Paul F. Tompkins

With the first handful of episodes, that's exactly what I tried to do. Book people who knew each other & perform together frequently. Then I started mixing the various troikas with each other to find new combinations of energy & sensibility. Surprisingly, it's more difficult to book the guests than the improvisers. You'd think it'd be harder to book three people at once than one, but nope! I The Cackowski/Chaffin/Tallman combo from Ep 8 was fun to be in the middle of. There are more new combos coming up!

None of the above is about the show, but I am replying to say one thing: I did not start going to therapy when I first broke into show business. I went in my late thirties. I make that clarification in order to let people know if you want to work on yourself, it is never too late. Thanks for your post and congratulations!

We've been recording twice a week almost every week since we started recording, and as of today, we will have episodes to release through mid-October. You'll hear that particular episode in September!

I'd rather not answer! I think the more you're picturing us sitting in a studio the less you are in the theater of your own mind! I will say that a thing I keep forgetting to do is visually signal that we are going into a break, because every once in a while an improviser does not realize that I am not speaking as a character in the story and will start to respond to me saying "What's gonna happen next?" or whatever.

Nope!

Something I've learned from years of performing is that my opinion of my performance may not be the audience's opinion. I've had well-received shows that have felt terrible to me while they were happening and I've had performances where I know I was performing to the best of my ability yet were received with a shrug. Hopefully, the audience and I will be on the same page more often than not.

Not a dumb question! I am happy to go wherever my guests take us. I doubt I'd have a guest who would actively try to put us in an uncomfortable situation, but who knows what the future holds? Also, the fun challenge of the show is to take whatever we're given and make the best of it. There was a moment on Ep 16 with Aaron Abrams where he suggested an intergalactic performing arts school, not knowing that we had already had a performing arts school as a location on the show before (Ep 10 with Justin Kirk). For a moment, I thought of asking him for another location, but quickly realized, Well, duplicate locations are a possibility, so let's just make this as different as we can. Which I think we did? There were definitely similarities-- in both episodes, there is a play performed-- but at least only one had multiple murders.

I would LOVE to have Paul on. And congratulations! This is the last time I will answer a question about potential guests, because eventually someone will ask me about someone I DON'T want to have on the show! And I won't be able to answer! And so, "any plans to have _______ on" is raised into the rafters [sports].

Hey, thank you for your apology. Sincerely. And I am relieved that you were just trying to joke around. The problem is, although the people who like what I do are OVERWHELMINGLY positive, there are enough people-- albeit a tiny percentage-- who say stuff like you did when you were joking but are completely serious about it. Worse is when they are saying something to praise me by insulting someone else's work. I am grateful to you for understanding why it didn't translate. Initially, I really did try and read what you were saying as a joke, but it came off sincere to me, And when you responded to MY response the way you did, it made me think, Oh, this dude is definitely serious! You are at a bit of a disadvantage, it's true; if I say something teasing to someone, friend or stranger, on a public forum, it's probably a safe bet that I'm kidding. I actually try to make sure I phrase things so it leaves little room for doubt that I am coming from a good place. But I can STILL be misinterpreted. On your side of things, you are using a phrase for your "name" and a picture of someone else as your avatar, so it's much more work for me to read your intentions if they seem on the line to me. This is just classic internet shit. It's a shame that there are enough cowardly drips out there trying to get a rise out of people that it puts other people on guard more often than not. I am grateful to you for reaching out and understanding and, I hope, not holding this against me. And I am grateful for you and all the other thoughtful people like you for your support of my work.

It hasn't been finalized yet, but something along these lines is likely to happen in September!

It's strange that you inferred that I was worried about it? When really I was insulted? So let's not talk anymore? Ever? I honestly did not set this up so people could be dicks to me. Maybe you've had different experiences with other people. But I'm me! And I'm done with you.

Glad to hear it! They were a nice audience. I did not tailor my material or delivery in any way. I kinda think there's no point in doing that. I do what I do and it either works or it doesn't! I have to trust not just myself and my abilities but also the audience.

I don't know how often you're spelling it out, but my various devices have all learned how to autocomplete it and I would wager I write it more than you do. I came up with that name because I thought it was a fun name. It's also really not that hard to get the hang of. I do not feel it is a mistake. It always bums me out when someone who purports to like what I do also likes just being mean. I really don't get it.

I would love to do a Spontaneanation tour! I am actually trying to figure out how that would work, logistically. I'm used to traveling by myself, so it's a bit of a puzzle to be solved. I think also I need to keep building the show to make sure a tour is not an exercise in hubris. I thought that McKendree show went over well with everyone, but now you've got me wondering...?

it is conscious! I would like the show to be as diverse as possible. I am fortunate to know a lot of hilarious women. I am also making a concerted effort to book more people of color, both as interview guests and improvisers. I would like as many points of view/reference as possible on the show.

For the opening monologues, Eban's piano is very transportive for me. It relaxes me and allows me to open up my mind and be present enough to follow whatever crazy thoughts I have wherever they may go. I will often shut my eyes and just focus on the piano and my own voice so I can feel disembodied. IT'S JUST THE BEST FEELING, IS ALL. For the improv, I think we feel it even when we are not conscious of it. It adds to everything immeasurably. Plus we can make up songs sometimes! When I listen back to the episodes and hear what Eban has done, it is always immensely gratifying-- I think his playing (including his own personal improvisation!) enriches the show in a truly magical way.

An all-Earwolf show will definitely happen at some point, hopefully live.

The show is what it is, and what it is is what it ends up being that day. Some shows will be bluer than others. No guidelines are given; I would not want my guests to be in their heads whilst improvising. I book people who make me laugh, and the rest takes care of itself. I'm happy to follow them down whatever path they care to lead me, and part of the fun for me is the challenge of embracing ideas that are outside of my established realm.

The reason is very simple: I didn't have time! As much as this show is supposed to be all about being in the moment and not doing pre- and post--production, the funny-izing the ads actually takes time. I have been avoiding doing repeat characters for the same product, and trying to keep coming up with new ones. And when I get the ad scripts, some of them are SO scripted that I reformat them into bullet points so can come up with stuff around the edges. But that takes time, and this particular episode had no new sponsors and no new copy from the repeat sponsors. And I had other stuff going on, so I just read them. We will be back to funny ads on Monday's episode. I'm glad you signed up just to ask about the only part of the podcast you seem to like, which is the ads.

I do not have access to all the download info so I cannot speak to Spontaneanation's overall popularity, but I can say that my level of interest in this show is HIGH. Having a less hectic schedule will ONLY affect my content positively.

The list is too long! Certainly a sitting President, now that THAT'S a thing.

We'd only EVER have a guest accompanist if there were a studio recording or live show that Eban ABSOLUTELY could not attend. And we'd make sure that that person knew the whole time that that person is a garbage substitute not fit to buff Eban Schletter's fingertip pads. EDITED for typo

It's maybe a little too soon for that! I'll start thinking about merchandise when I can fill Largo every month for the live shows.

I just thought it would be fun! I was not frustrated by people's guesses.

I do not imagine I am the first person to do a narrative improv show in the podcasting medium, but I don't know any others off the top of my head. No doubt there are more out there! However, I DO imagine you will have a tough time finding one that is clean enough to play for sixth graders. Happy hunting!