Gags and Swag

We just finished up our first week of rehearsals for the new show. So far we've put a few new scenes in the show, but all are still very loose and improvised. This weekend we'll be rotating different scenes into those slots. I think it's quite a challenge to more or less improvise a scene that the audience doesn't know is improvised; chances are it's going to be a little sloppy and repetitive, but if you can get a good reaction with the general premise and a few funny lines, chances are you've got the beginnings of a strong scene. So far the scenes we've tried out are Smoking, Cry, and Reading, and tonight we're trying Medical Actors.

I watched the Golden Globes on Monday (thank you Hollywood Foreign Press for validating my love of Grey's Anatomy, and thank you Isaiah Washington for your unquenchable urge to say the word "faggot"), the highlight of which was Arnold Schwarzenegger reading the list of best picture nominees. "Babel. Bobby..." With awards season starting, play the game I do where I count how many news stories pop up about celebrity gift bags. A $35,000 ruby-encrusted Palm Treo! Just what Joaquin Phoenix wanted!

Something everyone should be worrying about

I'm getting a little concerned about who is going to replace Bob Barker on The Price is Right when he retires later this year. I used to think that the show would end when he left. One of the things that fascinates me about the show is the fact that it has made virtually no technological improvements in the 30 years I've watched it. Bob still uses that long skinny microphone with a long cord attached, and I'd like to think that one day he was offered a new, cordless mic and he refused. The fact that "Barker's Beauties" still exist is proof that political correctness hasn't completely brainwashed our society, and I think it allowed the folks at Deal or No Deal to figure it would be pretty ok to have 25 or however many identically dressed models holding briefcases.

Anyway, I've heard that Rosie O'Donnell is gunning for the TPIR job, and even has something in her View contract to let her take the job if she gets it. That would be horrible. There just aren't a lot of the old-school type game show hosts left. That being said, my vote goes to Tom Bergeron. I think he's a decent host and already has a public following. Well, following may be the wrong word, but people know who he is. I don't think anyone is tuning into any of the shows he hosts because they're following his career. But that's the challenge of a good host I think - not being oppressive and letting the game be the main event, but still having enough of your personality come through that people like me worry about what will happen to your show when you leave.

Catching up

Ok, ok. I'm back. Leave it to me to make a resolution to write more and end up writing less. Well, let's move on.

I do believe this blog is celebrating its 2-year anniversary some time around now. Please, no gifts.

My big Second City news right now is that we're going into a new rehearsal process on Tuesday the 16th. We'll have 2 new cast members: Brad Morris, who understudies a lot for us and has been in the touring company for a couple of years now, and Amber Ruffin, who just wrapped up a long run with the now-defunct Second City Denver. So we're down to 2 women, which I think is frustrating to women who aren't on a stage, but kind of great for Amber and myself. I know that when I was touring and even before that I was always disappointed when the casts on the stages were 4 men 2 women, but I really believe you have to pick the person who best fits the spot, regardless of gender. A couple of years ago there was - briefly - a 4 woman 2 man cast on the ETC, but when one of the women quit they replaced her with a man. Anyway, from my standpoint it's beneficial because I think it will give me a chance to do more in the show. So I better not blow it.

In Erdmania TV news, I've become a huge fan of Grey's Anatomy. I know. I whipped through the first 2 season through itunes and Netflix, and I'm waiting for the 3rd (current) season to come out on DVD and hopefully watch the whole season this summer before season 4 in the fall. I'd say it's a guilty pleasure, but in a way I guess most TV is a guilty pleasure. It's not like my Tivo is full of Meet the Press and things like that.