Improvisational theatre
Subject in Improv
Improvisational theatre has come up in 4 episodes across 2 podcasts in TMT, including Good Hang with Amy Poehler, SmartLess. 6 people have made recorded remarks about it.
What people said
John CenaAmerican actor and retired WWE professional wrestler
Cena explains that wrestlers improvise the first two acts of a match but must rehearse the comeback-to-finish third act extensively because of the danger involved.
“So what I do is we have our why. What we need to really rehearse is from the comeback to the finish”
Good Hang with Amy Poehler: John Cena (Jul 21, 2026) · Listen from 38:29
Will ArnettCanadian-American actor and comedian, co-host of SmartLess
Arnett recalled seeing UCB's Bucket of Truth after the group moved from Chicago to New York in January 1996.
“They moved in January of 96 to New York. I went and saw Bucket of Truth”
SmartLess: "Ike Barinholtz" (Jul 6, 2026) · Listen from 22:02
Ike BarinholtzComedian and actor who worked with Kaling on The Mindy Project
Barinholtz said seeing Tim Meadows at the ImprovOlympic anniversary show convinced him to sign up for improv classes.
“Tim Meadows in particular was so, so funny that I was like, I'm going to sign up for improv classes”
SmartLess: "Ike Barinholtz" (Jul 6, 2026) · Listen from 18:48
Amy PoehlerAmerican actress, comedian and podcast host, formerly of Saturday Night Live
Poehler ranks stand-up as cooler than long-form improv, which she considers cooler than short-form improv and a cappella.
“Long form improv is cool though. Stand up is the coolest”
Good Hang with Amy Poehler: Mindy Kaling (Jun 30, 2026) · Listen from 22:24
Mindy KalingAmerican writer, actor and producer, creator of The Mindy Project, Never Have I Ever and Not Suitable for Work
Kaling says today's Dartmouth improv troupe differs from her era in that the men are feminist and the women unafraid.
“the guys in the troop are feminist. The women are unafraid to be who they are”
Good Hang with Amy Poehler: Mindy Kaling (Jun 30, 2026) · Listen from 20:06
Bowen YangAmerican comedian, writer and former Saturday Night Live cast member; co-host of the Las Culturistas podcast
Yang described his teenage improv at a Denver open mic as constant bombing in front of indifferent audiences, which he valued.
“we bombed constantly in front of people who did not give a shit if we lived”
SmartLess: "Bowen Yang" (Jun 1, 2026) · Listen from 37:08
Coverage over time
Podcasts
- Good Hang with Amy Poehler · 2 episodes
- SmartLess · 2 episodes
Episodes
John CenaGood Hang with Amy Poehler · Jul 21, 2026 · 1 h 7 min
Amy Poehler talks with John Cena about growing up in West Newbury, building his mother a house, wrestling improvisation, retirement, charity work, and his film Little Brother.
"Ike Barinholtz"SmartLess · Jul 6, 2026 · 54 min
The SmartLess hosts talk with comedian Ike Barinholtz about his Chicago improv roots, MADtv, The Studio, Running Point, family life and his trivia podcast.
- Mindy Kaling
Good Hang with Amy Poehler · Jun 30, 2026 · 1 h 2 min
Amy Poehler talks with Mindy Kaling about her path from Dartmouth improv and Matt & Ben to The Office, The Mindy Project, and Not Suitable for Work.
- "Bowen Yang"
SmartLess · Jun 1, 2026 · 58 min
Comedian Bowen Yang talks with Jason Bateman, Will Arnett and Sean Hayes about his peripatetic childhood, conversion therapy, his path to and departure from Saturday Night Live, and comedy today.