Saturday, September 19, 2009

keep it all about ME!

DoubleHelix says: "When people love you for your heaping bowl of crazy, and then they stop dropping by, how is one to get some attention without piling on even more crazy?
As you take a spin through the last couple months' worth of posts, please keep in mind that this is the woman who scolded us for not using our time productively."

Don't ya just love "crazy?" You've been eyeballin' the wrong blog, darlin'! I don't need internet attention. I am out there interviewing interesting people and making my real life more interesting.
Go to: marjorie-digest

And to lee who says: "She really is the female equivalent of Robert, the fabricated tales of persecution are just so similar."

These were JOKES... I repeat: JOKES!!!!
I wrote:
Here are some more recent bans:
banned in the diner on 13th Street for cutting wind during luncheon
banned in the carpet store for yelling at a woman whose dog was on a long leash (a trip hazard)
banned from the ice cream store for complaining about people who put their feet up on the computer keyboards
banned from a department store for singing "Tip Toe Through The Tulips" at the Estee Lauder counter
banned from a shoe store for wearing socks with holes
banned from a salon for laughing at a jerk talking on her cellphone during her shampoo
banned at another salon for laughing at another fool texting during her shampoo
So many bans: so little time
Please go to marjorie-digest for some interviews in places where I have not yet been banned.

They were not funny? awwwwwwwww... sawwy! I demand equal time with RobertBlue! I am that forum's wackjob and train wreck, and I got enough batshit crazy to keep it goin' for months.

Well, well, well... I, a "pathetic old loon" with a "miserable lonely life," managed to get the writer/director Robert Siegel (writer of "The Wrestler") to sit down with me for a dinner and an interview. Imagine that! And his new film "Big Fan" recently opened to rave reviews. Robert has given me credit for casting Marcia Jean Kurtz in the role of Theresa Aufiero in "Big Fan." Put THAT in ya pipe and smoke it my dopey anonymous blog commenter. You are the puppet in a joke that predictably keeps on giving, asshole.

Here is an interview I did which appeared originally at the digest:


This interview with Robert began on a Thursday evening at a Chelsea diner. And we concluded the interview the following day, on a muggy Friday Manhattan night in the same diner. So, this was my first two-part interview. I was excited and happy.

Robert was editor-in-chief of "The Onion" from 1996 to 2003... when it was in it's original phase as a Madison, Wisconsin publication. The editor of "The Onion" when Robert arrrived was Ben Karlin, who later left to join "The Daily Show" as executive producer. He was followed by David Javerbaum, who is still the executive producer of "The Onion" and he wrote the music for the Broadway show, "Crybaby."

In 2001, "The Onion" moved to new headquarters in New York City. And shortly thereafter Robert began writing "The Wrestler." Robert explained that the process of creating a film is a long one. It can sometimes take five years from "script to screen." But Robert knew from the beginning that Mickey Rourke was "ideal" for this film and he wrote "The Wrestler" with Mickey Rourke in mind. Robert knew he would be just perfect for this part. Robert wanted to create a compelling character and story. Yet, he realizes the story is both sad and emotional. And throughout, there are many scenes in the film that show the character's great and extreme loneliness with moments of so much sweetness.

The audience knows at the end of the film that "The Ram" will not last long after he makes a decision to go back into the ring. He has made a decision to die. It was the director's decision to end the film with a freeze frame... to perhaps leave the final moments without a closure.

I think there are huge emotional moments in "The Wrestler" and it was Robert Siegel from whose fingers this heartbreaking film began and... he indeed created the film which gave Mickey Rourke his "comeback." Robert was nominated for a WGA award in the category of "original screenplay" for the film.

We moved on to a discussion of "Big Fan," the film which Robert wrote and directed and which will premiere at BAM on June 19th as part of the Next Wave Festival. In the film, Patton Oswalt plays Paul Aufiero, a loner who is obsessed with the Giants and he spends much of his time calling in to a sports radio show. For this role, Patton Oswalt won the award for "Best Actor" at the Method Festival. Robert describes Paul as a "Marty" or "Rupert Pupkin"... and perhaps "Big Fan" is the "King of Comedy" of sports movies. I asked Robert if he personally knows any of these "obsessive nerds" and he said he based the character on his imagination. But we have all had experiences which make us lonely and we all share basic human emotions and it is those feelings which Robert hopes to bring to film. "Big Fan" will open on August 28th.

Well, another interview had ended. As darkness was falling, the sidewalks were still packed with people and the streets were crowded with busy traffic congestion. I started thinking as I began the walk home. People weave in and out of our lives.... but I have known Robert for several years, and tonight I continued to be impressed by Robert's sincerity, integrity, openness, and warmth.

Now back to me:
Please direct your eyeballs to my preferred blog:

marjorie-digest

(I pasted below a few interviews from my blog, marjorie-digest... so go here to view MORE!)

THIS BLOG IS SO YESTERDAY!


ME, at 26... 'twas a long shoot; a girl's gotta eat!

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Howard Feller, actor/comic


I have known Howard Feller for over twenty years. What can I say about Howard? Plenty. He is one of the dearest and sweetest people I know. I met him for lunch on this Tuesday, and he spoke in a very direct and open manner about his comedy career.

He calls himself a "movie and comedy freak" who enjoyed listening to Lenny Bruce, Bob Newhart, and Robert Klein. He liked "old comedy." In about 1982, Howard took a comedy class with Mark Jacobs that was given on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, and soon after he started doing clubs with open mic nights. He says he "looked weird" and on stage he played off that. Silver, the owner of the Improv, passed Howard in an audition during those early 80s. He did stand-up three or four times a week and he kept getting better. He began to get many opportunities and consistent work. He played in diners and places where he began to make money. At that time, comedy was "hot" and he got road work and Jersey gigs in late night spots.

He worked at the Boston Comedy Club and met Barry Katz. He worked in the Comedy Cellar and at Stand-up NY and these spots led to a "Caroline's Comedy Hour" on A & E and as he built credentials he got better spots and this led to an "MTV Half Hour" comedy show. And when the MTV "Jon Stewart Show" was looking for a "weird geeky guy" as a sidekick for Jon, Howard got the job. Jon sat at a bicycle bar and Howard sat in a tractor chair and the show became an off-beat talk show with a small but very devoted fan following. That original "Jon Stewart Show" ran for one year on MTV and it ran for another year in syndication throughout the country. It was a "work in progress," as Howard describes it.

Howard has appeared in several films. Penny Marshall gave Howard a line in "Awakenings" because Howard says he "looked crazy." Howard recently appeared on "30 Rock" as the super in Tina Fey's building and in a "Law and Order" episode he played a homeless guy who brings a dead guy into a check cashing place as part of some scam... which was based on a real NYC incident. Howard will be on Howard (Stern) TV in an episode of "Show in the Hall." And he is also in the upcoming Nia Vardalos film, "I Hate Valentine's Day." In that film, he plays a homeless guy who lives outside her building. He says he is always called to play "the homeless guy" and he has no idea why.

Howard recently filmed an NBC pilot called "off Duty" in which he plays a junkie. I am wondering if he plays a homeless junkie. And he is up for several other parts... in which he plays a homeless guy.

Howard invited me to visit him in his brand new apartment with "a great view of the Manhattan skyline." He told me it was a basement apartment. I am still wondering about that.

Gladys Simon, comedy booker and manager


I met with Gladys on Sunday, April 26th, at the Silver Star Diner for a late lunch. Gladys and I have known each other for more than twenty years. We met in a comedy class given at the Manhattan Punchline by Gabe Abelson. Gladys had taken the class before, but she suffered from stage fright and she believed taking the class a second time would improve her level of confidence.

We began the interview. I asked Gladys to describe what brought her to a comedy class back in 1987. She said she had just gotten a divorce and she was writing for a soap opera and she gave that up because she was too depressed to write. She wanted a career in show business. Her goal in Gabe's class was to finish and commit to the class. She remembers her horrible stage fright. She was determined to stick it out and do the best she could. She attended every week until the comedy class graduation.

I asked Gladys if she believed stand-up could be taught in a class. She said you cannot be taught the gift of timing. She said you have to want to do the work. It's either in your gut and organic or it becomes intellectual... which is writing jokes. It is another story to be a great performer. Gladys said a comedian needs to have a passion and be driven and do "the process." She says comedy is not the destination, but the journey. It's a whole ball of wax and it is not just about the applause and making money.

We started to discuss "bringers." "Bringers" are defined as only allowing comics on stage if they bring in a required number of paying customers who at the door have to say they are there to see the specific comic. Gladys feels comics need to be clear about what they are getting out of bringers. She believes that comics who do bringers should feel they have received something from the experience... such as working for a larger and supportive audience. Her room is a development room; a booked open mic which provides a place for comics to have fun and to improve.

We moved to a discussion of ageism in comedy. Gladys says it is a business. The reality is the industry is looking for "young and edgey." Of course, there are exceptions to the rule such as Rodney Dangerfield... if you are that good. She feels it is the same in all fields. In industry, when you reach a certain age, "they don't want you." I agree; it is sad, but true.

Gladys went on to add that funny is funny at any age and if you can get people to laugh and pay a $20.00 cover and a two drink minimum to see you... you can be Grandma Moses. "So do it for yourself and forget the industry, they have been wrong!!" We ended the interview with Gladys saying it is all about having a good time. Then our food came and it became all about eating.

Gladys was the booker and MC first at Coldwater's and years later at Hamburger Harry's. Gladys now books the open mic shows at The Comic Strip. Gladys has real class and style and the comedy experience at her room is unique because Gladys creates a family of friendship and emotional support. Her shows hits the mark and she gets a standing ovation every time.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

hey, anonymous putz?

I got a bite! We may be turning part of this blog into a book. And we are going to include your hilarious taunts in comments. So, lil darlin'? In order to collect your royalties, you will have to surface and rip off your mask and PROVE you were the anonymous scribe!


Ay! There's the rub!

Putz!
Surface and collect ya .0000000000000000000001 cent you are thinkin'?
I beat ya to that thought, schmuck!

moderate THIS!

The TWoP mods have real intellectually stimulating jobs, lmao. Can you imagine sitting and monitoring a forum board and chastising members for placing comments in the wrong thread! "It belongs in the other thread!"

hahahahahahahaaha....
No wonder the top cheeses left. Their brains were fried and their fingertips were raw from typing: "TOPIC!"

Topic, lmao.
Blow it outta ya asses.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

whoa, nellie!


Are you still checking this blog you anonymous commenting horse's ass? I think it is YOU who is pathetic and needs a life, lmao.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

hi, schmuck!


Yes, YOU my anonymous commenter! You are some schmuck! What a jerk. You are totally clueless as to how your comments provide material for me that my canasta group finds absolutely hilarious! You are the putz that keeps on giving. I wrote a poem which I dedicate to YOU: ONE MAJOR HORSE'S ASS! LOL

Roses are red and violets are blue
You think I am a pathetic and lonely old loon?
Boo hoo hoo hoo hoo.
Is that nice? LMAO



Tuesday, September 1, 2009

just askin'

What happened to Glark, Wing Chun, Sars, and Miss Alli after they quit TWoP? Enquiring minds want to know. They seem to have had excellent jobs at 30 Rock and well.... who would leave a good job to be unemployed? Even if a corporation bought their site, I think it would have made the job better. That was all so strange.

Well, I hope they all went on to happy horizons.