Robin Williams Pops Into the UCB Theater

Photo of Robin Williams and Pat Baer of Bangs by Ari Scott

Comedy fans and improv students who packed into the UCB Theater last night expecting to see what Amy Poehler once called "the stars of tomorrow" of house teams performing their weekly improvised sets got a real treat when one of the "stars of yesterday", Robin Williams, made a surprise appearance and performed with the second improv group of the night, Bangs.

Williams has performed at the theater before at the ASSSSCAT 3000 show alongside more high-profile regulars like Poehler and other stars of SNL and 30 Rock who improvise every Sunday. But when he showed up last night at the theater, members of Bangs really had to improvise when they learned just before going on that he wished to join them on stage. The audience ate up what sounds like the sort of wildcard performance you'd expect from Williams and word from the team is that the star was nothing but friendly and gracious to them.

Craig Rowin from Bangs shared an anecdote on his blog about just how bizarre the experience was:

He knows everyone. After the show he was trying to figure out the name of the "other famous Australian actor" -- because he was trying to think of another reference he could have used in a scene where we all played Hugh Jackman. Sean said "Paul Hogan." Robin Williams was like "no a current actor," and I jokingly said "Yahoo Serious," expecting a chuckle from him, instead, he looked down and said "he's a good guy."

UCB Artistic Director Anthony King told us that having Williams there was "exciting for the audience and the performers." We just hope that the Patch Adams star wasn't "gathering material" after returning to stand-up in recent years. And here's a fun fact: King's Saturday night improv team, Reuben Williams, was originally named after Mrs. Doubtfire himself before they began performing at UCB.

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By Billy Parker in Arts and Events on November 19, 2008 8:20 PM

Comments [rss]

gashousecomedy

I love how people on this site ignorantly comment about every little thing without knowing a damn thing. I was at the show and Robin Williams actually DIDN'T hog scenes and become overbearing. He was a generous improviser who listened to his teammates and didn't hog the spotlight.

Sorry you missed a good night of improv, ab bklyn and robingee.

TRBoater

It was a pretty awesome show (And it was $5.)

Rob T Firefly

I doubt the ability of the film Patch Adams to actually star anyone.

robingee

"She and every loser in that class should be effectively kissing Williams ass for coming and in and giving them publicity. Give me a break."

The UCB doesn't need Robin Williams to give them publicity! LOL!

I'll bet he did ruin every scene. I would groan if he showed up at an improv thing I was trying to enjoy.

Brooklynbobby

People whine and complain all the time because they are incredibly insecure. Therefore, they have to put everyone else down just so they'll feel more comfortable.

ab_bklyn

Robin Williams used to be funny, but I'll bet 20 bucks he ruined every scene by upstaging everyone else. My guess is he hasn't done improv in 30 years, and these people do it every week.

Still, I go to Harold night at UCB every so often, and I would have liked to have been there to see it.

Guest

All of you complaining about Robin Williams probably think Dane Cook is a comedy god. Feh!

smitty

UCB has some really funny shows.

Dirk

Lots of cranky comments this morning....

emilydickinson

Robin Williams stand up is really, really funny. I think people have had their opinions skewed by too many Mrs. Doubtfires.

UCB has some hysterical people that perform there. If you haven't seen The Stepfathers you're missing out. They have a similar vein of humor to Gothamist commentors.

virgilstarkwell

not funny since he gave up coke.

bluesdance

Unfunny Comedians Brigade?

zing!

just saying

What is UCB? Never heard of it.

Gothamist_Cynic

Robin Williams is just not funny. I don't understand how that guy made a career as a comedian.

That's probably why he decided to show up at UCB. That place is full of unfunny comedians.

HUGO_MEGO

NAH NOO NAH NOO!

Robin Williams is not funny and was never funny!

handsomedevil

Jesus, Reality Check, what a fucking whiny comment. I mean, whining about whining, WTF. You really pissed me off there. I suggest that, instead of paying so much attention to what other people post, you work on getting laid. And then, once you have gotten laid, move back to Crankytown, PA and tell all the other virgins there what it is like. Ya fucking meta-whiner.

REALITY CHECK

#1 and #3, lighten up. I can't read one goddamn thing on Gothamist without scrooges like you complaining about EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN.

west side Michael

If you ever saw his" Actor's studio" performance

ad libbed on cable TV Whew! Wow! it was soooo

funny beyond staying dry in one's

undies,really made one pee in dah Pantz.

debra88

I thought you were talking about Amy Poehler for a second. She and every loser in that class should be effectively kissing Williams ass for coming and in and giving them publicity. Give me a break.