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My dog Dean was put to sleep a few days ago (really my parents’ dog.) I’m okay about it. Dean lived a long 13 years. So you don’t need to say sorry or nuttin’. But here are some of Dean’s highlights:

1. Dean chewed through an entire wooden column on our back porch so that the ceiling of the porch collapsed.

2. Dean knew immediately what item you treasured most, and then he would steal it. If I was about to leave the house, Dean would grab my wallet with his mouth and start running around the house. It would take several minutes before I got my wallet back.

3. One time, my friend Danny needed to jump his car that was parked in front of our house. Dean immediately stole the jumper cables from Danny and started running around the yard with the cables dangling out of his mouth. It took Danny a good hour before he finally got the jumper cables back.

4. When Dean was in trouble my Mom would scold him by calling out his full name: “Dean Smith Lathan, get back in here!”

5. Dean and I used to shoot hoops together. Dean would rebound my ball by jumping in the air and tracking it down with his paws. But instead of passing it, he would try to eat it.

6. Dean ate everything in sight (mostly stuff not intended for him) including: birthday cakes, entire sticks of butter, brownies, biscuits, and occasionally a pack of gum (which tricked him up a bit.)

7. Dean enjoyed playing in the mud and then jumping up on top of you and ruining your clothes.

8. My nephews and niece loved Dean (even though Dean was jealous of them and would try to knock them over.) We would go on hikes together, which mainly consisted of Dean dragging us around the woods in search of rodents and the perfect spot to pee.

9. Dean once rescued my Dad when he was really lost while hiking in the NC mountains. Dean ran up ahead, found some people and in perfect Lassie cadence barked at them: “Hiker is lost. He needs help. He is over there.”

10. I will one day write a memoir about Dean. It will be a #1 best seller and will eventually be made into a major motion picture staring one of the Wilson brothers (preferably Luke.)

Niki and I just got back from island hopping in the Greek Isles like nobody’s biz. Well actually we just went to Athens and Santorini, but that still counts as island hopping in my book. Along the trip we learned a few things:

1. It’s bad if the name on your airline ticket (Rob Lathan) doesn’t match the name on your passport (Samuel Robert Lathan). I almost wasn’t allowed on the plane.

2. Some people are paranoid of cell phones, such as the cab driver to JFK. He demanded that we turn off our cell phones because he said the radiation hurt his back. Also, his AC didn’t work. Also, it took almost two hours.

3. Pack an extra set of clothing in case your luggage doesn’t make it (ours didn’t – so I wore the same clothes for 36 hours and Niki bought an over-priced dress and flip-flops.)

4. Niki and I would not win the Amazing Race. Every place we travel we tend to run into trouble, mostly brought on by yours truly. (See #1 and #3)

5. It’s harder to appreciate the beauty of the Parthenon when sweat is dripping in front of your eyes. But once you wipe away the sweat and dry off the pit stains, it’s pretty sweet….

6. If the hotel manager in Santorini says he’ll have a van ready to pick you up from the airport, that probably means he won’t.

7. It’s probably not a good idea to walk 2 miles to your hotel after dinner, especially if you really have to pee.

8. There’s not much to do in Terminal A of the Athens Airport if you’re stuck there for a 12 hour layover. We did several crossword puzzles.

BUT even with all of our travel mishaps, the trip was amazing. Probably my 2nd favorite trip of all time – 2nd only to the honeymoon in Barcelona. In Athens, we saw all of the sights in two days. And Santorini might be the coolest place in the world. And if that’s not enough, there were even a few sightings of the one, the only: Permanent Nutface Gary…

(Yes I have a cool wife who is willing and even enthusiastic to take these pics.)

Today Show Appearance

My main man, Charlie Todd, was on the Today Show to promote the new Improv Everywhere book. And he totally rocked Al Roker’s world. Charlie even gave me a shout out while they screened the High Five Escalator video (about a minute in). Purdy cool.

Street Meat returns this Friday night at 8. The show will celebrate Heather Fink’s birthday and she has put together one hell of a lineup. Check it out:

Andrew W.K. and Cherie Lily

Jon Glaser

Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt

Trevor Williams

Dr. Lanny Latham might also make an appearance. So with Lanny and Andrew W.K. in the same building, expect psychedness levels to reach proporations as described in this article.

Street Meat
Hosted by Heather Fink and Rob Lathan (that’s me)
Friday, June 12th at 8 pm
Cake Shop
152 Ludlow Street
FREE

Get it going on going.

Click here to watch it in HD.

Here is the newest Improv Everywhere mission where we threw a surprise wedding reception for a random couple getting married at the City Clerk’s Office in Manhattan. You can read all about it here.

I got to play the fake Best Man and gave a heartfelt toast to the bride and the groom. Even though I didn’t really know them, I think I left a profound impression.

Next week, expect tons of events and news items surrounding Improv Everywhere.  I’m basically not gonna shut up about it.

First item on the list: the new Improv Everywhere book hits stores on May 19th. It was written by Charlie Todd and Alex Scordelis. I’ve seen parts of the book already and it looks amazing. There is even an entire chapter devoted to the Rob! Mission in which I got lost all over Yankee Stadium. I contributed a few quotes and bits of advice to that chapter. So please check it out. You can pre-order the book on Amazon.

In addition, there will be a book release party and show at the UCB Theatre this Monday night at 9:30. I think the show might be sold out already. But hey, maybe you could take my ticket if I don’t make it there somehow…

Hey internet. Is anyone out there? Check this out. I’ve got two big time shows coming up. The first one actually takes place at the Metropolitan Museum of Art this Friday night at 7:30. I’m still trying to figure out what the show is myself. But I do know that it is hosted by Carl Arnheiter and Dave Hill, and is already getting some good buzz. Here’s an article about it written by Jane Borden in this week’s Time Out New York. I honestly have no idea what I am going to do.

Fancy Meeting You Here
Hosted by Carl Arnheiter and Dave Hill
Friday, May 8th at 7:30 pm
Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street
(Meet at the front steps)

The second show I’m doing is WHIPLASH at the UCB Theatre on Monday at 11 pm. This is a legendary show with some of the best comics in town. So it’s an honor to be on the bill. But I think I only have one minute to tell my jokes… So we’ll see what happens…

WHIPLASH
Hosted by Leo Allen
Monday, May 11th at 11 pm
UCB Theatre
307 West 26th Street
Reservations

So I guess in both instances there’s no telling what to expect. But to paraphrase an old classic from Mitch Magee, expect this: Comedy will meet Fantasy.

A few days ago I thought I’d play this prank on my buddy Jim. But it didn’t really pan out like I planned.

I think the prank inadvertently demonstrates that waterboarding doesn’t work.

Also, please digg this video if you have a digg account.

Shot by legendary cinematographer: Jawnee Conroy (A.S.C.)

Jim is Jim Ford.