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DRIVING ME CRAZY
MAIN POINT
Driving is one of those life skills that tends to reveal our inner personalities.
Aggressive drivers are usually aggressive people. Haphazard drivers are usually
absent-minded people, and so on. Driving is also a virtually universal experience. So many
of the driving foibles in this sketch will readily connect with the audience, especially
when you add the elements of the role-reversal.
But of course we want to do more than just evoke a chuckle or two. We hope to show them
something about themselves. And driving is one of those areas where our innate selfishness
really leaks out. It's so easy to be critical of another driver for doing exactly what we
might be doing in just a few minutes. But when we drive erratically, it makes sense. When
somebody else does the same thing, we're terribly impatient and unforgiving.
This illustrates common, but sinful patterns of self-centeredness and hypercriticism. We
find it very easy to grant ourselves the benefit of the doubt. We always have good reasons
for what we do. But we're slow to grant that same grace to others. We deny them any
potential vindication for their irritating behavior.
CHARACTERIZATION
This sketch makes use of gender stereotypes as a basis for humor. Although we recognize
that some women are aggressive, risk-taking drivers, we find it more common for men to
enter into the game-playing conquests and contests that driving presents. So by placing Melanie
in a slightly exaggerated macho role, we get to see the incongruity that is a foundational
element in humor. She should be strong-willed and determined, almost cocky.
Mike is also in a switched-gender role. His humor also comes from saying
things that are more stereotypically female. But don't make him meek and fearful. Instead
he needs to show more frustration with Mel's unshakable and misplaced confidence. He's not
so much afraid of Mel as he is disgusted.
DIRECTOR'S NOTES
1) This sketch needs a lot of work on visual cues. Mike and Melanie must
have common focal points when they look at other cars. They should lunge and jerk at the
right times and in synchronization. Mel, especially, needs to keep her hands on the wheel
and her eyes mostly on the road or the rear view mirror. Go easy on the steering wheel
back and forth. Mike looks all around.
2) Don't push the arguing toward a serious kind of intensity. This is
comedy, so the tension is more playful than hostile.
3) A real steering wheel on a long pole braced by a cement block adds a
subtle believable touch without losing the minimalist feel.
RELATED SCRIPTURES
Proverbs 16:2 says "all a man's ways seem innocent to him," and that's exactly
how Mel feels. Other Proverbs on pride include 18:1-2, 16:25, and 21:2, 24. Jesus' Sermon
on the Mount (Matthew 7) warns us about being critical of others to the exclusion of
ourselves. James 4:1-6 discusses the damaging role pride plays in interpersonal
relationships.
RELATED THEMES
This script is multi-faceted and can go in different directions. The primary link is to
pride, self-centeredness or arrogance. But those things produce the kind of critical and
unforgiving spirit that inhabits us all. So you could also tie it to forgiveness or grace.
Finally, it would also work well in your exploration of gender issues or marriage. Most
couples will see aspects of their own relationship in the telling.
