The UCB Show Season 2 Episode 5 The Phantom In Us

The UCB Show season 2 episode 5, titled "The Phantom In Us," is a thrilling and hilarious journey through the world of improv comedy. In this episode, hosts Matt Besser, Ian Roberts, and Matt Walsh are joined by some of the most talented and hilarious comedians in the business for a night of unpredictable and side-splittingly funny improv.

As always, the show starts with the hosts warming up the crowd with a few off-the-cuff bits. From there, the special guests take the stage, ready to take on whatever challenges the UCB Theatre can throw at them.

In this episode, the improv games include "Remake," in which the players are tasked with re-imagining a classic film in a completely different genre; "New Choice," in which the players must instantly and seamlessly switch up their dialogue based on prompts from the hosts; and "Sound Effects," in which two players perform a scene while two others provide sound effects to enhance the story.

The guests in this episode include some of the most talented comic minds working today. Julie Klausner, co-creator and star of Hulu's "Difficult People," brings her signature wit and irreverence to the stage. Kate Micucci, one half of the musical comedy duo Garfunkel and Oates, shows off her improvisational skills. D'Arcy Carden, star of NBC's "The Good Place," brings her deadpan humor to the proceedings. And Paul Rust, co-creator and star of Netflix's "Love," proves that he's not just a great writer, but a talented improviser as well.

But while the comedy is always the main event of "The UCB Show," this episode also carries with it a theme of darkness lurking beneath the surface. As the title suggests, "The Phantom In Us" explores the idea of the things we keep hidden from ourselves and others. In one particularly memorable game, the players must perform a scene based on a real-life confession submitted anonymously by an audience member. These confessions range from the hilarious to the heartbreaking, and the players do a masterful job of incorporating them into their performances.

As always, the chemistry between the hosts and guests is electric, and the laughter never stops. But "The UCB Show" wouldn't be anything without the audience, and in this episode, they get in on the action too. Through a series of games and prompts, the crowd is encouraged to heckle the performers, yell out suggestions, and generally participate in the improv process. This leads to some truly unforgettable moments, including an impromptu singalong to an improvised ditty about a serial killer.

All in all, "The Phantom In Us" is classic "UCB Show": smart, funny, unpredictable, and a little bit dark. For fans of improv comedy, it's a must-see, and for those new to the form, it's the perfect introduction. Don't miss it!