The following is based on a comedy routine called the 2000-Year-Old Man. This was a routine between Carl Reiner, the interview, and Mel Brooks, the 2000.Year-Old Man. The animated 24-minute film is a classic. However, at least four albums of comedy were made with this idea.
"Sir, it seems hard to believe."
What would ask a man who is 2000 years old? Think of questions you would ask him about any of these topics:
- history
- science
- famous people
- life centuries ago
- keeping healthy
- having a philosophy of life
Write down your questions, then ask a partner who pretends to be 2000 years old.
You could practice with the real questions Carl Reiner asks Mel Brooks in this video. Here are some questions that Carl Reiner asked:
- Could you give us the secret of your longevity?
- What was the means of transportation in the past?
- How did singing start as a custom?
- How was the handshake invented?
- How did dancing start as custom?
- What did you do for a living?
- What other jobs were there in the past?
- What language did you speak?
- What kind of factory did you have?
- How did you make [your product]?
- Do you remember any of the ancient Hebrew?
- Are you married?
- Do you remember all your wives?
- How many children did you have?
- People are very interested in someone like Joan D'Arc. [What did you know about her?] How did you feel about her being burned at the stake?
- Did Robin Hood really steal from the rich and give to the poor?
- Would you discuss with us someone like William Shakespeare?
- Do you remember any dialogue from [a lost Shakespeare play]?
- What did you do 2000 years ago for entertainment?
- In your 2000 years you've lived, you've seen a lot of changes. What is the biggest change you have seen?
- We all here would like to know your code [your philosophy of life].
You can compare the answers your partner gives to the answers in the video.
And you'll never see Saran Wrap the same way again.
All my best!
Keep teaching, keep laughing,
Roger
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