Try These Five Improvisation Games
GAME: STEAKHOUSE OR GAY BAR
SETUP: Challenge listener stereotypes with this list of establishment names. A caller guesses if it is a steakhouse or a gay bar.
The Crown and Anchor – gay bar
The Rainbow Lodge – steakhouse
The Boot Rack Saloon – gay bar
The Buckhorn Exchange – steakhouse
Flaming Saddles – gay bar
Osaka Fantasy – steakhouse
Frank and Tony’s Grill – gay bar
Chief Ike’s Mambo Room – gay bar
The Flying W Ranch –steakhouse
Hear the segment from the Blake and Eva show in this link.
SUE ONE PERSON AT YOUR WEDDING
SETUP: Imagine you could sue someone for being rude or embarrassing at your wedding.
Ace and TJ asked their listeners, “Who would you sue, and what did they do?” Here are some of the responses:
- I had served peanut butter balls and thought I saw one on the floor. We were gathered around this “peanut butter ball” until we smelled it — someone had pooped on the dance floor! My maid of honor snapped into action and cleaned it up before anyone noticed. I would sue whoever left it.
- My sister-in-law got really drunk, grabbed the pastor’s junk and tried to fight my best friend.
- The best man. He said the maid of honor’s name instead of mine in his toast.
GIVE A TIP IN FOUR WORDS
SETUP: From Studio Think Tank: Grab lines from this trending Twitter topic to create a quick life-advice platform for storytelling.
This suggestion from Kevin Rolston on the KVJ Show at WRMF brought these tips from West Palm Beach listeners:
- Avoid gas station sushi
- Don’t drunk text Ex
- Don’t be an a—hole
- Don’t eat yellow snow
- Alcohol improves your chances
- Clear your browser history
Move past the advice by probing for the story behind each piece of advice because it is usually based on interesting drama.
RETIRING LIKE A BUFFALO BILL
SETUP: In recent sports news, Buffalo Bills cornerback Vontae Davis retired in the middle of an NFL game. Who has quit a job suddenly and dramatically?
Preston and Steve brought this up at WMMR Philadelphia and got these listener stories:
- There was a package delivered to my office with a white substance. I blamed unsafe work environment and left.
- I once saw a stripper quit her job while on stage.
- I worked as a bank teller and a coworker came thru the drive-thru. She sent her keys in the tube and drove off without a word.
COACHING TIP
THREE THINGS TO INCLUDE IN FEEDBACK
Managers and lead hosts are responsible for encouraging the people around them, which can be challenging to do well in an overscheduled workday.
This three-step guideline from The Center For Creative Leadership can help speed the process and help you focus on giving the most important, actionable suggestions.
Remember these three letters: S – B – I
S – Situation: describe specifics. Instead of “great show this morning,” specify, “during the 7:20 segment today…”
B – Behavior: describe what happened factually. Leave out opinion or judgments for this part.
I – Impact: describe the result of the behavior. “I played your segment for everyone and they fell down laughing.”
For more detail on how to hit the feedback bulls-eye with your team members, read A Quick Win To Improve Your Talent Development Process from ccl.org.
APP OF THE WEEK
TRIVIA CRACK
A good source for trivia game questions for listeners, and a fun game to play yourself, this app is as addictive as the name says.
RANDY-ISM
Practicing Improve improves both listening and reaction skills, and the art of moving conversations forward.
UPCOMING DATES
MLB postseason begins, October 2
NHL season opens, October 3
Columbus Day, October 8
NBA season opens, October 16
Boss’ Day, October 16
MLB World Series begins, October 23
Halloween, October 31
People’s Choice Awards, November 11
Worldwide Radio Summit, Burbank, March 27-29 (We’ll be there!)
