Name: Eli Grober
Claims to fame: Fruit Paunch performer, Stand up comedian, Varsity Show composer
Year: 2013
School: CC
Major: Maybe one day!
What is Fruit Paunch?
Fruit Paunch is a pretty cheap pun. Or a typo on a middle school dining hall drink menu. It is also an improvisational comedy group made up of about six to nine members annually. We (Fruit Paunch) perform regularly throughout the semester in our own hour-long shows, as well as alongside other groups in smaller venues and events. We perform a number of different forms of improv comedy, but are best known for a fast-paced, long-form improv structure that we call “unplugged,” named after its loose, unpredictable, and rapid structure with lots of cutaways and changes in narrative. Like a crazy episode of Family Guy, except that we don’t make any money. I think that’s the only difference.
How does FP compare to the other improv groups on campus?
There are a few improv groups on campus. There’s an all-girl improv group, Control Top, because of suffrage and things and because men smell. And there’s a musical improv group, Alfred, because some people can sing while they make things up. And then there’s Fruit Paunch. Fruit Paunch has some unique traditions, such as the silly and unnecessary 24 Hour Show in the spring, which every Columbia student should attend at some point before graduation (it’s tradition!). Fruit Paunch also travels to different venues and colleges during the year. This includes an annual trip to Harvard for an improv festival, because we need to bring the divine message of improv comedy to the heathens!
How and when did you get involved in FP?
I actually first auditioned when I was a freshman and didn’t even get a callback. I was really bummed out, because everything seems so big and important when you first start college. “Bob Vulfov,” the current president of Fruit Paunch, was the one freshman that year to make it. I was under the impression the group hadn’t taken any freshman, because “Bob Vulfov” sounded like a fake name. But I tried out again my sophomore year, and left my silly ego at the door. I ended up making the group, and I found out “Bob Vulfov” is a real person, and now we do stand up and write jokes together. Fruit Paunch has become a great creative release for me. Improv is almost a kind of therapy session for me. I think I’d probably start doing some pretty messed up things if I didn’t have it as an outlet.
How did you become interested in improv?
I constantly make things up. I write all the time, but my least favorite part of writing is editing. I feel like I’m cheating when I edit. I feel like I’m not being true to my instincts. In improv, you do something, and it’s done. That thing you did will never be done again, and you can’t go back and fix it or make it better. And sometimes that’s something you have to live with, and other times that’s something that gets you on top of the world for a few brilliant moments. Even though everything’s made up, it’s so real, because it’s happening right now, and not at any other time.
Do you have practices or how does an improv group work/function?
We rehearse twice a week. During a “rehearsal” (But we make things up! “Rehearsal?”) we use very basic structures to improvise characters and scenes. After we perform for each other, we discuss what worked and what didn’t work in particular scenes with particular characters and jokes. We use these critiques in developing longer forms of improv. An important part of these “rehearsals” is about getting to know how each member of the group thinks and improvises individually. It is essential to learn how to think and improvise with those individuals as opposed to simply alongside them. There is no “i” in improv! I mean team! I mean GO SPORTS!
Does each member have a different specialty? If so, what do you consider your specialty?
Some of our members, such as Jake Coppola, are experienced stage actors. Sometimes Jake gets so into a scene, he’s still inside of his character after rehearsal. I can’t tell you how any times I’ve had to explain at parties why my friend Jake thinks he’s a wrestler in a furniture store hiding from his ex-girlfriend. As for myself, I often portray middle-aged women. I’d like to branch out, though. Maybe add on or take off a few years from that. Nothing too crazy. I like to think I help construct scenes and jokes, but I might be giving myself too much credit.
When is your next performance?
November 11. The location is TBD, but there will definitely be a Facebook event, and maybe even a wall post or two. Watch out, you social networkers!
Hometown: Andover, Massachusetts
Relationship Status: Yes, please.
On-Campus Activities: Fruit Paunch, The Jester, Spectrum Daily Editor, The Varsity Show
Off-campus activities: Stand up comedy at various clubs and venues in the city.
Pet-Peeves: Facial hair. I hate that something grows out of my face in disgusting patches, and that I have to scrape it off with a blade like I’m a leather tanner. Also, not giving people the benefit of the doubt. Everybody’s got such a complex story, it’s just unproductive to pass judgement.
Dream Job: Cast member and writer on SNL. I can’t think of anything cooler. Except maybe working in a walk-in fridge. That’s pretty cool.
If you were stuck on a deserted island, you would need: A pen and paper for writing jokes on. Also, an amplification system and a laugh track.
Every guys needs these three things: A water bottle, a sense of direction and/or humor, and an extra pair of underwear.
Your perfect date in 7 words or less: It’s a real date, not a dare.
Favorite off-campus location: The Comedy Cellar. Legendary comedy club, and if you go on the right night, some big names tend to drop by. It’s cozy inside, very much like a cellar where comedy happens. Also, it’s in a really tasty neighborhood near Washington Square Park.
Favorite thing about NYC: There’s a pizza place called 2 Bros Pizza on West 46th. They sell slices for one dollar each. How do they DO that? Maybe I don’t want to know.
Spirit Animal: Probably Winnie the Pooh. If Winnie the Pooh had excessive amounts of energy and a Pez dispenser collection.
Dream wife: Probably Emma Stone or Olivia Munn. Talented, funny, awesome women, who are both great comedians and improvisers.
One thing you want to do before graduating: I want to take African Dance. I think I’d have a lot of choreography to offer.
Top three albums/songs of all time: Okay, I feel like since I do improv comedy and that’s what this whole thing is about, probably nobody wants to hear about my musical tastes. So here are my three favorite comedy albums of all time: Richard Pryor’s “Live on the Sunset Strip,” Louis C.K.’s “Hilarious,” and George Carlin’s “Jammin’ in New York.”
If you could have a super power what would it be and why: I would love to be able to make anyone laugh, no matter who they are or how they’re feeling.
If you could invite anyone to dinner, you would ask: Louis C.K.
HamDel decides to name a sandwich after you (what’s it called and what’s in it): It’s called The Cheshire Cat. You order it, and the guys get to make a sandwich, and then eat almost all of it, and then give it to you.
Photo by Michael Discenza
