March 30, 2010
WIT sat down with this year's FIST commissioners for an update on DC's most ruthless creative competition.
So we’re 28 matches into the tournament. One or both of you have been at each match—how are you holding up?
Kat Davis (KD): Emotionally, stellar, it's a lot of fun. Physically, I am unsure. I woke up with three mysterious bruises on my leg this past Sunday. The last thing I remember is talking to Pickle Optional. I hate to stereotype but they are from ... Baltimore.
Aparna Nancherla (AN): Well, I am sick today and I actually was out of town for FIST matches this past weekend, so I think that about sums it up. If I don't host FIST matches, my body turns on itself.
How do you stay energized to get through a Saturday night’s three matches?
AN: A potent combo of naps, kiddie steroids (i.e., Pedialyte), and burping myself.
KD: The normal nightly routine. I stare in the mirror and give myself a long passive-aggressive pep-talk.
So, how would you characterize this year’s competition?
KD: Driven.
AN: No fuss, no muss, what you see is what you get.
Except when you don't get it.
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FIST Commissioner Kat Davis countering audience sass with
requisite charm.
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Each year FIST sparks a lot of creative ideas for show formats—any personal faves you’ve seen so far?
AN: There has been a plethora of opting for musical instruments this year, whether that means bringing a french horn onstage, a meta-guitar player commenting on what's going on in the scenes from the outside, a random harmonica rap at the end of the show, or matching ukuleles. Some of my favorite shows have been the more gimmicky ones. I personally really enjoyed Doozie, the send-up on 1940's style entertainment. It was just fine and definitely had gams. I also was wild about The Coven, three witches doing improv. I hate that some of the more stylized versions sometimes suffer more in FIST, whereas they would easily blow people's minds in Improvapalooza. Masterpiece was also another one that was filled with too much awesome for my tiny almond brain to compute.
KD: I loved Masterpiece! I thought it was really unique and loved their energy. I also really enjoyed Plan B. But Pickle Optional is a personal fav. I've never seen anyone use the stage platforms like they did before.
How have audiences been? Do they seem the same as WIT’s regular audiences?
KD: The audiences have been feisty and out for a good time. Which is a good thing, because they want to laugh and be entertained. It also means some of them are hammered.
AN: The audiences, in my flawed opinion, have ranged from earnest and wholesome to sass attacks from the Planet Attitude. I missed the night with the juggler. Kat can fill you in though!
KD: There was a juggler in the audience. She made her way to the stage at the opening of house and wouldn't leave. When I saw her on stage, I thought maybe WIT hired her and failed to mention it to me. I asked her friend and he said, "No, she's just off her meds." I laughed, and said "Aren't we all" as a joke because I thought he
was kidding. He was not kidding. I had to guide her off the stage to make room for the first match. It was a bold move on her part.
Word is that you as Commissioners are not voting—is that right? Still, you must have favorites. How often does the audience vote the same way you would?
KD: Yeah, we're not voting. I haven't been able to see a team's complete show, so, it would be unfair to vote. To be honest, I've seen about 10 minutes of each show. I hear the rest of show from backstage. But I have no effing clue what could be happening onstage.
AN: I have guessed the winner right 5000% of the time. Not to brag, but facts are facts. Have I agreed with it 20% of the time? No. I would peg it around .4040% of the time. I am bad at percentages, FYI.
KD: Those numbers do not make sense. Sorry, I'm a math nerd. Challenge 24 is a fun game.
What have been the biggest surprises for you?
AN: It seems like some of the newer performers are really shining under pressure, which is an awesome and inspiring thing to see.
KD: I feel the same way. The newbies are jumping right in. I like that. They are mixing things up.
Is doping an issue among FIST teams?
KD: The teams are playing it safe and staying clean. Bore. The Operatives [Ed: volunteers who manage WIT performances behind the scenes] on the other hand have a serious problem--a "Behind-the-Music" scale problem. It's weird because they move at lightning speed but snack a lot. Buy stock in Manny and Olga's.
AN: If you mean fresh-faced enthusiasm, yes. If you mean drugs, no. I have been sorely disappointed by the lack of drugs. Actually, Kat seems to have seen more of it than I have.
KD: They really want their volunteer hours.
Who do you think is the team to beat?
AN: I was pretty tickled by Meanwhile Back at the Ranch. But I wouldn't count out Ghost Town either.
KD: There has been a lot of buzz about those teams. But I am unsure.
You’ve seen a lot of matches - what’s your advice to the players whose teams are still in the running?
AN: FIST is about as fair as a chess match between two monkeys. Two really smart monkeys with lots of friends and/or chutzpah. So play on, playas. I managed to totally avoid the question. Who's the monkey now?!
KD: I forgot the question.
Classy. What’s your advice to the players whose teams are still in the running?
KD: Remember: This is for fun.
That's your advice to the players?
KD: Yeah. Some people have forgotten that. Well, some never got the memo.
Adding judges was new this year—how has that worked out?
AN: It's been fun to watch what people say after matches, and the onstage banter has been top-notch. I would have loved to have seen more wigs (not to mention Whigs) personally, but I love what people have been doing with the notion of faux-lebrity judges.
KD: It's worked out well. Some people feared the idea of judges, but I think it's worked out great. The judges seem to have a good time, the audience is entertained, I am entertained.
We hear there’s a “no whining” rule among FIST contestants. We also hear it gets broken every year. What’s been the biggest complaint this year?
KD: I didn't even get a chance to write that rule in the FAQ before it was broken. I was surprised with all the diva fits people have thrown. Do you remember Kayne West's blog about his Bonnaroo experience? He said something like "I'M SO MAD RIGHT NOW. I'M TYPING SO HARD ON MY MAC BOOK RIGHT NOW. UGH I'M SO MAD." I could tell a lot of whining emails were written like that. See? Divas. But I love them for that! It only gets me more excited to see the matches!
AN: The biggest complaint has been about the lack of transparency between the FIST competitors' clothes and the audiences' eyes. I smell a new format for next year.
Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts. Enjoy the rest of the tournament!
FIST Commissioner Aparna Nancherla (l) delivers the audience's verdict to awaiting teams Grumpy Old Ladies and Best Served Cold. Photo (c) Andrew Bossi.
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