The first Citibike to grace the UCB stage, during our UCBW Revengeance show on Saturday. Two great loves combined.
Photo by Arin Sang-urai
We surprised random people by turning back the clock 150 years at a local bar, completely transforming it into 1860s New York. We worked with accomplices to invite unsuspecting friends to the Black Rabbit Bar in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. The bar was completely lit by candles and kerosene lanterns and was filled with actors in period dress. Beer cost pennies, and music was provided by a live band. By the end of the night, our surprised guests found themselves in the middle of an old-fashioned bar fight.
Read the full story with photos: The 1860s Bar
This is the first time I’ve ever seen someone truly “defeat” the Colbert character in an interview. Dan Savage does an incredible job here, even managing to get the last word, which never happens. Colbert’s record is now 1206 - 1.
The Abercrombie store at the South Street Seaport was wrecked by Sandy, flooded by six feet of water, and is closed indefinitely. IT STILL SMELLS like Abercrombie from 10 feet away.
Some thoughts on Citi Bike
I’ve been anxiously anticipating my first ride on New York City’s new bike share program for over a year. The delays have been frustrating, but it was worth the wait. I found myself checking the app all day yesterday in Ohio, sad that I wasn’t in town for the launch day, and curious to know how the bike stations were balancing out throughout the day.
Cody and I got home today and were thrilled to have our key fobs waiting for us in the mail. After dinner we went out for our first ride. Having enjoyed bike share programs in places like Montreal and Vienna, I was worried my expectations would be too high. Nope. It’s great!
The bikes are 45 pounds and often referred to as “tanks” in the press. I found them extremely easy to ride. You’re not going to win a race, but they ride at a great pace around flat Manhattan. The seat is easily adjustable, and you can note what number is most comfortable for you for future rides. The unlocking and docking process was incredibly easy.
The best part is that random people were constantly having conversations with us. Every time we stopped at a light a driver with his window down or a pedestrian wanted to ask us all about the program. Everyone seems genuinely excited about it. It was probably the most I’ve ever talked to my neighbors on the street, except maybe when I walked home drunk in 2008 after Obama won.
We are getting helmets tomorrow, and I’m actively looking forward to biking to UCB East for a 10 PM show. I haven’t owned a bike since I lived in Queens in 2003, despite the fact that I LOVE to bike. I’ve never had a place to store a bike, and after having 3 bikes stolen on the streets of Astoria, I gave up. Bike share solves these problems.
In a perfect world, Citi Bike would be funded by some sort of tax on automobiles (gas tax, congestion pricing, etc.) and we wouldn’t have 6,000 Citi advertisements roaming our streets. As much as I hate outdoor advertising, this is how advertising is supposed to work— we put up with ads because you give us something fantastic in return.
I’m sure there will be issues with the program. There will be accidents. There will be theft and vandalism. There will be inventory issues with some bike stations. There will also be car accidents and subway delays. Transportation in a city of 8 million will never be perfect.
But tonight it felt perfect.
And honestly, I think this is going to be a huge game changer for the city. Our quality of life just took a big step forward.
Last month I had the pleasure of attending the Night Heron Speakeasy, an unauthorized bar in a water tower on top of an abandoned building in Chelsea. Yes, in a water tower.
It was the most impressive feat of creative trespassing I’ve seen in my 12 years in New York. Huge props to Nathan Austin and his team.
The speakeasy is now closed, and they’ve gone public with a great story at Atlantic Cities. Check out the article to see how they pulled it off and the very clever way they designed the invitations to spread:
Into the Water Tower, With Flair - Dan Glass - The Atlantic Cities
During our Talk Show Subway Car project, photographer Ari Scott captured this great sequence. A woman rushed to enter the car before the doors closed and found herself right in the middle of our show. Moments later she and her friend were enthusiastic audience members, applauding with everyone else.
Check out my wife’s great new series!
Latest Episode of Two Beers In! Watch as Kerry McGuire and I chat with the lovely Glenn Boozan about the IRS and Angelina Jolie! Awesome direction from Adam Sacks and editing genius Clark Frankel!
(by TwoBeersIn)
For the latest Improv Everywhere project, we converted a New York City subway car into a late night talk show set. Host Pat Cassels (CollegeHumor) interviewed random commuters from his desk as bandleader Evan Gregory (The Gregory Brothers) kept the car rocking.
Full story with photos: Talk Show Subway Car | Improv Everywhere
Abercrombie is in the news this week because their CEO says he doesn’t want fat people to shop in his stores. As a result, about a dozen people have emailed Improv Everywhere in the past two days suggesting we send a bunch of overweight people into one of their stores.
It’s been fun to write back and say, “Yes, we did this 6 years ago.”
Watch the video of 100 shirtless men of all shapes and sizes invading the 5th Avenue Abercrombie: No Shirts - Improv Everywhere
Photo: Actor Justin Lang poses with a surprised, real Abercrombie model in front of the 5th Avenue flagship store. Photo by Katie Sokoler.
