Happy Halloween!

We're going to have to tone down the gore this year.

New NewsGroper article!

I couldn't get that William Shatner/George Takei story out of my head.

Neither could Leonard Nimoy.

They Showed Up!

All the way from Japan. Months in the waiting. Too much in the paying. Lots of ebay in the customizing. But I can finally make this:



"Junior!"

Shtick or Treat

If you weren't there, you missed the most fun comedy show this year. 35 comics and everyone did well. Since we were performing as other people, no one's ego got crushed by a joke that fell flat. No one got big headed when they killed with someone else's material. Everyone enjoyed themselves.

I performed as Bob Newhart. This is what I did.

Special Halloween Show Tomorrow!

I've been performing only when it's fun. Tomorrow night should be hilarious. Mark Normand invited me to his Halloween show at the Creek. 30 comedians do 3 minutes each, but as their favorite comic. Their material, their style. Guess who I'm doing?

Shtick or Treat
The Creek
10-93 Jackson Ave
Long Island City, NY
10/25 8 p.m.

William Shatner and George Takei Still Hate Each Other

You guys are in your 70's. You haven't worked together in about 20 years. Just leave each other alone.

Temple of Doom review at figures.com!

The Indiana Jones action figure line is dead. In four months it went from being the next Star Wars to the last Narnia. The boards are alive with blame. Wal-Mart ordered too much. Hasbro used bad factories. Lucas wanted too much Mutt. Kids hate old guys.

I don't know what went wrong and as sad as I am I can't continue to get Indy characters for years to come, I'm grateful for what I got. And I'm really grateful I managed to snag the line from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Not only does it complete all four films in the franchise, it's also has the best figures ever done for it.

Take a look!

Rambo

The new Rambo is the most violent film I've ever seen without a zombie in it. Still not as stupid as 2 or 3.



Want to see people explode into pieces? Rent this mother.

Zakk Wylde

Zakk Wylde is a phenomenal guitarist. Ozzy hired him when he was only 20 and he's managed to improve from there. You are not going to see any of that skill here. Zakk plays deliberately badly in this Guitar World lesson that's more charming than hilarious.

Ben Month 15.1

Last week we went to Virginia for my cousin Emily's wedding. Ben wore a bow tie.

Neal Hefti

Walker let me know that Neal Hefti passed away this week. Hefti was a great jazz composer who wrote tons of hits for Count Basie. He also wrote the music for "The Odd Couple" and the theme to "Batman". Yes, that theme. Music so memorable and simple that Ben sings it today. He will be missed.

New NewsGroper article!

Ringo Starr hates you.

This is why.

South Park Rapes Indiana Jones

They really hated Crystal Skull.

Here's the full episode.

Toy Wishes 2008

Here's the report of the show I attended last week. Most of the pictures got messed up (resizing miscommunication) but the full report is here.

Or here.

Ben Month 16

Ben and Renee went to Florida last week. Ben was as happy there as he is everywhere else.

Lord Destructo Joins Dr. Horrible

This is why I didn't post yesterday.

At SDCC Joss Whedon let fans know he was taking supervillian video applications for the Evil League of Evil. The winners will appear on the extras of the Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog DVD. Since Whedon is one of my heroes, I wanted to give him my best. Instead of wearing makeup and a funny hat for a webcam, I wrote and directed this sketch. If Trafton Crandall and Billy the Kid hadn't helped me, it wouldn't be up now.



Is it DVD worthy?

Busy

I'm off to cover the Toy Wishes 2008 show and shoot something very, very fast. I'll post all about those later.

The Late Show at Comix

Friday night I finally got to see one of my favorite comedians and writers, Dana Gould, at Comix. It was a learning experience.

Joe DeVito hosted. I hadn't seen Joe in a bit and have never seen him host. He was definitely putting the work in. The crowd was small for the venuie (about 35 people) and sluggish. One guy was at the table in front. He was about 6"2 so he stood out in the audience. With his 65 year old scowling tourist face and four martinis, he was going to bring this room down.

Matt McCarthy opened. Matt is amazing and I've been playing calender tag with him for months trying to get him on Writer's Room. The 65 year old guy hated him and alternated between mumbled heckles and head shaking. Matt had to abandon his set to shut this guy down. he stopped complaining but never stopped talking.

Then Dana Gould headlined. Dana is precisely the comic I want to be. Smart, dark, cartoony, personal and full of characters. He's written for "The Simpsons" for God's sake. And even he had a hard time with the 65 year old tourist. It was a thrill to watch him and a revelation to see him struggle. It truly never ends.

I talked to Matt after the show. He told me Dana Gould said to him, "This is why Steve Martin quit comedy. The Friday night second show." These were three guys I respect and revere. They all personify the goal for me. And they all struggled like hell. It makes me wonder, once again, is this a road I really want to follow?

The Definition of "Maverick"

" A lone dissenter, as an intellectual, an artist, or a politician, who takes an independent stand apart from his or her associates. "

That means, Sarah Palin, they can't be a TEAM!

But they can be James Garner.

New NewsGroper Article!

It's about Sarah Palin. And it's entirely adolescent.

And it's here.

Have a great debate everybody!

Iron Man Blu-Ray is Why I Have a Blu-Ray

And there's a two hour documentary on the disc that rules just as mightily. There is one moment in that documentary that hits me where I live: Jon Favreau looking at the Minimates and calling them awesome.

I just made Robert Yee's day with that piece of info.