In the last few years improv has dramatically evolved. It is crazy to see how far it has come and it is scary that you can watch videos now and not be sure whether they are real or fake. I mean, I shouldn’t be interested in how a caramel or honey typing keyboard would sound or feel like but here we are – this is what AI has become.

However, whilst it AI is making a lot of people fearful for things such as jobs, how it is going to change the world etc. I thought I would use it. Over the whole of October, I am going to have conversations with AI. There are many different things that can be talked about when it comes to improv and I wanted to see what AI had to say. I am going to talk specifically to two different AI bots to see if they offer different things, ChatGPT and Codepilot. I am sure each AI ‘robot’ will speak differently so lets see what they have to say about this weeks topic.

Today’s Topic – What Is America’s Problem?

If you have been following Improv Corner, Improv In The Media, you will know that for years I have been tracking how improv is portrayed in the media in the United Kingdom and abroad. In the United States, television shows are always portraying it negatively and I wanted to have a conversation with AI to find out why. I spoke to two AI chatbots to find out both their opinions. Let’s talk to Codepilot first.

The main reason Codepilot feels there is negativity towards improv is due to the misunderstanding of the art form. That it can come off as ‘amateurish’ or ‘chaotic’ as audience members don’t understand the humour in the format.

It also goes on to talk about the well known rivalry between some comedians and improvisers and the way that non scripted versus scripted create a sense of tension that can transition into modern media. Whilst Codepilot makes the predictable arguments, ChatGPT makes some interesting points.

” Improv is so often portrayed negatively in American Shows and films and that says more about Cultural shifts and Industry trends then improv itself.”

ChatGPT

The first point it makes is that improv is very easy to mock and take a punch at it. It is actually, according to ChatGPT , shows like The Office US have led to it’s tarnish as it is a slam as a hobby Michael Scott has to show a character that is ‘cringey desperate or self indulgent’. It portrays a comedy outlet to laugh as a ‘failed actor’ or ‘try hards’. The reason for these easy mocks are:

“bad improv is instantly recognisable and often unintentionally funny – which makes it ripe for parody”

ChatGPT

Another interesting point made is due to the 2020 pandemic a lot of comedy on the television now tends to focus on darker tones, a more ‘realistic’ world that improv does not fit into and looks even more ridiculous because of this.

I think the most shocking point ChatGPT made was that due to controversies that have shaken the genre, especially in the US like lack of diversity, poor pay and toxic environments it has naturally led to the downfall in US Media. It even goes onto state the writers in TV who used to do improv may deliberately portraying it negatively due to personal experiences or frustrations.

Whatever the reason, I still think it is a fascinating topic. I will still track it and glad that i got a different perspective thanks to AI.

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