Radiolab Presents: TJ & Dave
Podcast by WNYC Studios
Episode Date: April 2, 2013

Overview

This Radiolab episode, hosted by Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich, dives into the art and philosophy of improvisational comedy through a conversation with renowned comedians TJ Jagadowski and David Pasquesy, better known as TJ & Dave. The central theme revolves around uncertainty, both on stage and in life, and how TJ & Dave confront it head-on each time they perform. The episode unpacks how their unique approach to improv—beginning with a total blank slate and building a story in real-time—mirrors larger questions about trust, anxiety, creativity, and living in the moment.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Introduction to Uncertainty and Improv

• The episode builds from a previous Radiolab discussion on certainty and doubt, seeking out how mental strategies can help people navigate intense periods of uncertainty ([01:46]–[02:02]).
• Robert Krulwich introduces TJ & Dave as improv performers who push the art form further than anyone else, creating entire unscripted one-act plays with no plan or prior knowledge ([02:26]–[02:44]).

2. The Unique Approach of TJ & Dave

• Unlike typical improv, there are no suggestions from the audience, no scenarios—just TJ & Dave, the stage, and an unspoken trust in the unknown ([03:27]–[04:13]).
• They start every show with "complete tabula rasa," as David Pasquesy explains:
  Quote: “No assumptions. We’re completely tabula rasa. From the very beginning, it’s understood that we’re all just gonna find out together.” — David Pasquesy ([04:15])

3. The Beginning of a Show: Navigating the Void

• The performers start only by looking at each other, with no idea who they are, where they are, or what's happening ([04:44]–[05:07]).
• The scene slowly materializes with tiny clues and honest reactions. For example, a simple line, “You’ll bounce back, man,” sparks the start of the narrative ([05:07]–[05:33]).
• They gradually uncover character relationships, settings, and situations entirely in the moment, feeling their way forward one detail at a time ([06:01]–[07:12]).

4. How the Story Evolves

• As they improvise, facts about their characters and setting organically reveal themselves, providing both performers and audience with little “aha!” moments ([07:26]–[07:38]).
• They delight in moments when things click together unexpectedly:
  Quote: “Oh, wow. It’s been that all along.” — David Pasquesy ([07:38])
• The scenes often balloon into complex plots with multiple characters and intertwining storylines ([12:16]).

5. Embracing Not-Knowing and Handling Anxiety

• Both comedians admit to pre-show anxiety, what TJ calls a “maelstrom going on inside me personally” ([08:49]).
• Their antidote is a mindset shift: rather than trying to invent a story, they “discover” a story that is already happening.
  Quote: “It’s already happening. It’s all already going on. It’s not our job to make it.” — David Pasquesy ([09:13])
• TJ elaborates:
  Quote: "The show is already going on... we pick it up at a moment somewhere within this progression... To think of the show as it’s already all set, and all I have to do is stay out of the way, takes a huge pressure off..." — TJ Jagadowski ([09:52])

6. Is the Story Already There?

• Robert presses on whether they actually believe the story exists before they perform or if this is just a coping strategy.
• David admits uncertainty, but emphasizes the power of being present:
  Quote: "I don't know if it's going on before or after... But I do know that right now this is happening, and it's not of our making." — David Pasquesy ([11:38])

7. Example of a Show Unfolding

• They describe a scene where the coworkers discover their boss has been throwing games so as not to embarrass clients ([12:29]–[12:40]).
• The workers plot to kidnap and hide their boss to enable their own victory—a plot as surprising to the actors as to the audience.
• TJ describes the experience:
  Quote: "It’s that step off the platform before the next piece of floor comes to be under that foot." ([13:05])

8. Improv and Life Philosophy

• Jad asks whether their improv approach offers lessons for everyday life.
• David quips, "It seems silly and I agree with it," but both acknowledge the benefit of embracing the moment ([13:35]).
• TJ reflects:
  Quote: "I know I have better days. When I don’t presuppose too much, try and predetermine too much. When I am taking things as they come in the moment, I know I’m living a less anxious life." ([13:38])

9. The Stillness and Trust of Performing

• Performing together, TJ describes a sense of calm and presence:
  Quote: "There’s no more calm place in the world than the quiet of doing that show with David…" ([14:18])

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Uncertainty:
  “Please don't bring up this question. Is that a constant fear? Yes, absolutely.” — David Pasquesy addressing the fear that the story might not emerge ([08:23])
• On Anxiety Relief:
  “To think of the show as it's already all set, and all I have to do is stay out of the way, takes a huge pressure off…” — TJ Jagadowski ([09:52])
• On Being in the Moment:
  “It’s the best hour all week.” — David Pasquesy ([14:04])

Timestamps of Key Segments

• [02:44] — Introduction of TJ & Dave and their improv style
• [04:15] — "Tabula rasa" approach explained
• [05:07] — The first line and moment of a show
• [07:38] — Discovery and delight in narrative development
• [08:49] — Admissions of pre-show anxiety
• [09:52] — Philosophy: "the story is already happening"
• [12:16] — Scene expansion with more characters
• [13:05] — The metaphor of stepping off the platform
• [13:38] — Improv as a life lesson
• [14:18] — On the deep trust and stillness of shared performance

Conclusion

Radiolab’s exploration of TJ & Dave’s improvisational mastery digs into what it means to trust in uncertainty, lean into anxiety, and allow stories (or life itself) to unfold one step at a time. More than just about comedy, it’s an episode about discovery, presence, and the gentle courage to admit: we’re all just making it up together.