High Five!

I’m in a good mood and busy, so I’m taking a break from the Supreme Court posts for a little while and sticking with something much less . . . weighty and depressing. The topic up for discussion? The one and only Improv Everywhere,  a NY City-based  ”prank collective” of sorts that seeks to perform improvisational “missions” (pranks, skits, jokes, and more) in everyday locations. A fake “Bathroom Attendant” in a Times Square McDonald’s? Check. Storming a Best Buy with about 80 people dressed in blue polos and kahkis? Done. How about getting long-dead Russian playwright Anton Chekov to appear at a Barnes and Noble to read some of his published works? Indeed. The pranks are meant to be amusing yet harmless, though Best Buy management was certainly less than appreciative. Part of the joy of Improv Everywhere lies in the fact that in everyday, mundane  life, at a bookstore, coffee shop, or subway station, unsuspecting people could run into some extraoridnary circumstances.

The mission that caught my attention exemplifies how Improv Everywhere can share unexpected happiness. The jokes of “hey, these people have no idea they were duped” normally have their humor post-mission. It makes you (well, me, at least) laugh, but it is certainly missing some heart. The best missions have no “victims” or “targets,” but instead only serve to spread joy to participants or observers. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not knocking the Chekov mission or others like it, and I think different types of humor have their places. I was just wowed in this case by the sheer joy that was spread. Oh, yes, the mission? I should get to that? Right.

Several “agents” (think “operatives”) of Improv Everywhere were placed on the steps next to a subway escalator during the morning commute. Leading up the stairs, some agents held signs stating, in order: “ROB WANTS,” “TO GIVE YOU,” “A HIGH FIVE!,” “GET READY!” A final person held a sign with “ROB” and an arrow pointing to the pseudonymed “Rob,” who held out his hand to give a high five to whomever desired one. Rob proceeded to give over 2,000 high fives in 45 minutes to commuters and travelers. I urge you to watch the video here on Youtube (more info and photos here), and no matter the mood you’re in, it’ll make you smile and feel at least a little better about humanity. All in all, it was silly, goofy, fun, and a beautiful way to make the world a slightly better place. I approve!

-Josh

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