The Comedy Fix

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The Comedy Fix is Chris Alvarado, Sam Miller, and Jaymie Parkkinen. In each episode, the three peer behind the curtain of comedy and performance to figure out what’s what.

Chris, Sam, Jaymie


    • Feb 22, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 58m AVG DURATION
    • 66 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Comedy Fix

    Episode 66 - No Topic Chat

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2022 69:14


    In this episode, Chris, Sam, and Jaymie have a no topic chat.

    Episode 65 - Control

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2021 57:09


    In this episode, Chris, Sam, and Jaymie discuss the role of control in performance.

    Episode 64 - Class Shows

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2021 48:57


    In this episode, Chris, Sam, and Jaymie are joined by Garrett Richardson to discuss class shows.

    Episode 63 - The Backline

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2021 48:36


    In this episode, Chris, Sam, and Jaymie discuss the pros and cons of the backline in improv.

    Episode 62 - Forming a Team

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2021 56:04


    In this episode, Chris, Sam, and Jaymie discuss the complexities of forming an improv team.

    Episode 61 - Scene Length

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2021 64:50


    In this episode, Chris, Sam, and Jaymie discuss how scene length can affect performance.

    Episode 60 - Theater Pitches with Zach Huddleston

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2021 67:52


    In this episode, Zach Huddleston returns to invite Chris, Sam, and Jaymie to pitch their ideas for new improv theaters in LA.

    Episode 59 - Byplay Workshop

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2021 70:42


    In this episode, Chris, Sam, and Jaymie workshop the performance device of byplay.

    Episode 58 - Training Center Performance Models with Chris Gorbos

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2021 56:06


    In this episode, Chris, Sam, and Jaymie are joined by Chris Gorbos, co-owner of the Westside Comedy Theater, to discuss the Westside's new performance model.

    Episode 57 - A Page from Improvise

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2021 49:16


    In this episode, Chris, Sam, and Jaymie dissect a page from Mick Napier's book, Improvise.

    Episode 56 - The Comedy Co-op LA with James Mastraieni

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2021 67:35


    In this episode, Chris, Sam, and Jaymie are joined by James Mastraeini to discuss the launch of The Comedy Co-op LA.

    Episode 55 - Character Types

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2021 57:16


    In this episode, Chris, Sam, and Jaymie discuss the concept of character types in comedy.

    Episode 54 - A Page from Truth in Comedy

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2021 64:48


    In this episode, Chris, Sam, and Jaymie pull a page from Truth in Comedy by Charna Halpern and dissect each and every word.   Here is the excerpt:   Every director has heard the dreaded, familiar "My character wouldn't do that." There is nothing a character won't do. When an actor discovers a new character in his personality, he must find what will make him go further — to do the unexpected. Developing characters proved to be one of the most useful elements of the Harold for Chris Farley when he moved on to Saturday Night Live. "I was able to come up with many different characters. In one Harold, I could do five characters, and maybe hone those just a little bit and try 'em again," says Farley. "There are so many different characters you can do in one given Harold — five characters can easily emerge."   KEY POINTS FOR CHAPTER NINE *Commit to the physical. *Let your environment affect you. *Be specific with your objects. *Reveal yourself through your character.

    Episode 53 - Don't Think, React

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2021 52:32


    In this episode, Chris, Sam, and Jaymie try to figure out what “Don't Think, React” really means, if anything.

    Episode 52 - Our Rules with Jim Keating

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2021 70:40


    In this episode, Chris, Sam, and Jaymie are joined by Jim Keating to each discuss each's own rules for teaching and performance.

    Episode 51 - 10 Minutes with Chris

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2021 10:26


    In this episode, Chris works through what it means to not feel like you're funny in the world of comedy.

    Episode 50 - Clown and Commedia with David Bridel

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2021 57:07


    In this episode, Chris, Sam, and Jaymie are joined by David Bridel to discuss clown, medical clown, Commedia dell'arte, spontaneity, and the futility of trying to figure out what's next.

    Episode 49 - 10 Minutes with Sam

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2021 10:15


    In this episode, Sam provides a definitive history of improvisation.

    Episode 48 - Deliberateness

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 3, 2021 62:46


    In this episode, Chris, Sam, and Jaymie discuss what it means to be deliberate in improvised performance.

    Episode 47 - 10 Minutes with Jaymie

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2021 8:23


    In this episode, Jaymie shares a few stray thoughts on laughter and politics and symbols of comedy.

    Episode 46 - Dean Evans and Clowning in LA

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2021 63:01


    In this episode, Chris, Sam, and Jaymie are joined by Dean Evans to evaluate and critique clowning in LA.

    Episode 45 - Context

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2021 57:57


    In this episode, Chris, Sam, and Jaymie discuss the role of context in an improvised scene.

    Episode 44 - Justification

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2021 48:32


    In this episode, Chris, Sam, and Jaymie discuss the concept of justification in performance.

    Episode 43 - Straight Man Workshop

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2021 61:22


    In this episode, Chris, Sam, and Jaymie discuss the role of the straight man, also known as the voice of reason, in comedy.

    Episode 42 - Noting

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2021 59:53


    In this episode, Chris, Sam, and Jaymie discuss the complexities of giving notes in improv.

    Episode 41 - Approaching Difficult Topics in Improv with Eva and Greg

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 8, 2021 66:43


    In this episode, Chris, Sam, and Jaymie are joined by Eva Lewis and Greg Tindale to discuss how best to approach difficult topics in improv and performance.

    Episode 40 - Object Work

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2021 51:57


    In this episode, Chris, Sam, and Jaymie debate the merits of various styles of object work and prop play.

    Episode 39 - Team Dynamics with Karen Graci

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2021 52:18


    In this episode, Chris, Sam, and Jaymie explore team dynamics with Karen Graci.

    Episode 38 - David Rogier Hasn't Done Improv

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2021 67:20


    In this episode, Chris, Sam, and Jaymie question guest David Rogier, an improv fan who has never trained in or performed improv.

    Episode 37 - Group Mind

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2021 50:57


    In this episode, Chris, Sam, and Jaymie discuss group mind in performance. Is it a thing?

    Episode 36 - Giving Notes with Craig Cackowski

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2021 66:41


    In this episode, Chris, Sam, and Jaymie are joined by Craig Cackowski to discuss giving notes and other things.

    Episode 35 - Fixing Improv with Brian James O'Connell

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2021 88:55


    In this episode, Chris, Sam, and Jaymie enlist the help of Brian James O'Connell to fix improv.

    Episode 34 - Playing to the Top of Your Intelligence

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2021 48:15


    In this episode, Chris, Sam, and Jaymie scrutinize the improv maxim of playing to the top of your intelligence.

    Episode 33 - Theme with Peter Fluet

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2021 76:07


    In this episode, Chris, Sam, and Jaymie are joined by Peter Fluet to discuss the concept of theme in improv.

    Episode 32 - Initiations Workshop

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2021 58:49


    In this episode, Chris, Sam, and Jaymie discuss and workshop various types of initiations.

    Episode 31 - Safety and Accountability with Jason DeGraff

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2021 79:42


    In this episode, Chris, Sam, and Jaymie are joined by Jason DeGraff to discuss the complexities of safety and accountability in improv and performance. This one gets heavy!   Jason also wanted to give a shoutout to Leela Improv (leela-sf.com) as a theater that does safety and performance well.

    Episode 30 - Digital Comedy with Marc Warzecha

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2021 54:55


    In this episode, Chris, Sam, and Jaymie are joined by Marc Warzecha of The Sketch School to discuss the advantages and limitations of performing and learning comedy in the digital world.

    Episode 29 - A Conversation with Jay Sukow

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2021 70:28


    In this episode, Chris, Sam, and Jaymie are joined by Chris's faux rival, Jay Sukow, to discuss how they actually agree somewhat.

    Episode 28 - Editing Workshop

    Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2021 57:07


    In this episode, Chris, Sam, and Jaymie work through how to edit scenes in improv.

    Episode 27 - Training the Audience

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2021 52:10


    In this episode, Chris, Sam, and Jaymie discuss the concept of training the audience so that they can understand your show. The three also discuss the even greater problem of how to get an audience in the first place.

    Episode 26 - Presentation with Brandon Barrick

    Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2021 74:25


    In this episode, Chris, Sam, and Jaymie invite Brandon Barrick to discuss presentation in improv. Is it a problem that improv shows are becoming increasingly casual?

    Episode 25 - Internet Comedy with Atul Singh

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2021 58:53


    In this episode, Chris, Sam, and Jaymie are joined by Atul Singh to learn how to make it in the world of Internet Comedy.

    Episode 24 - Listener Reaction with Jenni Stukin

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2021 51:05


    In this episode, Chris, Sam, and Jaymie are joined by listener of the show, Jenni Stukin, to discuss her reactions and weigh in on previous episodes.

    Episode 23 - Forms/Reaction Episode with Paul Vaillancourt

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2021 75:11


    In this episode, Chris, Sam, and Jaymie are joined by Paul Vaillancourt who was supposed to talk about forms in improv. Instead, the conversation became a series of Paul's hot takes on the show's previous episodes with forms sprinkled in. Link to Paul's book: https://www.amazon.com/Triangle-Scene-practical-approaching-improvisation-ebook/dp/B00ZHV7BH2

    Episode 22 - Game with Brennan Lee Mulligan

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2021 57:24


    In this episode, Chris, Sam, and Jaymie are joined by Brennan Lee Mulligan to do a deep, nerdy dive into Game.

    Episode 21 - Character with Jackie Durruthy

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2021 55:45


    In this episode, Chris, Sam, and Jaymie are joined by Jackie Durruthy to discuss the ins and outs of character.

    Episode 20 - Point of View

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2021 55:56


    In this episode, Chris, Sam, and Jaymie debate the role of Point of View in improv and character work.

    Episode 19 - Yes And Workshop

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2021 68:53


    In this episode, Chris, Sam, and Jaymie host an improv workshop focusing on Yes And. Is Yes And really the cornerstone of improv? What are the alternatives?

    Episode 18 - Selling Out with Jonathan Gregg

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2021 60:12


    In this episode, Chris, Sam, and Jaymie are joined by Jonathan Gregg to discuss selling out in comedy.

    Episode 17 - The Biz of Improv with Zach Huddleston

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2021 74:43


    In this episode, Chris, Sam, and Jaymie are joined by Zach Huddleston to discuss the business side of improv and comedy theaters.

    Episode 16 - "It" Factor with Jaime Moyer

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2021 57:21


    In this episode, Chris, Sam, and Mr. Jaymie are joined by Ms. Jaime Moyer to discuss the “It” factor in performance.

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