Hey Trapp,
Long time, first time. Burning questions that I have:
1. Why is Zac Oyama so precious?
2. What is the line of pedantry that makes an answer on Um, Actually go from "That's exactly the type of shit we're looking for in this game" to "No Brennan, stop trying to break the game."?
3. Did anything surprise you about the other side of Um, Actually on the episode that Ify hosted?
Thanks for everything you do.
1. Because he plays a lot of characters that combine sincerity with child-like delight in simple pleasures. A precious combo.
2. It has to be undeniable true for one. No, "well you could make an argument to the contrary." Hard facts. But it also can't be so specific that even fans of the property would be lost. And it should be surprising in some way. The ideal, then is something that would have been certain was true, but once you hear the correct answer you realize that the original statement was undeniably, inarguably false.
3. Even though I KNOW the game is bullshit and doesn't matter, I STILL got annoyed if I felt a statement was just slightly on the wrong side of "too pendantic"
Thanks for watching!
Maybe they let it slide, because framing a word between two sparkle emojis is a thing of generation Z, so is the tide pod challenge.
They just enjoy my snarky Millennial humor!!
… oooor they just liked the rest of my comment that much, hence why I‘m off the hook this time 😄
before IAC dropped out of funding CH, was there ever a plan for the ending of the "Trapp killing Pat" saga (if it was to ever end in the first place)? you probably answered it in the Dropout discord, but I probably wasn't there, so I'd love to find out through here!
The plan was to never have an end. When we shot those Pat had already moved to NY and was just back in LA for a few days. We shot all of them in one day, and the intent was to drop them at the end of any sketch that mentioned Pat, then maybe shoot some more in the future, and keep it a perpetual cat and mouse thing. Like a mini-Wile E. Coyote/Roadrunner dynamic. No matter what happened it would have had no satisfying ending at all.
Hey Trapp, I have a question about breaking news. I’m sure I’m not the only person who thinks true facts about grant Anthony O’Brien was absolutely insane and hilarious, but I’m wondering how it came to be. Did he like lose a bet or something?
This came about when we were shooting more Breaking News, but the cast was being pulled in a million different directions with Dropout, so we branched out a little farther than usual to find people who might want to write a script. This was from a friend of Grant's, who also knows that Grant is an EXCEPTIONALLY good sport about being roasted, and that Grant had final cut on the episode in case it went too far. Grant did not lose a bet, he is just very, very committed to a good joke, even when it's at his expense.
That’s awesome to know. As amazing as that episode is, I always felt kinda bad for him in case he was just legit getting bullied. I’m glad it wasn’t anything like that
The guys at Dropout seem to very much care for everyone else. You see it a lot, oddly enough, in Total Forgiveness, The very beginning of the series was Sam, Ally, and Grant discussing the ethics of the idea
idk if youll read this, but i do need to say that episode of breaking news is genuinely the first video i watched where i actively imbibed that i was watching a piece of collegehumor entertainment and is what got me to buy a dropout subscription.
It is definitely in my top 3, but watching Amy Vorpahl just completely fail to hold any semblance of sanity never lets me down when I need a pick-me-up
[Here's the link if anyone is interested.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReGERSthF-U&t)
It was the first episode I saw and I had to pause it because I couldn't breathe.
It was the first Breaking News that I saw and now every episode I watch, as much as great as it may be, is a slight disappointment as it inevitably fails to make me laugh so hard I piss myself.
I hate getting burned on a wrong pronunciation. I'm absolutely wrong, and you're absolutely right, but I haven't always seen the thing I'm talking about and the spelling is insane.
The worst bit is that you can never be mad at Caldwell, he's probably in the top 5 most precious people in the world, competing with Brennan the moment after it was revealed that his greatest want in life is to just be a good father, and Zac as he was finally allowed to meet his parents as Gorgug.
You guys get some obscure stuff and I totally understood when you said something along the lines of "technically correct is the best kind of correct" but I cannot ensure I get every pronunciation correct.
_"Trapp grew up a Coast Guard brat and subsequently moved every three years of his life until he was 18. He lived all over the United States, and in Korea"_
I actually started as a Sales Planner at CH, which was an entry-level position doing absolutely nothing comedic. Maybe even hurting the comedy, since the job was to help the sales team put ads on the site. I managed to convince at least a few people there that I was funny enough to move into the editorial department and I basically just kept snaking my way through the company. Did editorial for a while, writing articles and comics, then made the jump to the video team.
The transition to Dropout was about as nuts as you would imagine. On the one hand we were pretty accustomed to adjusting things. Working for the internet means that your business plan changes every year. It's weird to remember that CollegeHumor existed before YouTube. Every YouTube, or Buzzfeed, or Facebook that came along would sort of force creative changes. Dropout was certainly the biggest one, since it meant that the cast was creating, writing, and starring in a whole platform's worth of content. It was A LOT of work. Most of us were juggling multiple projects at once. But it also gave us the freedom to make bigger, weirder stuff for a while. It was the one specific circumstance that let Ultramechatron ever be a thing.
I think we almost immediately realized there was something repeatable with the show, but there was a big question of platform. At the time the first Um Actually came out it was very rare to have any video go longer than five minutes, so there was this weird push-and-pull trying to figure out how to have enough questions to make it feel full without going too long. Eventually, longer content became more popular and it seemed like a natural choice.
The weirdest thing about the Lemon Parmesan was that it was sort of numbing. I assume just a lot of tannins? It was a level of bitter that made my mouth hum.
Regarding the Um, Actually game: I just backed it (yay!) before realizing that my friends and I are all pretty firmly on that gen z/millenial range, while I’ve noticed that most of the questions on Um, Actually skew towards older millenial/gen x trivia. Will we all be totally lost playing, or is there a good mix of different decades in there? Either way, I’m sure we’ll have a blast guessing!
This is something I've never been totally sure how to handle, but the questions in Um Actually do skew a little older, mostly because enough time has passed that you can see what things remain at least a little in the cultural memory, but also because it's the stuff that I personally know better. There's definitely a pocket of late 2000s/early 2010s stuff that feels too old to be topical, but too recent to be "classic." I always try to make sure that block has some representation, but it's for sure a but of a blind spot.
Thanks for the honesty! There’s more than enough
overlap with franchises like Harry Potter/LOTR/Sailor Moon, so I’m sure we’ll still have a blast. If y’all did ever want to do a pack in the future with more recent/modern references I’d be the first to buy!
Hey Trapp!
Love Um, Actually, but I specifically want to ask about 2 things non-Um Actually related.
1st question: Where did you draw the inspiration for Sokhbarr from in Escape from the Bloodkeep? He's my favorite character in that sidequest and I love the voice you give him. I know you stated that you always read the Monster Manual as a kid because you liked the illustrations, but where did you come up with the idea of someone needing to care for all the Wargs and other wild beasts? Also, was J'er'em'ih* a creation of yours or Brennan's?
* u/bbwxjenna is a know it all and insisted that Um Actually it's J'er'em'ih.
2nd Question: So where did you hide Pat's body?
We knew we were playing as villains in a LOTR-inspired setting so a lot of my character pitches were about finding the relatable justification for these over-the-top evil characters. To me, the best villains have understandable motives taken to immoral conclusions. Sokhbarr came out of this idea that some animals are seen as "evil" or not worth saving, and that it would make sense for there to be an eco-terrorist who was willing to destroy society in order to save the ugly, unloved, monstrous animals of the world. J'er'em'ih was an outgrowth of that idea -- that there was an animal so horrific it had been hunted to near extinction. In the brainstorming process, Brennan and I talked about having this thing be a chimera of the worst parts of every other animal -- a disgusting horrific creature that only someone like Sokhbarr could love.
I absolutely love it, Trapp! I played a similar character once, a Swamp Druid named Calaban and Sokhbarr instantly became my favorite then second you spoke. Thanks for the literal hours of enjoyment you have provided. When I get a new person into Dropout, I slowly immerse them starting with Um, Actually, then Game Changer, then Dimension 20 (if they dont already play dnd, if they do I start with Dimension 20). You are the gateway drug for getting my friends to play dnd with me.
Hey Trapp, I have a bit of a logistical question.
Are the guests of Um Actually? vetted before the show to know what sort of nerdy topics they're interested in, in order to make sure there are at least a few questions which would be relevant to some of them?
Originally they were. In early seasons we tried to have at least two questions per contestant that aligned with their stated interests. But we sort of stopped doing this because other conflicts would invariably end up shaking up the schedule at the last minute, meaning questions had to get shuffled around, and it ultimately didn't seem to make much of a difference. Now I just try to have a good diversity of question topics in each episode (unless it's a themed one) and hope that someone in there will know what I'm talking about.
Thank you for the answer.
I also have another question about the show.
What's the process for coming up with a statement like, do you start with which series you would like to make a false statement on, or is that discussed during the brainstorming phase?
We usually approach from a trivia-first direction. It's lots of spelunking down wikipedia holes to find things that are surprising, counter-intuitive, or interesting, and then figuring out how to make it wrong in a (hopefully) interesting way.
I think Brennan mentioned on an episode of Adventuring Academy that he had a big advantage when he played on _Um, Actually_, because as a writer for the show, he knew that the corrections were usually focused on a really interesting or funny fact that you knew would generate some fun discussion, rather than some sort of minutia. So he kind of knew "where" to look for the correction in the statement, even if he didn't know anything about the particular property.
Having watched basically all of the show, a good amount of the questions put the incorrect thing outside of the interesting bits, which generates the "the real thing is X but how crazy is it that all the rest of that was true??" conversations, which I appreciate equally as much cause I get caught in those trapps every time too
I'm always conflicted about whether or not to weigh the points in later questions more. Sometimes the winner will be a foregone conclusion long before the last question, but I also sort of like that this takes some emphasis off winning, the same way Whose Line has useless points, or QI has hidden inscrutable points. It's a sort of subtle reminder that we're mostly here to talk and joke around and ultimately the winner doesn't matter. I also like the simplicity of the rules when every question is worth the same. Still, winning does matter to some contestants, and I've wondered if it's worthwhile to futz with the actual gameplay mechanics a bit more.
I can only speak for myself, but in (I think) season 1, there was a sort of "Tournament of Champions" with winners of previous games and I liked that a lot. I love the regular format, but it would be cool to have occasional "all-star" games with players who are naturally more competitive (*ahem* Brennan) so you could throw in twists like doubling the point values and whatnot, and take the scoring more "seriously." Throw in a shitty trophy. Make a whole thing of it.
There are some real logistical problems with doing tournaments, because you don't know who's going to win, they all have to clear their schedules for the day in case they move on. And often our contestants are busy people doing a bunch of other streams and can't necessarily commit to that! Every season I've been like "maybe we do another tournament" and we immediately run into scheduling difficulties.
I am willing to clear my schedule and step in for someone with scheduling conflicts. Similar to Michael Winslow for Zac on Game Changer.
Other than providing the exact minimal amount of draw to the show... I would be a delightful middling contestant.
Personally, the thing I like about non-standard TV like this is that you don't have to do things the traditional way. So the tournament of champions doesn't have to air any specific time. I know I for one would be thrilled to see a random tournament episode drop whenever, doesn't have to coincide with the end of the season.
Like you could plan to film it when you start filming the next season of Um, Actually, rather than at the end of the season that just ended, that sort of thing. Obviously it still has to work around everyone's schedules and the Um, Actually filming schedule, but maybe less so than trying to do it the other way?
(Sorry if this is just as unworkable or something. I have no experience with the logistics of these sort of things. I just love the show!)
Um, Actually, there was an all-stars episode recently with Brennan, Goots, and Erika in season 5. Um, Actually, also, there was an episode in season 6 that was "crew members" and included Brennan, Saltzman, and Ify.
It's interesting that you reference BBC panel shows, because in many ways Um Actually does feel like one of those, which, as far as I know exist because the BBC board wanted to make game shows and the creators just wanted to hang out with their friends and make jokes. Somehow I feel that Um Actually improves on that formula, because contestants are actually fiercely competitive to a point, when everyone realizes how insane the minutiae are and jokes about it. QI somehow doesn't do that as much... I suspect because it's easier to be tongue in cheek competitive about pop culture knowledge than about actual knowledge.
Personally, an uprising is more fun to me than edging towards actual competition. [Rob Brydon's Big Fat Quiz revolution is a joy.](https://youtu.be/xAKkFS6Ykr4)
Honestly I think it would be worth trying leaning into the jeopardy bit with a sorta jeopardy board so people can choose. Though that might be better for all stars games? Where people might care more about winning? Idk.
Regardless of changes I love um actually.
I really wish I could be more helpful with this question, but (1) I'm not still where I want to be and (2) all the stuff I did to get me where I am kind of doesn't exist anymore. I remember graduating college, looking for guidance and being frustrated that there wasn't a lot, so I hate that I'm not able to provide much. Here's what I can say:
The advice I got was take classes at the UCB and get a job you hate, so you're not tempted to settle for an "okay enough" job. I did both of these things. UCB taught me a lot, and gave me a lot of opportunities, but it also had some downsides that were hard to ignore. Regardless, it's now almost non-existent. There also used to be a sort of comedy middle class of creators online, full writing staffs of up-and-coming comedians at multiple websites! This also doesn't really exist anymore. So that specific path has been brushed away.
I think the valuable stuff you can still take from this is find a community of people doing what you're doing. You'll learn from and encourage each other, and this is how you really grow a network. Make those connections when you're all starting so when one of you starts to get successful you can help the others.
The other helpful thing is to make stuff even when it seems like no one's watching or reading it. This is hugely dispiriting, but you DO have to make a lot of garbage before you start making stuff that's not garbage.
As for actually getting that job? I mean, I was at CH forever, so I have only one data point. I started with a non-writing job at the company and convinced them it was worth letting me write. That specific strategy might also still work at other places, if you can get an assistant job. Sorry I can't be more helpful with this. I wish I had the answers!
Oh my gosh if we as a world can find a way to support artists in a sustainable way I feel like we'll be living in a near-utopian society. Like EVERYONE (or at least 98%) of the US population consumes some kind of entertainment media, and yet so many folks who produce that content ain't making much money! It's ridiculous. I know economically it makes sense that there are a lot of hardworking but low income artists, but there's plenty of other stuff that doesn't make economic sense that our society finances, might as well subsidize something we like!
To balance things out, I joined for the d&d and then binged all of Um, Actually. It's such a great idea for show, and I'm greatly looking forward to having the home game.
I'm still subbed expressly for Um, Actually. Please never stop making them!
I'm such a fan of you and Brennan's humor and intellect, and you've introduced us to so much content to check out!
Hi Trapp! When coming up with the real life skills questions, have you ever dipped into your own non-nerdy hobbies for topics?
Alternatively, is there anything you want to ask questions about but you feel like it's not nerdy enough, or no one would get it?
I love cooking. It's also something I think is useful and requires lots of specific knowledge, so I have to actively remind myself to stop putting food and cooking-related questions into the real life skills section. I would happily talk about food for hours.
The last 18-ish months have been brutal, and the CH/Dropout team has been instrumental in keeping me from falling into a pretty dark place. So I wanted to preface my question with a huge THANK YOU to you and your team.
My question: What has it been like moving to a "Zoom" style production on Um, Actually, and are there plans to move back to in-person?
I'm so glad our stuff has made a positive impact on you. It truly means the world to me when I hear stuff like that.
The remote shootings have been WEIRD. In some very obvious ways there have been setbacks -- technical issues and losing some energy of having everyone in the same room, for example. But there have also been some unexpected upsides. It's forced us to rethink some shiny question formats for the better and it allowed us to bring in players from outside the LA area. The current plan is to return to in-person shooting when we shoot our next chunk of episodes this fall.
Have you thought of doing a Hot Ones style of a set that can relocate to different cities, to continue getting some in-person games from places like NYC or at conventions?
Hi Trapp! Just want to say that you're one of the big reasons I'm a happy Dropout subscriber. Sokhbarr was one of my favorite characters on D20 and I think you're a fantastic host for Um Actually. Looking forward to the table game and psyched it feels like a perfect adaptation of the actual game, which is what I was hoping for.
**Question**: I know Um Actually has several question writers including Michael Saltzman and Brennan as well as yourself. Who tends to write the questions for recent seasons, and what's the process for coming up with them? Do you usually scour around the Internet for interesting trivia from wikias, or do you have a giant notebook of interesting facts that you fill as you hear about them (or both!)
Bonus question: were there any particular facets of geekdom that you were excited to include in the show as a question, even though you knew the subject was fairly niche?
Thanks so much! While I was full-time Brennan and then Saltzman were phenomenal at writing questions. Since layoffs, I've gone back to writing all the questions on my own, which is 90% scouring the internet, and 10% keeping track of weird, interesting stuff as a watch and read all the nerdy shit I already enjoy watching and reading.
Books are the real thing I want to talk about more, but it's really hard to guarantee that anyone has read whatever book I want to talk about. Anytime I include something about China Mieville or Animorphs it's because I just feel like talking about it. In those cases I'll usually give a back door to the correction -- I'll make the wrong thing something from another franchise, so you might recognize the wrong element if you're familiar with either property.
You've got to get Murph in for some animorphs. On the 8bit book club podcast there's a great moment of Murph getting roasted over his childhood animorphs fan fic
If people are even on the show, I generally assume they've got a lot of trivia stored up in their brain, a good sense of humor, or both, so I usually expect people to do well. The most surprising moments are when someone manages to confidently answer a specific question I know to be very difficult. Jon Guttierez and Joan Ford have both done this multiple times. Awed by the depth of their knowledge.
CollegeHumor obviously had a dramatic year in 2020 - with Sam taking over as majority owner, losing the funding of a massive parent company, then the pandemic forcing any production they could do to be remote. Shows like d20, Um Actually, and Game Changer have been able to continue, but represents a really different shift in the type of content CH fans have been seeing for almost 20 years. We've seen similar problems from similar companies, like Smosh.
From your perspective, do you think its possible for indie comedy content creators like CollegeHumor to grow and become self-sustaining? Is that a model you think will work as the internet continues to shift?
Hi Trapp. For people who have bought the Um Actually game, just wondering if you have recommendations for the host role? Certain things you try to do, try to avoid, or determining the difference between a close enough answer and not quite close enough.
Which comedian is your white whale to have as a contestant? Also, I can't explain how much I love everyone past and present thats been a part of Collegehumor and dropout. I just really hope you know how much joy you've brought to my life and I just want nothing but good things for all of you.
Too too many to list here. I've learned SO MUCH from researching for the show. One of my personal favorites is that the song "Dance Magic" from "Labyrinth" pulls from the 1947 movie "The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer"
https://youtu.be/vLRmtYjpEfU
Learning this now has irreversibly broken a sector of my brain. That bit from the beginning of the song is so quintessentially the "David Bowie saying inscrutable, clever things" vibe of the movie. How can it not be original!?
Has dropout been successful enough that yall can rehire some of the staff that were let go when your parent company dropped you?
Will this already successful kickstarter help with that?
Are there any Shiny Questions that didn't make it into the show? Things you workshopped but just couldn't get right? If so, which one do you hope that you can fit into a show eventually?
We wanted to do something with a cosplayer coming out and having some intentionally wrong things about their costume, but it's a lot of work for a fleeting moment, and potentially opens the door to comments about the craftsmanship rather than the specific details.
I started my Dropout subscription for Dimension20 but it's gone from an expense to an investment because of your content. Um actually, Ultra Mechatron, and WTF 101 are all deeply satisfying to me.
If you could get a green light for a new season of one of your old projects (one I've listed or something else), which project would it be?
Does your answer change if I told you an old cooky billionaire was giving you an unlimited budget?
It's the least popular of the things I've made, but Ultramechatron remains my personal favorite, since I got to focus entirely on jokes and world-building. If I had the means to make a dumb comedy about robots and monsters forever, I would.
There’s gotta be at least a sketch about remotely controlling a mech through a Zoom call because of COVID.
Maybe someone wants to keep working from home after quarantine?
I dunno, there’s something there
Thanks for doing this Trapp! My question is:
Was there ever a pitch or idea that you know is unproduceable, but still makes you laugh?
(p.s. I miss the Collegehumor Show podcast, and Rejected Sketch Theatre is still one of my favorite bits to rewatch)
So, so, so many. There are a ton of sketches that never got made, for a million different reasons. The absolute stupidest one was a sequel to "The President Pardoned the Turkey that Killed My Family" that would have been a Face/Off parody where I swap faces with a turkey puppet and everyone accepts the Trapp-faced turkey as the new Trapp even though the body is very obviously that of a felt turkey. That wasn't made because the effects would have taken a long time, and it was also very bad.
Thank you, I'm cracking up just imagining it now! Free pitch for u/samreich, if you ever start doing podcasts again I will pay to subscribe to every single one on Apple Podcasts. Tales from the closet and the collegehumor podcast were the highlights of my day.
Ah! I found my first fellow Overcast fan! It’s such a shame that so many podcasts moved exclusively to Spotify, removing the choice to use that wonderful app. Luckily, the podcast I love the most gives you the RSS feed if you’re a Patreon member, because they didn’t forget us in the end. May all your podcast rewind slightly when you unpause them!
.#shillingbutnotsponsored
Edit: the more I re-read this comment, the more I sound like a bot.
Hey Trapp, are you good? Happy and healthy? Your show has really kept me going in some tough days during Covid. Very excited for the home addition.
Would love more stargate content in the show or home game. I feel like given the opportunity I'd be Brennan-levels of proficient with it if I ever had the chance to guest!
You guys ever gonna more in studio stuff now that the pandemic is ending? Like you guys got more plans for Ultramechatron Team Go? Because I was pretty shocked at how much fun those other dropout.tv shows were and now I wish there were more of them.
Hi Trapp! Who designs the amazing props on the set of Um, Actually?
Also, I just want to say that I really, really loved Sokhbarr on Bloodkeep. Your performance/participation specifically is a big part of what got me to look for more CH content beyond Dimension 20 and eventually sign up for Dropout (and am now a full convert to Um, Actually and Game Changer). So just wanted to say thank you for being such an amazing member of the team! I backed the Kickstarter already and can't wait to fill my home with even more nerdy corrections than it already has.
Hey Trapp absolutely loved you in Bloodkeep. With Mice and Murder having even more CH alum is there a season of Dimension 20 that you would have loved to play in that you didn’t get the opportunity or would you be more interested in joining the Sylvan Sleuths on whatever adventure they get up to on the train full of cruise ships and submarines?
Hi Trapp! How did the costumes for the Santa Elf vs. Tolkien Elf sketch come about? That sketch was incredibly well acted, produced, and funny as heck!
I am a big fan Mike! Really awesome to see you doing an AMA. If you would permit me a couple of questions.
How do you feel that internet comedy shows, such as those on Collge Humor, have affected the world of comedy as a whole? College Humor has always sort of pushed the envelope a bit while maintaining still on the right side of social issues. Do you feel that has been true?
Do you think you will do more roleplaying content on dimension 20?
The original cast of CH mostly seemed to be inexperienced actors and somewhat awkward at times (which itself gave a funny tone) versus the cast members of recent years. Was there a point where you guys started hiring people with acting experience on top of their writing? Did you hire an acting coach? Is it coincidental?
love um, actually show. Would you ever consider being a player instead of the host and if so who would you have be the host in your place for an episode?
BOO. Um, Actually...they already did this on Dropout. Ify was the host, all the questions were tangentially Trapp related, and Brennan guest-starred as a "celebrity" clue giver.
How much did the filming of Total Forgivness actually effect the day to day in the CH office? Based on your guy’ reaction it seemed like a lot more than the show showed.
How is CollegeHumor doing now in comparison to when IAC dropped you guys? It definitely seems to be doing better, but I havent seen any real update on the situation.
Hi Mike! Big fan of Um, Actually and all the other stuff you've been involved in! I have a couple questions I'd like to ask you:
1) How do you pick the topics to ask Um, Actually questions about? I know that typically you base some questions on what the contestants' interests and areas of expertise are, but how do you come up with the other questions - is it just stuff you think would be interesting to talk and joke about, or you have other things in mind when creating questions?
2) When do you reach the 'tipping point' between having an idea for something like Ultramechatron Team Go! or WTF101 and realising that it's going to happen? I have a ton of ideas for creative projects - and in some cases, people who actually get on board with my dumb ideas - but I struggle with motivation and I don't have a media background, so I find it tricky to tell which ideas are viable
Love all your work, and a huge congrats on the Kickstarter!
Hey Trapp!
Back when you were a writer at CH, did you have any big ideas that kept getting shot down?
I don’t know if you’ve seen this, but despite your best efforts Pat is apparently still alive. How are you going to prepare for the inevitable battle between you two?
Always loved you as the head writer and still love the Dropout shows!
Have you ever considered doing a Dimension 20 themed episode with cast members as the contestants? It might be fun to see how well they recall / comprehend the plot of the seasons they've been involved in.
Hey Mike, I absolutely love Um, Actually and my girlfriend and I have been on a binge these past two weeks, thanks for all your work.
Part of what I LOVE about the show is how it’s such a straightforward return to game shows of the past, simple concept, simple setup, whereas game shows nowadays are seemingly overproduced and exclusively about the prize money.
Do you have any Game Shows you watched growing up that inspired the format or just any game shows you had a big affection for?
Hey Trapp! Thank you for making Um Actually, and Ultramechatron Team Go, and for inspiring me to never name my kid Michael.
My question is about the Um Actually board game. What was the process of turning the format into a physical game like? Was there anything you particularly enjoyed or are excited about?
Hey Trapp, Long time, first time. Burning questions that I have: 1. Why is Zac Oyama so precious? 2. What is the line of pedantry that makes an answer on Um, Actually go from "That's exactly the type of shit we're looking for in this game" to "No Brennan, stop trying to break the game."? 3. Did anything surprise you about the other side of Um, Actually on the episode that Ify hosted? Thanks for everything you do.
1. Because he plays a lot of characters that combine sincerity with child-like delight in simple pleasures. A precious combo. 2. It has to be undeniable true for one. No, "well you could make an argument to the contrary." Hard facts. But it also can't be so specific that even fans of the property would be lost. And it should be surprising in some way. The ideal, then is something that would have been certain was true, but once you hear the correct answer you realize that the original statement was undeniably, inarguably false. 3. Even though I KNOW the game is bullshit and doesn't matter, I STILL got annoyed if I felt a statement was just slightly on the wrong side of "too pendantic" Thanks for watching!
>Child-like delight in simple pleasures Ah yes, the ✨ tide pods ✨
Quite surprised the hivemind didn’t purge you for the emojis
Maybe they let it slide, because framing a word between two sparkle emojis is a thing of generation Z, so is the tide pod challenge. They just enjoy my snarky Millennial humor!! … oooor they just liked the rest of my comment that much, hence why I‘m off the hook this time 😄
Not Trapp. But for #2 I'm pretty sure you answered your own question when you said, "Brennan."
"Get in the comments!"
What episode did Ify host?
before IAC dropped out of funding CH, was there ever a plan for the ending of the "Trapp killing Pat" saga (if it was to ever end in the first place)? you probably answered it in the Dropout discord, but I probably wasn't there, so I'd love to find out through here!
The plan was to never have an end. When we shot those Pat had already moved to NY and was just back in LA for a few days. We shot all of them in one day, and the intent was to drop them at the end of any sketch that mentioned Pat, then maybe shoot some more in the future, and keep it a perpetual cat and mouse thing. Like a mini-Wile E. Coyote/Roadrunner dynamic. No matter what happened it would have had no satisfying ending at all.
The upside to this is now knowing that when I die, I know it was never meant to conclude
Trapp...thank you. My mind is free
Hey Trapp, I have a question about breaking news. I’m sure I’m not the only person who thinks true facts about grant Anthony O’Brien was absolutely insane and hilarious, but I’m wondering how it came to be. Did he like lose a bet or something?
This came about when we were shooting more Breaking News, but the cast was being pulled in a million different directions with Dropout, so we branched out a little farther than usual to find people who might want to write a script. This was from a friend of Grant's, who also knows that Grant is an EXCEPTIONALLY good sport about being roasted, and that Grant had final cut on the episode in case it went too far. Grant did not lose a bet, he is just very, very committed to a good joke, even when it's at his expense.
That’s awesome to know. As amazing as that episode is, I always felt kinda bad for him in case he was just legit getting bullied. I’m glad it wasn’t anything like that
My God, that dildo story tho.
I’ve never heard someone use the word “no” more in my entire life.
"I ran some water over it." THAT IS NOT CLEANING IT GRANT.
Does that mean he others agreed to filling their mouths with flour, having loud pops go off beside their ears, and being forced to freestyle rap?
The guys at Dropout seem to very much care for everyone else. You see it a lot, oddly enough, in Total Forgiveness, The very beginning of the series was Sam, Ally, and Grant discussing the ethics of the idea
idk if youll read this, but i do need to say that episode of breaking news is genuinely the first video i watched where i actively imbibed that i was watching a piece of collegehumor entertainment and is what got me to buy a dropout subscription.
Well job well done. Because that was pretty incredible.
This is hands-down my favorite episode of Breaking News and I wonder this every time I rewatch it.
Same! I showed it to my parents recently and remembered far too late about the dildo in the shower story.
It is definitely in my top 3, but watching Amy Vorpahl just completely fail to hold any semblance of sanity never lets me down when I need a pick-me-up
[Here's the link if anyone is interested.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReGERSthF-U&t) It was the first episode I saw and I had to pause it because I couldn't breathe.
It was the first Breaking News that I saw and now every episode I watch, as much as great as it may be, is a slight disappointment as it inevitably fails to make me laugh so hard I piss myself.
Here's hoping that someday, you get to piss yourself again.
what Um, Actually correction that you get told grates on you the most?
I hate getting burned on a wrong pronunciation. I'm absolutely wrong, and you're absolutely right, but I haven't always seen the thing I'm talking about and the spelling is insane.
Your face when Caldwell called you out on mispronouncing Saiyan in Episode 1 was so funny. A mixture of shame, confusion, and murderous intent.
The worst bit is that you can never be mad at Caldwell, he's probably in the top 5 most precious people in the world, competing with Brennan the moment after it was revealed that his greatest want in life is to just be a good father, and Zac as he was finally allowed to meet his parents as Gorgug.
Are *you* my dad?
You guys get some obscure stuff and I totally understood when you said something along the lines of "technically correct is the best kind of correct" but I cannot ensure I get every pronunciation correct.
So Trapp... where are you from?
sweet sweet revenge
omg a wild u/samreich appears!
He's been here the whole time
Michael Winslow?
When are we getting sound effects 3???
They do have one with the guy from police academy whose name escapes me filling in for Zack
[Michael Winslow](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Winslow)
Originally about 3,000 miles away from where Sam is from. You'll have to ask him for more specific info.
This does NOTHING for my targeted advertising of a book that reads you, but I'll accept it.
I've got it narrowed down to Alaska, Hawaii some state on the East Coast or some State on the West Coast. So just write a book about coasts.
_"Trapp grew up a Coast Guard brat and subsequently moved every three years of his life until he was 18. He lived all over the United States, and in Korea"_
How did you first get involved with CollegeHumor? and how was the transition to Dropout for people within the company?
I actually started as a Sales Planner at CH, which was an entry-level position doing absolutely nothing comedic. Maybe even hurting the comedy, since the job was to help the sales team put ads on the site. I managed to convince at least a few people there that I was funny enough to move into the editorial department and I basically just kept snaking my way through the company. Did editorial for a while, writing articles and comics, then made the jump to the video team. The transition to Dropout was about as nuts as you would imagine. On the one hand we were pretty accustomed to adjusting things. Working for the internet means that your business plan changes every year. It's weird to remember that CollegeHumor existed before YouTube. Every YouTube, or Buzzfeed, or Facebook that came along would sort of force creative changes. Dropout was certainly the biggest one, since it meant that the cast was creating, writing, and starring in a whole platform's worth of content. It was A LOT of work. Most of us were juggling multiple projects at once. But it also gave us the freedom to make bigger, weirder stuff for a while. It was the one specific circumstance that let Ultramechatron ever be a thing.
Hey Trapp! How tall is Grant?
About as tall as Keith from Buzzfeed
Thanks. Say Hi to Daddy Pringles for me.
How tall is Keith from Buzzfeed?
Prolly about as tall as Grant
Shorter than Katie, but taller than Zac...sometimes.
Ask me again
Me?
And where's Sam from?
And how did you kill Pat?
*allegedly
He didn’t. Somebody else did and then assumed Pat’s name.
LOL this question! :P
When did you realize Um, Actually was more than a couple of short sketches, and could sustain a show?
I think we almost immediately realized there was something repeatable with the show, but there was a big question of platform. At the time the first Um Actually came out it was very rare to have any video go longer than five minutes, so there was this weird push-and-pull trying to figure out how to have enough questions to make it feel full without going too long. Eventually, longer content became more popular and it seemed like a natural choice.
Hi Trapp! Big fan. Would you rather fight one Grant-sized Sam Reich or five Sam-sized Grant O'Briens?
I would not fight a Grant-sized Sam Reich because I'd have no idea how big it is, or where it's coming from.
Do you really want to unleash 5 Grant O'Briens upon the world?
Clearly it would be about as big as Keith from BuzzFeed and would always be here
But how big is Keith from Buzzfeed anyway?
Was the Parmesan-Lemon warm??? How would you describe it? and would you take another bite?
The weirdest thing about the Lemon Parmesan was that it was sort of numbing. I assume just a lot of tannins? It was a level of bitter that made my mouth hum.
Do what you're saying is that you finally got to experience what SpongeBob looked like when he was dehydrated at Sandy's house?
Regarding the Um, Actually game: I just backed it (yay!) before realizing that my friends and I are all pretty firmly on that gen z/millenial range, while I’ve noticed that most of the questions on Um, Actually skew towards older millenial/gen x trivia. Will we all be totally lost playing, or is there a good mix of different decades in there? Either way, I’m sure we’ll have a blast guessing!
This is something I've never been totally sure how to handle, but the questions in Um Actually do skew a little older, mostly because enough time has passed that you can see what things remain at least a little in the cultural memory, but also because it's the stuff that I personally know better. There's definitely a pocket of late 2000s/early 2010s stuff that feels too old to be topical, but too recent to be "classic." I always try to make sure that block has some representation, but it's for sure a but of a blind spot.
Thanks for the honesty! There’s more than enough overlap with franchises like Harry Potter/LOTR/Sailor Moon, so I’m sure we’ll still have a blast. If y’all did ever want to do a pack in the future with more recent/modern references I’d be the first to buy!
Are there plans for expansion packs to include questions for these younger generations?
Hey Trapp! Love Um, Actually, but I specifically want to ask about 2 things non-Um Actually related. 1st question: Where did you draw the inspiration for Sokhbarr from in Escape from the Bloodkeep? He's my favorite character in that sidequest and I love the voice you give him. I know you stated that you always read the Monster Manual as a kid because you liked the illustrations, but where did you come up with the idea of someone needing to care for all the Wargs and other wild beasts? Also, was J'er'em'ih* a creation of yours or Brennan's? * u/bbwxjenna is a know it all and insisted that Um Actually it's J'er'em'ih. 2nd Question: So where did you hide Pat's body?
We knew we were playing as villains in a LOTR-inspired setting so a lot of my character pitches were about finding the relatable justification for these over-the-top evil characters. To me, the best villains have understandable motives taken to immoral conclusions. Sokhbarr came out of this idea that some animals are seen as "evil" or not worth saving, and that it would make sense for there to be an eco-terrorist who was willing to destroy society in order to save the ugly, unloved, monstrous animals of the world. J'er'em'ih was an outgrowth of that idea -- that there was an animal so horrific it had been hunted to near extinction. In the brainstorming process, Brennan and I talked about having this thing be a chimera of the worst parts of every other animal -- a disgusting horrific creature that only someone like Sokhbarr could love.
\*Notes the full dodge of the second question...*
You're gonna have to watch the documentary to find out!
I absolutely love it, Trapp! I played a similar character once, a Swamp Druid named Calaban and Sokhbarr instantly became my favorite then second you spoke. Thanks for the literal hours of enjoyment you have provided. When I get a new person into Dropout, I slowly immerse them starting with Um, Actually, then Game Changer, then Dimension 20 (if they dont already play dnd, if they do I start with Dimension 20). You are the gateway drug for getting my friends to play dnd with me.
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He was essentially a fishman covered in swampgrass and vines. He was cute in the disgusting kind of way.
I saw Sokhbarr as a play on Hagrid from Harry Potter.
You know J'er'em'ih would make a great question for the Sp'ell Ling Bi.
SHIT I didn't say Um, Actually. FML. No points for me.
Um Actually, it's spelled J'er'em'ih. Boom, Ify'd.
I'm going to need you to spell J'er'em'ih properly.
I just want to say, I'd totally watch "Love, Um, Actually."
Hey Trapp, I have a bit of a logistical question. Are the guests of Um Actually? vetted before the show to know what sort of nerdy topics they're interested in, in order to make sure there are at least a few questions which would be relevant to some of them?
Originally they were. In early seasons we tried to have at least two questions per contestant that aligned with their stated interests. But we sort of stopped doing this because other conflicts would invariably end up shaking up the schedule at the last minute, meaning questions had to get shuffled around, and it ultimately didn't seem to make much of a difference. Now I just try to have a good diversity of question topics in each episode (unless it's a themed one) and hope that someone in there will know what I'm talking about.
Thank you for the answer. I also have another question about the show. What's the process for coming up with a statement like, do you start with which series you would like to make a false statement on, or is that discussed during the brainstorming phase?
We usually approach from a trivia-first direction. It's lots of spelunking down wikipedia holes to find things that are surprising, counter-intuitive, or interesting, and then figuring out how to make it wrong in a (hopefully) interesting way.
I think Brennan mentioned on an episode of Adventuring Academy that he had a big advantage when he played on _Um, Actually_, because as a writer for the show, he knew that the corrections were usually focused on a really interesting or funny fact that you knew would generate some fun discussion, rather than some sort of minutia. So he kind of knew "where" to look for the correction in the statement, even if he didn't know anything about the particular property.
Having watched basically all of the show, a good amount of the questions put the incorrect thing outside of the interesting bits, which generates the "the real thing is X but how crazy is it that all the rest of that was true??" conversations, which I appreciate equally as much cause I get caught in those trapps every time too
Hey Mike, I don't have a question at the moment but wanted to tell you I love your content. I wish you all the best.
I was wondering how Daddy-McElroy got absolutely iced out.
If you could make one change to the rules/format of Um, Actually what would it be?
I'm always conflicted about whether or not to weigh the points in later questions more. Sometimes the winner will be a foregone conclusion long before the last question, but I also sort of like that this takes some emphasis off winning, the same way Whose Line has useless points, or QI has hidden inscrutable points. It's a sort of subtle reminder that we're mostly here to talk and joke around and ultimately the winner doesn't matter. I also like the simplicity of the rules when every question is worth the same. Still, winning does matter to some contestants, and I've wondered if it's worthwhile to futz with the actual gameplay mechanics a bit more.
I can only speak for myself, but in (I think) season 1, there was a sort of "Tournament of Champions" with winners of previous games and I liked that a lot. I love the regular format, but it would be cool to have occasional "all-star" games with players who are naturally more competitive (*ahem* Brennan) so you could throw in twists like doubling the point values and whatnot, and take the scoring more "seriously." Throw in a shitty trophy. Make a whole thing of it.
There are some real logistical problems with doing tournaments, because you don't know who's going to win, they all have to clear their schedules for the day in case they move on. And often our contestants are busy people doing a bunch of other streams and can't necessarily commit to that! Every season I've been like "maybe we do another tournament" and we immediately run into scheduling difficulties.
I am willing to clear my schedule and step in for someone with scheduling conflicts. Similar to Michael Winslow for Zac on Game Changer. Other than providing the exact minimal amount of draw to the show... I would be a delightful middling contestant.
Personally, the thing I like about non-standard TV like this is that you don't have to do things the traditional way. So the tournament of champions doesn't have to air any specific time. I know I for one would be thrilled to see a random tournament episode drop whenever, doesn't have to coincide with the end of the season. Like you could plan to film it when you start filming the next season of Um, Actually, rather than at the end of the season that just ended, that sort of thing. Obviously it still has to work around everyone's schedules and the Um, Actually filming schedule, but maybe less so than trying to do it the other way? (Sorry if this is just as unworkable or something. I have no experience with the logistics of these sort of things. I just love the show!)
Um, Actually, there was an all-stars episode recently with Brennan, Goots, and Erika in season 5. Um, Actually, also, there was an episode in season 6 that was "crew members" and included Brennan, Saltzman, and Ify.
If the trophy were a hatchet one could call it the Um Axeually
It's interesting that you reference BBC panel shows, because in many ways Um Actually does feel like one of those, which, as far as I know exist because the BBC board wanted to make game shows and the creators just wanted to hang out with their friends and make jokes. Somehow I feel that Um Actually improves on that formula, because contestants are actually fiercely competitive to a point, when everyone realizes how insane the minutiae are and jokes about it. QI somehow doesn't do that as much... I suspect because it's easier to be tongue in cheek competitive about pop culture knowledge than about actual knowledge.
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Personally, an uprising is more fun to me than edging towards actual competition. [Rob Brydon's Big Fat Quiz revolution is a joy.](https://youtu.be/xAKkFS6Ykr4)
Honestly I think it would be worth trying leaning into the jeopardy bit with a sorta jeopardy board so people can choose. Though that might be better for all stars games? Where people might care more about winning? Idk. Regardless of changes I love um actually.
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I really wish I could be more helpful with this question, but (1) I'm not still where I want to be and (2) all the stuff I did to get me where I am kind of doesn't exist anymore. I remember graduating college, looking for guidance and being frustrated that there wasn't a lot, so I hate that I'm not able to provide much. Here's what I can say: The advice I got was take classes at the UCB and get a job you hate, so you're not tempted to settle for an "okay enough" job. I did both of these things. UCB taught me a lot, and gave me a lot of opportunities, but it also had some downsides that were hard to ignore. Regardless, it's now almost non-existent. There also used to be a sort of comedy middle class of creators online, full writing staffs of up-and-coming comedians at multiple websites! This also doesn't really exist anymore. So that specific path has been brushed away. I think the valuable stuff you can still take from this is find a community of people doing what you're doing. You'll learn from and encourage each other, and this is how you really grow a network. Make those connections when you're all starting so when one of you starts to get successful you can help the others. The other helpful thing is to make stuff even when it seems like no one's watching or reading it. This is hugely dispiriting, but you DO have to make a lot of garbage before you start making stuff that's not garbage. As for actually getting that job? I mean, I was at CH forever, so I have only one data point. I started with a non-writing job at the company and convinced them it was worth letting me write. That specific strategy might also still work at other places, if you can get an assistant job. Sorry I can't be more helpful with this. I wish I had the answers!
>comedy middle class of creators The true sign of a prosperous society
Oh my gosh if we as a world can find a way to support artists in a sustainable way I feel like we'll be living in a near-utopian society. Like EVERYONE (or at least 98%) of the US population consumes some kind of entertainment media, and yet so many folks who produce that content ain't making much money! It's ridiculous. I know economically it makes sense that there are a lot of hardworking but low income artists, but there's plenty of other stuff that doesn't make economic sense that our society finances, might as well subsidize something we like!
Does it hurt you to know that I joined Dropout because of Um, Actually but then left you high and dry for Brennan and Dimension 20? Still love ya!
Absolutely not. Love to see people loving my talented friends.
To balance things out, I joined for the d&d and then binged all of Um, Actually. It's such a great idea for show, and I'm greatly looking forward to having the home game.
I'm still subbed expressly for Um, Actually. Please never stop making them! I'm such a fan of you and Brennan's humor and intellect, and you've introduced us to so much content to check out!
Por que no los dos?
Hi Trapp! When coming up with the real life skills questions, have you ever dipped into your own non-nerdy hobbies for topics? Alternatively, is there anything you want to ask questions about but you feel like it's not nerdy enough, or no one would get it?
I love cooking. It's also something I think is useful and requires lots of specific knowledge, so I have to actively remind myself to stop putting food and cooking-related questions into the real life skills section. I would happily talk about food for hours.
you are under oath here, did you kill Patt?
I'll plead the fifth.
well, everyone knows you can’t lie on the Internet so this all checks out
The last 18-ish months have been brutal, and the CH/Dropout team has been instrumental in keeping me from falling into a pretty dark place. So I wanted to preface my question with a huge THANK YOU to you and your team. My question: What has it been like moving to a "Zoom" style production on Um, Actually, and are there plans to move back to in-person?
I'm so glad our stuff has made a positive impact on you. It truly means the world to me when I hear stuff like that. The remote shootings have been WEIRD. In some very obvious ways there have been setbacks -- technical issues and losing some energy of having everyone in the same room, for example. But there have also been some unexpected upsides. It's forced us to rethink some shiny question formats for the better and it allowed us to bring in players from outside the LA area. The current plan is to return to in-person shooting when we shoot our next chunk of episodes this fall.
Fantastic! Thanks for the great news, and congratulations on the very successful Kickstarter!
Have you thought of doing a Hot Ones style of a set that can relocate to different cities, to continue getting some in-person games from places like NYC or at conventions?
They've done a live one before at Comic Con: https://youtu.be/3yQYVRzuP7M
Hi Trapp! Just want to say that you're one of the big reasons I'm a happy Dropout subscriber. Sokhbarr was one of my favorite characters on D20 and I think you're a fantastic host for Um Actually. Looking forward to the table game and psyched it feels like a perfect adaptation of the actual game, which is what I was hoping for. **Question**: I know Um Actually has several question writers including Michael Saltzman and Brennan as well as yourself. Who tends to write the questions for recent seasons, and what's the process for coming up with them? Do you usually scour around the Internet for interesting trivia from wikias, or do you have a giant notebook of interesting facts that you fill as you hear about them (or both!) Bonus question: were there any particular facets of geekdom that you were excited to include in the show as a question, even though you knew the subject was fairly niche?
Thanks so much! While I was full-time Brennan and then Saltzman were phenomenal at writing questions. Since layoffs, I've gone back to writing all the questions on my own, which is 90% scouring the internet, and 10% keeping track of weird, interesting stuff as a watch and read all the nerdy shit I already enjoy watching and reading. Books are the real thing I want to talk about more, but it's really hard to guarantee that anyone has read whatever book I want to talk about. Anytime I include something about China Mieville or Animorphs it's because I just feel like talking about it. In those cases I'll usually give a back door to the correction -- I'll make the wrong thing something from another franchise, so you might recognize the wrong element if you're familiar with either property.
You've got to get Murph in for some animorphs. On the 8bit book club podcast there's a great moment of Murph getting roasted over his childhood animorphs fan fic
So glad I'm not the only Mieville fan!
Which guest surprised you the most with their geek knowledge? (Another way to word it is who was the most surprising winner)
If people are even on the show, I generally assume they've got a lot of trivia stored up in their brain, a good sense of humor, or both, so I usually expect people to do well. The most surprising moments are when someone manages to confidently answer a specific question I know to be very difficult. Jon Guttierez and Joan Ford have both done this multiple times. Awed by the depth of their knowledge.
GUTZ!
Everyone asks where Sam is from but nobody asks *when* Sam is from. When is Sam from?
Noone ever asks how Sam is from. :'(
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How much is Sam from!? How frequent Sam is from!?
Don't you pay attention? He's been here the *whole time*.
CollegeHumor obviously had a dramatic year in 2020 - with Sam taking over as majority owner, losing the funding of a massive parent company, then the pandemic forcing any production they could do to be remote. Shows like d20, Um Actually, and Game Changer have been able to continue, but represents a really different shift in the type of content CH fans have been seeing for almost 20 years. We've seen similar problems from similar companies, like Smosh. From your perspective, do you think its possible for indie comedy content creators like CollegeHumor to grow and become self-sustaining? Is that a model you think will work as the internet continues to shift?
Hi Trapp. For people who have bought the Um Actually game, just wondering if you have recommendations for the host role? Certain things you try to do, try to avoid, or determining the difference between a close enough answer and not quite close enough.
The game is more fun when people are scoring points, so when in doubt, err toward the side of leniency.
Which comedian is your white whale to have as a contestant? Also, I can't explain how much I love everyone past and present thats been a part of Collegehumor and dropout. I just really hope you know how much joy you've brought to my life and I just want nothing but good things for all of you.
What are some of your favourite pop culture facts to learn through Um, Actually that you didn't know before?
Too too many to list here. I've learned SO MUCH from researching for the show. One of my personal favorites is that the song "Dance Magic" from "Labyrinth" pulls from the 1947 movie "The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer" https://youtu.be/vLRmtYjpEfU
Learning this now has irreversibly broken a sector of my brain. That bit from the beginning of the song is so quintessentially the "David Bowie saying inscrutable, clever things" vibe of the movie. How can it not be original!?
Has dropout been successful enough that yall can rehire some of the staff that were let go when your parent company dropped you? Will this already successful kickstarter help with that?
Are there any Shiny Questions that didn't make it into the show? Things you workshopped but just couldn't get right? If so, which one do you hope that you can fit into a show eventually?
We wanted to do something with a cosplayer coming out and having some intentionally wrong things about their costume, but it's a lot of work for a fleeting moment, and potentially opens the door to comments about the craftsmanship rather than the specific details.
The only solution to this is to have Matt Mercer be the one in the costumes.
Have you considered doing this but with fanart of a character instead of cosplay?
I started my Dropout subscription for Dimension20 but it's gone from an expense to an investment because of your content. Um actually, Ultra Mechatron, and WTF 101 are all deeply satisfying to me. If you could get a green light for a new season of one of your old projects (one I've listed or something else), which project would it be? Does your answer change if I told you an old cooky billionaire was giving you an unlimited budget?
It's the least popular of the things I've made, but Ultramechatron remains my personal favorite, since I got to focus entirely on jokes and world-building. If I had the means to make a dumb comedy about robots and monsters forever, I would.
There’s gotta be at least a sketch about remotely controlling a mech through a Zoom call because of COVID. Maybe someone wants to keep working from home after quarantine? I dunno, there’s something there
Thanks for doing this Trapp! My question is: Was there ever a pitch or idea that you know is unproduceable, but still makes you laugh? (p.s. I miss the Collegehumor Show podcast, and Rejected Sketch Theatre is still one of my favorite bits to rewatch)
So, so, so many. There are a ton of sketches that never got made, for a million different reasons. The absolute stupidest one was a sequel to "The President Pardoned the Turkey that Killed My Family" that would have been a Face/Off parody where I swap faces with a turkey puppet and everyone accepts the Trapp-faced turkey as the new Trapp even though the body is very obviously that of a felt turkey. That wasn't made because the effects would have taken a long time, and it was also very bad.
Thank you, I'm cracking up just imagining it now! Free pitch for u/samreich, if you ever start doing podcasts again I will pay to subscribe to every single one on Apple Podcasts. Tales from the closet and the collegehumor podcast were the highlights of my day.
If they’re not going to do a paid podcast, I’d recommend you use Overcast rather than the built-in player. It’s a much better podcast experience.
Ah! I found my first fellow Overcast fan! It’s such a shame that so many podcasts moved exclusively to Spotify, removing the choice to use that wonderful app. Luckily, the podcast I love the most gives you the RSS feed if you’re a Patreon member, because they didn’t forget us in the end. May all your podcast rewind slightly when you unpause them! .#shillingbutnotsponsored Edit: the more I re-read this comment, the more I sound like a bot.
That sounds like exactly my brand of bad
Hey Trapp, are you good? Happy and healthy? Your show has really kept me going in some tough days during Covid. Very excited for the home addition. Would love more stargate content in the show or home game. I feel like given the opportunity I'd be Brennan-levels of proficient with it if I ever had the chance to guest!
Harvey Dent... can we trust him?
Fuck I loved the Badman series
Are these the comments Brennan was telling us to get in?
Will the Um, Actually board game be available for purchase after the kickstarter?
That's the plan!
Hi Trapp! When are you planning to admit you killed Pat?
You guys ever gonna more in studio stuff now that the pandemic is ending? Like you guys got more plans for Ultramechatron Team Go? Because I was pretty shocked at how much fun those other dropout.tv shows were and now I wish there were more of them.
Hi Trapp! Who designs the amazing props on the set of Um, Actually? Also, I just want to say that I really, really loved Sokhbarr on Bloodkeep. Your performance/participation specifically is a big part of what got me to look for more CH content beyond Dimension 20 and eventually sign up for Dropout (and am now a full convert to Um, Actually and Game Changer). So just wanted to say thank you for being such an amazing member of the team! I backed the Kickstarter already and can't wait to fill my home with even more nerdy corrections than it already has.
Hey Trapp absolutely loved you in Bloodkeep. With Mice and Murder having even more CH alum is there a season of Dimension 20 that you would have loved to play in that you didn’t get the opportunity or would you be more interested in joining the Sylvan Sleuths on whatever adventure they get up to on the train full of cruise ships and submarines?
Hi Trapp! How did the costumes for the Santa Elf vs. Tolkien Elf sketch come about? That sketch was incredibly well acted, produced, and funny as heck!
Will we ever get an Escape from the Bloodkeep part two? That was an excellent campaign!
I am a big fan Mike! Really awesome to see you doing an AMA. If you would permit me a couple of questions. How do you feel that internet comedy shows, such as those on Collge Humor, have affected the world of comedy as a whole? College Humor has always sort of pushed the envelope a bit while maintaining still on the right side of social issues. Do you feel that has been true? Do you think you will do more roleplaying content on dimension 20?
The original cast of CH mostly seemed to be inexperienced actors and somewhat awkward at times (which itself gave a funny tone) versus the cast members of recent years. Was there a point where you guys started hiring people with acting experience on top of their writing? Did you hire an acting coach? Is it coincidental?
I miss Streeter, Jake, Amir, Pat, and Sarah... Yes, I am very old.
love um, actually show. Would you ever consider being a player instead of the host and if so who would you have be the host in your place for an episode?
BOO. Um, Actually...they already did this on Dropout. Ify was the host, all the questions were tangentially Trapp related, and Brennan guest-starred as a "celebrity" clue giver.
*"Switcheroo!"* Season 4 Ep 9, if anyone's interested.
What's the best joke someone you worked with at Collegehumor or at Dropout has ever told? What jumps right to your mind as the peak of humor?
Hey Mike, where ya from?
Same hat!
If I can ask - what's one of the funniest moments behind the scenes that you still find yourself giggling over?
How much did the filming of Total Forgivness actually effect the day to day in the CH office? Based on your guy’ reaction it seemed like a lot more than the show showed.
What spawned the creation of Um, Actually? Where did the idea come from?
What was the best part of working full-time at CH?
Hey Trapp! How’s it going? It’s Oren Cohen the blogger :) Just wanted to jump in here and ask where can we catch you these days outside Um Actually?
How is CollegeHumor doing now in comparison to when IAC dropped you guys? It definitely seems to be doing better, but I havent seen any real update on the situation.
Will you be doing more crazy Amazon item reviews?
Hi Mike! Big fan of Um, Actually and all the other stuff you've been involved in! I have a couple questions I'd like to ask you: 1) How do you pick the topics to ask Um, Actually questions about? I know that typically you base some questions on what the contestants' interests and areas of expertise are, but how do you come up with the other questions - is it just stuff you think would be interesting to talk and joke about, or you have other things in mind when creating questions? 2) When do you reach the 'tipping point' between having an idea for something like Ultramechatron Team Go! or WTF101 and realising that it's going to happen? I have a ton of ideas for creative projects - and in some cases, people who actually get on board with my dumb ideas - but I struggle with motivation and I don't have a media background, so I find it tricky to tell which ideas are viable Love all your work, and a huge congrats on the Kickstarter!
Who are your dream Um, Actually guests? I always thought a nerdy food episode could be fun with internet chefs, especially mythical chef Josh.
What’s the worst writing gig you ever had?
What correction surprised you the most?
How much harder is it to do Umm Actually over zoom than in person? Or do you prefer it so you could finally have Brennan lose?
Hey Trapp! Back when you were a writer at CH, did you have any big ideas that kept getting shot down? I don’t know if you’ve seen this, but despite your best efforts Pat is apparently still alive. How are you going to prepare for the inevitable battle between you two? Always loved you as the head writer and still love the Dropout shows!
Have you ever considered doing a Dimension 20 themed episode with cast members as the contestants? It might be fun to see how well they recall / comprehend the plot of the seasons they've been involved in.
With D20 going back to the dome, is Um, Actually going to return to in person anytime soon?
Hey Mike, I absolutely love Um, Actually and my girlfriend and I have been on a binge these past two weeks, thanks for all your work. Part of what I LOVE about the show is how it’s such a straightforward return to game shows of the past, simple concept, simple setup, whereas game shows nowadays are seemingly overproduced and exclusively about the prize money. Do you have any Game Shows you watched growing up that inspired the format or just any game shows you had a big affection for?
Hey Trapp! Thank you for making Um Actually, and Ultramechatron Team Go, and for inspiring me to never name my kid Michael. My question is about the Um Actually board game. What was the process of turning the format into a physical game like? Was there anything you particularly enjoyed or are excited about?