The Octopus Job. Written by Joe Wengert. Starring John Gemberling and Tim Martin. Directed by me. Edited by Carmen Angelica and Nate Dern. Crew by Brett White. A few profanities.
I enjoy this! My favorite line is Tim Martin’s read of “I’m not playing HARDBALL.”
Observation: Sherlock Holmes, Superman and Dracula are all immensely popular characters whose stories are known across many countries, nations and cultures.
Second Observation: They all wear capes.
Hypothesis: Wearing a cape makes a fictional character exponentially more popular.
Experiment to Test: Write a story in which all characters are described as wearing capes. Publish. Measure worldwide fame after two weeks.
Here is my story:
Roderick and Helen
The train rumbled over the border of Pennsylvania into Ohio. Lake Erie was emerging into view at the northern horizon. In a sparsely appointed third class compartment, Roderick leaned over to Helen.
“I need to know where the body is.”
“He’s dead. Forget him.” She was fussing with her bracelet, whose clasp was annoyingly loose.
“While there’s a body, there’s evidence and [...]
Sean Clements, author of some of my favorite videos I’ve gotten to direct including Snapple Facts and Checkmates, is writing for a new show that will be on MTV soon called Popzilla. Here’s a sample of that show:
I’ve never heard of Britney Spears — is she an author?
Comedian Bob Powers hosted Topsham Pantsuit and read from his funny book The Terrible, Horrible, Temp-to-Perm Debacle: Book Two in the Just Make a Choice! Series.
It’s an updated Choose-Your-Own-Adventure book, but instead of time machines or secret agents this one is about a 33 year old aspiring writer/alcoholic who is trying to avoid becoming a permanent employee at his company. I liked it.
And it made me think of books! Funny books! What are great funny books? The best in my opinion is Woody Allen’s Without Feathers.
Published in 1975, it’s a collection of short humor pieces Allen had [...]
Performing stand-up tonight at 9pm at the New York Comedy Club. $10 plus two drink minimum. Dear lord, right? Yeah, I know. Well, people have asked when I’m performing and it is happening tonight! Come out for some truthfully wry anecdotes and barbs! Jim Mendrinos headlines!
Details on this facebook page!
Almost three years ago, I wrote a post about how that Great Britain seemed to produce great bands whereas America produced great solo acts — and was that indicative of the two cultures? I threw in how I couldn’t understand why British music magazines made a big deal about the Oasis album “What’s the Story Morning Glory?” About once a month someone adds a comment, usually just listing their favorite bands. Sometimes I get a fun one from someone angry and me and at American for being so shitty with their music. Like this last one:
morning glory’s up there on most british music charts solely because of its cultural significance and its meaning. Definitely Maybe’s a much better [...]
Red Shoes, by Elvis Costello and the Attractions on Top of the Pops, 1977. Probably my favorite of all his songs if I had to pick one. The music is happy and soaring, the lyrics are bitter and self-impressed without being too complicated. Me likes! The first line “I used to be disgusted, now I try to be amused” is an almost-too-on-the-nose description of the philosophy of everyone that I know!
Here’s a fast punky live version from 1978, and then a solo version he did two years ago in Albany.
YouTube had it on my personalized front page and I am now sharing it [...]
Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on Galactus. Made me laugh.
Look, just do this, okay? I’m asking you to play what essentially is an interactive story. It’s called a text adventure, but that’s a terrible name. Anyway, it doesn’t matter, just please do this. It’s an interactive story called “Photopia.” You play characters in the story and have to interact with the other characters, but it’s very simple and there are instructions. The whole experience will take about 20 minutes, tops. The story is beautiful and fun and almost brought me to tears and I recommend it wholeheartedly and I really won’t take no for an answer. Porter Mason, I’m looking at you.
You can play it here.
So play it. Then [...]
Mitch Magee performs the theme song for our old sketch group GameFace. GameFace was me, Neil Casey, Rob Lathan, Mitch and Joe Wengert. Our last show was in 2005 or maybe even 2004?. These vocals were recorded yesterday. Download the GameFace theme here.
Those are Mitch’s feet.
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