Comedians Delivered Poster Boards and Laughs at This Fake Science Fair

The Educated Guess Science Fair at Brooklyn’s Littlefield was a phantasmagoria of sights, sounds, and tri-folds from wall-to wall, and if you missed it, you better be crying in a piss-filled alleyway somewhere, because that’s the only thing you deserve right now. Comedians were invited to participate in a science fair extravaganza put together by some of the greatest minds in the underground comedy scene—Jo Firestone and Steven DeSiena. Having previously worked together once before, the duo created an interactive playground for up to 55 fake scientists, with additional performances taking place onstage. They filled up the rooms with inquisitive strangers that approached each project, no matter how silly, with serious questions and pondering head nods. “I was floored when I saw how much work everyone put into their projects. From the great and funny pieces on display, to the whole community aspect of bringing people together—It really exceeded my vision. And on top of that, we had an amazing turnout, and I was especially overwhelmed by the positive reactions attendees had to the whole idea,” said Steven DeSiena.

Not only was it a visual treat, but a highly interactive one. Stopping by each station you were greeted by each "scientist" in inventive ways. Some, such as comedians Nick Naney and Courtney Maginnis, yelled at you from across the room in a penis and vagina costume attempting to sell you a phone that would ensure you had more sex. “ We were trying to raise funds for a 2025 launch of the phone,” says Nick Naney. “At the end of the night we raised two dollars."  Edy Modica’s PISS station was a big hit—dressed as an old perverted salesman, she gave out samples of her “urine." Drinking an infusion of vinegar and apple juice, fairgoers often walked away dumbfounded and scared that they actually might have imbibed urine. SPOILER: it was great.

Certain comedians focused on the conceptual aspect a bit more, playing with the confusion as to what type of fair it was. Tynan Delong brought a Devry presentation board, adorned with a mailing list signup and  green chocolate mints. It was beyond convincing—and yes, people signed up. Colin Burgess made a presentation about Toyota Scions. “My project was a pun on the word ‘science,’” he says.

On the more performative side, Mo Fry Pas led a musical presentation. “ My project was testing my hypothesis that Kanye West’s new album The Life of Pablo could help people transcend feelings of social judgement and anxiety. Also, I just really wanted people to listen to KANYE!” And nearby her station another performer, Tim Platt, had people judge him in four different monochrome hats.

As the night was coming to an end, a bunch of comedians started throwing potatoes at a PC. “My PC Got destroyed!” says Ana Fabrega, co-creator of Potato Power, a PC powered by 15 pounds of potatoes. “I was so impressed by the projects. It really blows me away how much effort people put into these high concept shows,” says Jo Firestone. From people in penis and vagina costumes selling a phone, potato powered computers, a salesman selling piss, and someone that mistakenly thought it was a “Scions” fair, The Educated Guess was pure comedy magic.

. Photo by Mindy Tucker, 2016

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