33rd & State: Marquette Sketch Comedy

Being Moderately funny Since 2012

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I Had an Idea

Hello folks. As you see, this Tumblr is not updated often. That is my fault, not yours (but you can take the blame if you wish). My new idea for our next "season" is to use this for behind the scenes access, blogs, production notes, and more. Gone are the days of solely posting videos. You can get those on Facebook, silly. Or YouTube, duh. I know there are only a few of you on here, but I promise to improve it for you! Thanks a lot, The Tumblr Guy 33rd & State

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Is Tumblr still a thing? Also, why are you in my house?

-33rd & State's Spencer Rose on this page and the person who runs it.

We're finally updating this old chunk of Internet this week. Stay tuned!

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#pray

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3 Things College Students Need to Stop Saying

The expressions below are peppered throughout conversations between young people. But besides being dumb and a fake sense of humor, they reveal these kids have no idea about the conditions they're talking about. It's not that I'm offended, they're just dumb.

1) "I'm so OCD!"First of all, this expression makes no sense. Obsessive-compulsive disorder, as it is verbally expressed, isn't a state of being; it's a condition you have or you don't have. So already these kids are fucking it up. People use this one pretty frivolously, like explaining why they choose to make their bed regularly or get rid of excess papers, books, etc. I have known people to sincerely self-diagnose OCD as explanation for these mildly anxious quirks like. In reality, OCD is not as cute as it seems to be from its misuse in conversation.

How it should sound: "Oh my God, like, I have this weird thing where I don't sleep because I spend all night thinking up how it would be feel to be the only person on earth, then I have night terrors because I dream I'm dying over and over again. I'm so OCD!"

2) "We're such alcoholics!" Alcoholism can be plenty funny, but the behavior pinned as alcoholism by college students is usually something that is socially sanctioned and not a pathology. Yes, skipping class for an 8am keg race is looked down upon by most of society, but among college students this is nothing to whisper about behind anyone's back. Instead of commenting on your tailgating photo album on Facebook as alcoholism, it should reflect something a bit more extraordinary and destructive.

How it should sound: "Oh my God, I love my roommate but she is such an alcoholic! Like she got expelled for going to class drunk too much, and then yesterday she hit me and called me a cunt then got an OWI."

3) "Are you stalking me?!" Unfortunately, plenty of college-aged girls do know what a legally-sanctioned instance of stalking actually entails. Among those who do not, however, "stalker" is a word you will definitely hear if you bump into someone by happenstance multiple times in a short period. Stalking is worse than that.

How it should sound: "Oh my God, hey Ian! You must be stalking me; I totally got that death threat you put on my kitchen table in the middle of the night! Hey, is that my hair in your mouth?"

-Jonathan Neidorf

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What's Next for the Tumblr?

Ah yes. The question that has been on my mind for the last week. What will happen to this blog? 

Will it continue to post regularly? Who will be posting?

Will it wither away and die?  (Spoiler Alert: No.) I will answer your/my questions.

At the conclusion of the semester, the blog will be opened up to members of 33rd & State who like to write (which is all of us) and want to contribute to the blog. We'll also be posting new types of writing, which includes interviews, getting to know members, and of course our future award-winning golden nuggets of cinematography and screenwriting. 

So this is the end of our little affair with each other, dear audience, but if you're up for a little good old fashioned polygamy, stick around! That last part got real weird, real quick. I apologize.

But seriously, stick around. The fun is about to begin....

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Introducing the new logo...

There was a page break there on purpose. Get it? There was further adieu.

I'm so misunderstood.

Ta-da! Enjoy it, because knowing us it'll change again.

xoxoxo,

33rd & State (now with 100% more logo!)

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What is it like to work with 33rd & State? I'm sure it's fine... 

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Launch Date Press Release

33RD & STATE OFFICIALLY LAUNCHES JANUARY 2013

 33rd & State proudly announces the premiere of a brand new YouTube channel is coming this January to an Internet-enabled machine near you.

 After 3 months of preparations and filming, the group is finally ready to show off their hard work. As Marquette University’s first sketch comedy troupe, the group hopes the first video will launch their efforts into the big leagues of campus activities.

 In order to dominate the world of Internet comedy, the videos will be listed on YouTube as well as Twitter, Facebook, and Tumblr on a bi-weekly basis.

 33rd & State includes several members of Marquette’s improvisation group the Studio 013 Refugees, but also features some brand new faces. With no auditions required, the cast is always looking for fresh talent.

 The success of the YouTube sketches will help stir up excitement for the live show in April. Taking place in Straz Theater, the as of yet unnamed extravaganza will feature brand new sketches and more of the future award-winning jokes that audiences will soon adore.

 To join 33rd & State on their journey to greatness or just witness history, visit the website (www.marquettesketchcomedy.tumblr.com) and follow @33rdandState on Twitter. More information about the group or answers to any questions can be found by emailing Spencer Rose ([email protected]).

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Premiere Poster

Finally! A chance to showcase my mediocre Photoshop skills! What a better way than with a poster for our first video? That's right, folks, 33rd & State is real and happening. We have a poster to prove it. A press release will follow, but your friends down on the metaphorical 33rd & State can't wait for you to see our hard work. So post this image on Twitter, Facebook, or heck, email your grandparents. Let the world know that 33rd & State is coming soon to a computer/smartphone/refrigerator near you! I'd also like to apologize to the person who designed the original Taken poster. Sorry for spoofing your idea AND doing it better. Please pass our sincere apologies to the rest of the Taken squad. You can pay us in coupons or Trident Layers. We're not picky, just hungry.

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Photo Essay: Scenic Spots Around the Ol' MKE

Spot #1: Crime-Ridden Alley

This alley reeks of crime despite being located in a friendly part of town. I stumbled upon this site while walked down Old World 3rd Street (I'm not from Milwaukee so if I don't have to say Old World, don't make fun of me). I've been toying with the idea of doing a superhero video ever since I saw the Badman spoof from Front Page Films and College Humor. I think this alley would be perfect for one of those types of sketches.

The only problem with the spot would be the outside noise. Filming would have to be done during the daylight, which would undo the whole superhero fighting crime thing. I guess crime does happen no matter what a clock says, but the superhero would have to be more Superman or Spider-Man than Batman. That might not be a bad thing, though. Despite Batman's popularity and the fact that Christian Bale's take on the Dark Knight is a gold mine for spoofs, it could separate us from Badman and Front Page Films. 

We could always film at 4:00AM or so... but as my parents always say nothing good happens after 2:00AM. Unless it's a slumber party because that's when we usually make pizza rolls.

Spot #2: A Bench With a View

First off, can I get credit for a brilliant use of the Rule of Thirds. Way to go, me. Bonus points for correct use of direct address despite the first person pronoun.  On to the juicy details of this shot. I think this shot would be great with a scene about a date or breakup or some romantic encounter. The bench has a great view despite the highway being there. That's easily hidden by camera angles. There's plenty of room behind the actors, too, even though it's not visible in this picture. The bench is located in Juneau Park on the other side of town and directly behind the bench is a statue of Solomon Juneau himself. Maybe the scene could be about some pagan ritual worshiping his statue. I honestly have no clue who Juneau was, so I did what any confused soul would do and looked it up on Wikipedia. He's a founder of the city of Milwaukee. Lucky him to have such a beautiful view located behind his statue. According to Wikipedia, the statue has been there since the late 1800s.  ...AND I TOUCHED IT. MY HAND IS A PART OF HISTORY. 

Spot #3 Ye Old Log Cabin

Despite the graffiti all over the door referring to male genitalia, this replica log cabin in Juneau Park would make an excellent spot for a sketch. If we ever needed to go back in time, this location is perfect! 

The major problem here would be the city in the background, but again, camera angles work wonders. I even have a filter on my camera that can do black and white or sepia filming. It would look super awesome combined with the cabin. The only downside is that it is impossible to get inside. Honestly, I prefer staying out of the cabin, judging by the defacing it has received on the outside. Which leads me to problem numero dos with this location. Nothing would be more distracting than seeing what illicit activities people are willing to do on Saturday nights written in Sharpie all over the door. Long shots could help avoid that, but that would limit the usefulness of the log cabin.

Regardless of its flaws, the replica log cabin in Juneau Park is still a great spot without question. The real question is why I titled this section "Ye Olde Log Cabin." I'm sure that language fad had passed by the mid 1700s.

Do you know any spots around Milwaukee we should film at? Tweet them at us! @33rdandState

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They have a Twitter now! It's so neat and fun. No hard feelings at all!

Seth MacFarlane discussing @33rdandState

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Upcoming 33rd and State Projects

NOVEMBER

Continue forming group.

Write sketches.

Film at least 2 videos.

DECEMBER

Film as many more sketches as we can before Christmas Break.

Rejoice that I can say Christmas Break instead of Winter or Holiday Break.

JANUARY

Release videos filmed in the fall on a weekly basis.

Continue writing and filming with our nice 3 week cushion.

Recruit more writers and/or performers

FEBRUARY

Advertise ourselves and our HILARIOUS videos.

Shift focus to writing for the stage.

Keep releasing videos as a form of public relations.

MARCH

Celebrate the birth of me.

Begin practicing live sketches.

Acquire costumes and props.

Make arrangements at Straz Theater for the show.

APRIL

Sweat profusely.

Worry excessively.

Make final arrangements for the show.

HAVE THE BEST SKETCH COMEDY SHOW EVER.

Dive in the mountains of gold coins we receive.

Decide gold coin pools only worked for Scrooge McDuck.  

So as you can see, our schedule is pretty booked. Feel free to ask questions on Twitter, which can be accessed by clicking "Being Moderately blah blah blah since blah" and I'll type hilarious responses to your inquires. Never forget that if I can be a part of 33rd & State, then anyone can! Come to our meetings at 8:00pm on Tuesdays in Humphrey Hall. Follow us on Twitter! @33rdandState We don't meet every Tuesday, so it's important to check the Twitter!

Peace, Love, and Gap. xoxoxoxoxo, Spencer

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Why Seth MacFarlane is Ruining Comedy

The following is an opinion piece. However, it is my opinion, so that means it's right.

There are few people in the world of comedy that I despise more than Seth MacFarlane. Actually, there is no one I hate more than that man. Perhaps the worst thing to happen to television, Seth MacFarlane took the successful medium of animated sitcoms and ran it so far underground that Bruce Willis and his team of drilling experts are jealous (shout out to Armageddon). But why do I have such a deep seated hatred for Mr. MacFarlane? It's simple: He's dumbing down the entire country. Family Guy, American Dad, and the Cleveland Show are responsible for the loss of compelling comedic television and the continuation of several offensive, and outdated stereotypes.

Let's start with the loss of compelling comedic television because that was a pretty bold claim on my part. Turn the clock way back to 2005. Family Guy has just been resurrected due to the DVD sales after being cancelled 3 years earlier. It is the first show to ever come back due to a cult following. The cruel twist of fate is that Fox's focus on reviving the newly popular show would do the same thing to another, more beloved show. Family Guy was enjoying it's new found popularity while Arrested Development was left to die. Am I bitter? Yes. Thankfully, Netflix has saved the Bluth Family, but the questions remain. Why is a show that has won countless rewards sacrificed for commercial gain? Business as usual in the entertainment industry, but Seth MacFarlane still is adversely affecting the rest of comedic television. Why do you think Parks & Recreation and 30 Rock are both in danger of being canceled after every season? Why did Party Down only take off on Netflix? Why did Steve Carell never win an award for The Office? Ok, that one might be worthy of another blog post entirely. It's less about Seth MacFarlane and more about my hate for The Big Bang Theory, but I digress. The answer to the above questions, in my honest, humble, and correct opinion lies with Seth MacFarlane. People have become used to stupid cut away humor and have lost the attention span for a comedy with substance. There is no story line in Family Guy (and not in the Seinfeld way). Creating lasting relationships and season long plot development is no where to be found on Family Guy. The show has deteriorated into fitting in as many cut aways to pop culture as they can fit in 22 minutes. "Hey Brian, remember when we met *ACTOR FROM A MOVIE THAT YOU, THE AUDIENCE, FORGOT ABOUT, BUT KIND OF LIKED*?"  CUT TO SAID ACTOR. "*Something obvious about the actor's current situation and/or a reference to their most popular work paired with a sight gag.*"

There is nothing intelligent about it. It's a cheap appeal to humor. Family Guy the show is now just a vessel to sell as many t-shirts,terrible video games, and other ridiculous merchandise. And for Fox, it's ad revenue, because the idiots that watch this show will buy anything. Writing for idiots and burying the brilliant work of others is not even the worst offense from Seth MacFarlane. I personally blame him and his boatload of trash for perpetuating the use of the word "retard" and "faggot" in kids today. But there's no way he can get past FCC censors and kids don't even watch the show because it's rated a very heavy TV-14! My dear reader, do not be as stupid as Seth wants you to be. Seth MacFarlane and his team of writers go around censors, by using terms like "special" or "flaming." And as far as kids watching the show, do you really think college educated 24-32 year olds are watching this show? I'll give you 18-24, but the numbers lie under the age of 18. Let me break it down.

4.3 million viewers a week (Ages 12-34)

2 million viewers are men (Ages 18-34)

Assuming 1.5 million women viewers* (Ages 18-34)

800,000 viewers (Ages 12-17)  *Exact data not available

Source: http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/03/15/ratings-by-age/

800,000 people a week who are not even old enough to vote are watching this show. My next set of examples will demonstrate MacFarlane's censor dodging. Take a special look at all the titles of the clips.

Retard:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vgWjq-sv9g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ashR1Na8qx0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30tTDuzzYOM

Faggot:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUQSIlP38tc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Gm8wIEhoRw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E04KCgXiUlI

The sad part is that I didn't even look very long for those clips. A simple search via Google led me to all of those. At this point, you've probably thought to yourself that South Park has done all of this and worse. I don't have a 1,000 word response for you there, but I suggest starting by looking up the difference between satire & irony and using offensive language for the sake of a petty joke. I'm sorry, that was rude, but I'm supposed to be ranting. I hope you'll forgive me. You'll be smart enough to know the difference, but imagine those 800,000 12-17 year olds. They see people laughing at "faggot" and "retard" and think it's okay.

To conclude, Family Guy, American Dad, the Cleveland Show and Seth MacFarlane are some of the worst things to happen to comedy since someone gave Jeff Dunham a TV show. Does that mean you should stop watching them? Yes and no.

Yes because watching the show and buying the merchandise sends a message that you approve of their use of offensive language for the sake of offensive language. Also, you're teaching the youth that this is funny. Also, you're degrading the comedy community by laughing at terrible writing. 

But if you honestly love the show, it makes you laugh, and you have no love for hard-working original storytellers, then go ahead. Humor is a great stress reliever and something that everyone should enjoy. Just remember that I hate you for giving Seth MacFarlane money.  

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And So It Begins...

MILWAUKEE- Marquette has been taken over by a brand new sketch comedy group. Everyone has gone crazy with admiration and pride. The group is now considered a Marquette legend on par with the ghosts and celebrities of years past.

The preceding statement is what the Marquette Tribune will publish following the first 33rd and State show. I guarantee it... sort of. But before all of the adoration we'll receive, we had to start by having our first meeting.

Write the funniest hour and a half show you can, and condense it to the best 20 minutes.

We have a lot of material, but it's now about trimming that down and creating an entertaining show on top of (expected) weekly YouTube videos. The path for greatness has been laid out for 33rd and State. Now we just have to actually start walking down that path. Hopefully that path is nothing like the real 33rd and State. It's dangerous.

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A Sketchy Kind of Place

33rd and State: the home of unsavory characters, illicit activities and danger. It is a rather sketchy place to find yourself on a Tuesday night.  This crossroad is also the name of Marquette's brand new sketch comedy group. In the forgotten corners of Humphrey Hall, 7 students came together to form a performance troupe with lofty goals such as "a YouTube video" and "funny ideas on a weekly basis." Led by seniors Charlie Mohl and Bill Lacy, the comedy collective aims to put on a live show in Straz Tower this April. The journey will be hopefully hilarious, and hopelessly stressful, but it's about time Marquette was graced with amateur sketch comedy. The group is primarily made up of members of the Studio 013 Refugees (myself included), but it's open to anyone willing to put in the time. Follow this tumblr to get updates, inside information, and front row seats to every single video we put out. As an added bonus, there will be monthly interviews with members from now until April! So come on down to 33rd and State!* *Please don't go to the real 33rd and State. We care about your safety.