Tina Fey of “Saturday Night Live” fame…
Megan Mullally from the sitcom “Will & Grace”….
Sarah Palin, Sen. John McCain’s pick as his Vice Presidential running mate.
Which one is which? Frankly, I’m concerned.
Archive for August, 2008
McCain’s Familiar Face
Saturday, August 30th, 2008Convention Count
Tuesday, August 26th, 2008The number of people onstage at the Democratic National Convention last night in Denver when a radiant Michelle Obama gave an impressive, inspiring and historical speech as the first Black woman who could become the First Lady: 1 (Michelle Obama)
The number of Black journalists seen on ABC, NBC, CBS and CNN combined as anchors covering that historical live moment in American history on television last night: 0
The closest we got to a minority anchor on a network last night covering the DNL was George Stephanopoulos. Now there’s a story that should be covered by a TV columnist.
Appeal of The Onion
Monday, August 25th, 2008I was drained by the time I got home last evening. I got to do another day of comedy work for The Onion. I love doing that work — especially since I was reunited with some of the actors with whom I worked the first time around. Time flew by quickly. The previous ensemble shoot I’d done with them was one year ago. In the production crew, there were many new faces and obviously a new, no frills catering company (hey — let’s not forget we’re in a recession.) Because a year had gone by, the director gave me a lot of specific notes yesterday until I delivered the exact performance he wanted. Grating? Not a bit. Because I have a certain energy, many times my performance has been “just fine” according to the folks around me. That’s mainly because my upbeat personality and ease at reading copy made their job easier. Our director for The Onion realizes that, with rehearsal and direction, I can make some “just fine” turn into something better. I need that and have wanted that as a performer. Yesterday’s work was a big blessing — and not just financially. The scripts were good and challenging.
Tonight, I’ll be watching the Democratic National Convention. You have to admit, history will be made. Even 20 years ago, if Barack Obama and Joe Biden walked into an office together, no one would have expected that they’ be running for the two highest offices in The White House. They would’ve thought Barack and Joe were auditioning to play the Eddie Murphy and Nick Nolte characters in a network TV series version of “48 Hours.” In the meantime, I’m off to seek more employment.
If you’re into classic Hollywood, actor Van Johnson is 92 today. I bet his birthday cake tonight looks just like a forest fire. Hopefully, he’ll have a little help blowing out the candles.
Black Like Me: “Tropic Thunder”
Sunday, August 10th, 2008I emailed this to Cubby, Cindy and Matt, my three buddies who entertain New Yorkers and others every weekday morning on WKTU/103.5 FM radio: “…do NOT be surprised if Tom Cruise gets a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy. Yes, you read that correctly.”
The terrific radio team read that last Wednesday morning on the air in my short review that described Ben Stiller’s new comedy, Tropic Thunder, as wildly funny. Robert Downey, Jr playing a Black man slams across one of the funniest screen comedy performances I’ve seen this year or even saw last year. The same goes for the nasty, nasty, nasty surprise guest appearance by Tom Cruise. Brilliant!
An harried British director is at wits’ end trying to get a group of neurotic Hollywood actors through the unlucky production of a Vietnam war epic on location. Something goes horribly wrong and the clueless actors are left to direct themselves. That’s all I’m going to tell you. Reviewers, entertainment bloggers and Terry Gross on National Public Radio will inevitably give away too much.
I will give you this. If you like the current hit song “Low” by Flo Rida, you will never think of it the same way again after you see Tom Cruise’s character dance to it in Tropic Thunder. I will definitely be seeing it again. Bravo, Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black, Brandon T. Jackson (as rapper/actor “Alpa Chino”) and Mr. Cruise! Your new pic’s a hit.
The Onion & Me
Friday, August 1st, 2008Go to the satirical news website if you want to see me as the clueless intellectual, Professor Robert Haige, in a panel discussion about how the Beijing Olympics are really a trap like in a 1940s war movie.
It’s another “In The Know” comedy sketch for The Onion. A friend called me from Arkansas on Thursday afternoon to tell me that it had just been shown on MSNBC. I’d love to put some of these segments on my demo reel, but I can figure out how. Oh well…here comes the link:
When you get to the site, look for the videos in the middle of the page and click on the Beijing Olympics logo. Let me know what you think. Have a mighty fine weekend.
PS Stay through the very short DVD movie commercial at the end. It’s followed by a bonus clip of the “In The Know” panel.