Most people know him as the sad little temp, Ryan, who can’t escape Kelly’s affections on NBC’s “The Office.”
But B.J. Novak is more than just the irritated salesman in the background of more prominent story lines, such as Pam’s and Jim’s budding romance and Michael’s constant well-meaning idiocy. Despite being just 28 years old with no previous experience, Novak has written and produced various episodes of the show and has won Screen Actors Guild and Writers Guild of America awards.
He also does stand-up, and he’ll be at the Taylor Center Saturday night as part of homecoming events at Minnesota State University.
“That’ll be cool,” said Anna Richards, who was at the MSU mall following a block party to kick off homecoming week activities. “That’s a big show right now. I never miss it.”
MSU’s IMPACT Team had the same idea and thought Novak’s performance would be a good way to get people more involved in homecoming events this year. A task force was assigned last year to come up with ways to attract more students, and bringing back a comedy event was on its list of recommendations.
Kelly Meier, director of the Student Leadership Development & Service Learning office, said stand-up used to be a highlight of homecoming week. George Carlin, Jay Leno and Louie Anderson all have performed on campus in previous years.
“They’re definitely trying to get (students) to be involved in more events,” said Ryan Yunkers, assistant director of the student leadership office.
To do so, other new events will include the Blazing Wing Challenge, which will replace the jalapeno-eating contest from previous years. Eating wings might be more tempting for students than jalapenos, Yunkers said.
The parade also was moved from Friday to 11 a.m. Saturday to help get people excited for the 3 p.m. game. An airplane is one of the more interesting floats expected to be in the parade, he said.
The Cookoff with the Candidates block party got the events started 11 a.m. Monday. Dozens of student organizations had tables for students to visit, and the homecoming candidates took part to get their names and faces out to the student body.
Voting runs through noon Thursday and is available online at www.mnsu.edu. Coronation and the Lip Sync Competition is 7:30 p.m. in the Taylor Center.
“With an increased budget and additional resources, our committee has worked very hard to put together a great lineup of events and activities,” said Kara Van Sickle, student chair of the homecoming committee.
All events are free and open to the public.
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