improv everywhere on the e train

[all images from Improv Everywhere]

Rob Wants to Give You a High Five. Get Ready!

The morning commute in NYC can leave one feeling, shall we say, less than human. After being shoved and pushed and elbowed and bagged and elbowed again, it is a challenge to love your fellow man.

Improv Everywhere* to the rescue. On Monday morning at the E train subway station at 53rd and Lex, Agent Latham, known as "Rob" gave about 2000 high fives during a 45-minute period. Look at the smiles on these commuters faces. Smiles! This warmed my heart.

Audience reaction:

It was awesome watching the reactions of people before, during, and after the high fives. I’d say around 75% of the riders gave Rob a high five. There were some people who were both listening to music and reading a book who didn’t look up to notice what was going on. A small percentage seemed suspicious of us and elected to keep their hands to themselves. Most people smiled and high fived. Some people kept a straight face during the high five, but then privately smiled to themselves a few moments later. Watching people after they gave a high five was almost more fun. Almost everyone was left with a smile. Agent Sokoler took hundreds of reaction shots, peering from behind columns at the top of the escalator. Here are some of our favorites.

*Improv Everywhere causes scenes of chaos and joy in public places. Created in August of 2001 by Charlie Todd, Improv Everywhere has executed over 80 missions involving thousands of undercover agents. The group is based in New York City.