"There is a place for big organized mob related labor, I just don't know where." Hats off to American workers, though.
Started watching the re-mastered 67 episode Thriller DVD. What a great anthology of short stories from some of the best in the business. Episode One stars a young Leslie Nielson (post Swampfox and Tammy & the Bachelor, but pre-Frank Drebben.) Excellent stuff with kudos to Scott for the find.
I watched the first three seasons of a British sitcom called The IT Crowd on Netflix Instant Play. It's about the trials and tribulations of a company's IT department: two ne'er-do-wells and their clueless supervisor. It's not bad but it's also a little too "sitcom" for me, replete with "zany sitatuations" and obvious set-ups and payoffs. On the plus side, the actor who plays the company CEO is hilarious and the girl who plays the IT supervisor is very cute. It has its moments.
It was created by Graham Linehan who did the much superior Black Books, starring Dylan Moran and Bill Bailey, members of the Simon Pegg/Edgar Wright stock company of actors. (Spaced, Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, etc.)
So I'm taking more comedy classes right now: Improv 201 at the Upright Citizens Brigade and Intermediate Sketch Writing at the Peoples Improv Theater.
Improv 201 is actually kinda hard! In addition to making up your actions and dialogue on the spot based on a single suggestion, there are so many other plates to spin: timing, reactions, when to tag someone out, when to step in, etc. Unlike short-form improv (Whose Line-style), long-form doesn't require as much knowledge of pop culture and trivia, but I find myself stumped at some of the references, especially songs.
Sketch Writing is a blast! In our last class, we got a little crazy and, while reading someone else's sketch, I couldn't get a line out. For whatever reason, I couldn't stop laughing. As for the elephant in the room, it's all been pretty apolitical, but I'm pretty sure I can guess everyone's leanings.
Having said that, on the second week, a tall busty brunette walked in (a student who had missed the first day) and I felt like Ed Norton in Fight Club: "This was my vacation and then Marla walked in." Now I have to behave and watch how I act! I'd rather not! :-)
Scott, I have to say that I'm not a fan of group improv -- it rarely seems all that funny and it usually falls back on a series of very tired cliches. Take the "Whose Line" stuff. For every great or witty moment, there were dozens of episodes where they just tossed out dribble until ending with a "surprise I'm gay" joke. . . over and over and over and over again. That got pretty dull.
Right now, I'm not quite sure what my path is. Something comedy/entertainment-related no doubt. I'm taking voice-over classes on the off-chance I can get paid to do VO work because I'm sick of temping in offices. Is my goal to be a regular improv performer? I'm leaning towards no but if I were invited to do it, I'd say yes.
Is my goal to be a comedy writer? I could see myself writing for a comedy show but, like anything else, it'll be a while!
But everything is in the early stages. I'm still taking classes, meeting people, etc.
Scott, It's a smart move to get as much experience now in as many fields/aspects as possible. Not only will that give you a sense of what kind of career will make you happy (which is a very important factor that people often overlook), but it will give you different tools that will help you in whatever you ultimately do.
Especially in a field like entertainment, it's a great idea to have as much exposure as possible to give you the widest possible experiences to draw upon. Few of the greats (or even the very goods) focused on just one aspect of the business.
If you ever want to bounce something off of someone, send me an e-mail, or you can test our audience here -- they're a pretty varied group with some very bright and observant minds.
Did anyone see Tim Kaine, DNC Chair on Chris Wallace this AM, a lesson in tortured logic. “When you can’t dazzle them with brains, baffle them with BS.” Amazing and funny, I was waiting for Chris to start pointing and laughing.
Bev, Very nice! I like that! And on Huffpo even! I thought a comment like that would burst into flames automatically?
Stan, I saw Kaine trying to convince himself that all the rats running against the sinking ship were "foolish" for trying to disown all the horrible things the Democrats did.
18 comments:
"There is a place for big organized mob related labor, I just don't know where." Hats off to American workers, though.
Started watching the re-mastered 67 episode Thriller DVD. What a great anthology of short stories from some of the best in the business. Episode One stars a young Leslie Nielson (post Swampfox and Tammy & the Bachelor, but pre-Frank Drebben.) Excellent stuff with kudos to Scott for the find.
Thanks, Jed!
I watched the first three seasons of a British sitcom called The IT Crowd on Netflix Instant Play. It's about the trials and tribulations of a company's IT department: two ne'er-do-wells and their clueless supervisor. It's not bad but it's also a little too "sitcom" for me, replete with "zany sitatuations" and obvious set-ups and payoffs. On the plus side, the actor who plays the company CEO is hilarious and the girl who plays the IT supervisor is very cute. It has its moments.
It was created by Graham Linehan who did the much superior Black Books, starring Dylan Moran and Bill Bailey, members of the Simon Pegg/Edgar Wright stock company of actors. (Spaced, Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, etc.)
Some Obama jokes:
The liberals are asking us to give Obama time. We agree... and think 25 to life would be appropriate.
~Jay Leno
Q: Have you heard about McDonald's' new Obama Value Meal?
A: Order anything you like and the guy behind you has to pay for it.
~Conan O'Brien
One more:
Q: What's the difference between Obama and his dog, Bo?
A: Bo has papers.
~Jimmy Kimmel
The original version of the Labor Day anthem: "I owe, I owe, it's off to work I go."
The Obama-era version: "They owe, they owe, it's off to work I go."
The Democrat-era version: "I owe, I owe, I have no job, you know."
Thinking about doing open-mic night, Andrew? :-)
So I'm taking more comedy classes right now: Improv 201 at the Upright Citizens Brigade and Intermediate Sketch Writing at the Peoples Improv Theater.
Improv 201 is actually kinda hard! In addition to making up your actions and dialogue on the spot based on a single suggestion, there are so many other plates to spin: timing, reactions, when to tag someone out, when to step in, etc. Unlike short-form improv (Whose Line-style), long-form doesn't require as much knowledge of pop culture and trivia, but I find myself stumped at some of the references, especially songs.
Sketch Writing is a blast! In our last class, we got a little crazy and, while reading someone else's sketch, I couldn't get a line out. For whatever reason, I couldn't stop laughing. As for the elephant in the room, it's all been pretty apolitical, but I'm pretty sure I can guess everyone's leanings.
Having said that, on the second week, a tall busty brunette walked in (a student who had missed the first day) and I felt like Ed Norton in Fight Club: "This was my vacation and then Marla walked in." Now I have to behave and watch how I act! I'd rather not! :-)
Scott, I have to say that I'm not a fan of group improv -- it rarely seems all that funny and it usually falls back on a series of very tired cliches. Take the "Whose Line" stuff. For every great or witty moment, there were dozens of episodes where they just tossed out dribble until ending with a "surprise I'm gay" joke. . . over and over and over and over again. That got pretty dull.
If you like writing, maybe that's your path?
Right now, I'm not quite sure what my path is. Something comedy/entertainment-related no doubt. I'm taking voice-over classes on the off-chance I can get paid to do VO work because I'm sick of temping in offices. Is my goal to be a regular improv performer? I'm leaning towards no but if I were invited to do it, I'd say yes.
Is my goal to be a comedy writer? I could see myself writing for a comedy show but, like anything else, it'll be a while!
But everything is in the early stages. I'm still taking classes, meeting people, etc.
Scott, It's a smart move to get as much experience now in as many fields/aspects as possible. Not only will that give you a sense of what kind of career will make you happy (which is a very important factor that people often overlook), but it will give you different tools that will help you in whatever you ultimately do.
Especially in a field like entertainment, it's a great idea to have as much exposure as possible to give you the widest possible experiences to draw upon. Few of the greats (or even the very goods) focused on just one aspect of the business.
If you ever want to bounce something off of someone, send me an e-mail, or you can test our audience here -- they're a pretty varied group with some very bright and observant minds.
Did anyone see Tim Kaine, DNC Chair on Chris Wallace this AM, a lesson in tortured logic. “When you can’t dazzle them with brains, baffle them with BS.” Amazing and funny, I was waiting for Chris to start pointing and laughing.
Have a nice holiday everyone.
Comment on HuffPo -
"Now, after Summer of Recovery it is going to be the Fall of Obama. This seasonal climate change is good.”
Bev, Very nice! I like that! And on Huffpo even! I thought a comment like that would burst into flames automatically?
Stan, I saw Kaine trying to convince himself that all the rats running against the sinking ship were "foolish" for trying to disown all the horrible things the Democrats did.
i'm not doing much today, but i promise to eat a burger and some hotdogs for you (before they're banned by a barrycare provision)!
Patti, They can try to ban hamburgers, but them's fighting words!
Anybody see Obama's "they talk about me like a dog" quote?
Wrong Mr. President, I respect my dog. . . I don't respect you.
I love it when he shows how think his skin is. Love it. Idiot.
*THIN, not think.
Tam, I couldn't agree more!
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