I cannot believe how I’ve not written down the ranking of my most favourite Off Book episodes.
Off Book (with the brilliant Zach and Jess) is an improvised musical podcast where the two hosts (Host in the sense that they are hosting the episode, not that they ask the people questions) are usually joined by a guest and they create an improvised musical together along with musicians.
I first knew of Off Book when Joel, the musical director of the musical improv group I’m with–Les Musicables, introduced us to some songs from their episodes.
Since then, I’ve followed their podcast. They recently stopped posting weekly episodes as they move on to other projects but thank Internet Ceiling Cat that their episodes are still available.
If I send you to this blog post, congratulations, you’re about to listen to musical greats. I envy that you’re able to hear them for the first time.
First episode to listen to–Pillaging For Your Dreams
Selfishly, the first song that I listened to was from this episode and maybe I just want you to have the same journey as I did.
It’s one of the earlier episodes so there’s something “pure” about it.
For the improv nerds, the part where they misgendered a character and just made it work is hilarious.
The actual first episode to listen to–Attorney at Love (with Nicole Parker)
OK, this episode is good because Nicole Parker is such a good singer.
Plot-wise, I really love the last part in court. The evil character’s song is really good (and so crazy).
I play this full episode back the most–Pump the Stakes (with Jon Gabrus)
This episode is so much fun! Jon Gabrus cannot sing well but he just dives into the character and scenes so enthusiastically.
“Janette Woman” (23:10) is a really good song.
The love song in this episode [“Work-Love” (37:40)] is SO GOOD. People die in it but it’s very romantic.
I’m obsessed with one song from this episode
I really like this one song “Couldn’t Get Over You” (37:29). I am a sucker for love songs and love plots. And this episode has the twistiest love plot with the most stupid (but romantic???) song.
MY TOP FAVOURITEST SONG–“The Song of Daedalus”
(from 18:10) Context for this episode/song: Every Place I Cry is a (fake/real???) emo band made up of the emo alter egos of Zack, Jess, Ross Bryant and Nick Mandernach who sing improvised songs. This episode was a live recording at one of their shows.
The Song of Daedalus (a name I made up) is the best song ever because it has Greek mythology and the music and lyrics is just so so so good.
MY TOP FAVOURITEST MOMENT–Skrillex beat drop
I lost my mind when Jess improvised a beat drop in this episode. I love that so much I listen to the whole episode to get to it.
For the (musical) improv nerds/students–Switched Off Book
Zach and Jess walk through how the beats of a musical improv episode come together.
Also fun to see how they structure their songs so that there’s a comical twist at the end of the song. (Something we’re not quite encouraged to do because not everyone can hear what’s happening.)
The one public episode with video–OFF BOOK: The Improvised Musical – LIVE from The Curious Comedy Theater
Beggars cannot be choosers so I take everything I am given.
I really want to do an improv show where I can sit down most of the time. PLEASE!
I really didn’t like this episode–“Electric Daisy Jamboree (with Matt Besser)”
I’ll probably be black listed somewhere but this episode featuring improv comedy legend Matt Besser was not that great.
I felt that he wasn’t a “good” improviser–in the sense that he wasn’t really working with the others in their scenes and just made himself look good.
I won’t link to the Spotify episode since I don’t like it that much.
A newish episode
I realized most episodes I like are earlier ones. Maybe because I get to play them back more.
A more recent episode I remember liking because of one song.
YQtravelling 