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DON'T FORGET! HARRY POTTER/STAR WARS EVENT THURSDAY!!
Hey everyone!
Planning on going to see the midnight showing of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire?
Me too!
And a whole bunch of other people as well...
Want to stand out from the crowd? The improv group I'm in, Six Degrees (www.sixdegreesimprov.com) is planning a gathering of fans at the Universal Cineplex for the midnight showing on Thursday the 17th.
We have tickets for the 11:59 show, but you can go see any of them! We plan on congregating outside probably a couple of hours before the show.
Here's the kicker...
We're all going dressed as Star Wars characters! WE NEED YOU! We want as many Star Wars characters going to see Harry Potter as possible! Why? Because it's funny, that's why!
After all, looks what happened when Blackwolf the Dragon Master went to the Star Wars line! Hillarity ensued!
So join us won't you?
AND TELL YOUR FRIENDS! |
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Hey everyone!
Planning on going to see the midnight showing of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire?
Me too!
And a whole bunch of other people as well...
Want to stand out from the crowd? The improv group I'm in, Six Degrees (www.sixdegreesimprov.com) is planning a gathering of fans at the Universal Cineplex for the midnight showing on Thursday the 17th.
Here's the kicker...
We're all going dressed as Star Wars characters! WE NEED YOU! We want as many Star Wars characters going to see Harry Potter as possible! Why? Because it's funny, that's why!
After all, looks what happened when Blackwolf the Dragon Master went to the Star Wars line! Hillarity ensued!
So join us won't you?
AND TELL YOUR FRIENDS! |
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Yes, I did move my blog to MySpace, however since I've done most of my bitching over here the last couple of years, I thought I'd share the news with the few who may not know.
After many, many auditions at Universal - I finally have my first in-park, year-round Actor A role. And it's the one I wanted. I'll be training into Poseidon's Fury in November. Let's hope they don't decide to keep it closed once Horror Nights is over! Haha.Current Mood:  cheerful Current Music: "I Can Do Better Than That" - The Last 5 Years |
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HELP!
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Aug. 6th, 2005 @ 12:24 am
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Hey guys!
I need HELP!
If you have today's (Friday) ORLANDO SENTINEL, I need a tiny bit of info out of the Calendar section.
There's a page with an ad for Sea World's Halloween Spooktacular. If possible, I need the dates and times of the auditions. I know its just two days and its being held at Columbus Dance Academy. If anyone has it, if you could post it as a comment, it would be much appreciated.
BTW, I've moved my blog to MySpace... Christian's new blog |
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ARGH....
WHY DID I READ THE BIGGEST HARRY POTTER SPOILER EVER BEFORE I GOT THE FUCKING BOOK?
ARGH...
But it's GOOD.
It's REALLY good. |
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"But Brak, your favorite restaurant has always been 'Lord Wellington's Beef Trapeze!'"
Jul. 6th, 2005 @ 04:37 am
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| » Insanity |
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Fringe came and went. I gained weight and spent lots money. And I was in a show. I was also really, really tired for the duration.
I am hovering at 8.5 credits at Universal due to car problems, personal drama, and apathy over my job. Gotta keep it above 7 to actually do the stuff I should be doing there.
Got called to audition for Sleuths Mystery Dinner Theatre this Tuesday. Woohoo! I'm confident about it - a wide variety of characters, many of which I play really well. The last audition (for a Murder Mystery Show as well, actually) I went on was the worst I've ever done... but then again, it was me singing below my range and trying a character I was neither the age nor type to play.
I've spent well over $1000 on my car, probably nearly $2000 in the last six months. I don't have most of it. So much for getting out of debt.
SAK has been going extremely well - haven't been the last two weeks due to aforementioned car issues, but all the shows I've done I've felt really good about, and two of which I consider some of the best I've done. Yay!
Buy the Dirty Rotten Scoundrels cast recording. It's great.
Blizzard needs to fix the queueing issue in World of Warcraft's Battlegrounds.
Sunday starts my excercise regime again. I've rescheduled with Michael Cairns for three months from now, so hopefully I'll be in shape when it comes time to take my new headshots.
Did I mention I REALLY NEED MONEY?
Jun. 10th, 2005 @ 03:14 am
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Hahaha...
I'm on the internet in my parents' house in Tampa.
This in itself is not unusual. The fact that I'm doing so without a phone connection is.
My parents have never, and will never, own a PC. Let alone a wireless internet hub.
I'm leeching internet off an unsecured wireless transmitter somewhere near my house. :)
Jun. 7th, 2005 @ 04:26 am
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Once again, I feel I must say that The Last 5 Years is brilliant. Horribly depressing, but brilliant. God, "No One Needs to Know" is sad.
So buy it. Buy it now. $10 on iTunes.
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Moving on... the big news!
Tonight is my LAST night at SAK. On a Tuesday.
Yep, myself and a group of others are being moved up to the "best of" group on Wednesday nights, Generation S. This is both very exciting as well as a little scary. Exciting because it's the next step in progressing at SAK - in fact, the only place to go from here is weekend Ensemble, but I'm far from that -- however, I'm still overjoyed that I've been given the chance to move on and learn more.
As part of being a "Gen S"-er, we will also be given the opportunity, provided we show the talent, to apprentice on weekend shows. This is the scary part - I don't think I'm where I need to be for that yet, but when it happens, hopefully I'll be able to handle it without completely freaking out.
So, I've received validation at SAK without actually looking for it... now, if only I could do the same at Universal. :) Want to know the funny thing though? At least half the decision to move me up was Lyle's, so he can't completely hate me! (just kidding, of course, I realize he doesn't actually dislike me) In any case, much like the Grinchmas rehearsals where I felt I had to prove something to him in an improv atmosphere, it's going to be a lot more common nowadays - as he teaches Wednesday nights. The good news? This will completely obliterate any feelings of nervousness at auditions, being that I'll be spending 2-3 hours in his presence every week. I'm gonna get something there next audition if it kills me. Besides, I've got a kick-ass idea.
Anyway- here's the official ad:
Wednesdays @ 9pm
The Next Generation of SAK Superstars Battle It Out In Our "Generation S" Show!
Wednesday Night Tickets are only $5.00
Apr. 5th, 2005 @ 03:36 pm
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| » It's so good... |
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Guess what time it is?
"Christian recommends showtunes" time!
The Last 5 Years by Jason Robert Brown starring Sherie Rene Scott and Norbert Leo Butz is pretty darn awesome. Sad as all hell, but it's really really good.
I think I'll be downloading Parade next.
Apr. 2nd, 2005 @ 12:24 am
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HOLY CRAP!
YAY!
That's all for now.
Apr. 1st, 2005 @ 02:41 pm
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I'm hot for Stephanie J. Block...
 
Now THAT's an Elphaba... and as much as the usage of this word annoys me... I will say it once. She is fucking fierce.
Poor ol' crazy screechy Idina...
Wicked - The Musical (First National Touring Company)
For anyone who isn't aware... Stephen Schwartz actually wrote the music for Wicked with Stephanie J. Block in mind as Elphaba, much as he wrote the contrasting part of Galinda for Kristen Chenoweth. Block played the role in workshops, but was forced into the standby position by Producers who wanted a "name" in the part... Idina Menzel. During the early run of the show, before Broadway, she was offered the role of Liza Minelli in The Boy From Oz on Broadway, which she promptly took. When Idina left Wicked earlier this year, Stephanie was offered either the Broadway company or the touring company. She chose the latter so she could play to all of her friends in LA.
I for one can't wait to see her back in the part she was originally supposed to play. I've heard nothing but amazing things about her. No disrespect to Ms. Menzel, because when she's "on" she is really a pretty amazing singer... but she's only a decent actress, and she's definately had some off days (the Tony's, anyone?) from her vocal acrobatics.
The tour is coming to Tampa this January! It isn't listed on the official site, but is up on the Performing Arts Center site, www.tbpac.org
More pictures at...
Wicked Tour Pictures
And all of that wasn't enough...
They've announced a permenant Chicago production of Wicked, with Ana Gastayer of Saturday Night Live fame in the lead (no, I'm not kidding)! I've heard she's quite the singer... most of the singing she did on SNL was very character-y so it was hard to tell, but if she can belt it, I've no doubt she'd be awesome in the part.
Mar. 31st, 2005 @ 02:32 pm
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| » The random update |
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So, what the hell is up with me?
Ok...
I've been doing a lot of stilt work recently. It's fun, easy and I need the money. Yay!
I'm doing children's theatre over at Capone's. I'll be playing the Big Bad Wolf in their upcoming musical production of Little Red Riding Hood. It's tough because we've only got two rehearsals so I have to learn pretty much the entire show in advance. It's 45 minutes long and I've got four songs, so it's a real challenge. But, I'm sure I'll be fine in the end.
Six Degrees (www.sixdegreesimprov.com) has been booming. We've been doing a lot of corporate stuff, as well as getting reviewed! As always, we have a great, devoted bunch of people who see us weekly at Austin Coffee and Film in Winter Park. We're become pretty much the only game in town other than SAK... not to mention we're damn good. I'm of the opinion that improv works best when all the players really know, like and play with eachother. This is what we have, and it's the reason why we're a lot better than some other groups.
Speaking of SAK....
Big changes a-comin'! So, there's going to be a restructuing of the current Labrat and Gen S program. Some background: Labrats are the Tuesday night student improvisers and Wednesdays are the "best of" LabRats, Generation S. In any case, for the last couple of months Dave and Lyle (yes, THAT Lyle) have been watching an abnormal number of our shows to see who might be possibly moved to Wednesdays.
In the end, Wednesdays will have at least 15 people... possibly more, or possibly ONLY 15. Tuesdays will not have a cap, however, just as it stands now, performers will be scheduled based on their performance, ability and willingness to be there. So where does that leave me? Don't know yet - we'll all find out soon though. They're watching one more show and then making decisions. My only reservation about all of this is... I just don't know what to think about one man making decisions for the two places I've dedicated so much of my life to... it kinda drives me nuts.
Which brings me to my quad-annual Universal rant.
Unfortunately, I seem to be stuck in a bit of a rut, as now I've been pigeon-holed into only being able to do that one character, which brings me to believe that they think I can only play big, larger-than-life "characters." It's true I'm good at it, and I play a lot of those in improv'd scenes... but for the love of crap, gimme a damn chance! Like... maybe, have me read sides for the one show you know I want to do, and have been typed-into before. Argh. At the very least, I'd love it if casting ever heard of all the time I put into Grinchmas (ie: more hours than anyone else) or how I've never gotten negative performance feedback... in fact, I didn't get any negative notes from my performance captain this last year... heck, it was always how great I was. But, of course, that never does actually get to them.
So, what's all that mean? It means I'm still a tech for the foreseeable future.
A tech at Poseidon no less. Yes, starting Monday - I begin training as a Tech 4 at Poseidon. A year ago I said NO WAY, but at this point, I don't care anymore. It can't be any worse than being made fun of at T2 - I mean, this is a group of people who really have no idea how much performance stuff I do outside of work. I'm a tech at Universal, but dammit, it's money. I do live theatre, whether improv'd or otherwise WEEKLY. And, believe it or not, I nearly always am told that I'm really good.
I'm NOT a real tech. A trained monkey could do my job at T2 (which is why it's even more amazing when some people cannot). I have no formal tech training - everything I know about being a tech, I learned from acting. Hell, I should have a poster that says that.
At the very least, I know most of the actors at Poseidon and have performed with a good number of them elsewhere - be it Grinchmas, or improv or scripted shows. So, maybe I'll be respected at least a bit more there. Heck, maybe I won't feel so damn marginalized there. Maybe T2 is the root of my problem? Would I even care that I was a tech if I was at a different venue? Could it just be the venue? I mean, the way I feel right now, I would take ANY performance position (outside animated, granted...), the lowest of the low seasonal position anywhere and I would quit tech immediately. But, hell, maybe it's just the atmosphere I'm in at T2.
I KNOW the time will come when I will get something at Universal. I've made it a mission of mine. I don't care one way or the other about anywhere else... but Universal is a GOAL. I'm pretty much locked into Grinchmas now, as long as we keep having it... so, in the meantime, I'll just try to do as much stuff there as I can. My next goal, outside of auditioning is to become a relief coordinator. Easy enough... I've worked in entertainment for over three years, and have tech'd and acted in multiple venues. I'm told Poseidon will probably be in need of some - so I think I might try to impress the stage manager there. And one of the reliefs there now was our Grinchmas performance captain... so she knows I'm good, even if it would be just dealing with the hell that is TMS and whatever else comes up.
Looking ahead however... I think my next Universal general audition may include an appearance by Polly, the NBC Peacock. (as seen on Conan O'Brien). I'd be playing the straight man to Polly (I would do the voice of Polly as well... prerecorded), so it would be a nice subdued audition for me. But it could be damn funny... me and a puppet of our parent company's mascot trying to badmouth the other parks. I may save it till next year's contract auditions though... in the meantime, here's a transcript from the last Conan episode Polly showed up on... Polly the NBC Peacock
Below is a possibility for my version...
"Go to Disney and die!"
"What? Polly, what are you talking about?"
"Mickey mouse may look friendly, but a lot of people don't know that his face spews dangerous radiation!"
"Polly, that's a terrible thing to say!"
ANYWAYS... the Capone's kids theatre thing will be two or three days a week all of next month. After that, it will be on to the next gig... whatever that may be. Hopefully some more interesting auditions will surface soon. I really want to do a Fringe show this year... there was one I was interested in (it was a long-form improv thing) but I couldn't make the audition.
And on a parting note...
Can you believe Southern Nights is closed? It was my first gay club. It's really sad. I mean, I never really went anymore, but it's the only one I really enjoyed. And the free drinks there were great! Never got me sick, unlike some other places. Oh well, such is life.
Mar. 13th, 2005 @ 02:44 am
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| » Could we say that the Prince was reared by a queen? |
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Because I enjoy Alec Baldwin, the English and a good sex euphemism....
From the 11/13/2003 episode of Saturday Night Live...
Announcer: We go now to a live press conference with Prince Charles' private secretary - Sir Anthony McCollum.
[ dissolve to the press conference ]
Sir Anthony McCollum: Right. As you all know, there's been a lot of talk recently about an alleged event, that may or or may not have taken place, with or without a senior member of the Royal Family, who may or may not have been engaged in certain unspecified acts of a highly indeterminate nature. As you know, I cannot address the matters specifically, but I will entertain a few brief queries.
Reporter #1: Yes.. yes.. question.. question: Cynthia Watson, London Times. Can you comment at all on these rumors, concerning the Prince's sexuality?
Sir Anthony McCollum: Madam, as you well know, legally, I cannot do that. British slander laws expressly forbid any specific mention of the matter.
Reporter #1: So sorry. Allow me to rephrase. Could one say that the Prince took.. a "holiday".. from his "usual interests"? And, on this "holiday", did the Prince, perhaps, "pitch a tent of the Isle of Man"?
Sir Anthony McCollum: [ mulls the sound of it in his head ] Yes, I suppose, legally, one could say that. Next?
Reporter #2: Uh, hello, thank you - if I may try a different vein. I know the Prince has! [ chuckles ] Say the Prince were to have a.. "keyboard recital" at his home.
Sir Anthony McCollum: Yes?
Reporter #2: And he were to invite a certain unnamed gentleman. This fellow would undoubtedly bring a gift - say.. flowers.
Sir Anthony McCollum: Granted.
Reporter #2: So, upon arrival, would this gent be more inclined to place "roses on the piano".. or "tu-lips on his organ"?
Sir Anthony McCollum: [ frowns ] Sadly, the latter. [ points to next reporter ] Yes, you?
Reporter #3: Yes. Say that the Prince recently purchased a country home?
Sir Anthony McCollum: Alright?
Reporter #3: Down.. "Cadbury" Lane.
Sir Anthony McCollum: I know of no such address, but I'll allow it.
Reporter #3: In the county of.. "Dingleberry".
Sir Anthony McCollum: Indeed.
Reporter #3: And, say there was a problem with the insulation in this residence, a terrible draft coming in through his windows.
Sir Anthony McCollum: Where are you going with this?
Reporter #3: I wonder.. if he wouldn't enjoy having his "crack".. filled with "cauck"?
Sir Anthony McCollum: Undoubtedly.
Reporter #3: Quick follow-up: If His Majesty is elected to become a civil servant.. would one be writing thinking that his occcupation of choice would have been.. "manhole inspector"?
Sir Anthony McCollum: Often, his Majesty speaks of nothing else. [ points to next reporter ] Yes?
Reporter #4: Alright, despite all this talk, the Prince is above, all else, a gentleman.
Sir Anthony McCollum: Absolutely. Always ready to give a fellow a hand.
Reporter #4: And, for a friend, he'd been over backwards - or forwards.
Sir Anthony McCollum: Yes.
Reporter #4: The kind of guy who would say, "It's better to give than to receive."
Sir Anthony McCollum: The Prince of Wales is generous to a fault. He has been known to give until it hurts. However, I've also heard, that if you were to arrive at the Prince's back door with a sizeable package, you would be received warmly.
Reporter #3: Could we say that the Prince was reared by a queen?
Sir Anthony McCollum: Yes.. of course.
Reporter #1: Yes, you're saying that the Prince's favorite actor is Peter O'Toole?
Sir Anthony McCollum: Yes.
Reporter #4: Right, right.. and that his favorite meal is a "sack" lunch.
Sir Anthony McCollum: Yess..
Reporter #3: And that his favorite bird is the swallow?
Sir Anthony McCollum: Indeeeed, yes.
Reporter #2: And, what of the rumor that the Prince can't drive car over.. 68 kilometers at hour?
Sir Anthony McCollum: I haven't heard that rumor.
Reporter #2: Because, at 69, he blows a rod!
Sir Anthony McCollum: Thank you. That's quite enough.. I'm aorry.. that's all the time we have for today. Thank you, thank you, thank you..
[ Private Secretary exits press conference ]
Announcer: Next up on C-Span: the Prime Minister's questions, hopefully featuring more gay sex scandals.
Mar. 13th, 2005 @ 01:57 am
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| » A must read... |
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If anyone has seen Hairspray (the Musical) or South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut, then you are undoubtedly familar with Marc Shaiman and Scott Whitman. The couple have been together for years penning great music and lyrics.
Recently, Shaiman was asked by Robin Williams to come up with a song for him to sing on this last Academy Awards ceremony. However, it was cut at the last minute.
The following was posted on Braodwayworld.com by Shaiman - the first part contains the lyrics to the cut song, and the various reactions from Standards and Practices - the second, is a beautiful response Shaiman sent to a rather bigoted schoolteacher.
Please read both below... they are both enormously entertaining - and also pinpoint exactly what is wrong with this country.
From broadwayworld.com...
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re: Too Controversial for the Oscars — Listen to Marc Shaiman and Scott Wit
Posted On:3/11/05 at 04:51:02 PM
here's the first draft of my "Email essay" that Entertainment Weekly printed last week
Dear Friend,
Don't know if you heard about the drama which was reported in The New York Times. Here is my own "essay" on it...
“THE DEATH OF SILLY”
or “THE REAL STINK BENEATH THE INK”
by Marc Shaiman
Last weekend, as Social Security was debated, as our President tried to mend fences around the world and as war raged on, something much more important was occurring. The 77th Annual Academy Awards. Though we all did get to hear Chris Rock humiliate a few past Oscar nominees, the billions of people who we are told watch worldwide were unable to hear a song I wrote with my partner Scott Wittman.
Let me tell you what happened!
The week before the awards, Robin Williams, learning he would be announcing the award for Best Animated Feature, had a great idea for a song. His manager, noted Showbiz Hebrew David Steinberg (not the comic) contacted my co-lyricist Scott and myself (strangely, we're always together). We were quite inspired and whipped up a little ditty for Robin (with additional verses even!) in just 24 hours.
Robin came over, we fluffed it some more, an orchestration was written and, since Robin was out of town for the band rehearsal, I got to sing with the orchestra and choir! (I was fabulous).
The number began with a spoken introduction…
“Recently, a Dr. James Dobson and an organization entitled Focus On The Family protested to Congress…
“Excuse me for interrupting” said Gil Cates, producer of this years show. “Why say his name and give him any more celebrity?” Since Gil is a gentlemen and a scholar, this was a change easy to accommodate. I picked back up…
“Recently, a group protested to Congress, suspecting that beloved animated figure SPONGE BOB SQUARE PANTS was gay, due to his inclusion in a video promoting tolerance. We have just received a telegram of their further findings…”
I began singing (flawlessly)…
PINOCCHIO'S HAD HIS NOSE DONE
SLEEPING BEAUTY IS POPPING PILLS
THE THREE LITTLE PIGS AIN'T KOSHER
BETTY BOOP WORKS BEVERLY HILLS!
“Hold it” said the censors, “we can't allow drug use to be promoted on prime time network television”. “Promoted?” we asked “you mean like Karen on NBC's 'WILL & GRACE'? Well, we're not doing that.” “Cut it”, they insisted. Strangely enough, they seemed to have no problem with prostitution, and of course, it being Hollywood, facial reconstruction is always ok.
I regained my composure and jumped back into the song…
SUPERMAN IS ON STEROIDS
TINKY WINKY IS “IN THE PINK”
DAMMIT TO HELL
WAKE UP AND SMELL
THE STINK BENEATH THE INK!
CHIP 'N' DALE BOTH ARE STRIPPERS
SCROOGE McDUCK IS REALLY TIGHT
BUGS BUNNY'S A SEXAHOLIC!
AND SNOW WHITE HAS BEEN UP ALL NIGHT!
“Wo, wo, wo” cried our friends from Standards & Practices “you can't say strippers on TV...and certainly not the word sexaholic!” “Oh really?” we exclaimed, as a promo for a married woman seducing a high school student on ABC's 'DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES' flashed across the TV screen “who knew?”
I assumed the cocaine reference went right over their heads as I continued…
THERE'S SOMETHING FISHY 'BOUT NEMO
BATMAN AND ROBIN SHARE A SINK!
WINNIE THE POO
WE KNOW WHAT HE'S INTO!
THE STINK BENEATH THE INK
Scatological sex seems to be right up the alley of our friends at ABC, since this last stanza got nary a mention.
FRED FLINTSTONE IS DYSLEXIC
JESSICA RABBIT IS REALLY A MAN
OLIVE OIL IS ANOREXIC
AND CASPER IS IN THE KU KLUX KLAN!
“Now hold on a dog garn minute!” cried the legal department. “You cannot make fun of disabilities…and that Casper line has GOT to go!”
I wondered both where their sense of the ridiculous was and more importantly, who were they afraid was going to sue, Casper or The Klu Klux Klan? Still, (with great panache) I barreled on...
CINDERELLA'S INTO IDENTITY THEFT
POCAHONTAS IS ADDICTED TO CRAPS
DUMBO'S AN OVEREATER
JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS DANCE ON LAPS!
“No racial slurs!” they cried! “But our song is being sung BY a deranged bigot!” we explained. “No way, Jose” said they.
Somewhere, Norman Lear began weeping.
“And lose the lap dancing reference” they ordered. “But I'm gay” I exclaimed, “I only learned about lap dancers from episodes of CBS's “TWO & A HALF MEN!”
With my heart pounding (but still looking fantastic), I carried on…
IT'S CLEAR THE ROAD RUNNER'S HOOKED ON SPEED
CHARLIE BROWN IS SEEING A SHRINK
“There you go, condoning drugs again” they clucked. “We're not condoning anything” I clarified, “but you have to admit, that crazy bird has had WAY too much caffeine!” I was beginning to perspire…
PEOPLE OF AMERICA, TAKE A WHIFF
SMOKEY THE BEAR JUST LIT A SPLIFF!
TOM & JERRY ARE DATING *NSYNC
“We don't know what a spliff is, but we don't like the sound of it” they scoffed. “And can you PROVE that *NSYNC is gay??”
"Well" I sighed, "A boy can dream, can't he?" Drawing upon my last breath, I raced to the finish…
OH THE STINK…
BENEATH THE INK! (DON'T BLINK!)
THE INK!! (THE KINK!)
THE STINK BENEATH THE INK!!!
Well, these bright ladies and gentlemen who get to choose what is on our televisions refused to acknowledge the parody, irony, or satire in any of it. By this point, Scott & I also lost our sense of humor and, knowing it would be impossible to re-write this particular song to please either these time-travelers or ourselves, we pulled the number.
now, I hope anyone reading this realizes I used dramatic license to condense my rehearsal with days of torturous phone calls into one fantastic theatrical set piece!
Anyways, I know it was just a stupid song, but if this silly satire caused the powers that be so much grief, it boggles the mind to imagine what else is censored “on our behalf” every day, far away from The Kodak theatre in Hollywood.
One nice thing though. Gil Cates is such a classy guy he still sent us our Oscar gift basket. The fact that they make Scott & I share a single one just because we're a couple will be the theme of my next rant.
Marc Shaiman
re: Too Controversial for the Oscars — Listen to Marc Shaiman and Scott Wit
Posted On:3/11/05 at 04:55:03 PM
Then my film music website received this letter, which was cc:ed to netaudr@abc.com and culturalissues@family.org. Being polite, I wrote this woman right back. If you have the time, I think you might enjoy reading both her letter and my response.
From: kathy.mack@ica.com
CC: netaudr@abc.com, culturalissues@family.org
So, Mr. Shaiman wanted to air a song on the Oscars lampooning Dr. James Dobson? Has Mr. Shaiman ever read the transcripts of what Dr. Dobson really said, and which has been misquoted all over the media?
Dr. Dobson did not question Sponge Bob's sexual preferences. The comments he made questioned the goals of the company that put out the video, to be shown in hundreds of schools across America.
Please allow me to make three points:
First, the company that made the video has a homosexual agenda. That information appeared on their website until the publicity hit the fan, then everything that mentioned homosexuality was quickly removed. Doesn't that raise red flags in your mind? If they had nothing to hide, why hide it?
Second, those folks who consider themselves conservative are often accused of being homophobes. I believe that is a label attached to a group unnecessarily. Not liking a kind of behavior does not make one afraid of the behavior. To use a word that is not popular or acknowledged in Hollywood, homosexuality is a sin. Is it the worst sin ever? No. The Bible (another unpopular word in Hollywood) tells us that all sins are equal. Lying is just as much a sin as homosexuality, as is living together without being married, as is adultery, you get the point. This is God's rule, not mine. What concerns conservatives is that homosexuals seem to be the only group that promotes and encourages sin that has a political agenda. Liars and adulterers don't have lobbyists trying to influence government to think their way or give them medical insurance. Fornicators and murderers aren't trying to press their agenda in public schools. Thieves and those who swear don't make TV shows for the purpose of getting us to buy into their lifestyle. The emergence of conservatives speaking up is because the homosexual organizations have made it a point to be in our faces, and to encourage our children to embrace their lifestyle. What people do in their private lives should be left private, they should not become a political noise-making machine to try to get others to reward them for their behavior.
And finally, as a school teacher, I can tell you that films such as this do a great deal to damage education in America. Teachers do not have enough time to teach children what is important - reading, math, science, history, writing skills. They are constantly bombarded with intentions to teach things they should not have to teach - primarily political correctness - a term I will let speak for itself. Our children's education is suffering
because politics is getting in the way.
Freedom of speech does not mean that if someone wants to speak, that the rest of us have to listen. The Academy Awards is meant to honor the film industry. To celebrate the movies and the people who make them. It is not intended to be a soapbox for someone with a bee in their bonnet. By having Robin Williams refrain from performing Marc Shaiman's song, ABC wasn't practicing political censorship, it was simply sticking to the script -celebrating movies. To accuse them of censorship is simply ridiculous.
Sincerely,
Kathy Mack
Here is my response
Dear Ms. Mack,
Thank you for being concerned enough to write me. I am sincerely humbled by anyone in the teaching profession, which is, to me, the noblest of work.
I would like to correct a few misconceptions you have, and then pose a few questions.
Firstly, as we all know, what is written in the press is not always perfectly correct. In this case, for instance, some reports regrettably left out the name of my co-lyricist Scott Wittman. Not only is this sloppy, it causes a lot of grief for me at home, since Scott and I are also domestic partners (25 years and counting!). Since you are a firm believer in strong values and happy marriages, I know you can relate.
Also, I very much agree with your frustration at the word homophobe constantly being thrown about. I agree with you 100%, it is not always about fear, it is just as often simply about hate and disgust. Fair enough!
Kathy, this year SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS starred in a feature film. Our piece was about movie CARTOON characters (not to mention film makers rights to express themselves) so, it's inclusion on The Oscars made perfect sense. Not to mention it was very entertaining and fast paced, which anyone, regardless of religious background, would be glad to hear about ANYTHING having to do with the Academy Awards presentation!
If ABC had allowed what we wrote to air, our routine would have clearly stated that Dr. Dobson's problem was that SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS (who, besides being a CARTOON) was featured in a video promoting tolerance. Oh my!
Which is hardly a sin, at least in MY book.
Speaking of sins and books, you (and many, many others) seem to feel The Bible is the last word in how everyone else should live their life, even (it would seem) the billions of people on the planet with different beliefs. (I, for one, am Jewish.)
A few years back, when “Dr.” Laura spoke of sin, I was sent some question someone wrote her about The Bible. Since I had often wondered why I, a happy homosexual, was considered "an abomination" (as Leviticus 18:22 clearly states me to be), I saved his questions. Perhaps you can help me and the countless others with some answers.
1. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Lev.1:9). The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in (Exodus 21:7). In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness (Lev.15:19-24). The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.
4. (Lev. 25:44) states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?
5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. (Exodus 35:2) clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?
6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination (Lev. 11:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?
7. (Lev. 21:20) states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?
8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by (Lev.19:27). How should they die?
9. I know from (Lev.11:6- that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?
10. My uncle has a farm. He violates (Lev. 19:19) by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? (Lev.24:10-16) Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)
If you have studied these things extensively, I am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding me that God's word is eternal and unchanging.
Marc Shaiman
Mar. 11th, 2005 @ 05:39 pm
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Can I tell you how much I HATE that damn Burger King - Bacon Crisp Cheddar Ranch commercial?
Make it stop, please!
Mar. 8th, 2005 @ 05:34 pm
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And the nerve-wracking wait continues...
Feb. 9th, 2005 @ 02:37 pm
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Alright, who let the homos get to the CD player in the Wardrobe building?
Walking out of work today, what else is blaring but "Defying Gravity." Poor Idina Menzel... screeching at the top of her lungs and me the only one appreciating it.
This of course, was quickly followed by "Welcome to the 60's." Which is appropriate what with the Hairspary tour having just passed through... BTW, great cast... except for the understudy who played Edna. Atrocious. Not funny, couldn't sing, etc. etc. I personally know several fat men who could've played the part much better.
But yeah... the choice of music was a little different. Not that I'm complaining.
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By the way - Grinchmas OVER. Thank the sweet wounded Jesus. Worked WAAAAY too much, but did some awesome stuff. At the two year mark, you really really REALLY start hating that make-up.
I'm giving it this week before I officially give up on being called for anything else though. I've given up on even hoping at this point - Grinchmas seems to be a lock for me every year now, but I'll be damned if I ever even do the tiniest thing outside of that one month.
Had a pretty damn good Sea World audition, but got cut during the last round due to my inability to quickly pick up on movement choreography. :( Oh well - at least I made it farther than a lot of other people.
Jan. 30th, 2005 @ 02:57 am
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Grinchmas is kicking my ass right now. I think it was easier last year because i was eased into it.... ranked low, scheduled part-time, and eventually just picked up tons of shifts until the end where I was scheduled a lot. This year, I'm full-time+ from the get-go, and generally put in more hours than anybody else. And there's still three more weeks! Woohoo!
54 hours this week. 44 scheduled next... and it's just gonna get worse. Did I mention I'm working Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Ever AND New Year's Day? :p
It's not the work... of which there is very very little - but the make-up and long hours are tough. On the upside, I'm gonna have massive paychecks - huzzah!
Did some interesting stuff lately. Did an event at the Latin Quarter in CityWalk for Universal's marketing staff - the mix and mingling stuff was fine and a lot of nice stuff came out of it - but I also had to introduce the VP of Marketing... which was only okay, since I had to go by a script which I hadn't really had the time to memorize... would've much rather have just improv'd the whole thing, but couldn't since the script had to be approved beforehand. Regardless, it came off okay - but the people were really more interested in their food anyway and the fun was messing with people on the floor.
The coolest thing so far, however, was a rather impromptu publicity photo shoot I did last week with Bill Rancic who won The Apprentice last year. Was told it will hopefully be in People magazine - which would be really cool. Needless to say, got an extra hour of work and a publicity fee out of it just for taking 15 minutes out of one of my breaks. Fun stuff.
Dec. 18th, 2004 @ 12:41 pm
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First full week of Grinchmas and I've got 43 hours! Yaaaahooo!
Oh, and a special event where I have to introduce Universal's Vice-President of Sales and Marketing. Now I've got to come up with some sort of "Grinch rhyme" and have it approved... I think I know what I'll be doing with my 9 hours of down-time during opening day tommorrow.
Dec. 9th, 2004 @ 11:41 pm
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