Second City’s new show, The Meme-ing of Life, which examines technology’s impact on modern relationships, induces nostalgic feelings for a time when people spent more time talking than texting. From sifting through online dating profiles on Lavalife’s website to coping with YouTube addictions, The Meme-ing of Life essentially covers everything in today’s zeitgeist.
One wonderful sketch features a driver (Jan Caruana) intensely frustrated with a border crossing guard (Nigel Downer). The majority of Torontonians seem to have a funny story about discretely indulging in shopping sprees abroad or hiding beer in the trunk, so this is remarkably relatable material. Next time you and your partner drive to the United States and they ask if you have anything to declare, perhaps you should test out the following line as your response: “Yes, officer, our love.”
While it’s easy to bond over stories about crossing the border, few local experiences compare to encounters with sketchy people on the TTC. Another sketch effectively pokes fun at how single people can potentially find love amidst all the smelly commuters. Through interactions that gradually become flirtatious, a man’s efforts to sit in the seat a woman reserves for her purse eventually lead to a make-out session on public transit. Local newspapers are filled with stories of missed connections, so theirs is perfectly suitable for a dating story about Generation Y’s hook-up culture.
Explaining the meaning of life for young adults today also compels the troupe to explore consumers’ obsession with physical appearance. From an African-American man’s self-confidence exhibited at a tanning salon, to an extraordinarily tall and slim woman who tries to cut her gym membership short, such scenes offer an insightful look at how men and women deal with self-esteem issues. Shortly after joking about fitness, another pivotal audience interaction ironically involves collecting patrons’ spare change to buy a randomly selected theatregoer their favourite treat, such as beer or nachos.
Even the most cynical comedy lovers will appreciate Second City’s latest production. You don’t need a media studies degree, or even a smartphone, to enjoy their show about the digital age.