN’T JUMP TO HIS "DEATH". He Listened to the "Authorities"… I could go on a rant about how selfish suicide is, and how the tragedy is not in the loss of life, but in how that loss affects others, but somehow I think that that rant would be lost on the people who really need to hear it…
… the fact that it’s a 4 foot ledge is what’s funny. If you think jumping from a 4 foot ledge is tragic, you’ve got issues. I agree, joking about suicide is not exactly good taste, but then again, neither is taking your pants off in the middle of a subway. But you probably laughed at reading that…
It’s amazing how ignorant and insensitive people can be. No one is saying that they think that this could have caused the "jumper" physical harm. WE know. It’s a joke. But it’s in poor taste due to the circumstances previously noted. You seem to be aware that suicide really hurts the loved ones of this person and yet you’re still being mean and insensitive to those exact people. People are mourning this person’s death. Because there was a person who did die.
I’m sure if that person was Chris Kula or Katie Dippold and not someone on the periphery- then this mission would not have been publicized so soon. You are the one this is lost on. People are still reeling from this and you’re basically calling them ignorant for what you think of as not understanding, when it’s just that this lost IS still new and affecting his loved ones.
Also.. laughing at suicide and people removing their pants. Any intelligent person wouldn’t have to think of the difference.
Comedy and tragedy - such close inhabitants on this plane. Reminds me of the Mary Tyler Moore classic show from the funeral home after the clown dies, "a little laugh, a little dance, a little seltzer in your pants" and Mary crying and laughing at the same time.
Anyone watching this "attempted suicide" would recognize its absurdity and in that recognition would be the realization that at all times, we are all closer to death than we would care to believe. Sorry, folks, but this IS funny - and not in any way that is disrespectful of those who actually choose that route for their "endgame".
Amen, Pat. Dick Van Dyke trips and falls–right on musical cue– and we shouldn’t laugh because people fall and break their necks every day? Johnny Carson taking a pie in his face isn’t funny because children are starving in India? Comic bits parallel serious counterparts, but the funny version serves it up with devices like irony and exaggeration. Anyone who can’t see the funny in this mission should take a break and look for humor elsewhere. This mission had me laughing out loud—because the story elements were so doggone silly and harmless. Thanks IE.
Every week or two i get to enjoy a nearly nauseous laughing spell thanks to web-postings from my friends at oodagroup ; this time it was you all doing the suicide stunt, which really was both genius and funny, ridiculous and true. when you bring the show to Paris just be sure to let me know!
Many of these comments shows the usual american stupidity, which have caused other such stupid "sensitive" actions when it comes to censorship. People complain because a comedian died by jumping and this was published close to that. What’s the point? People die ALL THE TIME by jumping off the buildings. Humor is same as being a ruler, if you don’t offend someone by your actions you are NOT doing your job. Being completely PC is not funny. There is no such thing that you can’t make a joke about, period. Not that Improv did a joke of the suicide. Some people are oversensitive and just way too stuck up to appreciate this. That said, I enjoyed the trick. I have relative who died by jumping, it still didn’t stop me laughing my ass off when I got the idea of this prank.
"It’s amazing how ignorant and insensitive people can be. No one is saying that they think that this could have caused the "jumper" physical harm. WE know. It’s a joke. But it’s in poor taste due to the circumstances previously noted."
I admitted the joke was in poor taste. So is walking on a subway without pants. It’s still funny. And I know suicide hurts others… But we shouldn’t feel sorry for the guy who jumps. I do feel sorry for the families. They can’t tell the jumper how much of a n insensitive jerk they were for going though with it… and that’s what’s hard.
Suicide is stupid. I for one am glad it is being portrayed as such. 4 feet or 400 feet - it doesn’t matter. Makes people realize how silly it looks to stand on a ledge wanting to jump. Yes it’s a harsh attitude, but if perhaps more people treated the subject as straightforward and harsh as this, then maybe people will understand this point.
OK, you people who are offended by this hilarious improv please stick with the things that you find humorous. I would imagine that Family Circus or Ziggy cartoons are more your speed. However, in today’s edition of Ziggy his tie is smoking and the caption reads, "His power tie overheated." I find this highly offensive as my father was killed when his tie combusted.
Leftbanker, I am drafting a bill to send you for a new computer monitor, as mine is currently covered in the orange juice that sprayed out of my mouth in laughter upon reading your very astute and very funny comment.
A similar ridiculous but very short prank A couple of us did repetedly was to get in a hotel elevator and stand infront of the closing door, react as if it were a guillotine, and giving a bloodcurdling scream
slumping down holding my hands, arms over my chest. Sometimes one of us would do this alone, at other times the other would interact with the prankster. We varied our interactions. Concern over the pranksters condition afterwards, trying to jerk him out of dangers way, a horrified "DON’T DO IT", whisper, to the elevator occupants comments about the pranksters mental state etc.
Some of the viewers reactions were extreme.
Hilarious.
Very, very funny. Laughed till I dropped.
Stop it, my sides are aching. Thanks for the ‘what’ll happen next’.. People are amazing at what they will stop and watch - did we really want to see Will - not make it??? I used to do these type of things as a kid; lost a contact on a crowded bus - hysterical …
I was laughing so hard tears came down my face!
I can’t wait to see more of your work sooo funny!! BRAVO
I think a midget should have been the jumper
Can’t please ‘em all. I have flashback nightmares every time I visit this site because I was chased on a tour ride in a fountain by a Chekov impersonator without pants while listening to a mysterious mp3 track and simultaneously trying to avoid a large shark running down the street…
…well, of course not. More seriously…there are things that are off limits and there are things that are not. The traditional "ledge jumper" has been used in comedy ever since buildings got tall enough to jump off.
If you have any American war dead pranks in the future or anything involving burning large religious symbols or taunting the infirm, you might reconsider. But I think this was fair game.
I laugh so hard at this story! I read it a second time, same thing!
omg. i’m having stomach cramps from laughing so hard. great work IE. you gave me a reason to leave NC and come back to my native nyc to join in on a mission!
It was touching and lovely. Eliza is the ideal woman that we search for.
Will deserves her - he has the guts to fail and the guts to try again.
I LOVED it!
If only Canadians had this kind of stuff……
Laughing out loud at my computer screen! Brilliant!
Qué buena idea!!! Such a good idea!!!
This was great. I love what you guys do. I would love to be there to witness some of this stuff.
my mom tried to commite suicide, twice, and even I think this is funny. insensitive, but, funny.
we were rolling with laughter
you just gained a fan..AweSome Work!
Excellent. You guys are nuts. Keep it up!
Tim
Great Mission!! I loved it!
i read your pages with my heart in the hands
This is THE BEST mission out of all the others, I was laughing so hard I was CRYING!
I think this is one of the best missions or them all. After all, a core element of improv is treating the absurd as though it is real and very serious. Excellent idea!
You people that are whining it’s insensitive should really get over yourselves. People kill themselves everyday and it’s a choice that they make, no one makes it for them. One person from Comedy Central kills themselves and people act like it’s a national holiday. People are dying of disease, poverty and war all over the world. People die everyday, thank god for intelligent humor like the stuff on this site. Everytime someone dies, especially someone who chooses to die, it is not cause for people to go on a pity trip.
In response to this mission I thought it was hilarious. My favorite by far. I wish you guys were located in Texas.
yo Liza! nice performance!! hey i used to do a drama class with you!! glad your hubby is ok.. ; )
Is it just me or does that guy in the yellow jacket look like Tom Irwin from My So-Called Life?
I laughed until I cried!
OMG! I Love you guys!! Come to Grand Rapids
That was a great one , had me laughing that’s for sure.
bahahahahaahahahahahahahahahaha…sniff
Jump! Jump! Jump! Jump!
Aybody see the SNL with the scetch that was very similar to this mission?
Of course this mission is going to hit a down beat with those who have experienced a real tragedy like it. But what has to be understood is, this mission isn’t making light of suicide in its actuality. This mission is taking the Hollywood dramaticized standard image of The Suicide Jumper and playing with that. If anything, it’s that repeated tv-movie stereotype that you should have issue with and not the IE performers. I really have to point out that, for those out there whom circumstance has brought close to an actual tragedy like this, the name of the mission itself should have been ample warning that it is not one that would entertain you.
Meh. I’ve dealt with suicides among people I’ve known and have been depressed enough to wanna kill myself (with several failed attempts) more times than not over the past decade and I found the mission to be incredibly hilarious. Damn if we don’t all take ourselves too seriously. Good work IE. Keep it up!
Oh everybody’s got a flippin’ tragedy conveniently in their back pocket to pull out & use as a wet blanket for throwing!
If the IE people did a mock funeral for the company’s mascot slug, GUARANTEED there’s gonna be a whiner who cries "Boo hoo, you are so insensitive. MY pet slug commited suicide last week by crawling into the Morton salt container…wah wah wah…."
Lighten up people!! Come out of that dark cave you call prime time television & pull back the curtains. Life is zippin’ by & you are sitting in your LazyBoy flipping the remote looking for a better life on cable.
Hey- Pet Slug Funeral. Tell me that’s not a good idea! IEers, call me!
Speaking of (not-quite) prime-time television… I also noticed that SNL sketch and wondered if they had been preusing the IE missions, Regis. Here’s a link to it on NBC’s website, if anyone wants to take a look:
http://video.nbc.com/v/?linkid=21928
The video for this mission is spectacular. I don’t know what the song is, but it had tears in my eyes at the end when Will comes down and hugs Eliza, even though I knew it was all staged and that it was also funny as hell.
For bringing tears to my eyes whilst making me laugh, IE, I give you the Maelin Gold Star of Excellence. It was a well-edited video of a well-performed mission, so kudos to everybody involved.
This is amazing, great work guys! I know the song is by peter gabriel but I can’t say what the title is.
Again, great one because everyone’s in on the joke! Well done
I found this amazingly hilarious and my friends and i are preforming it in this years talent show. Good work IE! You inspire us!
Do you mind if I do this one where I live in Ohio? It was absolutely brillant. It brought a tear to my eye.
Any one catch snl on september the 10 2006 they had same idea in one of the skits
i can’t wait for the new SNL digital short this season, where Andy Samburg raps about going to best buys with 80 of his friends in blue shirts and khakis
the check is in the mail.
tootles!
-Lorne
Crazy and funny!
The oldies still are good!
Keep up the insanity!
This was amazing. Me and my friends are really weird like that and are hopeing to do it soon… but in a small city, it will be kinda hard.
When I first read the title, I was afraid of it being acted too seriously– you know, like actually on a four story ledge, instead of a four foot ledge.
When I saw the facts I laughed and enjoyed the scene unfolding.
But I can’t help but admit… it can be really hard on those who have really lost someone that way…
I think I saw a skit on SNL with exactly the same thing happening. Did they copy u guys or did u submit it to them?
Cool thing BTW.
Ok, all the people saying this is so insensitive… deal with it. I had a friend commit suicide a couple years ago, and I found this mission hilarious. This was a sketch, a funny one, so accept it and move on. If you don’t like it, don’t watch it.
People are so worried nowadays about things being politically incorrect, that nothing cool ever gets done anymore. You guys rock for doing this!
That is fabulous! Loved, loved, loved it!
This is the funniest thing i have ever seen in my life. I would love to be involved in something likethis one day
Wow, looks like people took this one way too seriously. Quite frankly, as someone who’s been suicidal in the past, this sort of thing is very helpful. All humor is great, but humor regarding things that dark that we can relate to directly help bring in into focus, or at least lighten it by making us laugh at it, if only for a little bit. The extreme ridiculousness of the four-foot fall, in connection with the act of suicide, causes the act to lose some of it’s pull/attraction/power, if only for a little while. I remember actually Googling things about suicide, and anything humorous made the night easier.
I had a friend once who couldn’t stand any reference to death because someone she cared about died. Sorry, but not every single instance of something is meant to hurt, nor does it have to be sensitive to everyone everywhere at any time.
Perhaps if we would have shared his poetry on Love Across Borders (our site), then he wouldn’t have wanted to jump. :p
Love Across Borders - Sharing Is Caring!
We need more efforts like yours. Definitely a step in the right direction and yet another reason to turn off the TV.