Austinist Interviews: The Frank Mills

Only two weekends remain for local ~~actors~~ ~~improvisers~~ ~~comedians~~ hooligans The Frank Mills to bring you sketch comedy every Friday and Saturday in May, 8pm at the Blue Theater. The other day, we chit-chatted with Frank Mills member (and Austinist writer) Erika May about the show, improv in Austin, and some of Winning Dirty's more famous audience members. Here's what she had to say.

What's up with the name "The Frank Mills." Was Frank Mills a person? Or are you, like, frank (as in blunt), uh, mills (as in pepper)...?

It's the name of a song in Hair ("I met a boy called Frank Mills"), and it came up during the discussions for a search for a new name. We had burned through a bunch of other name suggestions, and this was the one that we all felt good about, for various reasons.

I'd still like to be in a group called "Finger Mustache".

Why did y'all decide to do a sketch comedy show?

We've been doing improvised shows for a while now, and wanted to challenge ourselves to write a full-length scripted show. We've all performed, directed or written for other sketch shows in the past (here and elsewhere) and had some improvised scenes that we enjoyed and thought would translate well to sketch.

Is there anything else like this in Austin right now?

Oh, for sure—and lots of variety within that too. Sketch is just like stand-up or traditional theater—what audiences see can be as different as the people that are writing or performing it.

In Austin, I've seen everything from a very loose collection of sketches that don't have a connection to one another to shows that are completely narrative. A lot of other cities tend to have just one style of show, so it's cool to see all these different approaches in one place.

Winning Dirty is thematic—kind of in the vein of old-school sketch troupes did in the 50's (like Compass Players)—the majority of the sketches are either directly or indirectly related to the show's theme in a revue-type format. In this case, the show's theme revolves around the lengths people will go to get their way.

I get the impression that at least some of the humor is political. Can you tell me more about that? Also, what're some of the other topics?

I'd still like to be in a
group called "Finger Mustache".

There is a dose of politics in it, but there's also non-political stuff too. Some of the non-political topics are: cheating and dishonesty, bullying and aggression to name a few. The sketches range from really silly stuff (a dance tribute to Barack Obama) to pretty dark (a teen film camp group that wants to make a snuff film). Also this: there is singing and dancing, but not about politics. The Capitol Steps can rest easy tonight.

What are the challenges of doing sketch every week, twice a week? Is it harder to feel like you're keeping things fresh—as compared to improv, for example?

It is challenging, but it's also fun. We'll put a show up one night and some scenes really hit, but the next night's audience might not laugh as much. If we see sketches that consistently weaker than the others, we talk about why we think that's happening and tinker accordingly. It's a comedy nerd dream—talking about what makes something funny and bitting out with each other to make it funnier. Sometimes the tune ups work, and sometimes the sketch has to go back in the shop.

As far as keeping things fresh, I think it's harder than doing improv. In my opinion, so much of comedy is how a line is delivered by a character vs. some nutty premise. That means you really have to be present in the scenes to keep the reality of the response when doing scripted stuff.

Is the show the same every night, or do y'all switch things up based on audience vibe?

We switch em up! The second weekend's show will be different than opening weekend by a few scenes (ala the post-show discussions I mentioned earlier). I'm hoping that doesn't change from here on out.

It's a lot to ask of our lighting/tech director (Kacey Samiee) and musical director (John Ratliff), but they have been super gracious about rolling with our changes.

I heard Jim Hightower was in the audience! Did you find out his response to the show?

Yes. He said "keep it up". I'm not sure if that means he liked it, or just meant that we should keep doing it to keep us off the streets. We're hooligans.

The Frank Mills present Winning Dirty
May 18/19, 25/26 Fri-Sat at 8pm
The Blue Theater
$15 / Call 415-2896 for reservations.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@austinist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Julie Holden on May 17, 2007 10:52 AM 0 Comments

Comments [rss]

HooliganFan

the hooligans did indeed put on a very funny show, live sketch and video shorts. not sure if it's in retirement or not, as i think those guys are on the road now that they have tv credits to sell their standup acts.

And I gotta ask, is there "right" improv to watch? I must also be watching the wrong kind, because it's just never incited laughter in me, only boredom and the irresistable desire to flee the theatre or club.

Scratch that. I mean the irresistable desire to flee the coffee shop or high school assembly room. No respectable theatre or club would put on an improv show. They're just not entertaining at all.

JTowne

At ColdTowne Theater, we have a stand-up show on Fridays. Recently we've gotten some of those guys to come check out improv. Many have told us that they were surprised that it wasn't the geeky dorkfest they thought it was going to be. It was a lot cooler and legitimately funnier than what they expected. [PS: It's nothing like Whose Line at all.]

Improv isn't for everyone, sure. But come check out a show and turn prejudices into opinions. If it's not your thing, it's not your thing. Then you can relay an informed, intelligent mature opinion when someone asks you.

heresygirl

boo, troll, boo.

les mcgehee

Go FM's! FM's rock!

Mean people suck. poop.

arthursimone

love them Mills!

RoyJanik

I'm coming to see the show tonight! Congrats on the mention in the Chronicle and KUT, as well!

erikamay

i agree ol' pappy.

this whole comment thread is weird and negative, and came about because some guy had a hair up his butt about disliking improv (which is an opinion he is completely entitled to).

for context, he's sent threats to people i have interviewed (for other columns. on trivial crap like who they think is funnier), in addition to repeatedly smearing folks in other threads.

maybe i'm being overly righteous/protective, but - to me - that's not ok. especially for the reason you (and i earlier) mention/ed - it's just comedy, and really no one gives a crap about this stuff but comedy dorks (and you, apparently).

i do stand by my comment tho - if you want to make incendiary comments on this or any blog, get behind them with a typekey identity or actual email, and don't say things you wouldn't say to someone's face.

feel free to email me off comment thread on this, too.

Shannon

Personally I love it when jackasses get all snotty and then claim to be "only having some fun" as if it somehow makes them not a jackass. Especiallu when all the while they're promoting the thing they claim to hate by ratcheting up the comment totals and keeping this post on the Austinist front page. More haterz please!

ol'pappy

It sucks that you're looking at his IP and outing him when the guy is just having some fun. It kinda sucks that you're making something that should be light, an opinion, and making it weighty and serious.

But that's just what I think. Don't get all offended.

erikamay

ericamay, why the hell are you calling someone a coward on the internet? What's the point of that? Make you feel like a big girl when you get to come on here and call people names and say they're cowardly when they don't post their email address just like YOU don't post your email address? Like an email address is a badge of courage....

ol' pappy. when you register your comments, you have to enter an email address. this guy is repeatedly entering fake emails, but their all originating from the same IP.

he doesn't seem to be interested in verifying his identity. you know who i am, and can email me from the staff page if you want to discuss something vs. creating personas to snipe people.

to me, that smacks of cowardice. but that's just my opinion.

ol'pappy

Is that more sarcasm, Kareem? I for real can't read sarcasm on the internet unless you write "bratty girl voice" in front of it.

ol'pappy

I have never seen a group of such unfunny comedians. ...outside of a beginning improv class that is.

ol'pappy

ericamay, why the hell are you calling someone a coward on the internet? What's the point of that? Make you feel like a big girl when you get to come on here and call people names and say they're cowardly when they don't post their email address just like YOU don't post your email address? Like an email address is a badge of courage....

Kareem of Pgraph

I agree with Mr. Reiser.

That's exactly why I never enjoyed a lot of Miles Davis' performances. He made half that crap up!

erikamay

hey paul reiser/robin williams/comediman.

no stones.

no.

stones.

coward.

Stozzel

Hey Paul, you should probably see some improv to see the error of your ways. What you are describing indeed sounds pretty annoying, and is not remotely what improv is.

Some stand-ups are funny, yes, and many are looking for brief validation from other loners. Good luck with that. Besides, the ones I've seen are just Blue Collar Comedy wannabees - so, it must all be like that.

'audiences worldwide'

ol'pappy

RIGHT ON, PAUL REISER! YOU TELL 'EM!

Paul Reiser

Stozzel,

The only time I do Caroline's is when I'm working out new material. Normally, I go up completely unprepared and ask the audience for wacky suggestions, like to name a place (the audience usually suggests "a gynecologist's office") or an occupation. Then I spout jokes half-heartedly for my own (and noone else's) amusement. I'm sorry you didn't enjoy this improvisational style, but check out some of my fine-tuned material on such specials as Showtime's "3 1/2 Blocks from Home". There's some killer stuff on there.

I think you'll agree with audiences worldwide that performances are much better with some preparation, rather than when shat out on-the-fly like improv. Stand-up is for entertaining an audience, improv is for entertaining the performers themselves.

mizzery!

everything sucks!

I'm staying home!!!!!

I am also a house cat.

Kareem of Pgraph

I can't even watch "good" improv on TV like Whose Line Is It Anyway...

Funny, on so many levels.

ol'pappy

Is that supposed to be sarcastic?

Stozzel

i know what you mean, i saw Paul Reiser on Caroline's years ago -- he was godawful -- so i can't watch stand-up. it must all be like that. god stand-up sucks.

ol'pappy

I can't even watch "good" improv on TV like Whose Line Is It Anyway? without wanting to hurt someone.

cheeze toast

I'm with erika on this one. I've been to dozens, if not hundreds, of improv shows around town, including the Frank Mills, coldtowne (as 1am and the troupe as a whole), Parallelogramophonigraffenburgermeisterbrau, Maestro (both before and afer they sold out by changing their name from Micetro) and others. I would say you only have to sit through eight hundred to a thousand hours of mind-bogglingly self-satisfyingly dull improv until you get to that one special performance that includes a chuckle or two. I would say that's a pretty good ratio.

erikamay

hey comediman/robin williams -

i'm a little confused/baffled by your insistence on seeking out some nerd-out comedy pissing contest...but, c'est la vie!

fwiw, we (the frank mills) are individually and collectively big fans of stand up, sketch and all manner of other comedy/theater projects; we actively support lots of the stand-ups around town and elsewhere. specifically, dave (buckman) runs the Thursday Night Awesome which gives weekly stage time to quite a few folks that play over at cap city, including seth cockfield, kerri lendo and lisa delarios. i haven't seen matt bearden yet, but i've heard he's awesome, and been my wish list of things to see since he was recommended by a mutual friend.

i'm bummed to hear that you haven't had a good experience with improv. i think we've all been prey to eye-goungingly terrible 'entertainment', whatever form it takes. however, swearing off entire categories off stuff based on a single (or few) experiences seems a little small minded. there are some newer troupes around town, which tends to be a little bit of a crapshoot (just as new stand ups are, i would guess). however, there are also some veteran troupes around that have a high batting average on the funny - coldtowne, available cupholders and get up to name a few. you should check them out.

personally, i'd love to see you have the stones to put a real name/email on these comments. hell, let's channel this energy into some meaningful rabble-rousing and tear some shit up over lone stars and pool cues.

comediman

Go erika! Nothing worse than someone that takes comedy seriously. Except improv. Improv is worse. Much, much worse. And never, ever funny.

erikamay

hey stozzel/pair uh legal/hooliganfan -

it's just comedy, dude. i'm pretty sure that no one reading this takes us as seriously as all of us dorkwads take ourselves.

i like that you are a seriously feisty MFer, tho.

flame on, sir!

HooliganFan

the hooligans did indeed put on a very funny show, live sketch and video shorts. not sure if it's in retirement or not, as i think those guys are on the road now that they have tv credits to sell their standup acts.

And I gotta ask, is there "right" improv to watch? I must also be watching the wrong kind, because it's just never incited laughter in me, only boredom and the irresistable desire to flee the theatre or club.

Scratch that. I mean the irresistable desire to flee the coffee shop or high school assembly room. No respectable theatre or club would put on an improv show. They're just not entertaining at all.

Bootchman

Doug and Dave are very very funny dudes. I had no idea they do sketch. I always assumed the Hooligan show was just stand up packaged as a show. I would think improv comedians would translate better to skecth than stand ups... (see SNL for track record purposes) but my interest is indeed piqued. I will definelty check out Hooligans.

big time pro

you've been watching the wrong improv, brother.

"big time pro" --> that's hilarious.

Pair uh Legal

Weird that there are several references to hooligans here, in that the best/funniest/most original sketch troupe in town is no doubt "The Hooligan Show", featuring Doug Mellard (reigning Funniest Person in Austin, Live at Gotham on Comedy Central) and David Huntsberger (Comedy Central's Premium Blend, Last Comic Standing).

Last time I saw it, they even had big time pro LA comic Paul F. Thompkins help out in a sketch.

Based on this article though, I'll check out the Frank Mills to see how they stack up. But I'll only check out their sketch show, not improv. As we all know, improv is absolutely atrocious to watch. God, improv sucks.