A/V Geeks Get Riffed Off Tickets

If you're not familiar with the term A/V Geeks, it refers to those who operate audiovisual equipment like projectors, sound systems and video players. As technology has advanced, the role of A/V Geeks has faded into obscurity. However, for those who remember their importance, they deserve a round of applause for the countless hours spent helping others watch slideshows, presentations or documentaries.

But what happens when A/V Geeks get "riffed off" in the world of comedy?

Riffing is a technique used by comedians that involves commenting, mocking or making humorous observations about something as it happens. It's most commonly seen in Mystery Science Theater 3000, where the host and his robot friends spend an entire episode cracking jokes over bad movies.

In some cases, A/V Geeks have found themselves the target of riffing. Imagine doing your job – queuing up a movie or slideshow – only to be bombarded by commentary from someone else. Suddenly, every technical difficulty or mistake is magnified and mocked.

While it might seem frustrating or even offensive, being riffed off can actually be a compliment. After all, the comedian finds your work interesting enough to comment on it. Plus, it adds a new layer of entertainment to what might otherwise be standard fare.

For example, at a recent live show of RiffTrax, a group of former MST3K cast members, the A/V Geek was present in the theater, working behind the scenes. Throughout the night, they'd occasionally turn up the house lights to show reactions from the A/V Geek, who inevitably looked annoyed or bewildered at the ribbing.

But after the show, fans swarmed the A/V Geek, taking photos and thanking him for being a good sport. The A/V Geek himself admitted to being surprised by all the attention.

So the next time you find yourself as an unwitting victim of riffing, take it in stride. You could even try riffing back or incorporating some humor into your job. After all, laughter is the best medicine – and who knows, you might just end up becoming a meme.