Looking Back at the Upright Citizens Brigade

[Eater of Clowns]

Long, fantastic article focusing on the Upright Citizens Brigade, its former members, and the lasting effect it's had on comedy.  There's some truly incredible shit in here.

http://nymag.com/arts/comics/features/upright-citizens-brigade-2011-10/

This was around the time when Amy was still on SNL, and I think Chevy wanted to get back involved with the show—trying to get to know the young guys—so he was coming around the theater. I came in, and Chevy was backstage. Just to preface it, I grew up the biggest Chevy Chase fan in the world. I knew every word to Fletch and Caddyshack. I wanted to be Chevy Chase. So we go into a little spot just off the lip of the stage, and there was a break in the conversation, so I said, “Chevy, I just want to introduce myself. I’m Rob Huebel.” And he just slapped me across the face. He didn’t say anything; he just looked at me for a second and belted me. It was really hard—­offensively hard.

I don’t mean to sound like Sid Vicious or anything, but there are a lot of those nights I don’t remember. I do remember, one night, I threw a stool at this jukebox. Kurt Cobain was playing, and I thought that he would like that. Afterward, I called [the bar] very sheepishly and was like, “Sorry. I want to pay for that jukebox.” And the owner said, “Eh, don’t worry about it.” We pledged our undying support of his bar for life. I was given a key eventually.

[Misery's Feed Trough]

Neat.

someone needs to do something on The State.  Another great troupe that didn't get nearly enough accolades. 

[Balls Wellington]

I fucking loved The State.

I still find myself saying "I WANNA DIP MY BALLS IN IT!" at every opportunity.

[Eater of Clowns]

I have never seen The State!

Upright Citizens Brigade was one that I grew up on, though, sneaking episodes in when I was supposed to be in bed in middle school.  The "ass pennies" sketch is still pretty fresh in my lexicon.