Improv Everywhere's "Best Game Ever"

I think the Best Game Ever Mission was simply amazing.

Background: In 2007, NBC apparently worked with IE's Charlie Todd to shoot a few missions to create a Pilot episode for a television version of Improv Everywhere, which despite the popularity of Punk'd, Funniest Home Videos, and various other 'Reality TV' shows, was never picked up.

Best Game Ever illustrates how the ingenuity and spontaneity (if IE Missions could ever be said to be spontaneous) of IE's Agents, combined with the big budget of a network television station, turned an every-day Little League game into what is quite possibly the best game these Little Leaguers will ever attend in their entire lives.

Agents posing as fans arrived dressed in team colors, or went barechested with 'their' team's name written across their chests, and by the bottom of the first innings the normally empty stands of this Hermosa Beach, CA field were packed with Mudcat and Lugnut fans.

During the second innings 'vendors' appeared and began 'selling' Peanuts and Popcorn to fans and bewildered parents alike ('selling' as in giving away for free).

Hermosa Beach Little League's Commissioner was the only one in the know (other than NBC and IE of course) and he provided NBC with photos and stats of the kids which were used to make up Programs for that particular game. An IE Agent took the Programs and handed them out to the now very excited parents.

The third innings was when the game (& everyone) stopped and stared as the truck parked beyond the outfield wall opened up and a Jumbotron screen emerged. Yes, a Jumbotron at a Little League game. You think kids go nuts when they see themselves on the Jumbotron at a regular game? Imagine being a kid at a Little League game with a Jumbotron. Your turn at bat? There's you, at bat, on the Jumbotron! You just made a double-play? Quick! Watch the Jumbotron for the Instant Replay. Very cool.

NBC enlisted the help of their own sports commentator Jim Grey, and he and Agent Todd provided commentary for the game which was broadcast over the field's PA System.

There were team Mascots.

There was the Goodyear Blimp which flew over the field (on its way to another game) and displayed the message Go Lugnuts! Go Wildcats! on its LED screen.

And at the end of the it all there was a Press Conference run by two Agents posing as Journalists.

All of the Agents stayed in character which only helped to convince everyone that NBC really were doing live coverage of the game.

I'd just hate to see one of the kids come forward in 10 or 20 years time and sue NBC and IE claiming emotional distress, etc,. Yes, it was a prank, but unlike Punk'd and other hidden camera shows this one was not designed to piss people off but rather the opposite, to ensure that the kids and the parents really did have the Best Game Ever.