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AnimateTed's LiveJournal:
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| Thursday, November 16th, 2006 | | 3:17 pm |
... And I am Telling YOU!!!!!!!
... this movie is amazing. Plain and simple. I first saw an amateur production of Dreamgirls in high school. I was maybe about 16, and certainly no where near the closet door (much less out of it). But that show gave me a shot of aDRAGaline right in the arm. The said arm of which began to outstretch, fingers delicately gesturing a motion of " Move Right Out of My Life" and thus began my love affair with this story. There is a movie from the early 80's called Sparkle (staring a fabulous Irene Cara) that does it's best to emulate the 60's girl group struggle, while never giving us the emotional hook of Dreamgirls. I have since seen about 9 productions of Dreamgirls since then, and every time, I'm always amazed how much that song (you know the song... the one you wont get out of your head after you see it)moves me every time. When I was watching the 3rd season of American Idol, in my living room with Larry, Mandel and some friends, Mandel and I had the same idea - if they ever did a film version of Dreamgirls, Jennifer Hudson would make a great Effie. I'm so glad God heard us. (Little known fact... God is a big musical theater queen!) Effie is a slightly plump, easily agitated but feverishly loyal player in an early 60's girl troika that is asked to sing backup (from lead) to the more beautiful, but less talented Deena, her childhood friend. She does it for the good of the group... but is slowly tortured as Deena rises to the top, and the the object of Effie's man's affection, and Effie is shown the door. The lives of these girls are documented from the breakthrough of Motown through the early pulse of Disco. And along the way you tap your feet to the heartbreak, the drama, and the joys of the characters this girl group touches. So, thanks to my friend Kyle (who is close with the director of the film, Bill Condon) we saw the first public screening of the final film last night at the Motion Picture Academy Theater in Beverly Hills. It was a homo-palooza as media 'mos (and their boyfriends) showed up with skeptical eyes to see for certain if the film was actually worthy of all the buzz. And I can type honestly... its not. It's worth a thousand times more. because while everyone is hailing Hudson's debut performance, and Eddie Murphy's career revitalizing turn.. the movie is so much more than that. Bill Condon has made (even better than he did with Chicago) a musical that is relevant and entertaining for an amazingly wide audience. But it's the level of detail that goes in to each and every shot of this film that subconsciously flavors your opinion of this movie. Take away all the glitz and the hoopla, and you've still got a gorgeously shot, brilliantly directed tour through time. Add in the amazing songs by Tom Eyen and Henry Krieger (Including a slew of new material seamlessly integrated specifically for the film) the beautiful score by Headwig composer Stephen Trask and the decade defining costumes by Sharen Davis and you're getting an artistically triumphant testament to the era. But then, at some point, you have to talk about the cast. And really... here's whats gonna make this movie(and it's new star) a phenomenon. When you have the bones of a great piece like you do with Dreamgirls, and you layer on all the meat from the technical and artistic teams, you get something substantial and real. And then you cast it, and you give it a gorgeous and attractive shell. And that is why I say that this movie has it all. From the big name heavy hitters like Jamie Foxx (who took a huge paycut after his Oscar winning role in Ray, and his blockbuster bomb Miami Vice)to the questionable pop stars like Beyonce (who's life, mirrors art, mirrors life connection to this piece gives her such a foothold on the character that you cannot really imagine anyone else playing her part.) you have a cast that not only connects with the material, but conveys the material to an audience that then connects with them. Sounds like a simple task.. but how many actors REALLY accomplish that!? Anika Noni-Rose is a name to us Broadway people that we are finally happy will be known to many (though her characters BIG, defining song was unceremoniously cut from the film, she is given a piece of new material that is kind of like a Marvin Gaye/Tami Tyrell song with Eddie Murphy that is beautiful and stays with you.) I'm calling it today... November 15th 2006. Eddie Murphy WILL get an Oscar nomination for his role as James Thunder Early (a tragic soul singer a'la James Brown on his way up... and his way down). He may even get the statue if the academy members can see this for the career defining role that it is. His vocal performance will make you completely forget about " My Girl Wants To Party All The Time" and make you beg for him to cut an album of material inspired by his role in Dreamgirls. He is dynamic, and powerful, and so much of the struggle of the girls comes from his presence. He is reason enough to see this movie, just to see the range of a performer that most of us had written off after The Adventures of Pluto Nash. This is a vehicle for him that reminds you that.. yes.. he is in fact a LEGENDARY comedian... but a talented actor as well. And then.. there's Miss Hudson. I have never experienced a mid-film ovation before. You know... a breath in the middle of a film that stops the show and forces the audience to erupt in applause and audible appreciation. Let me tell you, having now experienced that, all other movies SUUUUUUUCK! She will knock you on your ASS people. Not just in her singing, not just in her sass; but also in her sadness, her sensitivity, her soul. I defy anyone to see this film and not be broken hearted at her plight. This film is hers. Signed, sealed, delivered. I beg Dreamworks and Paramount to push for her nomination under the Best Supporting Actress category. Not because I want here relegated to the back of the bus... but because she'll win. I don't want her to compete against Helen Mirren, or Meryl Streep. I want her to win the damn Oscar. I can't thank Kyle enough for bringing me to this last night. This movie was a dream come true (I swear that there was absolutely no pun intended there). It was a dream for Bill condon and his team of talented creatives. It was a dream for the cast to be part of a film that will have a lasting influence of cinema history... but personally it was a dream for that little gay kid in Philly who first heard " One Night Only" and choreograhed an entire number to it with his She-Ra figures.  | | Friday, May 19th, 2006 | | 7:00 pm |
A Long overdue update...
So yeah.. where to begin? Um.. I got a promotion! Yep, after 6 years of grinding away at the mouse house, I've landed my dream job. I'm the new manager of development for all Disney television animation. That includes all the comedy and family stuff on Disney Channel, as well as all the new action-adventure properties on JETIX. It really is the perfect job for me. I get to meet new artists, writers, actors, and creators. I get to develop ideas for shows that I'm actually passionate about. Don't get me wrong... there was something appealing about working on heritage properties like Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and the upcoming My Friends Tigger and Pooh. But I live cartoons, action and comedy. And Disney Channel is entering a revival of solid TV animation in the upcoming years. The Emperors New School is already a critical and ratings success, and there's only more good stuff coming down the pike. I am really, genuinely excited about all of the new properties in the works, and am THRILLED that I'm going to have a hand in their creation. I'm also excited to finally be in a position to help my creative friends get seen by people who can actually make their dreams happen. So the next question people ask when I tell them about this is "will I be able to develop my own ideas?" And the answer is yes and no. Yes... I can always develop my own ideas. But I can't pitch them anywhere else but here. And if I did pitch them here, well.. then... they're part of my contract and my term of employment which means no additional monies. BUT, if a show that I develop is for a business unit that the Walt Disney company does not have a vested interest in (namely adult themed animation) then I can pitch it to a network that can option it, outside of work. It's complicated, and honestly, it's not really a priority of mine right now. I'm so excited about my new job, that I can sit on my ideas for a while and wait until I feel that the time is right. One of the perks about the new job is a greater sense of authority that I have. You know... the only manager of Disney Television Animation development can do a lot of things at the company. Like... walk on closed sets for example and take pictures with guest stars!!! ![]() http://photos.friendster.com/photos/25/84/354852/27527624855144l.jpg I also get to check out new stuff before the general public, like CARS and Pirates 2. All that shit is like gold for a guy like me... a big dork who really truly loves the company he works for. As Tim says " I drank the Kool-Aid." Ahhh Tim. I'm gonna miss him. You see one of the best things about this past year, was having Tim as our neighbor. It was awesome. Now, sitting outside on the Lenai, chatting around the fire... it's just awesome. I'm really going to miss that... when we MOVE IN TO OUR NEW HOUSE! Yes, Larry and I made an offer on a house, a mere two blocks from the Blix place, and they accepted. This will mean a major lifestyle change. No more big DVD tuesdays... the wednesday comic book budget is gone, action figures are luxuries that homeowners cannot afford. OH BUT THIS PLACE! It's AWESOME. It's the perfect house for the two of us. Right now it needs a good landscaper, and our plan is to put in a pool before next spring. But the interior is awesome. 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, state-of-the-art kitchen, living room, dining room, conservatory, office, and A TON OF CLOSET SPACE! And it has the single biggest back yard I've ever seen since living in LA. (Not counting Michele Phillips house). We're turning the page on a new chapter in the book of Ted and Larry. so far, I like how the book is going. I hope it has a happy ending. I can't wait to have you all over for a FAAAABULOUS party. So then next weekend is the big goodbye/memorial day blitz on Blix. | | Friday, March 24th, 2006 | | 10:24 am |
CRAZY with a Z!
 Do you ever wonder how many living legends there are? Or what constitutes a “legend?” Last night… amidst a who’s who of has beens, I saw the personification of legend. And it is spelled L-I-Z-A. At the Wadsworth Theater in West LA, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences presented a digital restoration of the very first concert filmed for television, 1972’s Liza with a Z. It starred, of course, Liza Minelli, fresh off of her Oscar winning turn in Cabaret. It was directed by Bob Fosse with new material written by Kander and Ebb, costumes by Halston, and conducted by Marvin Hamlish. I mean… at the time… you couldn’t get any better than this. When we got there, the line extended around the block. Thanks to Mark and Darren we managed to cut the line. Then thanks to Christie, who bullied her way down the front, we managed to snag seats 5 rows from the stage, dead center. Sitting among the “isn’t shes” and “remember hims” was trhilling for a big fan of human trainwrecks like myself. Though seeing Rip Taylor running down the isle, taking pictures of Nia Vardalos and Florence Henderson, didn’t help remove the big smell of lunacy from Liza’s recent tabloid persona… the art spoke for itself. And that’s what it was… a night of art. Seeing Liza with a Z really reminds you WHY she is a superstar. Not because she’s Judy Garland’s daughter. Hell, Lorna (who was also there last night) is Judy’s daughter too, but Liza is an entity. She may have surpassed her mother in camp iconography. For you see, while Judy had her share of tragedy, it ended swiftly and solemnly. Liza exists through her misfortunes, rises above them, makes fun of them, and then tries to sing. THAT is a camp icon ladies and gentlemen. After the screening, John Stamos (yeah we don’t know either) hosted a Q&A with the producers, cinematographers, and restoration experts about the film… and Liza, well she was there to just be her loveable crazy self. And crazy she is. She feigns sincerity, and pretends intimacy, all while being truly scripted and on display. But you know what that is? That’s being a consummate performer. She made us feel welcome. She made us feel special, like we were a part of her life, if only for a moment. And what a moment! As the panel began to exit, John stopped Liza and (scripted, scripted, scripted) asked her to sing. How convenient that there was a piano on the stage, and her accompanist was within earshot of an intro. She doesn’t have the voice anymore, sadly. But her presence is as commanding as always. She’s still wity, she’s still charming… and she’s still crazy… with a Z!  | | Friday, February 10th, 2006 | | 3:43 pm |
| | Saturday, December 24th, 2005 | | 10:07 pm |
Oh The Weather Outside is Frightfull....
... The inside ain't much better.
There's an old adage that says that you can never go home. Well... you can go home... but the real question is - WHY!?! I've learned a little about myself since coming home to Philly to spend Christmas with the parents. I've learned that I'm not the boy who grew up in that rowhouse on "Eight" street. It's a good thing too, since that rowhouse doesn't belong to my family anymore. I understand why my parents sold their house... but it's weird to see the shutters that I put up, still in the front window of that house. The vestibule still has the ivy that I painted on it's walls. And the solid cherrywood wheelchair ramp that was built for my dad... is still out front, though not used for a wheelchair anymore. So walking past that place that I called home for 24 years induces a very different feeling than it did before I moved to California.
I, now, also see with open eyes that Philadelphians are fucking weird. They're fat. They're rude. They ALL SMOKE!!! They all do things the hard way. And they get upset, almost indignant, when you try to help them do something easier. Then they brush you off and patronizingly tell you that "yoowz jist doownt undeztayndh" They say that I'm weird because I defected to a state that makes sense. They say I talk funny now, because my accent is barely noticeable. I don't say "Kin I Tayke Yooouir Kaauweet." I say... "Can I take Your Coat" like a normal person.
This trip home seemed to be more drama than necessary from the start. I decided to surprise my parents by coming in a few days earlier than expected. For them... Please understand my visit was stricktly for THEM. Well... my flight was an hour and a half late, which caused me to miss my connection, and kept me in Atlanta for a few extra hours. I decided that I would NEVER be able to stay with my parents. The smoke in that small apartment would send me to the Chemo ward in 72 hours. So I decided to stay at this cute little Inn in Center City... where there are more normal people than South Philly.
So here I am, on Christmas Eve, in the internet room of this hotel... bored, and alone. Tragic huh? Some friends flaked on me last night... forcing me to walk the streets alone. Fortunatley, I stumbled upon a local production of Dreamgirls... and like an oasis in the desert... I got some much needed culture. (Well culture that doesn't involve the Eagles or the Mummers). But then... it was back to the hotel room, where VH1 was my only friend.
This morning. I walked around Center City and had coffee in Rittenhouse Square while I read. Thankfully the weather got considerably warmer! Then it was back through the wormhole and into South Philly for Christmas Eve dinner. My mom made reservations at "Mamma Maria's" because my mother didn't feel like cooking. So after a fight because my father couldn't find his watch... it was in the car and off to Passyunk Ave. Then after a fight to find parking we went inside.
I swear this place was someone's house... that they turned into a restaurant. It looks like someone's living room. Complete with red velvet curtains and paintings of the family members. The waitress... ChrisAnne... tells us that "I'll be bringing out a plate of cold seafood antipaste, then a bowl of mamma's chestnut soup, followed by seafood pasta, then the entree - a traditional Italian 7 fish dinner. My mother looked like she was gonna vomit. I mean... she likes shrimp and crab and thats it. When they brought the "antipaste" it had both octopus AND squid! LOL! I eat alot of things.. but this even tested my mettel. The chestnut soup was fantastic.. and I got the recipe. It really was amazing. The entre was unreal... 1. stuffed clam. 2. Broiled Tuna with white wine and mushroom sauce. 3. Baked salmon with tomoatoes. 4. whitefish with spinach. 5. baked smelts. 6. scallops with stringbeans and 7. Grilled squid. I enjoyed most of it... but my mother wasn't thrilled. Then they brought around a mountain of dessert, coffee, and liqours. Finally, after another fight about my dad drinking too much of the liqours... we went to pay the bill. My mother was under the assumption that it was 29.99 a head. Well... I don't know where she got that NUMBER. Because it was 69.99 a HEAD!!! Yeah... you read that right.
Now my mother's really sick. She told me that none of us are allowed to shit for 24 hours- just to make sure she got her money's worth! It was good... but not 69.99 good. So then I drove them home (Yeah, I drive when I'm here... I'm a nervous wreck when my mother drives). And then I opened some presents. My dad gave me a hundred bucks... which I subsequently spent in my head. My mom got me some cute little nick nacks and do dads... and some cute shirts. And one... um... REALLY GAY one. I told her that it was the gayest shirt I had ever seen... EVER. People... it's black with rainbow colored polkadots. I swear to God. She laughed and told me she'd return it. And told her no way! I had to bring that back to LA, because no one would believe me. I'm going shopping at H&M on Monday with her... I'll get nice things then. (They'll probably still be pretty gay though).
But even though my trip is not over yet... my mind is at Philly airport. It's at the Delta terminal and so ready to come back to the warm loving glow of LA and all of my friends. I realize - this is my family. These are the people that I have surrounded myself with to represent all of the aspects I love about myself, and all of the things I aspire to be. My friends fill in all of the holes that my family leave. And while this entry sounds like I do not love my family.... that couldn't be further from the truth. For the real Christmas miracle is that I do LOVE them, despite all of the minor catastrophes they generously provide. | | Thursday, December 8th, 2005 | | 5:06 pm |
The Sermon on the Gay Mountain
Well this weekend, my personality comes full circle as two highly anticipated films make their debut that sum me up pretty well.
Yep, I'm a British, gay, cowboy, with religious subtext.
The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe opens on Friday, I saw it about a month ago through work... ahhh Corporate synergy! It was one of those things where I heard they were doing a screening for the big upity ups... and I found out who was organizing it, looked them up on the employee directory, put on my telephone voice and said " Hi__________________, I heard there was a screening of Narnia this Wednesday, you know, we in Playhouse Disney are currently looking for ways to incorporate moderate spirituality into our programming. I'd love for myself or other representatives from my development team to go to the screening and see how the filmmakers accomplished this."
Heheheheh... I was put on the guest list! :-D
So the movie was delightful. Was it as good as the Best Lord of the Rings? No. Was it as good as the worst Lord of the Rings? No. Was it better than I thought it would be... Absolutely. I called it the Passion of the Lion King. And I got more teary when Aslan died than when the beat Jim Caviezel to hamburger for half an hour. I was more spiritually inspired by the courage of little Lucy than I was by Mary looking the androgynous devil in the eyes while her son was... as usual... being flogged.
This film may be criticized for wearing it's allegory on it's sleve. eh... So what? It balances the metaphor well. I didn't feel it was heavy handed at all... and I'm a bit of a biblical know-it-all (2 years dating the son of a Pentecostal minister will do that to you). Most of America won't know thier being religiously mind wiped. The rest of them will sit with smug self satisfaction that really is harmless to the rest of us. And the kids will like the talking animals (heheh... I like talking animals!)
Disney's El Capitain theater always does a song and a dance to sell their 22.00 tickets (literally.. they usually open with a song and a dance!). For Narnia, they've coated the entire theater in polystyrene and made it look like it had been frozen over (we call it the Eisner years).
HOWEVER... Gay Cowboys are the "it" gift this holiday season. So if you know some chaps lovin', saddle ridin', spur spinnin' hombre, try squeezing him in a box and putting him under our tree. ESPECIALLY if he looks like Jake Gyllenhall. If you can't do that... then how bout rustlin' up and seeing Brokeback Mountain this weekend at the Arclight?
My friend Dave wrote an EXCELLENT commentary of the film's prospective heterosexual audience reaction... enjoy it here...
I haven't seen it yet... but EAGERLY anticipate it! | | 5:06 pm |
The Sermon on the Gay Mountain
Well this weekend, my personality comes full circle as two highly anticipated films make their debut that sum me up pretty well.
Yep, I'm a British, gay, cowboy, with religious subtext.
The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe opens on Friday, I saw it about a month ago through work... ahhh Corporate synergy! It was one of those things where I heard they were doing a screening for the big upity ups... and I found out who was organizing it, looked them up on the employee directory, put on my telephone voice and said " Hi__________________, I heard there was a screening of Narnia this Wednesday, you know, we in Playhouse Disney are currently looking for ways to incoporate moderate spirituality into our programming. I'd love for myself or other representatives from my development team to go to the screening and see how the filmmakers acomplished this."
Heheheheh... I was put on the guest list! :-D
So the movie was delightful. Was it as good as the Best Lord of the Rings? No. Was it as good as the worst Lord of the Rings? No. Was it better than I thought it would be... Absolutely. I called it the Passion of the Lion King. And I got more teary when Aslan died than when the beat Jim Caviezel to hamburger for half an hour. I was more spiritually inspired by the courage of little Lucy than I was by Mary looking the androgeounes devil in the eyes while her son was... as usual... being flogged.
This film may be criticized for wearing it's allegory on it's sleve. eh... So what? It balances the metaphor well. I didn't feel it was heavy handed at all... and I'm a bit of a biblical know-it-all (2 years dating the son of a Pentecostal minister will do that to you). Most of America won't know thier being religiously mind wiped. The rest of them will sit with smug self satisfaction that really is harmless to the rest of us. And the kids will like the talking animals (heheh... I like talking animals!)
Disney's El Capitain theater always does a song and a dance to sell their 22.00 tickets (literally.. they usually open with a song and a dance!). For Narnia, they've coated the entire theater in polystyrene and made it look like it had been frozen over (we call it the Eisner years).
HOWEVER... Gay Cowboys are the "it" gift this holiday season. So if you know some chaps lovin', saddle ridin', spur spinnin' hombre, try squeezing him in a box and putting him under our tree. ESPECIALLY if he looks like Jake Gyllenhall. If you can't do that... then how bout rustlin' up and seeing Brokeback Mountain this weekend at the Arclight?
My friend Dave wrote an EXCELLENT comentary of the film's prospective heterosexual audience reaction... enjoy it here...
I haven't seen it yet... but EAGERLY anticipate it! | | Tuesday, November 22nd, 2005 | | 1:40 pm |
X Marks the Spot - NOT!!!
It hurts. It really hurts. You think you've done EVERYTHING RIGHT! And it all backfires. Last year... about 2 weeks before Christmas I was like a desperate hyena, searching for a last piece of meat. I had committed myself to finding Larry a Nintendo DS for Christmas. And it was daunting. I wound up paying double the retail price for it, just so he could have it before Christmas. Well... as much as I hate Microsoft and the unholy darkness that runs it, Larry truly wanted the new X-Box 360. The "next generation" console that will revolutionize the gaming industry (that is, until Sony's Playstation 3 and the Nintendo Revolution enter the fray). So I did what any smart shopper would do... I PRE-ORDERED my X-Box! Back in early September... I put a deposit on the DELUX X-Box package with hard drive, wireless controler and a whole bunch of other overpriced goodies. So... I MENTION to Larry, that he's getting an X-Box for christmas, and he goes all crazy excited, starts buying games, and accessories etc... So He asks if he can have it when it comes out instead of waiting for Christmas... and I reluctantly agree. (I really can't say No to him). Well now he takes the ball into his own hands and calls the store to make sure we're getting one... only to find out... NO WE'RE NOT! Apparently Microsoft cut the initial distribution from one million to a mere four hundred thousand. Which means if I wasn't one of the first 12 people at the store I preordered it... then I'm screwed. They said I maaay be in the second shipment, but more than likely, the third. :-( This broke my heart. Not that I care about X-Boxes or that such nonsense.. but because Larry was looking forward to it so much. But you couldn't get through this post and think that for one second I didn't have anything offensive to say did you? WELL... WHAT REALLY PISSES ME OFF ARE ALL THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS THAT LINED UP OUTSIDE BEST BUY SINCE YESTERDAY AFTERNOON! DON'T THESE BASTARDS HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THEIR LIVES?!! FIND A GONDAMNED FUCKING PURPOSE YOU LAZY, GREASY SONSABITCHES!!! | | Tuesday, October 18th, 2005 | | 12:27 pm |
MY... MOUTH!!!!
Early this month I went to the doctor. Now, I have an "east coast stomach." That means all of my anxiety, stress, and excitement manifests in a ridiculously weak tummy and some pretty unbearable heart burn. So I went to the Dr. seeking a little relief. I was tired of waking up in the middle of the night and having to take two tums to get back to sleep. He prescribed something called Aciphex. And like the pronunciation would imply (Ass effects) it had a few side effects. Most notably diarrhea. FLOODULOUS diarrhea. Which I was told would subside in a few days. And it did... Ahhhhhhh But then... I woke up one morning... and I had a little sore on my lip. Kinda like a chancer sore. Interesting. I never get those... and if I do... they're small and on the inside of my mouth. By 11 AM I had two more on my mouth. By 4 PM, my mouth had erupted in them. And By 8PM I had a 102 degree fever, and glands so swollen that my face was deformed. I called my doctor who told me that I contracted some sort of virus. He put me on vitamins and bed rest. I was a complete emotional wreck... and the only way I could calm myself was to try to look up my symptoms on the internet. NEVER DO THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I repeat.... NEVER LOOK UP YOUR SYMPTOMS ON THE INTERNET!!!! According to most medical sites... I had everything from lymphatic cancer to advanced HIV. And being the east coast neurotic that I am... I start freaking out. I start going over in my head how could any of that happen. Nothing makes sense... I go into a complete emotional breakdown... and then go back to the doctor. Who gives me the whole gamut of blood tests. Never once telling me that any of these symptoms could have been brought on by the new stomach medicine. WHICH, after all of the blood tests came back completely fine and I looked at the side effects of the drug: Severe mouth ulceration, Lymphogluycadayada-yada, fevers, body aches, sweating. Everything that was going on with me. Which my doctor failed to acknowledge as a possibility. After I stopped taking the medicine, everything went away in 5 days. Hmmmm Some virus! Needless to say... I think it's time for a new doctor. | | Tuesday, September 13th, 2005 | | 6:00 pm |
Don't Touch That Dial!!!
When We last left our heroes, the insurmountable enemy known as the Customer Service Rep had appeared to have gained the upper hand...
"Hello Philips home repair, this is Emily how may I help you?" said the rather pleasant sounding woman on the line. "Hello Emily, my name is Larry Lawrence, Last week a Philips licensed repair man came to my house, took my non-working television, and this afternoon told me (When I called him, mind you) that the TV was now UNFIXABLE, and that I am to call Philips and let you know. That's right.. he told ME to call Philips. Strange huh?" I replied.
"Yes sir... how long has he had the TV?" "About a week." "I see... and he told you to call us... that's not the proper procedure. IF the TV really is unfixable, which I don't think he'd be able to discover after only having it for a week, he is supposed to let his district manager know, so that we can begin the process for getting you a replacement. Let me contact him and I'll get back to you." she said with sincerity in her voice... such a rarity. "Thank you, I replied... exasperated and distraught."
"Just let me warn you though... he doesn't speak English very well and is rather old and cantankerous." She asked if he was Hispanic, and told me that they had people who could converse with him, but I told her that he was Baltic or something.
She called me back... Just like she said she would!!!! "Mr.. Lawrence, this man will probably lose his license with Philips. He is rude and obnoxious. I'm going to get in touch with his supervisor and get back to you." WOW... for the first time it sounded like someone was on our side. She mentioned that she'd call me in 3-5 days... well, the the 6th day I get a call from Best Buy home service follow-up, asking how everything went and if we were satisfied.
That was it. I was done. I called Best Buy and I was an animal. I was determined, forceful, demanding and resilient. And I finally got someone who empathized with our plight. Someone who had also been without a TV for over a month, Someone, who also couldn't take a TV off the wall herself. She Said that she was going to call the service center and find out what was going on. She called back within 10 minutes also exasperated, angry, and livid. She told me that she instructed Balian, the repair man, to return the TV to us. He then told her... "They can come get it"
She said "OH NO THEY WONT - YOU WILL DELIVER THEIR TV AND YOU WILL DO IT TOMORROW!" And he did. at 6 PM He showed up in his creepy white van.. and, with Leland's help, we brought the non-working TV back into the home it left 30 days before. Only now... we had instructions from this angel of Best Buy... Melissa... to return it to the store... and just get a new one. Wait.. it's that easy?!?! WHAT THE HELL?!?!? Why did we go through all of that?! Why didn't someone tell us to do that in the first place?
With our armada of fabulousness, Tony, Tim, Larry, Me and Leland... we arrived at Best Buy 25 minutes before they closed. Larry, assumed the role of ... himself... still fresh in his suit from a long day of lawyering. He entered the store. I waited in the fire lane of Best Buy... with my hatch back open, waiting for someone to come get the TV. A pleasant looking lesbian came out... inspected the TV... and returned into the store, where I assume Larry laid it on thick. Somehow, the lesbian responded!
She agreed to take back the TV, replace it with a new one... including free delivery... and free - re-installation... AND She knocked a grand off the price of the TV! Sigh.
The moral of this story... have an angry straight woman and a pleasant lesbian on your side at all times.
And the Grand return of TV Night - 8PM - So You Think You Can Dance. >sigh< just hold tight that LOST and Americas Next Top Model (in High Def) will resume soon!!!!
This Sunday night, some of us will be at the Emmy Red Carpet, so if Mandel is doing Emmys.. we'll try to wave!
| | Tuesday, August 30th, 2005 | | 2:29 pm |
It only gets worse...
... The TV is officially unfixable. On the phone with Philips now. They have no record of our case. I am going to loose my mind. | | Friday, August 26th, 2005 | | 5:00 pm |
Customer Skirmish Representatives
This past week and a half have been absolutely maddening for me. I don't know if I told you, but Larry bought a new TV. A very expensive 50" HD plasma screen TV with Ambi-light from Best Buy. We had it professionally mounted on the wall, and paid the extra $400 for the full parts and labor warranty for 4 years. But since we purchased this electronic device while Mercury was in retrograde, we were destined to have issues with it. Lo and behold, less than 30 days later, the TV begins to flicker. We tried to find out exactly what was causing it.. Could it be the automatic aspect ratio transitions? Could it be the subtitles on the screen? Perhaps the audio input to the stereo system??!? Who knows. All we know is that the TV shuts off and turns on, the screen flickers green, and we paid TOO MUCH Damn money to Best Buy for all this nonsense.
Nonsense - non·sense (n n s ns , -s ns) Subject matter, behavior, or language that is foolish or absurd. That is exactly what I got from Best Buy's so-called Customer Service. Larry made the first call to the number on the warranty and told them of the issue. They said they would set up a time and day for the Repair Group (an independently contracted repair agency that Best Buy outsources to) to come out and take a look at the set. This was Sunday August 14th.
On Monday "Sammy" from Best Buy left a message, saying the Repair Group is aware of our issue and will be calling to set up a time. If they did not call back by 7:00PM on Monday, to contact Best Buy. Needless to say, the Repair Group never called. Tuesday was a rather hellish day, and the earliest I was able to get a hold of Best Buy was Wednesday the 17th. I spoke to Jessica, a rather inept low-level-er who informed me that The Repair Group would need me to take the TV off the wall before they came out there. I was like... "um... no they don't. I have the type of wall mount that allows you to pull it a foot away from the wall in case you need to get back there." The clueless telemoron replied "I don't know what that means... I'm just telling you what they told me" with vitriol in her voice. I said "you know what... I'm not even going here with you... let me speak to your supervisor." Then... I got Flossy.
Yep... Flossy... that was her name. She was just as obnoxious as Jessica. With the same sort of arrogance in her voice she told me the same thing. I then posed this little conundrum "What if I were an 80 year old woman... or a boy in a wheelchair, would they expect me to help them take it off the wall then?" She said "But you're not sir." And I said... "You know what else I'm not... - I'm not going to take the damn TV off the wall! I Paid to have it installed.... and I paid for the FULL PARTS AND LABOR WARANTY.... Get someone to the house, get them to fix it... and let's end this!" By now... my blood pressure is up there, and the Italian is really coming out.
She then pauses... and says "you had Best Buy professionally install your TV?" I said in a very relieved breath "Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeees." "Well then we require you to have it professionally uninstalled at the customer's expense!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" She matter-of-factly stated. "HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA" I yelled... "let me speak to your supervisor." She said "What do you want from me sir?!" I said... in the most blanket, heartbroken, exhausted voice "I want what I paid for. I want customer service, I want the 6 thousand dollars that I sunk into this TV to be worth it!" She was completely unsympathetic to my concerns. Heartless and cold like the Borg... all tied in to a collective blue and yellow mind that repeatedly let's me know that resistance is futile.
Finally I posed it like this, "Flossy...Best Buy is a HUGE corporation... they can bite the cost of having someone come out and professionally take down my TV so the repair people can look at it. What they cannot afford is the small claims suit that I will file for breach of warranty and contract, which could turn into a class action suit, and cost Best Buy MILLIONS of dollars from potential customers, now weary from bad publicity, avoiding the shady warranties for faulty merchandise sold at Best Buys all across the country... that's what you can't afford!" She put me on hold.
When she came back she said...that the repair group would be at my house on Saturday with an extra person to help take the TV off the wall. I asked her who decided that Saturday was a good day? She said... "Jessica set up the appointment when you were on the phone with her.... sir." I said, "If she did... she sure as hell didn't tell ME!!!! - Saturday is not good... Any day next week will work" With attitude dripping from her teeth, caught between her tongue and lips, she spat out... "WEDNESDAY THEN." I said... thank you and asked for a name and address to where I could lodge a complaint... I received none. I was told they cannot give that information out?!?!? DO YOU BELIEVE THAT!??!?!
So... While awaiting Wednesday... I get the mail on Monday and notice on my Credit card statement that there are four charges from Enterprise rental car for $300 each! Now... FYI I was rear ended in at the end of May (and not in the good way). And my car was STILL in the shop as of yesterday. Broken parts delivered, delays with insurance etc... caused my car to be in the shop for 78 days. The woman who hit me's insurance stopped paying for my rental car on July 13th. And though my insurance was picking up the remaining days... Enterprise didn't do what they had to in their system to make that happen. No one at Enterprise ever called me to authorize those charges, and if I didn't call to find out about them... they STILL wouldn't have called. So needless to say... I was aggravated.
Tuesday afternoon comes and I haven't heard what time the Repair Group was supposed to show up. I'd like to only take a half day off from work... so I left a message on their voice mail to call me back with the time they planned to be there. Tuesday night, had a delightful dinner with some friends at my friend Leland's place...then got home to hear a voice mail message... "Hello, this is the Repair Group, please call us back, we have no record of us coming to look at your TV tomorrow!"
I freaked.... I lost it.... I don't remember what happened for the next 10 minutes... it's all a blur. But my cat's affraid to come near me.
Now... Larry took the reins... he was on the phone with them ALL DAY on Wednesday... to the point where he called me while I was at lunch with a visiting exec from Disney NY, and said... be at the house in a half hour.. they're coming to look at the TV. Now... I should have known that when you want something done right - you go to Larry. But what he didn't tell me was that the guy was like 70 years old, barely spoke English... and NEEDED ME TO HELP HIM TAKE THE TV OFF THE WALL ANYWAY!!! I was livid. Between the TV... and then finding out that my car was ready that night... I was fried.... cooked... done.
So after getting the car last night, we went to TRU where we usually wash our sorrows away. Larry bought me a PSP. :-D Not because I REALLY wanted one... not because I was sad ... but because he just wanted to see me smile. He's such an angel. I love him. I told him just the thought of him buying it for me made me smile. He didn't have to actually go through with it. LOL! Sometimes I think to myself, is it pathetic to find joy in the purchase of meaningless plastic? And the answer is yes. I KNOW! I know that all these "things" that I bound to myself, my toys, my dvds, my ... things, are all meaningless in the microscopic twinkle that is my place in the universe. And there are probably Buddists that are cunvulsing at the thought of such an idea, but really... I know what matters. I know what is important in this world. Friends, My family, love. Some people snort their sorrows into oblivion. Some, drink their pains away. Some people never find ways to get rid of their trouble. Me? I fill up plastic boxes with with brightly colored objects meticulously enclosed in bubble wrap, that acrue in value and keep me in a perpetual state of arrested development. So fuck off... I know what I'm doing! IT MAKES ME HAPPY DAMMNIT. | | Tuesday, June 28th, 2005 | | 5:53 pm |
Coochie Coochie
I haven't updated in a while. I've wanted to throw the wrest of our London trip in here, put up a review of Batman Begins and Land of the Dead.. but seriously... who the hell has time?!??! Well I had to find time for this...
Coming back from lunch, I walked into the lobby of the Disney Channel, and drone my way to the elevator. I glance back over my shoulder as not to let the door close on anyone... when I see a great pair of legs sticking out from under a magenta miniskirt. The miniskirt is hiding from under a TIGHT reg sweater... with a very clear tit window. Strewn across the shoulders of said sweater is strawberry blond curly locks that look like someone unraveled a churro... falling out of a big bouffant. And there... peeking out from all that hair is a cute little nose... and some eyelashes. She glances at me... "HOLA Chico!" I did the gay Gasp... CHARO!!!!! I said... "I love you" from the elevator... "I LOVES YOU TOO" she said as she reached back into the elevator to touch my hand.
I let the doors almost close the realize... "You idiot.. how often are you going to run into Charo?" I stick my hand through the doors... and jump out. "Excuse me... can I be a total dork for a second... could I have a picture with you?" "Aye baby... joo are one hot tamale (insert boobie rub on my body number 1)I takes plenty picstures wif joo" I whip out the ol camera phone and aske her manager to take one. He asks what I do, and I tell him that I work in Playhouse Disney Development, and he says - "Oh great Nancy is on my list of people to pitch too." The decide to ride up in the elevator with me. Charo says "Baby... I loves Disney, and I love joo... jo are so cuuuuuute (insert boobie rub number 2). Now.. by this time... I'm lovin it. I'm dancing back with her, butt bumping, holding her hand the whole way up. Then... I did it. The best way o let Charo know that you appreciate her is to ask about her music. "So.. do you have a new album coming out?" "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE" She screams in the elevator, extending both hands and lunging toward me. She grabs my elbows, kisses me, and says "Jes Jes... Is coming out in Aguuuust or... Um... Septembre." it was my floor. Her manager asked for my name, and aid that he'd send me one. I got 15 more kisses from Charo.
I have to tell you... that woman is AMAZING. And I'm such a Geek.
 | | Tuesday, June 21st, 2005 | | 11:28 am |
Reboot
MODE: Cardio
TIME: 30:00
WEIGHT: 1** (you really don't need that piece of information)
AGE: 29- er... wait... 3-0!
That was the scene this morning at 6:45 AM on the elliptical machine at my gym. Yep... I went to bed last night 29 years old. And I woke up this morning 30. I have officially left my twenties behind. I usually write one of these journal entries every year about how much my friends mean to me and how I am very lucky to have so many wonderful people in my life. While this is truer today than any year prior, as those that surround me, are truly amazing people, I can't help but feel that 30 is a deadline that I didn't make. I always said that by 30 I will have made a million dollars. Or by 30, I'll have my name in magazines and newspapers. Or, by 30 I'd have at least 2 series in production. Blah blah blah. The one thing I didn't count on was being in love by 30. That was something I never planned on. But at this point... it's the one thing in my life that I'm grateful for. It's amazing to find that person that truly inspires you to do those things you want to do. Despite all the mistakes, the yelling, the nitpicking, the weight gain, he's still there, and he still inspires you. This is what I'm going into my 30's with. I'm not alone. I don't have to be alone. And that I may not have reached my goals by the time I hit 30... but I will by the time I'm 35 because I'm not alone.
It seems that society infuses our lifespan with certain allocated moments to get our life on track. Small ones like New Years Eve... or larger scope ones... 16, 21, 30. Some people don't take advantage of them as anything but excuses to drive, drink... or party. I used each one to re-boot my course of action. And 30 will be no different. Taking everything that I have learned in the past decade... how to be assertive, how to be humble, how to be thorough, how to be appreciative.... and applying that to new choices and ideas, that will help accomplish old dreams, and, more personally how to be a better partner, how to be a better co-worker, and a better friend.
It seems only yesterday I was helping to decorate for my Dad's 40th birthday... or planning something for my mom's 50th. And this week... it was me. Age is really a mindset. Because I, like my friends in this elite group, do not look 30. And lord knows I don't act 30. So then... being thirty to me.. is just a way to say... Cnrl + Alt + Delete. | | Friday, May 20th, 2005 | | 9:45 am |
STAR WARS Prequels - A Retrospective
Writing this, I feel a little like Padme (not just because of her fabulous hairstyles) but because for a while, I felt betrayed by someone I loved. That George Lucas had turned to the dark side. I was so hoping that Spielberg and Copola would steal the scripts for Clones and Sith and separate them so that George would never find them. Then everyone goes into hiding for a while. But alas... we were given the media blitz of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. This brings us to the end of an era. After seeing "Sith" I must now look back on the Prequels, as three parts to one whole... and that whole itself half of a greater entity. While the original trilogy has a dear place in our hearts and is (sorta) above criticism, the new prequel Trilogy was met with HARSH reactions. But I want to say first and foremost, that it was out of love and admiration that we wanted these movies to be great. We were passionate about this mythology and wanted to see these whispers of the past brought vividly to life. Though each movie has good parts, there are elements that, when combined, seriously detract from the overall enjoyment of the film. This doesn’t come from overzealous fanboy geekdom, or a burgeoning desire to be a Star Wars filmmaker. It just comes from wanting to be told a good story.
Part I - The Phantom Script
Jar Jar. Those two words are synonymous with nails on a chalkboard throughout the galaxy far far away. Lucas needed a foil to start the ball of imperialism rolling. And he needed to set up this character as being that foil. OK. I get it. But did he have to make him such an unlikable character? All latent racism aside, his voice, personality, and demeanor rank with the most annoying characters ever created. from Snarf on the Thundercats... to Scrappy Doo. This presence (which felt SOOO UN-Star Wars) is one of the reasons; TPM goes down as one of the worst films in the series. I think that's only part of the problem.
While Lucas maintains that this film is strictly for kids, he bogs the story down with so much political mumbo jumbo and only mildly consequential action and dialogue that any one under the age of 17 wears a big ol "HUH?" hat throughout the film. So much time is spent on setting up the politics, that the key characters, who will drive this franchise throughout the rest of the series, go virtually undeveloped. The film seemed to be more concerned with what it could do technologically then what it needed to do narrativley. There are numerable fixes that George could make to this movie that would improve it greatly, and only time will tell if Lucas' ego will allow him to do it.
Part II.- Attack of the Drones
This film is truly where the story begins. We see the now (miraculously) grown Anakin and are made aware of his feelings for the (miraculously) not grown Padme. We are introduced to his whiny...er... passionate personality (like father, like son) and impulsiveness which, we all know, is what will lead him to the dark side. We also unearth the secret Clone Army that has been growing under the noses of the senate and the Jedi. We are introduced to the leader of the separatists, and begin to see the developments of what the Sith have been up to [read: Death Star]. All of this sounds like the beginning of a good movie. So why is it bad?
Well for one, the dialogue. The AWFUL dialogue, goes beyond cheesy/fun Star Wars dialogue and hits the "OMG - did they just say that?" level. Another nail in this films crucifixion is the beginning of the most 1 dimensional love story that, tragically, is supposed to be the point on which Anakin's fate hinges. There is absolutely no chemistry between these two pretty people that make me believe that the universe will be destroyed because of their love for each other. The pacing also harms the overall balance of this film. While we are treated to some incredible moments... there is a lot of dragging between them. I was a proponent for this film. I actually enjoyed it quite a bit. I would only make some minor tweaks to certain scenes. Just to help the flow. But I recognize that it is undoubtedly flawed.
Part III - The Sith Hits the Fan
So last night, 10 of us went to the beautiful Arclight in Hollywood so be graced with what (at this moment) Lucas claims is the last Star Wars film he'll ever make. To that I raise a glass and hope he just means personally! This is the one it's all been building to. The moment of awe when "The man who was Luke’s father cease to be Anakin Skywalker" From that certain point of view, Darth Vader kills Luke's father. And to that point, Lucas delivered. The climactic battle between Obi Wan and Anakin met every single expectation fans have been clamoring for. Seeing the birth of Luke and Leia, and watching them ship off to separate parts of the galaxy brought a tear of a new hope to our eyes. Seeing Yoda mix it up with the Emperor, after fleeing the Wookie home planet gave us tingles of geek euphoria. And hearing Bail Organa bestow C3PO and R2D2 upon Captain Antillies (After the protocol droid's memory has been wiped) granted us some much needed continuity. But my friends... This was the last half hour of a 2 and a half hour movie.
Looking back on this trilogy as a whole, So much could have been shuffled back, edited out, and reconfigured to tell one HELL of a good story, over 3 films. That just didn't happen. While this last film is indeed the best of the recent films, it does give us HOURS of bad dialogue, the trappings of that 1 dimensional love story, some ridiculously bad acting (thought to be fair... some of the best acting in a Star Wars movie to date as well), and lot's of eye candy; that may or may not be a good thing. It just came off as such a mixed bag. For those not in the Star Wars know... they may either really enjoy it or be absolutely apathetic to what happens. I describe it like eating Wendy's at a fancy restaurant. The meal tasted good, it was satisfying, the surroundings were wonderful to look at... but something was odd. Something felt cheap.
Regardless of all that, one thing is for sure. We have some closure. The anticipation and uncertainty have come to an end. And like so many things in life, if you love it, you take the good with the bad. If you really love it... you blind yourself to the truth about the bad.
I sit here, looking over these films with an almost parental love. You want what’s best... but you know that at some point you have to let it go and be free to make its own mistakes. And at this point though my child's been arrested twice, and I'm petitioning Dr. Phil to send him to boot camp! But I still love him!
| | Monday, May 16th, 2005 | | 1:06 pm |
A Little Bit of Pixie Dust...
So... I promise to finish relaying the London Expedition this week... but I have to share what I thought was one of the best trips to Disneyland I've had... since the first time I went. My friend Christie's good heart was tragically crushed when 2 friends of hers flaked on her for trips to Disneyland... TWICE! I was a little sad, that a big Disney Dork like me was not at the park for the kick off of the 50th anniversary celebration. So she and I were talking, and after we got back from London... I suggested getting a gaggle of friends together for a mass D-land excursion. The plan was to TRY to see as much of the new stuff as possible...completely understanding that the park was probably going to be MOBBED.
Little by little, most of my friends started expressing interest in our little excursion. And through the magic of the Silver pass... we had enough to get our group (16 total) into the park. The cruise down to Anaheim was a breeze. I think we clocked in at 35 minutes... which was a record. The freeway was a ghost town. The off ramp into the Disney Parking structure was occupied by one car... mine. Entering the structure, we waited less than a minute, and were parked and at the tram in 5. We were in the park within 10 minutes, and collected from all of our separate autos at the Second "A" in "California."
We all remarked at how uncrowned the place was. Guess that Disney Magic was with us. We planned on making a B-line to "Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters" (the parks newest attraction) getting our fast pass and then moving on to another ride. But after passing under the Main Street train station, and marveling at the delicious candy colored coat of paint that made all of the stores look like they were erected yesterday, realized that this day was not going to be as crowded as we all anticipated. At 11:AM, the wait for the newest ride in the park was 25 minutes!
We got a fast pass for Buzz, but decided to wait in line and kick start the day with it. It was a blast (no pun intended). Racking up a score for shooting Emperor Zurg and his minions was a HOOT. And the new idea for them to e-mail your picture to you is genius!
The rest of the day was evenly paced, and relaxed. We somehow managed to keep our ever-growing caravan together. With the additions of Kathy, Raines, and Pam, and the joining of Mark and Darren, our group blossomed to 20! And miraculously, we stayed together (for the most part) the entire day!!! We marveled at the new features on the Jungle Cruise (which gives that ride the much needed kick in the tail it's been craving for years!) We gasped at the floating visage of Madame Leota and the newly arrived portraits in the Haunted Mansion. We gawked at the gold vehicles for every ride that was there when the park opened, and just stood there in complete awe of the newly decorated castle. I swear this park has NEVER looked so magnificent.
We also were shot with a dose of excitement for the new attractions to come. Work has begun retrofitting the classic submarine ride to take guests through the world of Nemo and friends. The all new Space Mountain looms closer toward it's opening! Over in California Adventure, the facade of the old [read: tragic] Superstar Limo has already been designed with the new Monster's INC. look. Can't wait to ride in those doorframes! Disneyland is bursting with life again. My passion and affection for that place has burst through one more. I couldn't get enough of the place yesterday... including begging my friends to stay for the fireworks, something I've always had maximum apathy towards. Bless Larry's tired little soul for sticking around with me. Honestly, I couldn't imagine seeing that GLORIOUS display without him next to me.
The new fireworks show "Wishes" is a slight retooling of the one in Florida... but it was magnificent. The castle glitters with breathtaking new special effects. And Tinkerbelle's flight was more spectacular than ever before, soaring back and forth around the turrets through the glitter of fireworks above, glowing with brilliance.
 
At the end of the day we had an amazing time. New friends, good times and a little bit of Disney magic have given me memories to last a lifetime. I just wanted to get this all out while it was still fresh. More London updates later this week with pictures from the Kylie Minogue Showgirl concert! | | Wednesday, May 11th, 2005 | | 5:46 pm |
God Save The Queens - Part I
(Prologue)
I always feel like I never have anything to write in this thing until I do something, or go somewhere. I know that sounds silly, but I usually think I lead this pedestrian life: Suburban gay husband/ TV exec... waits for his more successful gay husband lawyer to get home from work... have dinner...catch up on each others days... watch TV... then off to bed to do it all again. >Sigh<
Well this past week, Larry, Myself, and our friend Tony jumped the pond and enjoyed a fabulous London vacation. The whole thing was prompted by Tony's dedication to seeing Kylie Minogue in concert. Larry and I are fans of Kylie, but more fans of traveling, and thought it would be a wondrous idea for all of us to go together. And wondrous it was. Flying Virgin Airlines gives you that pampered "in-control" feeling you just don't get from other airlines. I would fly Virgin wherever they soared.
We arrived at Heathrow on Monday afternoon, and the adventurers we are, took the tube (pronounced "Choob") to our hotel which was located directly behind Buckingham Palace, a posh little number called The Rubens. My Disney connections got me the hook up to see the West End production of Mary Poppins. Luckily the original cast was still in their roles. I had high hopes for this show, as it seemed the most logical and innate transition from Disney film to Stage that they've done. Larry and I arrived at the Prince Edward Theater an hour before Showtime. (Tony was seeing Kylie that night - Time #1 folks... keep a tally). We got our tickets and looked at the souvenirs for sale. I immediately wanted the program, cast recording, and a few pins for people at work. I also wanted the Parrot Head Umbrella, but Larry convinced me of the impracticality of such a trinket. (The ridiculous pound to dollar exchange helped too).
We took our seats, First Row, Rear Orchestra Center. The beautiful hand sketched backdrop seemed to suggest a child's eye understanding of Victorian London. The show began and I got those chills you get when you finally experience something you've been anticipating. We see the children causing trouble, Mrs. Banks in a tizzy, and everything just as it should be. The pacing is efficient, the performances instantly likeable... Oh, this is going to be enjoyable.
"Excuse me sir... could I see you in the lobby?" said the rather gay (or British) usher to Larry and myself right before Mary's opening number. "There appears to have been a problem with your seats." As Larry and I walk out to the lobby, a rather gruff man and his family of late-comers stand there yelling at the theater manager. I was informed by the usher there was an accidental double booking, and this family had the seats that Larry and I were occupying. The gruff and presumably abusive father looks over to Larry and I and says arrogantly "I paid for these seats." I look over to him with stern entitlement and replied "So did I ... and I got here on time!"
That shut his fat face up... The theater manager tried giving me all these excuses and I stood my ground kindly, but firmly, never once making him feel like he's doing something wrong. He apologized profusely and said that it would be taken care of. After Mary's number, the family was then shown to my-er-their seats and Larry and I were taken... down through the theater... and BAM... Smacked dead center... 4 rows from the stage - The Producer's Reserved Seats! The rest of the first act was marvelous, though remarkably different than the film. The characters here have real arcs, motivations, and issues that are intricately examined through song.
As the lights go up for the intermission, our dear friend, the usher, comes a calling once more. He asks if Larry and I will follow him. Now... I'm getting angry. He askes how I got these seats, and I tell him that one of my job perks allows me to see Disney theater with enough notice. He then asked what I did, and remarked that his little sister loves Jo Jo's Circus. "How nice" I thought through my scowled brow. So after getting into the massive cluster fuck that is the lobby, the theater manager greets us, shakes our hands, and begs us to follow him into the "Prince Room" a private nook for special guests. There he apologized once more for the problem, offered us a bottle of champagne, introduced us to friends of Cameron Mackintosh and told us to make ourselves at home for the duration of the intermission, with free reign of the snack cupboard. Well I'll be! After the intermission bell rang... back we went to our Orchestra seats. And enjoyed what was a dazzling production of a charming show. With amazing renditions of all of my favorite songs (Save one, the suffragette song) and glorious theatrics that would have made Walt proud, Mary Poppins is destined to be Disney's next great Broadway triumph.
The evening was... to quote Mary herself, Practically Perfect!
This is part one of our London excursion, check back later this week for more! | | Tuesday, April 12th, 2005 | | 10:00 am |
Weekend at the Wiltern
She's furiously funny, feverishly feminist, and fleetingly flabby... Margaret Cho played the Wiltern in Los Angeles' Korea Town this past Friday and Saturday night to huge crowds of gays and Asians. She was on her game! I laughed my ass off. She was hilarious and biting in her political commentary, a nice mix from her recent past shows. Now, I've seen Miss Cho perform every time she's here in LA. The last two shows (Notorious C.H.O. and Cho Revolution) were less then funny and more politically vocal. And while there is nothing wrong with that and I believe all artists have a right and a duty to speak out for their beliefs... I didn't pay for that. I paid to laugh. And really, she's preaching to the choir! People who bought tickets to her shows are probably in her political mindset anyway. So it's like beating a dead horse. :-\ But that was not the case AT ALL with her new show. The line of the night ... "You know Laura Bush's pussy tastes like Lysol!" Then last night, Monday, we say the uber fabulous Shirley Manson tear it up with Garbage at the same theater. My boyfriend is a die hard Garbage fan; Tony and I are casual fans. It was great to see Larry going nuts at the show. He came right from work so he still had his dress clothes on. But he was not alone in his yuppie attire. I noticed clear cut delineation in the make up of the audience. There were the Rockers, the Goths, and the Gays (Oh My!). I was a little sad that they didn't play much from Beautiful Garbage, as I had committed that album to memory. But the new music they played from "Bleed Like Me” was pretty reminiscent of their first two albums. My friend Christopher said they could have just called this new album 3.0. The place was torn apart when Shirley busted out the "I'm Only Happy When It Rains” They turned the house lights on and we watched everyone go insane. It was quite an awesome sight! This Friday Night (at the Wiltern again) is "Family Guy Live” A staged reading of a new Family Guy script featuring the original cast. The cheap tickets were 50.00 so we passed on this. Considering, with Cher in a couple weeks, then with Kylie and Mary Poppins in London, we're going to be seeing plenty of live staged excitement! However... just announced... is a Family Guy sound-a-like contest this Friday afternoon at the Grove. So if my Stewie is good enough, Larry and I just may be seeing Seth and company after all! "Victory Shall Be Mine!" Current Mood: busy | | Friday, March 18th, 2005 | | 6:48 pm |
Thank God it's Friday
Alone most of the week. The man was in San Diego doing respectable lawyerly things. I watched Buffy DVDs. I miss him, he comes back tonight! Tomorrow, busy day! Wizard World in long beach then an evening with fabulous famous friends! :-) Not the best week... though certainly not the worst. Things can always be worse right? | | Tuesday, January 18th, 2005 | | 12:14 pm |
Questions Don't Hurt, Blair... Ignorance Does!
Surreal adj.- Having an oddly dreamlike quality.
Well that was certainly my weekend. You see... for a while I have become, as my roommate Mandel, describes it, "The Sacheen Littlefeather" of Disney. Since accepting my new position here, I have been asked to go and accept awards given on behalf of the many different guilds and associations of various causes. These evenings usually involve some sort of dinner, some drinks, some B level celebrity schmoozing and a gift bag. Well, this Friday night, all that was topped as I approached the Highlands to accept the "Media Access Award for Positive Depiction of the Disabled in Television and Film" for episodes of Playhouse Disney's Bear in the Big Blue House and Stanley. First off let me say, having seen the winning episodes, I am very proud to be part of a company that produced these amazing works. As a child of a parent with disabilities it meas a tremendous amount to know that issues like these are dealt with sincerity, honesty, and humor. Now... having said that... let's get on with the surrealism of the evening.
As I crossed the walkway leading to the Highlands, I felt that masterful camera move that Hitchcock employed in Vertigo, where the camera makes an optical zoom, while the dolly is pulled back from the subject. You know, they used the same move in Michael Jackson's Thriller! Anyway... as I got closer to the door, I felt like I was moving in slow motion, because other guests and honorees in their Lark scooters and arm braces were ZOOMING by me to get to the check in table. After, some pictures, and greetings, I entered the complex, and the first thing I see is a quadriplegic playing the guitar singing Greenday's "Time of Your Life."
I immediately got a drink.
I walked to the back patio, so I could be with my thoughts... and my cell phone. I called everyone who would appreciate my situation, and then, while talking to Larry... I paused, the sight of arriving guests on their scooters across the many levles and ramp ways of the Hollywood and Highland complex reminded me of Autopia at Disneyland. Then I heard something; the first of many things crash throughout the evening - followed by a "sorry."
I took my seat, and looked around the room, read my program, and played Tetris on my phone. I was stunned when acclaimed director John Landis took the stage as the shows host. I guess Gerald McRaney was busy?! The evening was surprisingly light hearted and good natured, with little people, blind people, and folks from all factions of the disabled community there to celebrate their contributions to the entertainment industry. John Landis, who is surprisingly witty and a good speaker, kept the ball rolling and the mood good. Then... they set up the awards for TV... "Who on earth could possibly be presenting?" I said to myself. "Celebrated Stand Up Comic, and regular on the hit NBC series the facts of life... Miss Geri Jewell!!!!" I gasped, clutched my tie, closed the game of Tetris (that I was doing remarkably well with), and paid desperate attention to every word she said.
I never thought, such an icon of my childhood would be calling my name to accept an award on behalf of a Disney series that I was involved with. God Bless America! I went up on stage, gave Geri a big hug, and graciously bestowed thanks onto the commission for honoring these two fine shows. I fumbled my way off stage, made some chit chat with the director of two of my favorite movies, and then milled around for the rest of the evening, enjoying the hospitality and graciousness of everyone there. What a night.
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