Powerloafing [Archive] - BUTM Community

Upskii

03-29-2005, 03:28 AM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by scotch-romanian

Mike, what was it like writing for Mr. Show?

If you were reading a magazine with your feet up and the boss walked in, you weren't in trouble. Hanging around with your co-workers cracking jokes was not grounds for termination. Sometimes your boss would give notes dressed as a Beatle, or in priests garb, or in gay biker leather. Other than that it was like any other job.

What do you think of Bob and David as writers/performers/producers?

Both have done admirable post Mr. Show work. Two totally random gut-laughs: David doing a promo bit with an exercise ball where the ball pops, and Bob as a retarded guy in a Channel 101 bit. I spit milk on both of those, (I drink milk while I watch comedy to gage its effectiveness.) I think both Bob and David have their best work ahead of them. They probably have a lot of their worst work ahead of them also, but they'll be working, which is important to their financial dependants.

What was your favorite idea/sketch that you wrote/didn't write?

That I wrote: It begins with a "B."

That I didn't write: (no particular order) Drugachusettes, Story of Everest, Civil War Reenactors, Mustardayonnaise, New KKK, Pre-taped Call in Show, Taint, Monster Mash Philouza, Coupon the Movie, Change for a Dollar. That?s all I can think of, but I'm sure there are more.

What's it like doing whatever you're doing right now?

I'm an apartment dweller in North Hollywood. I have fake florescent lights stuck to my ceiling, and half a cubicle in my living room. I spent a recent stretch of unemployment working on my own projects, which has been really cool. Luckily, I still have 1.3 million dollars of Mr. Show money in the bank, but as soon as that runs out, (about a month,) I'll have to get a job of some kind.

Why does Paul Greenberg write for Blue Collar TV?

Thank you for asking a Powerloafing related question, Scotch. A 4 to 1 ratio is not too shabby in these parts I would imagine. Paul Greenberg, the star of Powerloafing, worked on the first season of Blue Collar as a writer. Besides being a hilarious comedic actor, he's also a great sketch writer. He makes a comfortable living playing Carl in Powerloafing, but he loves to dabble in sketch writing occasionally, so he worked a season with Blue Collar for fun.

I hope I've fully answered your questions. Feel free to fill out an employee feedback form so that we may better serve you in the future.

Mike

CptPlanet

03-29-2005, 03:44 AM

I have another question: I noticed you don't link to aspecialthing.com on your page. Actually this isn't really a question, but fuck those guys.

scotch-romanian

03-29-2005, 03:43 PM

Mike -

Sorry if it seemed like I was just throwing those questions out there, but I really am interested, and your answering them was actually the highlight of my shitty Spring Break.

I'm going to check out the Powerloafing site in more detail some time in the following week and then get back to you.

Thanks again.

p.s. I always thought CptPlanet was the grandfather of BUTM, but I realize now that it was you all along.

JuanBallsac

03-29-2005, 04:25 PM

Tis I JuanBallsac.

Hey Mikey(can I call you Mikey?)

Any-hoo. Why does George Lopez have a career?

If he decides to start a band do you think it would be funny if he called it the Acne Scars?

Did you have anything to do with Dream of a Lifetime? If so I bow to thee. If not, I still tip my large cowboy hat in protective plastic to you.

What are the odds of you noting my script? 94 pages.

tjamick

03-30-2005, 01:22 AM

Originally posted by Upskii

Why does Paul Greenberg write for Blue Collar TV?

Thank you for asking a Powerloafing related question, Scotch. A 4 to 1 ratio is not too shabby in these parts I would imagine. Paul Greenberg, the star of Powerloafing, worked on the first season of Blue Collar as a writer. Besides being a hilarious comedic actor, he's also a great sketch writer. He makes a comfortable living playing Carl in Powerloafing, but he loves to dabble in sketch writing occasionally, so he worked a season with Blue Collar for fun.

I hope I've fully answered your questions. Feel free to fill out an employee feedback form so that we may better serve you in the future.

Mike

Why would he consider writing for that show fun?

also, what are odds of you noting this post? 18 words. now 22.

scotch-romanian

03-30-2005, 01:56 AM

Originally posted by tjamick
Why would he consider writing for that show [for] fun?LARRY: Paul, is that dang ol' sketch done yet?

PAUL: Not yet, Sir.

LARRY: Well, GET ER DONE!

PAUL: Yes, Sir.

Originally posted by Upskii
Two totally random gut-laughs: David doing a promo bit with an exercise ball where the ball pops, and Bob as a retarded guy in a Channel 101 bit. I spit milk on both of thoseFunny, because I think David actually spits milk out in that commercial if memory serves me right.

By the way, everyone: Jay Johston, Jerry Minor, and Brian Posehn are all featured in these Powerloafing videos. Just letting yall know.

Upskii

03-30-2005, 05:14 AM

Originally posted by Creamy Center

The moon orbits around the sun, as recent studies have shown.

After consulting a 4th grade physics teacher, I stand by the wording of my original post.

Originally posted by CptPlanet

I noticed you don't link to aspecialthing.com on your page. Actually this isn't really a question, but fuck those guys.

Yeah, up theirs! I will probably post over there whenever this thread peters out or descends into inane chatter. But, still fuck em! Fuck them hard!

Originally posted by JuanBallsac

Hey Mikey(can I call you Mikey?)

Only my mother calls me Mikey, and she's dead. Thanks for bringing down the mood of this thread, shitheel.

Originally posted by JuanBallsac
Any-hoo. Why does George Lopez have a career?

Because he can fill a 20,000 seat arena in any major city in the country. You ask easy questions.

Originally posted by JuanBallsac

If he decides to start a band do you think it would be funny if he called it the Acne Scars?

That's too hypothetical to answer, but the idea of it doesn't make me laugh, nor does the idea of the idea of it.

Originally posted by JuanBallsac

Did you have anything to do with Dream of a Lifetime? If so I bow to thee. If not, I still tip my large cowboy hat in protective plastic to you.
I was drunk that day, maybe an adverb or two, many of the best adverbs were mine. I don't care what you're wearing.
Originally posted by JuanBallsac

What are the odds of you noting my script? 94 pages. Sure, no problem: I love it. I'm going to switch to all caps briefly just to make my point: BLOCKBUSTER. Now I'm going to use quotes for another point - you my friend have "it." I'm getting another call...

Originally posted by tjamick

Why would he consider writing for that show fun?

I want to work where you work, cause it must be a Fun Factory.

Originally posted by scotch-romanian

LARRY: Paul, is that dang ol' sketch done yet?

PAUL: Not yet, Sir.

LARRY: Well, GET ER DONE!

PAUL: Yes, Sir.

Funny and true.

Originally posted by scotch-romanian

By the way, everyone: Jay Johston, Jerry Minor, and Brian Posehn are all featured in these Powerloafing videos.

That's right, and also Carlos Alazraqui, Eddie Pepitone, Blaine Capatch, Matt Weinhold, Jakie Kashian and all kinds of other funny folks. And, we have upcoming guests that could induce heart palpitations in some BUTM members, but I can't reveal them just yet. We just shot an episode a month ago with Carlos, who plays Officer Garcia on Reno 911. BTW: Powerloafing has absolutely no corporate affiliation, and it's probably not even legal.

I guarantee the members of the BUTM community that once they experience Powerloafing the sky will become bluer, the birds will sing like they have never sung before, and their lives will enter a new state of true joy and wonderment.

mike

Pali

03-30-2005, 10:09 AM

I enjoyed the videos, so there you go. Where are you hoping this Powerloafing idea will lead, if I might ask?

Oh, and when you depart for aspecialthing, please don't tell them what a bunch of retards we are. I would say only 1/3 of the people here fall into that catagory.

Soma

03-30-2005, 12:25 PM

Hey Mike, here's two non questions, bullet style.
That ketchup skit was the first thing I ever saw on the Chris Rock show. And it fueled the fire for about 3 weeks of terrible inside jokes among me and my friends. That’s three weeks I’ll never get back.
Here’s a sketch idea I’ve been saving for a very long time, and I now present it for you. Pandas. Maybe something about how they don’t like to fuck each other, I don’t know… that part doesn’t matter.

JuanBallsac

03-30-2005, 05:13 PM

Tis I JuanBallsac.

Did you guys read that shit? Upchurch said my script was a blockbuster!!

Man that was easy. Anyone want to do lunch at the Ivy?

agent_PUNT

03-30-2005, 09:34 PM

Dear Mr. Mikey "My mom is dead and I'm a suck" Uppity:

Thanks for all the info! Your site is great. Keep the good comedy coming please. Forever.

Also:

Any chance of a BIG Mr. Show-esque reunion ever?

What ever happened with the "talks/rumors' of a sketch-movie?

Thanks for reading.

P.S. Sorry to hear about your mom.

terris

03-31-2005, 02:07 AM

I like this show, and I think it will grow on me even more to the point where I will like it even more.

I got a question for you Mr. Upchurch, I'm considering doing a masters paper on sketch comedy when I'm done my degree. Can I look at your paper to see if it's something that would be worth tackling? or if I should ignore that idea and move on to other dreams that can let me put the real world off for a bit.

apotatojudge

03-31-2005, 04:09 AM

You guys sure are asking a lot for Mr. Up.

Upskii

03-31-2005, 06:44 AM

Originally posted by Pali
I enjoyed the videos, so there you go.
Now, here's an opinion you can trust. Pali speaks from the heart. Not trying to tell anybody else what to think, or trying to show you how hip he is by using words like "satire" or "juxtaposition." Pali watched the Powerloafing videos, and they provided enjoyment, there you go.
Originally posted by agent_PUNT
Your site is great. Keep the good comedy coming please. Forever.

Agent Punt, who is one tough customer, has seen Powerloafing and says it's "great," and further, wants the show to keep going on forever. If a discerning individual like Agent thinks something is decent, then it's great, and Agent thinks Powerloafing is great, so we're talking about a whole new category of entertainment satisfaction.
Originally posted by terris
I like this show, and I think it will grow on me even more to the point where I will like it even more.
Is there a consensus forming here or what? Terris likes the show, and is confident that with each new show the liking will increase until it overtakes his body like a flesh eating fungus.

Let's have a big round of applause for the members of BUTM. First, the folks who have viewed this tread, which just blew past 400 views. And, how about Scotch who actually tracked down the preview site - that dude is on top of shit, and Creamy Center who was way ahead of the curve two days ago when he said powerloafing was a "hell of an idea," and that crazy nut TomWopat what's a thread without his crazy comments, and tjamick a guy who's watched by three government agencies because of his avatar, and that posting maniac CaptPlanet you pikers will never catch him, and how about JuanBallsac I like his next screenplay even more, and I totally forgive him about the mom comment - dinner at the Ivy on Juan everybody he can afford it, and Terris who's always the first to spot a good thread, and Pali who sticks up for BUTM for being 2/3rds not retarded, and Soma that guys got a Panda bit that will make you laugh until your testicles shrink to the size of a Panda's, and ME!!!, not me but the BUTM member who goes by ME!!! who's a spitting image of David Foley - that dude has been a fan of Powerloafing so long he's the first to be tired of it. Altogether: Hooray for the internet!

mike

P.S.: I missed some questions. Grandpa's too drunk now, maybe tomorrow.

CptPlanet

03-31-2005, 09:49 PM

Mike when my dad gets really drunk and tries to let us kids know what he really thinks about us, but disguises his feelings as good-natured ribbing, he sounds exactly like your last post.

I guess what I'm saying is that you re-opened wounds that I thought had healed long ago.

Pali

03-31-2005, 10:21 PM

He was also kinda being a dick.

Regardless, I still have some questions about this Powerloafing thing. What's your involvement with the project? How did it originate? And, my previous unanswered question, where is the idea headed?

ME!!!!

03-31-2005, 11:05 PM

Originally posted by Upskii
[...]and Soma that guys got a Panda bit that will make you laugh until your testicles shrink to the size of a Panda's, and ME!!!, not me but the BUTM member who goes by ME!!!who's a spitting image of David Foley - that dude has been a fan of Powerloafing so long he's the first to be tired of it.

I use four exclamation points to avoid this problem. Wise up Mr.IwroteforMr.show.:mad:

P.S. If I suck your cock, can I meet Bob Odenkirk :(

Upskii

03-31-2005, 11:47 PM

This is the first thread I've started in any online community, and I'm not hip to the ways yet. So much sarcasm gets tossed around here that my previous post may have been taken as pure snark. My speaking voice sounds more like Clark Kent than Dennis Miller. Maybe I have to start using smilies.

When I consider how harsh some of the other threads in BUTM are this one seems pretty tame, but I'd hate to see this thread dissolve into a flameout, so, I'll try to be less jokey, and I ask the sensitive folks not to be such bleeding weeping sissies. (Kidding, only kidding.)

I also have a couple questions I still haven't answered.

Peace and Love

PS: You're not mad at me are you, Juan? You gotta know I'm kidding. Punt, c'mon you guys me flipped harsh, I flipped back. Ain't that the way it works here? Scotch, terris, soma, somebody jump in and say something positive.

Charlie Church

03-31-2005, 11:55 PM

Well Mr. Upchurch. I'd like to ask if you have any questions for us. We'd be happy to answer them.

If not, please stick around. I haven't gotten a chance to view these powerloafing videos yet (dialup) and I would love the chance to ask you a few questions. It's just that I got this whole thing going on right now, with ladies, and I'm going to have to save the questions for a later time.

scotch-romanian

03-31-2005, 11:58 PM

Mike -

What happened to the episode with Blaine Capatch?* I think it got taken off or something. I was looking for it because I wanted to hear that line again: "Carl, I just saw him in the hallway..." -I also can't watch the Efficiency X-pert because it uses some other type of Realplayer that I don't have? Other than that, everything in the episode-watching department is fine.

And if you're going to begin answering questions, start with Pali's - those are some answers I would like to hear too if possible.

Thanks.

p.s. Oh, and I would jump in in your defense, but I don't know what the conflict is about and it doesn't matter anyway because you wrote for Mr. Show and so you don't have to explain yourself if you don't want to.

*who also wrote for Blue Collar TV I just found out (but I was a huge fan of "Beet the Geeks", so I'll let it slide).

Upskii

04-01-2005, 12:08 AM

Originally posted by Pali
Where are you hoping this Powerloafing idea will lead, if I might ask?

We just want to do more episodes at this point, because we're all having fun. We've taken a blood oath to do 30 episodes, no matter what. The seeming limitations of the premise are somehow freeing, and we have a lot of funny stuff planned.

If we gain a wide audience we'll hijack the IFilm business model, and stream movie trailers in our episodes. That alone would pay for the cost of the whole project many times over. If we did make money from it, we'd probably end up doing at least 100 episodes. Not for greed, but we'd just be able to make more time for it. Episodes 100 to 300, that would be pure greed.

mike

CptPlanet

04-01-2005, 12:46 AM

Originally posted by Charlie Church
Well Mr. Upchurch. I'd like to ask if you have any questions for us. We'd be happy to answer them.

If not, please stick around. I haven't gotten a chance to view these powerloafing videos yet (dialup) and I would love the chance to ask you a few questions. It's just that I got this whole thing going on right now, with ladies, and I'm going to have to save the questions for a later time.

Yeah right Charlie you couldn't get your cock touched if you plated it in gold and got a Fendi emblem stitched into it. (PM me some tits dude ;))

Originally posted by Upskii
Maybe I have to start using smilies.

Yeah smilies that'll work. :rolleyes: Why don't you just turn our comedy message board into a gay dating site. :justkiddingmikeupchurch!:

I finally swallowed my dorkpride and played them in IE, and yeah they made laugh till my tumor hemmorhaged but that's not the point. Efficiency X-pert crashed IE when I tried to play it. Any chance of you guys maybe re-encoding it or something? I know scotch also mentioned he was having trouble playing it. Thanks.

Pali

04-01-2005, 12:50 AM

Thanks for the response Upskii. There seems to be videos available in the sneak preview (http://www.powerloafing.com/sneakpreview.asp) section that aren't on the main Powerloafing page.

Also, I suppose BUTM does have a tendency to pounce on people who come here solely trying to sell us their comedic stylings.

I stand by my 1/3 comment.

agent_PUNT

04-01-2005, 01:04 AM

Originally posted by Upskii

Punt, c'mon you guys me flipped harsh, I flipped back. Ain't that the way it works here? .

you guys me flipped harsh...is definitely the way it works.

But seriously:

What ever happened with the "talks/rumors' of a Mr. Show sketch-movie?

and have you ever seen Craig T. Nelson do stand-up?

scotch-romanian

04-01-2005, 01:09 AM

Originally posted by Pali
There seems to be videos available in the sneak preview (http://www.powerloafing.com/sneakpreview.asp) section that aren't on the main Powerloafing page.Okay, thanks. Forget about that missing Blaine Capatch episode - Pali has found it.

Mike, what Mr. Show set props do you have in your house and would you be willing to give them away? (All of my questions have already been asked.)

Upskii

04-01-2005, 01:27 AM

Originally posted by Pali
Regardless, I still have some questions about this Powerloafing thing. What's your involvement with the project? How did it originate? And, my previous unanswered question, where is the idea headed?

Thank you Pali for the most substantial questions so far. I was going to answer last night, but I did a pep rally instead (Note to self: drunk pep rally results in unintended sarcasm.) I'll answer as much as I can tonight in the next hour.

I first pitched the idea of Powerloafing in the Summer of 2000 to Pop.com. We shot 6 episodes, but Pop ended up a giant fiasco and never launched. I spent a year trying to get copyrights and raw footage of performances by Brian, Jay, and Ron Lynch. I finally got the project back by slamming a credit card to pay back my fees, ($6,000) to Dreamworks Legal.

After searching forever for an office set to shoot in, I ended up recreating the set in my living room by sticking fake florescent lights on my ceiling and putting mirrors on the top two feet of the walls. It actually looks more convincing than the old set, which actually was an office. I am never in a million years getting my deposit back with all the shit I've done to the walls, not to mention the fake blood on the carpet.

Originally, there was another actor playing Carl, but he moved to Seattle, so in May of 2003 we recut the Pop.com footage with Paul Greenberg as Carl, and continued shooting. We've completed 13 episodes so far. I also did three versions of the Powerloafing homepage, two utterly horrible ones, and this current one which is getting there, but isn't quite there yet.

I've squandered my meager personal fortune, and a whole bunch of time on the project, but I believe in it and it's fun. Consider this a beta version. We hope to get some backing, and then we'll be encoded for all players and have a site that works with Opera and Firefox.

m

Upskii

04-01-2005, 01:49 AM

Originally posted by agent_PUNT
Dear Mr. Mikey "My mom is dead and I'm a suck" Uppity:
Any chance of a BIG Mr. Show-esque reunion ever?

I don't see why not, there was a Pootie Tang reunion at Aspen and it had barely come out on DVD yet. I guess that was kind of the joke though.

I'd like to start a completely unfounded rumour right now: There will definitely be a Mr. Show reunion in April of 2008 at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. (NOTE: I made that up.) I just talked to Bob, and he says they are having a $700 dollar a plate Bald Eagle Barbecue. (true, but unrelated)

Originally posted by agent_PUNT
What ever happened with the "talks/rumors' of a sketch-movie?

B & D wrote a sketch movie script called "Hooray for America" that was really funny, maybe that is where the "talks/rumors" came from. I think it's stalled in development. Damn Hollywood.

m

Upskii

04-01-2005, 01:52 AM

Originally posted by CptPlanet
Efficiency X-pert crashed IE when I tried to play it. Any chance of you guys maybe re-encoding it or something? I know scotch also mentioned he was having trouble playing it. Thanks.

That episode has been a problem for some reason. I'll look into it over the weekend.

m

CptPlanet

04-01-2005, 02:08 AM

Mike you guys link to Jonah Ray's site. Are you guys just fans or do you have any sort of working relationship with him? He's funny.

tjamick

04-01-2005, 02:11 AM

Mike, if you come up with other sketch ideas that don't involve carl, do you plan on filming them and putting them up on a different section of the site?
you have the cast and equipment, so if you don't plan on doing that, you should now.

another thing: Do you mind if i steal powerloafing, change the name to Powerlounging, give all the characters funny accents, drag each episode out to 30 minutes and put it on tv?

LOVE TJ

Upskii

04-01-2005, 02:45 AM

Originally posted by terris
I got a question for you Mr. Upchurch, I'm considering doing a masters paper on sketch comedy when I'm done my degree. Can I look at your paper to see if it's something that would be worth tackling? or if I should ignore that idea and move on to other dreams that can let me put the real world off for a bit.

I don't have copies anymore, but I think you can get the thesis through inter-library loan free if you're a grad student. I attended the highly prestigious University of Nevada Las Vegas, and I think they sell their dissertations for $35 or something. It's 92 pages and very boring. It's not worth the money, unless you're buying it to put your name on the title page and submit it anywhere but UNLV. That would be well worth the money, because writing it sucked.

I can't tell you whether to go to grad school, but i think it's irrelevant to writing comedy. There weren't many graduate degrees at Mr. Show, just me and Bill Odenkirk (PhD University of Chicago, Chemistry - no shit). While most everyone on the staff attended college at one time or another, few got a degree. That's part of the reason the show was so smart.

So, remember kids: stay in school... or not, or whatever you want to do.

mike

Upskii

04-01-2005, 03:06 AM

Originally posted by Pali
Thanks for the response Upskii. There seems to be videos available in the sneak preview (http://www.powerloafing.com/sneakpreview.asp) section that aren't on the main Powerloafing page.

I guess I didn't hide that very well. We will be rolling out those last 5 episodes on Ifilm very soon, plus a few more that are in the pipeline.

So there's the sneak peak, anyone who goes to that link is a bonified Powerloafing insider. The vast unwashed masses will go to the main URL with the 6 current episodes, and must wait to see them rolled out. Only people interested enough to use a search engine will find that sneak preview site. I'm glad you found it, and I hope it helps folks see where were going with the show.

m

Upskii

04-01-2005, 03:23 AM

Originally posted by scotch-romanian
Mike, what Mr. Show set props do you have in your house and would you be willing to give them away? (All of my questions have already been asked.)

I have a sign that says "Listen to the Monkey!" from protest scene in the BUTM sketch that sat in the trunk of my car for 3 years. I also have a box of paperwork with drafts of stuff with actual handwriting of The Bob on it. I have a T-shirt that says "I Survived the Devastator" on it.

I charge $20 dollars per look. (a look = 4 seconds)

mike

CptPlanet

04-01-2005, 03:27 AM

Eh, I'd give those a half-look. Can you pro-rate it or do I need to bring a friend along with me to finish the rest of my look?

Upskii

04-01-2005, 03:27 AM

Originally posted by CptPlanet
Mike you guys link to Jonah Ray's site. Are you guys just fans or do you have any sort of working relationship with him? He's funny.

He's a friend of the site. He's a funny comic and a cool dude. Don't be surprised if you see him in a Powerloafing episode some day.

m

Upskii

04-01-2005, 03:30 AM

Originally posted by CptPlanet
Eh, I'd give those a half-look. Can you pro-rate it or do I need to bring a friend along with me to finish the rest of my look?

You can divide the look up any way you want, if you want to sublet 2seconds it's totally up to you. You can scalp too, so sell the half look for $100 bucks and then get 4 more looks that are pure gravy.

m

Upskii

04-01-2005, 03:51 AM

Originally posted by tjamick
Mike, if you come up with other sketch ideas that don't involve carl, do you plan on filming them and putting them up on a different section of the site?
you have the cast and equipment, so if you don't plan on doing that, you should now.

Powerloafing is strictly for Powerloafing, and it's taking most of my spare time. Here's two realplayers of stuff I did with no budget last fall:

http://powerloafing.com/MiracleSpray.ram

http://powerloafing.com/drunktech.ram

These were shot in a day and edited in final cut pro with images from Google images. Actually, I lied, I may put these two spots as banner ads on Powerloafing.

Originally posted by tjamick

another thing: Do you mind if i steal powerloafing, change the name to Powerlounging, give all the characters funny accents, drag each episode out to 30 minutes and put it on tv?
LOVE TJ
I could write for that show. Please hire me.

Upskii

04-01-2005, 04:07 AM

Originally posted by Charlie Church
Well Mr. Upchurch. I'd like to ask if you have any questions for us. We'd be happy to answer them.

How did you hear about BUTM?

In what year did you first become a fan of Mr. Show?

What are the 3 best comedy shows currently on Television? (can be more than 3)

What's a show that I'm probably not famaliar with that I should give a look?

mike

ps. Will be back on weekend. I am now shutting down zzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

CptPlanet

04-01-2005, 04:56 AM

Originally posted by Upskii
How did you hear about BUTM?

In what year did you first become a fan of Mr. Show?

What are the 3 best comedy shows currently on Television? (can be more than 3)

What's a show that I'm probably not famaliar with that I should give a look?

mike

ps. Will be back on weekend. I am now shutting down zzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Can I answer these too? Shut up I'm doing it anyway.

How did I hear about BUTM? I don't remember. Clicked a banner ad somewhere most likely.

In what year did I first become a Mr. Show fan?

2001 (shut up I'm only 19). I had been peripherally aware of it for a few years and I remember seeing Bob or David or someone plugging it on the Daily Show (back when Kilborn hosted it) in like 1997 or 1998, a long time ago.

He was funny and it looked awesome and I wished that my parents would spring for premium channels but whatever. I didn't actually get to watch it until we got broadband and I could steal hours worth of content with the click of a mouse. I wound up later buying the DVDs so that good people like you could afford to finance your moral decay for another week.

What are the 3 best comedy shows currently on Television?

Arrested Development
The Daily Show
Aqua Teen Hunger Force (it's starting to slip in quality a little bit but I still enjoy it)
Fox News?

What's a show that you're probably not famaliar with that you should give a look?
Even though it's a sketch group and not a television show, I'll give the guys at Secret Pants (http://secretpants.net) a mention. One of their members was on here awhile ago self-promoting, and I hated it at first because he was pimping their worst sketch as their best, so I naturally figured all the rest were worse, but then I started clicking around and found some pretty good stuff. Here are my favorites:

"Fun Learning Time":
http://secretpants.net/sketches/mov/puppet.mov
"AA":
http://secretpants.net/sketches/mov/aa.mov (pace drags in a few places, skip forward a little bit)
"Resolutions":
http://secretpants.net/sketches/mov/resolutions.mov

ME!!!!

04-01-2005, 11:05 AM

Brain Stew

04-01-2005, 11:44 AM

teengirlsquad

04-01-2005, 12:31 PM

1. google too
2. 1995 i think my parents friends had satellite and i used to go over and camp out to watch mr show
3. arrested development, kids show (wonder showzen?), the daily show anything ending with show really

Starting Over - its addictive --- it follows a diverse and ever-changing group of women as they attempt to make extraordinary changes in their lives -- all while living together under the same roof.

Soma

04-01-2005, 12:32 PM

Wonder Showzen?

*edit*

See, now it looks like I'm asking about the show, rather than saying it in responce to Brain Stew. Thanks a lot tgs.

teengirlsquad

04-01-2005, 12:35 PM

http://www.tvtome.com/WonderShowzen/

edit: damn and now it looks like i am trying to link you to some information that will clear this all up

edit: i did!

Soma

04-01-2005, 12:52 PM

I think you're just being crass. I don't believe that you actually edited that.

Wait, what? Mike who?

Mike, when is the Powerloafing crew going to film its episode of Celebrity Poker Showdown?

TomWopat

04-01-2005, 02:02 PM

Originally posted by Upskii
How did you hear about BUTM?

I dunno. I think I was looking for Mr.Show Transcripts and got this site confused with unoriginal.com maybe. It has that same orange/red thing.

In what year did you first become a fan of Mr. Show?

I had originally wrote a long story here, but let's just leave it at this:

I can remember watching a few episodes first-run during the last two seasons. That made me like the show.

Then it came on HBO Comedy. That made me love it.

Then the DVDs came out. That made me complete (even though I don't have season 4 and my season 2-3 case sleeve thingie has sticky stuff on it).

What are the 3 best comedy shows currently on Television? (can be more than 3)
Wondershowzen, definitely
Arrested Development
Late Night with Conan O'Brien

(I probably forgot some good ones)

[b]What's a show that I'm probably not famaliar with that I should give a look?

I watch a lot of PBS. They have good programming. I especially heart Austin City Limits.

Brain Stew

04-01-2005, 02:13 PM

Originally posted by teengirlsquad
Starting Over - its addictive --- it follows a diverse and ever-changing group of women as they attempt to make extraordinary changes in their lives -- all while living together under the same roof.
Jesus Christ you're a woman.

CptPlanet

04-01-2005, 09:59 PM

Originally posted by Brain Stew
Jesus Christ you're a woman.

no shit. pull your head out of your ovaries.

agent_PUNT

04-01-2005, 10:08 PM

Originally posted by Upskii
How did you hear about BUTM?

searching for tour dates for David Cross and Sarah Silverman.

Originally posted by Upskii
In what year did you first become a fan of Mr. Show?

some time in 1998.

I was introduced to the show after hearing someone talk about "Coupon the Movie, The Ride".

The first person I tried to convert to Mr. Show hated it... we were watching it on TV and the "My father touched my butthole" sketch came on. The girl unfortunately HAD been molested by her father so yeah.

Thanks for the words.

Brain Stew

04-01-2005, 10:13 PM

Originally posted by CptPlanet
no shit. pull your head out of your ovaries.
I meant that in a Chandler kind of way like, "You are suuuuch a woman!"

And then I drink a bunch and get fat and make bad romantic comedies.

CptPlanet

04-01-2005, 11:41 PM

Originally posted by Brain Stew
I meant that in a Chandler kind of way like, "You are suuuuch a woman!"

And then I drink a bunch and get fat and make bad romantic comedies.

No, you get addicted to Klonopin and get fat and make bad romantic comedies. THEN you drink a bunch.

tjamick

04-02-2005, 02:30 AM

Originally posted by Upskii
How did you hear about BUTM?

Google.

Originally posted by Upskii

In what year did you first become a fan of Mr. Show?
I watched it a few times during season 4, but i was a bit too young to realize how good it was. when the dvd's came out i tried to get them, but no one had them for rent and i had no job, so i was shit out of luck. in late 2003 HBO put a few episodes onto OnDemand and that resparked my intrest. i had a job at the time, so i bought season 1-3 then.

Originally posted by Upskii

What are the 3 best comedy shows currently on Television? (can be more than 3)

Arrested Development, Tom Goes To The Mayor, Scrubs, Wonder Showzen and all of those shows about people who want bizarre plastic surgeries or shows with the words "_____LBS Tumor" in it.

Upskii

04-02-2005, 09:18 PM

Originally posted by CptPlanet
I wound up later buying the DVDs so that good people like you could afford to finance your moral decay for another week.
[/url]

I wish! I was paid then and that's it, which barely financed my moral decay at the time. Cable contracts are different than networks, and writers don't participate in residuals.

The real shame is that Bob and David don't get anything from the Mr. Show DVDs. They put body and soul into the show fo several years. They lost weight each season because they worked so hard. (Bob lost 7 pounds of hair in just the third season alone.)

m

Upskii

04-02-2005, 09:23 PM

I fixed the Efficiency X-pert episode. Also, Motivatin' Marty, for all you advanced Sneak Peak-ers.

m

Upskii

04-03-2005, 01:30 AM

Originally posted by Pali
when you depart for aspecialthing, please don't tell them what a bunch of retards we are. I would say only 1/3 of the people here fall into that catagory. I'm thinking only1/5th retarded. There are also some funny people here. I lurked long before posting, so I knew what I was getting into. Aside from the gadflys, there are folks who make great insights and who crack me up regularly. I'll continue to post occasionally, if I'm not being slammed by reality too much. And, I pledge not to slag on BUTM over at aspecialthing. But I'll slag on those pud yankers at aspecialthing over here, you can count on that.

Originally posted by Pali
I suppose BUTM does have a tendency to pounce on people who come here solely trying to sell us their comedic stylings. . Yeah, and bad form of me to be such a carnival barker, when you get flyered regularly by jamokes. Powerloafing is Mr. Show connected though, and I'm willing to face the whithering scrutiny of BUTM. And did I mention that I...

Originally posted by CptPlanet
Even though it's a sketch group and not a television show, I'll give the guys at Secret Pants (http://secretpants.net) a mention.] I saw that post and checked out a few things. They are a promising sketch group. I liked the sexual harassing old man puppet, and the New Years eve sketch had good stuff. I agree with the constructive ctiticism about sound quality, and they could edit things down, but they're going for it and that's what matters. I try to judge gonzo sketch comedy done by people for fun differently than stuff on TV, which has a lot more machinery behind it.

Another web sketch group is TheLonelyIsland.com. (I'm too stupid to do a hyperlink.) They have funny stuff on their site. They are currently doing a pilot presentation for Fox, so we will hopefully have a good sketch show on TV soon. Check them out if you haven't already.

Now, to answer my own questions, because I love hearing myself type:

How did you hear about BUTM?

A friend sent me a link.

In what year did you first become a fan of Mr. Show?

Early 1996. I moved to LA and the guy who had the apartment before me left a few weeks of free HBO. I saw the first three shows and was very excited until I heard it was cancelled in the first season. I'm glad it was only a rumor.

What are the 3 best comedy shows currently on Television? (can be more than 3)

Daily Show, I never miss it. Aqua Teen, didn't like it at first, but now I'm hooked. Arrested Development and Scrubs are good, The American Office, (the 2nd episode rocked, and I'm giving it a chance.) I wish I could add something more that somebody else didn't say already.

What's a show that I'm probably not famaliar with that I should give a look?

Here's some great British shows:
Little Britain: Two guys play all the parts, and it's solid character driven sketches. Black Books stars two great brit comedians, Dylan Moran and Bill Bailey, and it does not disappoint. Father Ted, The first time I saw it I knew I would have to see every episode, and I'm maybe half way through.

mik

JuanBallsac

04-03-2005, 01:41 AM

Tis I JuanBallsac.

I'm not gonna tap dance around the important issues here Upchurch. So I'm gonna come straight out and ask it.

Have you ever met the God of all actors Corey Feldman?

If so what kind of impression did he make on you?

What is your favorite Corey movie?

If Corey was a food, what food would he be? Why?

Upskii

04-03-2005, 02:17 AM

Hey Juan,

I'm sorry, but I don't have any Corey stories.

Coreys' best films: Time After Time, Stand By Me, Lost boys.

Worst: the rest.

What food he would be: Ham and cheese on white bread.

Here's something: Jonathan Taylor Thomas lived in my apartment building for two years. I kept seeing him, but he had a different name on his mailbox. I wondered why somebody who could afford to live in Bel Air was living in my crappy apartment complex, and assumed he must have blown it all on drugs. Then I found out from my neigbor who lived directly below him that it was his North Hollywood party pad, and he had a mansion somewhere else, but would crash there sometimes. My neigbor hated his guts because he would play "gay music," all night long, and he put marks all over the hallway trying to do Matrix kicks with his whacked out freaky hollywood friends.

This is the only sordid former child star anecdote I can think of. I hope it was a decent substitute for Corey impressions.

m

terris

04-03-2005, 03:29 AM

I always had a soft spot for jtt as my last name is Taylor so I felt some what connected to him.

Mike I had an idea today at work, sort of a, we scratch your back, you scratch ours kind of thing. You should make an episode of powerloafing where Carl happens to be loafing it up on butm.com, and in return we will harass Mr. Admin to have a powerloafing section, so that you can have an official forum to link to from the powerloafing site.

And as far as questioning your ancient Hollywood knowledge. If I were trying to "make" it in the "industry" would it all aid my chances of getting a "shot" if were to fund and create a pilot of sorts to show networks or production companies what I and others can do, or do I have just as much luck with that as i do writing and shopping my shit around hoping for the best?

And does anyone else think that Nancy grace on cnn is trying really hard to get snl to make a sketch about her. Seriously her persona is just to fucking much, it can’t be real

CptPlanet

04-03-2005, 05:20 AM

Originally posted by Upskii
I wish! I was paid then and that's it, which barely financed my moral decay at the time. Cable contracts are different than networks, and writers don't participate in residuals.

The real shame is that Bob and David don't get anything from the Mr. Show DVDs. They put body and soul into the show fo several years. They lost weight each season because they worked so hard. (Bob lost 7 pounds of hair in just the third season alone.)

m

Then who the fuck is getting fat off my DVD dollar? Does it all go to the pricks at HBO who strongarmed Bob and David into walking away from Mr. Show in the first place?

Also, The Lonely Island is really good stuff. I'm glad to hear about them and Fox, even though it'll get cancelled in the second or third season for being too good.

CptPlanet

04-03-2005, 05:22 AM

Oh yeah Mike if you have an inside line on the Stella TV show please spill whatever you can.

Pali

04-03-2005, 10:53 AM

Originally posted by Upskii
I'm thinking only1/5th retarded. There are also some funny people here. I lurked long before posting, so I knew what I was getting into. Aside from the gadflys, there are folks who make great insights and who crack me up regularly. I'll continue to post occasionally, if I'm not being slammed by reality too much. And, I pledge not to slag on BUTM over at aspecialthing. But I'll slag on those pud yankers at aspecialthing over here, you can count on that.

Thanks. We all appreciate that.

Yeah, and bad form of me to be such a carnival barker, when you get flyered regularly by jamokes. Powerloafing is Mr. Show connected though, and I'm willing to face the whithering scrutiny of BUTM.
[/B]

I think your Mr. Show credentials give you a free run of this place.

What's a show that I'm probably not famaliar with that I should give a look?

Here's some great British shows:
Little Britain: Two guys play all the parts, and it's solid character driven sketches. Black Books stars two great brit comedians, Dylan Moran and Bill Bailey, and it does not disappoint. Father Ted, The first time I saw it I knew I would have to see every episode, and I'm maybe half way through.

[/B]

All excellent shows, Bill Bailey is probably England finest stand up at the moment. Black Books has gone down hill in recent years though. Another series I highly recommend which is in the same vein is Spaced, it has several people from the series' you listed popping up in cameos. It's from the same guys who did Shaun of the Dead, if you saw that.

To answer that question for myself though, the series I recommend are Brass Eye (available on region free dvd from amazon.co.uk) and The Day Today. Both the work of a comedian called Chris Morris. There's a soundbite from one of his shows in my signature. His work doesn't travel well because it's usually very topical, but frankly I don't see why that would ever make it any less funny.

5InchTaint

04-03-2005, 02:36 PM

Originally posted by Pali
the series I recommend are Brass Eye (available on region free dvd from amazon.co.uk) and The Day Today. Both the work of a comedian called Chris Morris.
I agree with Pali here. Chris Morris is great. I'd recommend Jam, as well.

I really enjoyed your two commercials. I actually liked them better than the Powerloafing episodes. I prefer my comedy a little more bizarre. I did really like the more concept episodes, like the Star Trek and soap opera ones in the sneak preview section. The Mr. Show cameos are great, I enjoyed Minor's zombie character quite a bit. You said that the episodes in the Sneak Preview section were the way the show was headed, so I'll keep watching.

scotch-romanian

04-03-2005, 05:49 PM

Mike -

I just watched "Cubicle of Fear" again, and not only do I think it's the funniest episode on there, but I think it hints at how Powerloafing could me a much stronger show: the Blaine Capatch "straight guy" character... He and Paul's exchange at the beginning I think is the funniest moment of Powerloafing so far (the rest of the episode - with Jerry Minor - is also hilarious.) I'm guessing that Blaine isn't available enough to be a recurring character, but I think that the show needs a "straight guy" character (i.e. Michael Bluth in Arrested Development or whatever).

But what do I know really? Maybe it was just how Blaine Capatch performed it that made me think this, or that the scene was written so well.

By the way, is that "tyekonderoga number two" line yours? It's awesome.

CptPlanet

04-04-2005, 03:04 AM

Chris Morris is very funny, I'll third that.

Have you ever thought about submitting any Powerloafing to Jump Cuts on Comedy Central? It might fit in quite well there.

Upskii

04-04-2005, 03:20 AM

Originally posted by terris
Mike I had an idea today at work, sort of a, we scratch your back, you scratch ours kind of thing. You should make an episode of powerloafing where Carl happens to be loafing it up on butm.com, and in return we will harass Mr. Admin to have a powerloafing section, so that you can have an official forum to link to from the powerloafing site.
I'm trying to think of someplace to do it in an episode, I'll keep that in mind. Otherwise, please send word of Powerloafing to the shotgun shack in Montana where Mr. Admin resides. Let him know PL links to BUTM, and don't forget to tell him about that thing I did.

Originally posted by terris
And as far as questioning your ancient Hollywood knowledge. If I were trying to "make" it in the "industry" would it all aid my chances of getting a "shot" if were to fund and create a pilot of sorts to show networks or production companies what I and others can do, or do I have just as much luck with that as i do writing and shopping my shit around hoping for the best? Yes, and yes. This question probably requires a more detailed post than I can do now, but I'll try to put it in capsule form. Here's Mike's non-guaranteed levelheaded primer on how to "make it" in the entertainment industry, which applies to sketch writers, filmmakers, and stand-ups, and I'm addressing it to someone in their early twenties: Get to the nearest city of a half million people or more, in your case Hamilton, (Good place, where half the writing staff of Kids in the Hall came from.) Get a job that you don't have to think about when you leave the building, then dive into the comedy scene, and find the funniest people. If you go to college take practical courses (contract law, communications) that will help you handle the business part of being a writer. Pitch ideas, and collaborate on projects with people you respect, and work on your listening skills. Put on shows, make short films, do improv or spoken word, and try a bunch of stuff out and find out what you're good at. I guarantee you will meet people that you'll end up working with in another city, (I met Doug Stanhope in Las Vegas in 1992.) Don't get too hung up on the local politics. At some point, only you'll know when, you will be ready to move to LA. You might make a pit stop in Toronto, New York, Chicago, Boston, Vancouver, or London, but ultimately you'll have to go to LA to fully "make it. " Once in LA continue what you did in the last city, and be prepared to spend a few years. You'll end up growing with the contacts you've made. You will end up using knowledge you learned messing around in City #1, or #2 in the the weird specialized gigs you end up doing. I'm sure many of the folks here already have a head start on this stuff, if so you are on the right track. Don't worry about any single "shot," at making it, it will come in a series of little shots that give you experience so you don't "blow it" when a really fantastic opportunity comes along.

I interviewed Al Franken (name drop) in 1991, and asked him a similar question, I asked, "How do I become a writer for SNL?" He answered, "Go to New York or LA, and do something that comes to our attention." I interjected and tried to get him to look at a short film I had done in Vegas, and he stopped me and said, "No, no, go to New York or LA first, but keep doing the video stuff and building up your writing samples." I think he was giving me the short version of what I just said above. Sensible advice that I followed. I still hope to work with him someday.

Thanks for listening to my boring, obvious, self-important advice.

mik

PS: will address other items during the week. Thanks for all the feedback, I'm learning stuff.

CptPlanet

04-04-2005, 03:53 AM

Mike, to me the comedy scene seems to be a lot more meritocratic than the rest of the entertainment industry. It seems like as long as someone is both talented and hard working, they'll be able to eke out at least a semi-decent living doing what they want.

Is that necessarily true, or is it possible for even the funniest and most dedicated person to give it their best shot and still be forced to live on dollar store gin and off-brand Spam until they return to their bumfuck hometown in shame and move back in with their parents until they die of cirrhosis and a broken heart?

Also, is it possible to "make it" (and by that I just mean comfortably support yourself) on writing alone without ever doing standup/acting/improv? Is that what you did? That shit is unbelievably difficult and nerve wracking for me, and it seems like- at least in my case- it would actually do more harm than good if my goal was to make people think I'm funny. I'm also ugly, which I realize isn't necessarily a dealbreaker for a standup comic, and some comics use their natural homeliness to their advantage, but the point is I'm really uncomfortable in those types of settings.

Oh one more quick question: Were you scared of failing and being rejected when you started? How did you deal with it?

agent_PUNT

04-04-2005, 04:16 PM

As some of you know I am in the process of being laid off from my high paying office job. My release was in part due to the fact that I laughed in my bosses face when she asked me to start "dressing for success".

Well today was a typical day in the Human Resources department for lil Nicky Carter (me).

Let me walk you through my day:

Show up at 8:57.

Put Weezer's "Blue Album" on continous play. At 41 minutes it should play approx. 10 times before I duck out at 3:55.

Then I really just stare at my computer screen for the rest of the day. Every twenty minutes or so I'll open a new database so that if anyone walks by they'll see a different graphic on my screen.

And to make sure people think I'm checking my inbox, here's what I did with my e-mail today (Karen is a co-worker who i talk with about David Cross):

-----Original Message-----
From: Carter, Nick
Sent: Monday, April 04, 2005 11:38 AM
To: XXXXXX, Karen
Subject: update

How was the weekend?

Please use the following words in your response:

"orange"

"batteries"

"South Dakota"

"overwhelming"

"vietnamese cooking"

From: XXXXX, Karen
Sent: Monday, April 04, 2005 11:47 AM
To: Carter, Nick
Subject: RE: update

Usual exciting weekend, the highlight of which was when I tired a new recipe for grilled Asian shrimp with orange sauce I found in a Vietnamese Cooking cookbook from South Dakota which became a little overwhelming when the battieries on my mixmaster died and I had to beat the sauce by hand.

How was your weekend?

Please use the following words in your response:

"oatmeal"

"green"

"crop circles"

"salsa"

"passion"

-----Original Message-----
From: Carter, Nick
Sent: Monday, April 04, 2005 11:53 AM
To: XXXXXX, Karen
Subject: RE: update

Well my weekend was kind of shitty. My pope died as you may have heard. So I decided to rent that movie The Passion of the Christ as a tribute. You know that movie right? It was directed by that guy Mel Gibson. You know him right? He was in that movie about the crop circles and the little green men. I think it was called "Signs"

Anyways that didn't make me feel any better. If you've seen that movie you'd know it's not really uplifting. So I ended up spending the rest of saturday in bed just kind of lighting candles and praying.

then sunday came and boy was it incredible...It was truly like God was smiling down on me. I felt great. And you may not believe this but while eating breakfast I saw the Lady Madonna's face in my oatmeal! It was incredible!

Then I murdered a prostitute by drowning her in a bathtub.

Oh and salsa was on sale at Loblaws.

-----Original Message-----
From: Carter, Nick
Sent: Monday, April 04, 2005 12:02 PM
To: XXXXXX, Karen
Subject: RE: update

do something with these words:

"leech"

"daffy duck"

"cartel"

and

"Nelson Mandela"

-----Original Message-----
From: XXXXXX, Karen
Sent: Monday, April 04, 2005 2:05 PM
To: Carter, Nick
Subject: News Bulletin

Fox News reported this morning that the CIA has infiltrated the infamous leech cartel based in Buenos Aries, Argentina.

Several arrests were made during a raid on the ship "Nelson Mandela" after it docked in the San Francisco harbour in the early hours of the morning. Found on board were several crates of Speckled Spanish leeches, an endangered species protected by the UN Wildlife Treaty of 1986. During the past 6 months biologists have became increasingly alarmed as these leeches began disappearing from the rainforests.

Among those arrested were the leader of the cartel, David Cross, who operated under the code name "Daffy Duck". The CIA intelligence had learned of a plot by Mr. Cross and his gang of left-wing comics to kidnap the President and apply the leeches to his head with the hope of stimulating the flow of blood to his brain. The comedians believe Mr. Bush is border-line brain dead. As he was led away in hand-cuffs Mr. Cross was heard yelling, "You know it's what Jesus would do!"

Your turn:

Corinthean leather

dolphin

chocolate

and

Captain Kirk.

-----Original Message-----
From: Carter, Nick
Sent: Monday, April 04, 2005 2:17 PM
To: XXXXXX, Karen
Subject: RE: News Bulletin

What I Did On My Summer Vacation by Jimmy Happersmith

Dear Ms. Anklesmith,

On my summer vacation I got to go to space camp with my best friend Robbie Dribbel. I was nervous on the first day because it was a 2 week camp and I didn't know much about the other people that were going there. Me and Robbie stayed together for the first couple of days which were the funnest. We got to watch the famous episode of Star Trek called "Barter's Void" when Captain Kirk is stuck on planet Nihplod and he has to disguise himself as a local so he sells his uniform for the suit made from Corinthean leather. That's one of my favorite episodes ever and I was the only one who noticed that the planets name backwards was "dolphin". I got major space cadet points for that! I was winning the contest after the first 2 days! I didn't end up winning because there was a chinese kid at camp. I did come second and I did win a box of chocolates. I didn't eat them though. I traded them to Jimmy for his replica plasma-gamma-optic-scope. I think the Captain would be proud.

When I got home from camp I found out my dad had been arrested for killing a prostitute in our bathtub.

I think this school year will be the best ever!

LLAP (live long and prosper)

Jimmy.

... And that was my Powerloafing day.

Thanks.

terris

04-04-2005, 05:46 PM

thanks for the advice mike, you're an asset to this company

and nick i'd like to see you in my office, i'm afraid it's time to have a discussion about your posistion here

CptPlanet

04-04-2005, 05:49 PM

Karen's funny it's too bad she's either fat or crazy.

teengirlsquad

04-04-2005, 06:49 PM

cpt you are a dumb shit sometimes. terris you are always awesome. punt you are a waste of space. (my favorite parts are the the names anklesmith and happersmith [i read the whole thing!])

Brain Stew

04-04-2005, 06:54 PM

Originally posted by teengirlsquad
cpt you are a dumb shit sometimes. terris you are always awesome. punt you are a waste of space. (my favorite parts are the the names anklesmith and happersmith [i read the whole thing!])
TGS you are repetitive and female. YOU'RE FIRED!

http://www.theage.com.au/text/ffximage/2005/01/20/donald_trump_narrowweb__200x277.jpg

Hahaha, get it guys? I am sooo topical and into pop culture. And vapid.

teengirlsquad

04-04-2005, 06:55 PM

i forget what vapid means

teengirlsquad

04-04-2005, 07:00 PM

i hate you again

agent_PUNT

04-04-2005, 07:00 PM

Originally posted by CptPlanet
Karen's funny it's too bad she's either fat or crazy.

fat.

Brain Stew

04-04-2005, 07:09 PM

Originally posted by teengirlsquad
i forget what vapid means
It means empty. I was making a joke saying that I was empty for using Trump's hackneyed catchphrase.

Pali

04-04-2005, 07:12 PM

Originally posted by Brain Stew
It means empty. I was making a joke saying that I was empty for using Trump's hackneyed catchphrase.

How the fuck did 'You're fired!' become a catchphrase?

That's it, from now on my catchphrase is 'Clean that window, it's dirty!'

Brain Stew

04-04-2005, 07:14 PM

Originally posted by Pali
How the fuck did 'You're fired!' become a catchphrase?
I don't know, but somehow it did. He even trademarked it. For some reason, the justice system is bending over backwards for businesses nowadays.

teengirlsquad

04-04-2005, 07:17 PM

thank you my love

scotch-romanian

04-04-2005, 07:18 PM

If I may paraphrase what Mr. Cross said on an episode of Celebrity Poker...

DAVID: (to the announcer guy, in a Donald Trump accent) You're fired.

(audience laughs)

DAVID: Did anyone see there's some guy trying to make that into a catchphrase? What a douche bag.

(audience laughs more)

teengirlsquad

04-04-2005, 07:24 PM

i have nothing to add but i saw that and i laughed and laughed.

agent_PUNT

04-04-2005, 07:35 PM

Originally posted by scotch-romanian
If I may paraphrase what Mr. Cross said on an episode of Celebrity Poker...

DAVID: (to the announcer guy, in a Donald Trump accent) You're fired.

(audience laughs)

DAVID: Did anyone see there's some guy trying to make that into a catchphrase? What a douche bag.

(audience laughs more)

I thought DC actually said something like "Did anyone see that asshole is trying to make that into a catchphrase"

?

teengirlsquad

04-04-2005, 07:36 PM

you are right (copyright not catchphrase)

scotch-romanian

04-04-2005, 07:48 PM

Originally posted by scotch-romanian
If I may paraphrase...

Upskii

04-04-2005, 08:08 PM

Originally posted by CptPlanet
Mike, to me the comedy scene seems to be a lot more meritocratic than the rest of the entertainment industry. It seems like as long as someone is both talented and hard working, they'll be able to eke out at least a semi-decent living doing what they want.

Is that necessarily true, or is it possible for even the funniest and most dedicated person to give it their best shot and still be forced to live on dollar store gin and off-brand Spam until they return to their bumfuck hometown in shame and move back in with their parents until they die of cirrhosis and a broken heart?

I think the key is to be able to give it your best shot, get nothing, and still be able to come back and give it your best shot the next day. The system isn't always fair, but if you are funny and dedicated you will eventually make it. Some of the best people get killed by their own bitterness or self-doubt. It's not like anybody gets forced on that bus back to bumfuck.

Al Franken gave me another bit of wisdom: he warned me about "comedian's disease" in which comedy writers get hung up on all the bad unfunny stuff that gets made, and become extremely bitter and judgemental, and ultimately they lose their funny. I remember thinking, "oh, crap, I'm getting that disease!" It perfectly described the comics I was hanging out with in Las Vegas, who wanted to do nothing more than rag on all the hack comics getting stage time. Every comedy writer is susceptible, because they are sensitive to everything that is fake and wrong. So, beware of comedians disease, it is the number one hidden killer of funny people.

Originally posted by CptPlanet
Also, is it possible to "make it" (and by that I just mean comfortably support yourself) on writing alone without ever doing standup/acting/improv? Is that what you did? That shit is unbelievably difficult and nerve wracking for me, and it seems like- at least in my case- it would actually do more harm than good if my goal was to make people think I'm funny. I'm also ugly, which I realize isn't necessarily a dealbreaker for a standup comic, and some comics use their natural homeliness to their advantage, but the point is I'm really uncomfortable in those types of settings.

I never did stand up because I was a chicken. Performers have an advantage because they have visibility and credibility if they are funny on stage, but if their writing samples suck they won't get work.

But still seek out funny performers, because you'll need them in your gonzo projects. They can give you feedback, and get you used to writing stuff that people have to speak. Performers are always open to material and, if you lay something on them that makes them look good, they will remember you. As a non-performing writer you will need to be resourceful in getting folks to read your work, but you never know when a performer or writer who worked with you previously on little projects will champion you, get you read by the right people, and even get you a job.

You might take an improv class just to confront your stage fright. I think Second City is in Phoenix, and their beginning classes are really low impact and low stress. There's some good concepts there, and it teaches you to work with others on a comedy premise. Not necessary, but couldn't hurt. Also, no where are good looks less important than in comedy writing. Just bathe, get a hair cut and wear clean clothes.
Originally posted by CptPlanet
Oh one more quick question: Were you scared of failing and being rejected when you started? How did you deal with it? I was terrified that I would blow it somehow. I found out later that a lot the other writers felt that way. BJ said Mr. Show was the first job where he cared if he got fired, and it freaked him out. I just dealt with it by focusing on my next pitches, and whenever I got away from the office I'd go hiking or dive into the ocean to get out of my head. And, if I ever started worrying at work, I'd just put on the earphones, and rock out.

terris

04-04-2005, 09:04 PM

"Mike Upchurch, single handedly fostering the dreams of wannabe comedy writers and nerds"

man if anyone on this board makes it the payback for mike is gonna be huge, we can retire the shit out of you

agent_PUNT

04-04-2005, 09:43 PM

Originally posted by Upskii
I I was terrified that I would blow it somehow. I found out later that a lot the other writers felt that way. BJ said Mr. Show was the first job where he cared if he got fired, and it freaked him out.

That "not caring about getting fired" is a good motivator to me to start taking more chances.

Thanks Mike.

Upskii

04-05-2005, 03:15 AM

Am getting slammed with some of that reality stuff currently. There's been some good stuff mentioned that I wanted to respond to, but can't right now. Might be a day or two, but thanks for keeping the thread warm.

Agent, that sounds like a sweet gig. Try dressing for semi-success as a comprimise, and maybe you can continue milking that cash cow a little longer.

Mike

CptPlanet

04-05-2005, 03:36 AM

Nick thanks for making this thread sticky. I'd like to return the favor sometime if you catch my drift ;)

JuanBallsac

04-05-2005, 03:53 PM

Tis I JuanBallsac.

Upchurch, It's gnarly that your taking the time to answer our homosexual questions and share stories about the Home Improvement kids.

I've been writing to that cock slobber Robert Towne for almost five years and haven't heard shit.

agent_PUNT

04-05-2005, 04:15 PM

Originally posted by Upskii
maybe you can continue milking that cash cow a little longer.

Mike

My female boss has the calves of a cow. I'm not talking about her kids, they're cute... no I mean her legs are fucking giant tree trunks.

but now that I think about it, cows don't really have big calves. But elephants do. But they also have trunks so this could get confusing...

In conclusion:

Her legs are like the calves of an elephant.

And I chopped up her 12 year old son and stuffed him in the trunk of my car.

There.

And that's the story of the soy bean.

(sorry had to do it.)

5InchTaint

04-05-2005, 07:22 PM

Mr. Upchurch, I couldn't help but notice a similarity between Powerloafing (the philosophy) and the Church of the SubGenius' philosophy of Slack. Is there a corollary or am I just being pink?

Upskii

04-06-2005, 02:41 AM

Originally posted by CptPlanet
Then who the fuck is getting fat off my DVD dollar? Does it all go to the pricks at HBO who strongarmed Bob and David into walking away from Mr. Show in the first place?
I'm not really sure, but probably HBO and Time Warner. Whoever it is, they are so wealthy already that they don't even notice the extra millions the Mr. Show DVD's added to their fortune.

Originally posted by CptPlanet
Oh yeah Mike if you have an inside line on the Stella TV show please spill whatever you can.
I don't, but I occasionally hear stuff. If I do I'll let you know in the stella thread.
Originally posted by Pali
To answer that question for myself though, the series I recommend are Brass Eye (available on region free dvd from amazon.co.uk) and The Day Today. Both the work of a comedian called Chris Morris.
Now on my list. When I get my Tivo back from the shop, I might have some more little known comedies. I have three years of stuff catalogued that I don't have access to. (BTW: The Tivo warranty sucks. You're covered, but you have to wait 5 weeks for it. I'm having serious withdrawls living without it.)

Hey, are you and Taint both in the UK? How did the episodes play there? Was there any pausing or still frames?
Originally posted by 5InchTaint I really enjoyed your two commercials. I actually liked them better than the Powerloafing episodes. I prefer my comedy a little more bizarre. I did really like the more concept episodes, like the Star Trek and soap opera ones in the sneak preview section. The Mr. Show cameos are great, I enjoyed Minor's zombie character quite a bit. You said that the episodes in the Sneak Preview section were the way the show was headed, so I'll keep watching.
It started with a lot of conceptual ideas, but the Pop.com executives were very keen on us doing "regular" and "normal" shows to start with. So, those first six were pretty low-concept. I am actually glad, because it established a very stable thing for self-parody. I don't think the Star Trek one would be quite as funny without the normal ones as a spring-board.

Thanks for checking out the commercial parodies. They are the first thing I've ever sold to any show through my "production company," Hardscrabble Pictures. I don't think I could possibly have produced them any cheaper. I got $400 bucks per spot, and the only people who were compensated besides me were the lead actors ($50). All the graphics were lifted and altered from Google Images, the explosion was a close-up from a movie, and I got the music from Freeplaymusic.com and added vocals. The scripts were rejects I wrote for Mad TV that were laying around, and I had a lot of other expensive gags that I had to cut from the original ideas. I thought I was cutting the best gags at the time, but I don't miss them in the finished product.
Originally posted by scotch-romanian
I just watched "Cubicle of Fear" again, and not only do I think it's the funniest episode on there, but I think it hints at how Powerloafing could me a much stronger show: the Blaine Capatch "straight guy" character... He and Paul's exchange at the beginning I think is the funniest moment of Powerloafing so far (the rest of the episode - with Jerry Minor - is also hilarious.)
I think you'll like the next episodes. We continue to explore the fake horror concept, and a bunch of other cool directions, as well as some less conceptual shows that are sturdier than the earlier ones.

I think the pencil line was mine. I write a first draft and then we get together, read it through it, and add to it improvise from it. Sometimes I'll bat the episode around with the three main actors before writing. Probably half of the dialog is from the first draft and the rest is improvised or built on something out of the script.

Originally posted by CptPlanet
Have you ever thought about submitting any Powerloafing to Jump Cuts on Comedy Central? It might fit in quite well there.
Powerloafing is built for the web, and is for watching on a tiny screen while goofing off at work. Most of the episodes only work if you know the concept of the show, and aren't nearly as funny by themselves to an uninitiated viewer. But, there's one upcoming episode in particular that might work as a stand alone. (BTW: that is not to say it woudn't work as 1/2 hour in altered form. I just haven't been able to pitch it because of the American Office. The minute I would say it takes place in an office, executives would say, "You mean like The Office?")

Originally posted by Upskii
in your case Hamilton, (Good place, where half the writing staff of Kids in the Hall came from.) I am totally talking out of my ass here. I just checked with a former KITH writer, and the writing staff came from 1)Calgary (sketch group The Audience) and 2)Toronto (Kids in the Hall) those two groups merged.

Upskii

04-06-2005, 02:47 AM

Originally posted by agent_PUNT
My female boss has the calves of a cow. I'm not talking about her kids, they're cute... no I mean her legs are fucking giant tree trunks.

but now that I think about it, cows don't really have big calves. But elephants do. But they also have trunks so this could get confusing...

In conclusion:

Her legs are like the calves of an elephant.

I believe those are called "cankles." That's when a woman's calves and angles are merged into trunk-like cankles.

uppy

04-06-2005, 05:42 PM

Originally posted by Brain Stew
I don't know, but somehow it did. He even trademarked it. For some reason, the justice system is bending over backwards for businesses nowadays. Funny, Jimmy "JJ" Walker will sue any skinny black guy who says "Dyn-O-Mite!" for trademark infringement. Apparently, years after Good Times, he would charge money to say Dyn-o-mite. You could have him do comedy, or act, but if you wanted him to say the word it was an extra three to five grand or something. People will ask for it, and he ignores them. Trademarks are weird, you have to specify a bunch of stuff to make it stick.

5InchTaint

04-06-2005, 09:54 PM

Originally posted by Upskii
Hey, are you and Taint both in the UK?
No, I'm a true blue tried and true American. I just have always had an interest in British comedy especially when are home-grown products really suck dick. Which is more often than not lately.

Pali

04-06-2005, 10:28 PM

Originally posted by 5InchTaint
No, I'm a true blue tried and true American. I just have always had an interest in British comedy especially when are home-grown products really suck dick. Which is more often than not lately.

First thing that's wrong with that post. (http://blowupthemoon.com/community/showthread.php?s=&postid=4294&highlight=british+and+comedy#post4294)

Second thing that's wrong with that post. (http://blowupthemoon.com/community/showthread.php?s=&postid=5730&highlight=british+and+comedy#post5730)

Third thing that's wrong with that post. (http://blowupthemoon.com/community/showthread.php?s=&postid=6534&highlight=british+and+comedy#post6534)

p.s. That didn't take nearly as much time to look up as you think. Let's not derail this thread mind you.

Powerloafing rocks, I just watched the remainder of those 'sneak previews' and I registered. Glory be.

Upskii

04-07-2005, 06:19 PM

Originally posted by terris
"Mike Upchurch, single handedly fostering the dreams of wannabe comedy writers and nerds"

man if anyone on this board makes it the payback for mike is gonna be huge, we can retire the shit out of you I can't tell you how many times I was warned not to pursue comedy writing. A month after I moved to LA I gave a professional writer a script to read (9 seasons of Growing Pains - won't put his name because he might find this post and commit suicide, he seemed on the brink then), and he mailed me a letter ranting about how problematic my writing was, and concluded that I didn't have what it takes to be a TV writer. Some of his criticism was valid, but he was such a dick about it. I remember making a mental note that I never wanted to become that guy. I saw him at a comedy show a couple years later, right after I had won an emmy. He didn't ask about me, but just spewed bile about the entertainment business. I didn't tell him what I was doing for a living because he was a sad man already, and I'm not one to rub things in. I still have the letter as a reminder. So, I won't piss on anyones dreams, I'm sure there are plenty of people in your lives who are glad to do that.

Having said that, you have to be a little insane to want be a sketch writer. There are only a few dozen jobs at any given moment, and it's really hard to break in. Jobs don't often last long, so security is a rarity. But, it's not impossible to make a living, or even live comfortably. There is a constant demand for new ideas, and nobody is ever saying, "hey, we need some old blood on this show..." That is good for you stubborn youths.

BTW: It's a constant goal of mine to create TV shows. I haven't yet, but I have concepts, scripts, pitches, and I'm hitting that brick wall as hard as I can. If I ever break through, whether it's sketch or sitcom (I want to do both,) I would accept submissions from members of BUTM. There are funny people here with good taste, and I'm guessing some good writers. It may be a few years, but that gives you guys time to write some killer samples. Conversely, in regards to Terris' post - if one of you BUTM'ers rockets past me and over that wall, please take a look at my submissions. I'm easy going and I work hard. Deal? I would love to retire on your money.

m

P.S. I'm working a lot of hours trying to land a gig right now, and I might be closing in on something. I'll post as often as I can. Still a few items i wanted to deal with, and will get to them.

scotch-romanian

04-07-2005, 06:26 PM

Originally posted by Upskii
I saw him at a comedy show a couple years later, right after I had won an emmy. Heheheh

Thanks for the post, Mike.

tjamick

04-07-2005, 08:33 PM

Mike, what shows got you into writing? Did any one show ecspecially influence you growing up?

agent_PUNT

04-07-2005, 09:03 PM

Originally posted by tjamick
Mike, a few months ago PUNT and i wrote a pilot for a tv show. It's not perfect, but it's pretty funny. anyways, i was wondering if you could look it over. It's a final draft document, so if you have that program it will help, but i could switch it to a word document if that would be easier. Anyways, if you have any interest in it, PM me with an E-Mail address or an AIM screen name.

it actually is pretty good. but it needs a touch up before we start spreading it around.

plus we've got 2 more episodes on the go.

I cant' wait to be unemployed.

terris

04-08-2005, 01:08 AM

remember when we wrote together nick? and then you stopped paying the bills you son of a bitch, i've got so many ideas and no one from ottowa to share them with.

Upskii

04-08-2005, 01:28 AM

I don't have a lawyer, but the lawyer I have on retainer in my head tells me "no." I just can't agree to read scripts on a public board, or I'd open myself up to reading scripts forever. Besides, both of you could be the same 55 year old man who ends up molesting me.

When I finally get a show I will accept submissions, and their will be clear guidelines, non-disclosure agreements, etc. I'll do a post on the proper etiquette for getting someone to read your material, because this is a really important subject, and I don't want to blow you off.

mike

terris

04-08-2005, 01:34 AM

i'm assuming more then one person sent you a message regarding script submissions?

agent_PUNT

04-08-2005, 03:49 PM

To be honest the script isn't really ready to be graded by someone in the biz. (the spelling mistakes and lack of dialogue kind of make it choppy...)

Upskiiii: want don't you just go hang out in the foyer for about 4 years while TJ and I iron out the details.

Oh and Terris:

I have no lawyer to consult with, so let me just say this: WE WILL HAVE THAT SCRIPT DONE BY MAY 1st. 2005.

This I promise you.

or That I promise you. whatever.

terris

04-08-2005, 09:17 PM

shit we best be getting that script being done by then, or i will kiss you or kill

Upskii

04-09-2005, 06:50 PM

Advice for the Aspiring Writer
By Mike Talkingoutmyass Upskii

-Don't call yourself an "aspiring" writer. You don't have to be certified, just put words on paper and you can call yourself a writer. Award yourself the title and earn it as best you can.

-If somebody corners you and asks, "What do you do for a living?" Say, "I work at a pickle factory and I'm a writer," or "I'm an unemployed alcoholic and I'm a writer." It makes the most mundane existence seem romantic, and it might get you laid. (and it might not.)

-If you meet a writer who's working on that hit network show "Here We Go With This Shit Again" have at least one non-showbiz conversation before asking for the cell number of their agent. Discuss 2 comedy shows you both like, and 3 comedy shows you both hate, and one you disagree on before asking them to read your 1/2 hour spec script.

-If you meet the Executive Producer of that TV show, get to the point, say "I'm a comedy writer. Who does the staffing on your show?" Don't sell, just inquire, and mention that one of your scripts is getting positive reaction. Don't act like this is the last conversation you will ever be having together. Listen and improvise, and don't try to be funny. Don't talk about yourself unless it's relevant. Praise the show.

-Just because somebody is an industry professional doesn't mean they know what they're talking about. So if you are sure about something, don't change it. Unless you're being paid by said person, then think of another equally good idea that gets them off your back.

-When two writers argue themselves horse, you've got two shitty ideas on the table.

-Be the writer who comes up with the third idea that stops the argument. Or, at least be the writer who recognizes a better idea than the one they just staked their reputation on.

-Don't study comedy too much, or you'll turn into a gigantic bore.

-Don't fight for your ideas. It's not a fight; it's a civilized discussion. If you pull a knife you probably aren't that funny anyway.

-If there's a single joke in your script that everyone raves about, that joke is a hot dogger - cut it. Either that, or there's only one good joke in your script and you have to rewrite everything else.

-If somebody is telling you their idea and you think of something to add, don't say "Here, you can use this..." before pitching it.

-When you're giving somebody notes on a script, don't say "this doesn't work," say "this doesn't work for me."

-When you're pitching ideas, always say, "What if?" before the idea.

-Try to keep track of things you were wrong about.

-Don't worry about people stealing your ideas. You are lucky if it even gets read.

-Make your close friends read your stuff. They owe you.

CptPlanet

04-09-2005, 10:38 PM

Originally posted by Upskii

-If somebody is telling you their idea and you think of something to add, don't say "Here, you can use this..."

What's the reasoning behind this? I've got an internet friend in New York who's organizing a stage show, and I was helping him rewrite a few sketches. All I asked was that he give me a writer's credit on the program and then mail one to me. Aren't we supposed to be finding people to work with and sharing ideas?

Upskii

04-10-2005, 12:19 AM

Oh, definitely share the idea, but don't say "You can use this." It's presumtuous, and you wouldn't be telling them an idea if they couldn't use it. It also makes you look like a schmuck when they don't use the idea, like you just gave them a gift you thought was valuable only to have they look it over and hand it back. It's not a major faux pas, but "what if" is far better.

Congrats on the New York thing. You are right to ask for a credit in the program. I think you should get some cheap tickets, hit somebody up for a couch, fly to New York and watch the show you helped with.

CptPlanet

04-10-2005, 01:18 AM

I would but the show runs during the same week that I'm taking finals. My friend is gonna have someone filming the show along with a bunch of behind the scenes shit though, and he offered to send me a free DVD of it, so I'll get to see how it all went at the very least.

J vs W

04-10-2005, 02:46 PM

Could you explain the concept of a "hot dogger"?

Upskii

04-10-2005, 04:54 PM

Originally posted by J vs W
Could you explain the concept of a "hot dogger"?

I was pretty sure it was a surfing term, but I looked it up at Allwords.com:
Hot Dog
(chiefly US)
intr
1. colloq
To perform clever manoeuvres such as spins and turns while skiing, surfing or skate-boarding. Hot dogger; one who hot dogs.

I've usually heard it to refer to somebody who is of average talent, but does a lot of showy stuff to attract attention.

Here's another analogy I will call the "stupid hat syndrome":
Say you go to a party wearing a silly hat that makes you look like a fop. People notice the hat right off the bat and feel obligated to comment, so they say, "hey, nice hat." Maybe one person will say, "Take that stupid hat off," but by that point you think the hat is a surefire social magnet.

Sometimes that attention getting joke is a good one, but it sticks out because it is the wrong tone for the piecee and you have to cut it. Just be suspicious of something in your script that gets all the attention, it could be for the wrong reasons.

CptPlanet

04-11-2005, 11:20 PM

Originally posted by Upskii
-If somebody corners you and asks, "What do you do for a living?" Say, "I work at a pickle factory and I'm a writer," or "I'm an unemployed alcoholic and I'm a writer." It makes the most mundane existence seem romantic, and it might get you laid. (and it might not.)

I have a question about this one. Suppose you haven't actually been published or done anything that would impress the babes. Is it immoral to lie your way into her pants, or is that okay now that Andrea Dworkin is dead (http://news.ft.com/cms/s/5030e2ac-ab00-11d9-98d7-00000e2511c8.html)?

scotch-romanian

04-12-2005, 12:34 PM

Mike, I was clicking around on the imdb and noticed that YOU were a writer on "The Chris Rock Show" the year it beat the 4th season of Mr. Show for the writing emmy! Got any stories about this?

Also, I noticed that Vernon Chatman ("Wonder Showzen") was a writer on the show that year too. What's he like?

more Powerloafing-related questions to come. :)

Upskii

04-12-2005, 09:21 PM

Originally posted by ME!!!!
If I suck your cock, can I meet Bob Odenkirk :(
Sorry it took me so long to answer this one, I've been on the phone trying to hook it up. The good news: Bob has agreed to meet you. However, there's a list of 37 other cocks you have to suck, in addition to Bob's. There is also some stuff in regards to your ass that is covered in the paperwork that I'll be faxing to you. Also, Bob may put a bullet in your head just as he "finishes" because he doesn't want it getting around that he associates with "cocksuckers," so, make sure you do a good job Congratulations!

Originally posted by 5InchTaint
I just have always had an interest in British comedy especially when are home-grown products really suck dick. Which is more often than not lately. Yeah, American TV has really sucked so far this century, and the Brits have done a few great things in that time. but, I'm with palli in that, ultimately, both countries can be funny and equally sophisticated or base. You can find a counterpart for every variety of good and bad show. I just wish they wouldn't export our crap, it makes me embarrassed as an american. Just as the British were likely embarrassed when Grahm Norton got exported. I heard his show described as being stuck with a bunch of nattering coked up nitwits that you don't know, but have to hang out with. Have been in that situation, and it does feel exactly the same.

Originally posted by tjamick
Mike, what shows got you into writing? Did any one show ecspecially influence you growing up? I saw Monty Python when I was 9 on PBS and it was a revelation. I actually grabbed a pen, wrote down the time and taped it to the TV so I wouldn't miss it. I've watched every sketch show since, even the ones I don't like, because I just felt a compulsion. SCTV was a big influence, as was SNL and the Kids in the Hall. I would tape every sketch show and then dub "best of" tapes and play them for friends. I guess, like many of the people here I'm a comedy nerd, and proud of it.
Originally posted by CptPlanet
Suppose you haven't actually been published or done anything that would impress the babes. Is it immoral to lie your way into her pants, or is that okay now that Andrea Dworkin is dead (http://news.ft.com/cms/s/5030e2ac-ab00-11d9-98d7-00000e2511c8.html)? Depends on the girl. If she's looking for a rich guy, anything to do with "the arts," means nothing unless you are already mega-successful. But, that granola eating incense burning girl in the VW might be impressed, and the fact that you don't have much going for you may even work in your favor if she's looking for a chance to annoy her straight-laced father.

Originally posted by scotch-romanian
Mike, I was clicking around on the imdb and noticed that YOU were a writer on "The Chris Rock Show" the year it beat the 4th season of Mr. Show for the writing emmy! Got any stories about this?

Also, I noticed that Vernon Chatman ("Wonder Showzen") was a writer on the show that year too. What's he like?
I worked for Chris Rock for the three years following Mr. Show. The Emmy was a surreal experience. After you win you have to go through a gauntlet of press, print, TV, foreign, Net, etc that takes an hour. There were so many flash bulbs, all I could see were blue spots. It was a rush until the following dawn, and I think I had the Emmy in my hand the whole time, so there was constant hubbub and congratulations everywhere. My date took a picture of me passed out on the bed at our hotel room holding the emmy.

Vernon Chatman is a great comedy writer and a cool guy. I remember the first time I saw his stand up thinking he had a completely unique voice, and the same goes for his sketch. He does consulting for South Park, and sometimes i hear a joke and think it's probably his. i saw Wonder Showzen in it's first incarnation in 1999 when it was called "Kids Show." I haven't seen the new ones yet, but I can't wait. (f'ing Tivo!) The USA network was gung ho when Vernon sold the project to them, and kept saying "we really want this to be dark and edgy..." But, apparently when they saw the pilot they said "this is outrageous!" and dumped it. Vernon had a hard time getting it started up again because of Robert Smigels show that had similar themes, but it's great that he got it going. I'm glad to hear there are so many fans, Vernon deserves it.

tjamick

04-12-2005, 09:30 PM

Mike, who do you think is/are the most overrated writers/comedy groups? What about the most underrated?

Treebeard

04-12-2005, 10:40 PM

someone ask him if he wants to be in on the next conference call

CptPlanet

04-12-2005, 10:54 PM

Originally posted by Treebeard
someone ask him if he wants to be in on the next conference call

SHHHHHHHHHHHHH NOT SO LOUD

Upskii

04-13-2005, 01:08 AM

Originally posted by Treebeard
someone ask him if he wants to be in on the next conference call Originally posted by CptPlanet
SHHHHHHHHHHHHH NOT SO LOUD

Ahem. I'm right here and I can hear everything. Don't pretend you're not talking about me in your nets language. Is this some kind of dope ring you're referring to?

m

CptPlanet

04-13-2005, 02:16 AM

The only "dope" ring I've got is the one that symbolizes my eternal commitment to the woman I married, thank you very darn much.

terris

04-13-2005, 03:18 AM

haha, i love you seth

CptPlanet

04-13-2005, 05:26 PM

terris i had no idea! is that sort of stuff legal up there in canada?

terris

04-13-2005, 06:44 PM

well half legal, but if we have a mid spring election and the liberals get voted out its a good chance we could have a shitty conservative government and that means we can kiss gay marriage and laxed marijuana laws goodbye

CptPlanet

04-13-2005, 07:52 PM

i thought you guys never had to worry about that stupid crap ever. don't you guys resent america enough to vote the opposite of whatever we're doing anyway?

agent_PUNT

04-13-2005, 10:31 PM

Originally posted by CptPlanet
i thought you guys never had to worry about that stupid crap ever. don't you guys resent america enough to vote the opposite of whatever we're doing anyway?

okay well it turns out that our Liberal gov't "lost" 25 million dollars and it is now being revealed that it all ended up in the pockets of a bunch of Quebec Liberals.

So it looks like we'll be going back to the voting booths soon and the Conservative party has a decent shot at winning.

Our conservative party is really just a big cum rag for the Republicans to fuck with.

Seriously, we're fucked.

But it should help my stnad-up career.

Sigh.

terris

04-14-2005, 12:11 AM

nick is an awesome stnad up, he tells jokes but he fucks them all up because he's dyslexic, most of the time he tells the punch line first

agent_PUNT

04-14-2005, 04:33 PM

Originally posted by terris
nick is an awesome stnad up, he tells jokes but he fucks them all up because he's dyslexic, most of the time he tells the punch line first

the cum rag joke was funny.

sorry about the typo.

and uh... one day left of work for me. then it's off to try my hand and comdey!!!

wink

Dart Shitter

04-23-2005, 02:21 AM

hey guys, what i miss?

so mr. "Upchurch" are you down with Satan?

and if so, can he legally represent me in a script i've just made up where a little boy lives with two lesbians, where one's his biological mom and the other is just a hott slut, they have wild orgies, it's called "My 2 hott lesbian, dildo strappin, Moms"

apotatojudge

04-23-2005, 03:02 AM

Guys, tell him I'LL be there. The only one worth listening/talking to in the conference calls.

Remember my sig?

CptPlanet

04-23-2005, 06:39 AM

i remember something about it being a gigantic eyesore.

ME!!!!

04-23-2005, 07:48 PM

I had an idea for a sketch were the son of a homosexual couple is mentored by a right wing evangelical nut job and is being interviewed about him after he blows up a factory for non-christian children's books. He say "He was like a second father to me.....we'll a third I guess.........but he wasn't gay...(off camera ask an inaudible question)....Yes, he did touch me(sad look)".

I couldn't think of anywhere else to put it.

agent_PUNT

04-24-2005, 01:54 PM

Originally posted by ME!!!!

I couldn't think of anywhere else to put it.

So you want to see that turned into a Powerloafing sketch?

also if the whole sketch is just a build up to someone admitting they were molested by a religious nut... it's not really a sketch.

ME!!!!

04-24-2005, 04:27 PM

Originally posted by agent_PUNT
So you want to see that turned into a Powerloafing sketch?

I just didn't want to dig up the old Idea's thread.

it's not really a sketch.

And idea for a sketch, get it?

agent_PUNT

04-24-2005, 07:58 PM

sorry, what I meant to say was

"also if the whole IDEA FOR A sketch is just a build up to someone admitting they were molested by a religious nut... it's not really an IDEA FOR A sketch."

how's that?

ME!!!!

04-24-2005, 08:04 PM

It'd just be one joke of many. I haven't written the rest yet asshole!

scotch-romanian

04-24-2005, 09:08 PM

Be careful writing an entire sketch around a joke. That's all I'll tell you.

fiftyfive

05-04-2005, 05:33 AM

first off, what the fuck. I see a thread called power loafing and im thinking, finally! some hard core chest shiting action, so i get all set up here flick on the site and its just some guy in an office... not shiting...

i think thats called false advertising and its a sueable offence.

but seriously

funny stuff, cant wait to see more.

...perhaps well see some pooing aswell?

ME!!!!

05-04-2005, 06:36 AM

Originally posted by fiftyfive
first off, what the fuck. I see a thread called power loafing and im thinking, finally! some hard core chest shiting action, so i get all set up here flick on the site and its just some guy in an office... not shiting...

i think thats called false advertising and its a sueable offence.

but seriously

funny stuff, cant wait to see more.

...perhaps well see some pooing aswell?

That was as painful to read as a Jerry Seinfeild fan blog.

ComedySnobedy

05-04-2005, 01:17 PM

What's the deal with false advertising?

fritter

05-04-2005, 03:35 PM

i know, i think this thing actually made my penis smaller .

CptPlanet

05-04-2005, 05:21 PM

Originally posted by fritter
i know, i think this thing actually made my penis smaller .

That's strange it made my clit enormous.

fiftyfive

05-04-2005, 06:05 PM

Originally posted by ME!!!!
That was as painful to read as a Jerry Seinfeild fan blog.

was it though?

or is it just that somewhere deep down inside of us, we feel the same way. like the way twin brothers feel.

the first step is to admit it.

overcome.

5InchTaint

05-04-2005, 11:56 PM

I wonder why Upchurch hasn't posted here or updated the Powerloafing site? Is he dead?

tjamick

05-05-2005, 06:26 AM

Originally posted by 5InchTaint
I wonder why Upchurch hasn't posted here or updated the Powerloafing site? Is he dead?

Worse, he's busy. I got an e-mail from him a few days ago, so I'm pretty sure he's not dead -- unless his zombie sent it.

Upskii

05-05-2005, 01:25 PM

I'm not all the way dead yet. I've been hit with a project that is sucking away my time.

However, I'm trying to squeeze in a Powerloafing episode next week. I'll post a link when I get it done. And, the episode after that will include a well known celebrity and a fake corpse. Could be big, and we're all really excited about it.

I also have some questions that I haven't answered. Hopefully, the people that asked won't be dead or imprisioned and will still be interested by the time I get to answering them.

I'm pushing back the grand opening of Powerloafing until I get the Firefox issue taken care of. Thanks to all those who test drove the beta site, I appreciate the feedback. I urge those who haven't yet checked it out to go to the sneak preview link with Explorer. You can say you knew about it before it became an international phenom.

mik

tjamick

05-05-2005, 03:04 PM

Originally posted by Upskii
I'm not all the way dead yet. I've been hit with a project that is sucking away my time.

Can you give us some details on this project?

Upskii

05-10-2005, 01:57 AM

Originally posted by tjamick
Can you give us some details on this project? I signed a bunch of papers which prohibit me. You'd think I worked for the Secret Service. They are serious about it though, being that celebrities are involved and all, even on the small side. As soon as I feel comfortable in the gig, or after I get fired from it, I'll discuss. Sorry for being boring and non-self destructive. I did tell a slightly interesting story a while back about Jonathan Taylor Thomas, and I could get whacked for that, so don't say I didn't dish it out here. (by "whacked" I mean manually masturbated)

Upskii

05-10-2005, 03:07 AM

sorry for the giant gap. I hope I can keep this thread worthy of the sticky glue.

Originally posted by 5InchTaint
Mr. Upchurch, I couldn't help but notice a similarity between Powerloafing (the philosophy) and the Church of the SubGenius' philosophy of Slack. Is there a corollary or am I just being pink? When I first saw some literature on sub-Genius I thought it was a funny joke and a good satire of religious cults. Then I met a few adherents, and realized that it practically was a religious cult itself. I understand committing to a joke, but those guys commit so much that the joke is on them. But, I heard the founders put on a good show. I heard a couple of the main guys from San Francisco on college radio, and they were weirdly funny.

Originally posted by tjamick
Mike, who do you think is/are the most overrated writers/comedy groups? What about the most underrated?
I don't know who is over or underrated, but I see far too many super funny people going completely unrecognized. I think of what I see on stage and produced in gonzo projects and wonder why the funny isn't making it to my television box.

The TV networks have blown it big time with comedy for the past few years. It's gotten to the point that they are blaming comedy, and putting less of it on development slates, but it's just that they are doing bad shows. My nephew, (who is exactly the demographic desired by television execs,) uses his TV to play video games, and doesn't even bother to connect the tv wires. When your target audience actually unplugs you and uses the box for something else, you have blown it bad.

I just try to keep the stuff I like on my radar, and block stuff I don't like. I'd have a heart attack otherwise. I accidentally watched a couple minutes of Fear Factor before, and I had to change the channel to keep from vomiting. I recently had spontaneous explosive diarrhea from watching a new network 1/2 hour comedy it was so bad.

I have a whole boring theory on why TV is so bad, and an even more boring theory on how things will get better in comedy. Buy me a beer someday and I will bore you to tears with my theories, or you can just rejoice in my conclusions and save beer money. I proved in my laboratory with unassailable calculations that, though comedy has been in a slump since about the time Mr. Show ended, it will begin to turn sharply upward in the next three years or so. Don't even question my conclusions or you will have to start buying me beer, and I will break you.

Originally posted by Dart Shitter
so mr. "Upchurch" are you down with Satan?

and if so, can he legally represent me in a script i've just made up where a little boy lives with two lesbians, where one's his biological mom and the other is just a hott slut, they have wild orgies, it's called "My 2 hott lesbian, dildo strappin, Moms"

Satan's a very busy guy in Hollywood, and it's not easy getting a meeting with him. Apparently, once you sign with him he loses interest and ignores you. He's got bigger potatoes to fry than people like you and me. Word is, he's looking for scripts that are"Not too Satany." So, maybe you might want to rethink your idea, nix the lesbians, change it to a traditional family and take out the orgy scenes. This could all be wrong by next week, and you'll probably have to rewrite the lesbo and orgy stuff back in, so stay on your toes.

Gogo

05-15-2005, 06:01 AM

Hey Mike! (Can I call you Mike?) Just a total random question:

So I got B.J. Porter on my myspace and he put up a bulletin that he was having a birthday party at the Arclight on Thursday, May 12 and I was just wondering if you went and if you have any interesting/crazy party stories!

Thanks for visiting us here! That's supremely kick ass of you.

SushiBarMachine

05-23-2005, 02:28 PM

Originally posted by Upskii
I think the key is to be able to give it your best shot, get nothing, and still be able to come back and give it your best shot the next day. The system isn't always fair, but if you are funny and dedicated you will eventually make it. Some of the best people get killed by their own bitterness or self-doubt. It's not like anybody gets forced on that bus back to bumfuck.

Al Franken gave me another bit of wisdom: he warned me about "comedian's disease" in which comedy writers get hung up on all the bad unfunny stuff that gets made, and become extremely bitter and judgemental, and ultimately they lose their funny. I remember thinking, "oh, crap, I'm getting that disease!" It perfectly described the comics I was hanging out with in Las Vegas, who wanted to do nothing more than rag on all the hack comics getting stage time. Every comedy writer is susceptible, because they are sensitive to everything that is fake and wrong. So, beware of comedians disease, it is the number one hidden killer of funny people.

I never did stand up because I was a chicken. Performers have an advantage because they have visibility and credibility if they are funny on stage, but if their writing samples suck they won't get work.

But still seek out funny performers, because you'll need them in your gonzo projects. They can give you feedback, and get you used to writing stuff that people have to speak. Performers are always open to material and, if you lay something on them that makes them look good, they will remember you. As a non-performing writer you will need to be resourceful in getting folks to read your work, but you never know when a performer or writer who worked with you previously on little projects will champion you, get you read by the right people, and even get you a job.

You might take an improv class just to confront your stage fright. I think Second City is in Phoenix, and their beginning classes are really low impact and low stress. There's some good concepts there, and it teaches you to work with others on a comedy premise. Not necessary, but couldn't hurt. Also, no where are good looks less important than in comedy writing. Just bathe, get a hair cut and wear clean clothes.
I was terrified that I would blow it somehow. I found out later that a lot the other writers felt that way. BJ said Mr. Show was the first job where he cared if he got fired, and it freaked him out. I just dealt with it by focusing on my next pitches, and whenever I got away from the office I'd go hiking or dive into the ocean to get out of my head. And, if I ever started worrying at work, I'd just put on the earphones, and rock out.

I've actually been doing a lot of standup lately in the New York area, so this interests me a lot, but out of curiousity how exactly did you get into the business, and ultimately get to be a writer for Mr. Show?
________
Hawaii Medical Marijuana (http://hawaii.dispensaries.org/)

Dart Shitter

06-01-2005, 12:01 AM

Thanks Mike for replying to my idiotic atempt at what the French call Le humor or Jerry Leweese...

I got in contact with Satan's agent and I've got a luch meeting at the worst Burger King in west hollywood with the fallen angel, classy

Comedy is my second passion behind music. I appreciate your time here and thanks for all the info.

if you are ever in chiacgo, hit me up

the Shitter of feathered darts

Upskii

06-01-2005, 03:32 AM

Originally posted by SushiBarMachine
I've actually been doing a lot of standup lately in the New York area, so this interests me a lot, but out of curiousity how exactly did you get into the business, and ultimately get to be a writer for Mr. Show?

Mr. Show was my first job in the business. What led up to that was years of low budget projects I did for fun. Each project was THE project while I was doing it, and it was gonna be the greatest fucking thing ever until the next project came along, which was gonna be way better. Here's the main ones:

The first project I remember was when I was 13, when my friend Jimmy got access to an old super 8 camera with stop motion. We went into business on a stop motion animated epic, drew up storyboards, scouted locations, and scripted this dopey chase movie. Then Jimmy's parents separated, and the camera ended up in another state, which was bad for Jimmy's family, and tragic for our movie. We rounded up another super 8, but discovered it didn't have stop motion. We were too disappointed to think up something live-action, and the project ground to a halt. It was a huge career setback, but it probably would have sucked anyway.

Just after high school I produced a mediocre sketch show called "First Take" at the cable access channel in my hometown. I shot 6 episodes and was banned from the facilities for using too much studio time, even though there was only one other show on the station - an even shittier sketch comedy produced by the chairman of the cable commission that banned me. I had to wait 2 months for the commission to reconvene. I made a spirited appeal, the vote went my way, and got to edit my episodes. Finally, Boulder City, Nevada could see innovative comedy like "Rambunny" (a Rambo trailer with a bunny hopping around and carrying an M-16). I don't know if many people watched the show, (only 30,000 possible,) but I got recognized once by a stoned guy at the local grocery store. He must have liked the show, because he raved about it all the way to my car at 1 am.

I took a slew of communications courses in college, mainly to get access to video and editing equipment, which I used like I owned it. I filled out grant requests laid down a serious line of BS, and recieved a grant for $2,800 to shoot commercial parodies, which was what I was doing anyway for kicks. I discovered that you can get a lot of free stuff if you tell people you're college students shooting a documentary, and use the word "community" a lot.

I wrote jokes for friends who did stand up in the semi booming Vegas comedy scene, and helped produce shows at dive bars, including "Save our Show Telethon" a really funny one we did at a place called the Turnpike. It was a parody of a Las Vegas lounge show. A comic friend, Phil from Philly, who was 22 and looked 44 was the MC, and was armed with a bunch of jokes pulled from "Milton Berle's Private Joke File," and some ridiculous song parodies. We had a piano player, drummer and a bimbo sidekick played by super funny Robin McDonald, who eventually moved to LA to continue acting, and has been on Curb Your Enthusiasm and other cool stuff. My friend Rob was the main producer, and he later moved to LA and became the house manager of The Groundlings Theater, and is now a Production Coordinator for a TV company. I learned about live comedy vs. filmed, and the difference in pacing, and it got me working with other writers and performers.

So, what I'm basically saying is that my resume was shit until I got on Mr. Show. I was a Gen X slacker who did a bunch of amateur video and comedy bar shows, had notebooks and screenplays lying around, and a lot of useless comedy trivia clogging my brain. I did have a communications degree, one of the most vague sounding degrees ever, (which is why I picked it,) but it looked pretty skinny on a resume.

But, all that wasted time didn't go to waste, because the amateur work informed my writing, and gave me practical knowledge that I still use, and eventually helped me get work on real shows. Either that, or I've fallen asleep on my couch in Vegas in 1995 after smoking bong resin, and the past decade has been another one of my resin dreams. If so, I hope when I wake up there's more bong resin, and something on TV besides the fucking OJ trial.

Upskii

06-01-2005, 03:50 AM

Holy chicken mole! I just wrote a thousand words. Can I get college credit for this? How much am I getting paid? Maybe I didn't answer Sushi's question, but I sure did some serious typing about myself, didn't I?

BTW, Sushi, stand up is a great way to get into TV writing. Probably half of sketch writers did stand up at some point in their lives, and most sitcoms have a couple stand ups on staff. Your samples will go over much better if they already like you on stage, way better than if they took them cold from a stack.

After telling my life story I realize you may have been asking what, specifically, I did to get on Mr. Show. That's a shorter answer: I met a lot of Mr. Show people at a place called Pedro's in Los Feliz, (no longer there), and at Largo on Fairfax. There was this thing called "alternative" comedy going on, which was like comedy except funnier, or not funny depending on the night, and Mr. Show was part of that scene. I pitched ideas, and sent two packs of samples to the show, including a version of what ended up being "Lie Detector." A couple months later to my surprise and joy, I was hired to write on season 3. It was a combination of right place, right time, and pitching ideas Bob and David thought were funny. Super easy, 'cause those guys think everything is funny.

agent_PUNT

06-01-2005, 10:25 AM

Wow.

SushiBarMachine

06-02-2005, 02:43 PM

Thanks a lot for answering, in a very well detailed way may I add.
________
Ferrari F355 History (http://www.ferrari-wiki.com/wiki/Ferrari_F355)

SushiBarMachine

06-19-2005, 06:43 PM

so any new news on the project you were working on from before?
________
LovelyWendie (http://www.lovelywendie99.com/)

Upskii

07-29-2005, 04:19 AM

Originally posted by SushiBarMachine
so any new news on the project you were working on from before?

I'm cranking on Powerloafing during a break. I'll have more to report on the gig in a few weeks when they announce whether it's renewed.

We finished a Powerloafing episode, "Powerloafing en Español." None of us can speak Spanish, but we used an online translator for dialogue and did an episode completely in Spanish. It has been described as, "F'ing hilarious." It's in the line up at our Sneak Preview URL, which will be moved soon.

On a technical note, the site has been reformatted, so it works on all browsers now. Soon, we'll be switching to all Flash, and everyone will get the same high-quality user experience. We're also developing the worlds first "Loafing Newswire." The next version of Powerloafing will keep it at the forefront of loafing technology for an unparalleled loafing experience. Thanks to everyone who checked out the site, and for not flaming me for the blatant spam-like language in this paragraph.

Originally posted by Gogo
So I got B.J. Porter on my myspace and he put up a bulletin that he was having a birthday party at the Arclight on Thursday, May 12 and I was just wondering if you went and if you have any interesting/crazy party stories! I was out of town. I didn't hear any after party stories of note, just that drunk girl who fell over a balcony and got paralyzed. She wasn't famous or anything, and didn't fall on anybody famous, so no story to tell. I did see BJ later on and wished him a happy birthday and told him he looked great for 50. He really does.

Aloha,

m

5InchTaint

07-30-2005, 03:22 AM

My original post made no sense. This isn't much better.

Upskii

07-31-2005, 05:40 AM

Damn, you edited it. Happy birthday! That was the drunkenest post ever. That shit was def jam poetry.

Pali

07-31-2005, 09:51 AM

I enjoyed the latest episode a lot. By the way, things are pretty slow around here at the moment because most of our regulars are down or up in New York City for the Comedians of Comedy tour.

Quick question though, who does the editing? Can't see anything in the credits.

Tommy

07-31-2005, 04:01 PM

You guys should do something like this:
http://video.google.com/videopreviewbigall?q=gone+wild+playable%3Atrue&page=2&docid=4462791062611472906&urlcreated=1122843561

Heh... comedy.

Upskii

07-31-2005, 05:52 PM

Originally posted by Pali
Quick question though, who does the editing? Can't see anything in the credits. I do the editing in Final Cut Pro on a Mac G4. There are all kinds of special effects going on in the episodes, but it's not the kind of thing anyone would think to look for. The ceiling in Carl's reverse shot is digitally matted, and I use fast motion quite a bit. For the first 2 years I used a tiny percentage what Final cut was capable of doing. Then I took a Flash animation course and learned the concept of key framing and layers. I was lost in Flash, but I realized that you can key frame in Final Cut and it completely changed my editing. With layers you can do just about anything. For instance, I did this in Final Cut, (hope this works):
http://mikfactory.gif

(I tried to attach an animated gif, but it ain't working in preview.

Upskii

07-31-2005, 06:45 PM

Originally posted by Tommy
You guys should do something like this:
http://video.google.com/videopreviewbigall?q=gone+wild+playable%3Atrue&page=2&docid=4462791062611472906&urlcreated=1122843561

Heh... comedy. I'm excited about Google Video, and I'll probably post episodes there eventually. I'd rather watch powerloafing than a soft rock video for "Total Eclipse of the Heart." Crap, now I have that song stuck in my head. thanks Tommy.

ME!!!!

07-31-2005, 06:47 PM

Have you ever tried posting it on Ifilm?

(If I look like an ass for asking this question, remember that I have no idea how the internet works.)

Edit: Are those guys playing ovens as drums?

Upskii

07-31-2005, 07:04 PM

Okay, I've been trying to attach an animated gif but I'm too stupid, so I'll link it. I did this loop in final cut, and it's like 36 layers:

http://powerloafing.com/mikefactory.html

It's actully possible to animate in Final Cut, although there are better programs. I'm glad I was born in a time when this stuff is possible for the average jamoke.

Upskii

07-31-2005, 07:30 PM

Originally posted by ME!!!!
Have you ever tried posting it on Ifilm?

right after I got the rights from Dreamworks we posted several episodes on Ifilm. Ifilm didn't promote it much, but they put the Star Trek parody "2 Boldly Loaf" on their homepage for a couple hours. It got 22 thousand views in a week, and knocked out the powerloafing homepage with the traffic. Then we took down the site and episodes for retooling, which took almost a year. This flash conversion is actually the 5th retooling of the site.
Originally posted by ME!!!!
Edit: Are those guys playing ovens as drums? I didn't see it cause the Google Video Player ain't mac compatible. sonsabitches. wish i could see it.

5InchTaint

08-01-2005, 04:18 AM

Originally posted by Upskii
Damn, you edited it. Happy birthday! That was the drunkenest post ever. That shit was def jam poetry.
Sorry. Occasionally, I write things in a chemically induced haze and go back and erase them. I enjoy creating things and then destroying all record of it. I find some type of solace in making something that I or others enjoy and then completely obliterating it. I am apparently a massive gaping asshole that should be avoided at all costs due to my exponentially increasing 'asshole' gravity and general lack of enthusiasm.

Citrus Mountain

08-29-2005, 07:01 PM

Originally posted by Upskii
I didn't see it cause the Google Video Player ain't mac compatible. sonsabitches. wish i could see it.

Dang, and Gates wants to run them outta business too.
Maybe he'll figure out who's buttering his bread before apple and linux put it in his ear. Lets hope not.

Roddimus

09-10-2005, 01:53 PM

This is what happens when I don't view this site for over a year and a half.
Sheer brilliance on this one!

Upskii

10-20-2005, 05:04 AM

I haven’t posted in such a great while that I now have a long white beard.

I found an historical artifact that BUTM may want to keep in a jar of formaldehyde someplace in the BUTM museum. It’s the original ending to the “Blow up the Moon” sketch. I remember David made a rule early in the season that we had to write a finish to all our sketches, regardless of whether we ended up using it or not. This was a good rule, because otherwise writers would have turned in half-written sketches, saying “don’t worry, we’ll just link it. Bob will light a fart and fly out of the scene like he’s a human rocket or something.”

The original blow up the et cetera sketch had an ending that was jettisoned because the moon blowing up became a link itself, and led into great sketch by Brian where a boss is lambasting his workers and the moon explodes out the window, and Bob drops the blinds and continues yelling. So, from a word file last modified in 1997, I present the lost ending:

David
...another monkey! This one is from the circus. He does tricks, and he doesn't know sign language. He'll do the job - no questions asked.

Announcer V.O.
And now the moment of truth...

Tension shots: NASA technicians looking at monitors. Crowds of people wearing 3-D glasses looking upward.

Nasa Technician
Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, three and a half, two, one...

The monkey pushes the button, and food drops into a dish. A LOW RUMBLING EXPLOSION, as the camera shakes. The President is whisked into a pod which quickly clamps shut and drops underground.

Crowds run in horror, as flaming asteroids pelt them.
Stock footage: Tidal waves, hurricanes, earthquakes, imploding buildings and general destruction.

[B]Announcer V.O.[B/]
Whoops! NASA makes a slight miscalculation. Cities are turned to rubble, and billions die. Oh, well, back to the drawing board. NASA promises to look into the matter. Two Scientists are reassigned, and the monkey who pushed the button is put to death. America leads the clean up, remaining a world leader, now and always.

PATRIOTIC MUSIC

TATTERED US FLAG, METEORS STREAKING BEHIND IT.

OUT

And, that is really what would happen if you exploded the moon in my opinion as an Emmy award-winning physicist. The moon’s gravity controls the tides, which would go all out of whack and slosh the oceans right over the continents, and then all the moon debris would be roiling around in a semi-elliptical orbit flinging meteors the size of Winnebago’s to earth for decades.

It would be complete and utter hilarity on a scale never before seen. I think that’s why if you type “blow up the moon” into Google, you’ll not only find this fine community, but dozens of website parodies whose principal joke has to do with getting rid of the moon in a way that involves explosives, as well as tens of thousands of blogs where someone has typed, “Hey, why don’t we just blow up the moon. :-)” It’s the joke that keeps on joking.

Anyway, I hope none of you were traumatized to learn that the monkey died. He had to go because the little cunt pushed the button.

CptPlanet

10-20-2005, 05:53 AM

Hahaha that's awesome. I never cared for the monkey's smirk to begin with. Now a cocker spaniel, there's a sympathetic animal.

agent_PUNT

10-20-2005, 01:09 PM

Welcome back Mike!

I'd like to mention that I finally watched an episode of The Office (USA) and it is not very good. I prefer Powerloafing office comedy.

And thanks for walking me to my cab. You're a sweetheart. Tee hee.

ME!!!!

10-20-2005, 01:31 PM

I really liked US version of 'The Office'. I've only seen one episode of the original. It was a little more absurd that the american version, but both are funny damnit.

P.S. Mike do you mind if I tell everyone I know that I'm friends with an emmy award winning writer, say you're coming over for thanksgiving, and hire a homeless person to play you?

5InchTaint

10-21-2005, 03:05 AM

That's exactly how I would have written it. Absolute chaos, death, and destruction. Thank you for sharing that with us. I wish you'd keep us in the loop a little more with your current projects so we could back you up. I'm surprised more people aren't shitting themselves over having an unreleased Mr. Show sketch ending released here. What the fuck?!? I guess we're just bitter that Bob and/or David has never made a visit.

Upskii

10-21-2005, 03:17 AM

Originally posted by agent_PUNT
And thanks for walking me to my cab. You're a sweetheart. Tee hee. We almost didn't meet. I got there at midnight and spent several hours standing on a walkway to the side. I thought I'd be mulling around in the lobby every once in a while at such a long show, but it ended up being so great I couldn't take my eyes off of it. There was barely even enough time to do drugs in the back room, that's how solid the show was. I forgot what you said you looked like, except that you'd be wearing a hat with something on it. I scanned the crowd and saw three hat wearers and tried to determine which one looked the most Canadian. Then it occurred to me that wearing hats indoors is rude, and hence not very Canadian in the first place, so I just watched the show. There was barely a dead minute, and at least 80% of the audience stayed for the whole thing. About 5am I moved over to the other side of the room near the restrooms where I could pace around to stay awake. Graham Elwood interrupted the show to announce that someone’s cab arrived and everyone thought he was doing a bit. Then a guy wearing a hat stood up, said it was his cab, and left the room, as everyone laughed. In the hallway I heard the guy say to Graham, "I flew out from Ottawa for the show," and I remembered. Our historic interaction lasted about 45 seconds, and I don't remember anything we said because we were both punchy. I just remembered it was foggy and very eerie outside the UCB Theater on that early morning, and I'm glad that Agent_PUNT didn't pull out a sword and behead me. Whatta great guy.

5InchTaint

10-21-2005, 03:48 AM

Originally posted by Upskii
There was barely even enough time to do drugs in the back room, that's how solid the show was.

I was buying it up until that point. There is always time to do drugs in the back room; I don't care if you're shooting a porno, making Mac and Cheese, planning a nuclear counterstrike on Mother Russia at Defcon 5, or watching Billy Crystal ritually disembowel himself after a tea ceremony in feudal Japan...there is always time to do drugs in the back room. Always.

Upskii

10-21-2005, 03:56 AM

I'll probably post sometime in the next week again. You guys were asking about what I've been working on lately and I did a couple interesting things. I also wanted to follow up on a couple new shows and stuff I've recently checked out.

I won't stop until this thread has at least 10,000 views, even if I have view it that many times myself.

m

Upskii

10-21-2005, 04:05 AM

Originally posted by 5InchTaint
There is always time to do drugs in the back room; I don't care if you're shooting a porno, making Mac and Cheese, planning a nuclear counterstrike on Mother Russia at Defcon 5, or watching Billy Crystal ritually disembowel himself after a tea ceremony in feudal Japan...there is always time to do drugs in the back room. Always. Yes, good point. Of course, I made time, but I had to really be efficient in my drug taking. If I a comic was doing a bit I'd heard already, I'd slip back for a quick woohaa, but then another comic would jump in and start messing with the one on stage, and I'd have to cut it short and go watch. This was such a good show it was hard to stay high during it. I can't believe they pulled off an 8 hour show that was tight. Of course a pro like me could maintain a buzz, but I really had to be organized.

agent_PUNT

10-21-2005, 02:45 PM

Originally posted by Upskii
Our historic interaction lasted about 45 seconds, and I don't remember anything we said because we were both punchy. ...I'm glad that Agent_PUNT didn't pull out a sword and behead me. Whatta great guy.

First off, this is going on my resume.

secondly off, I remember every word that was spoken. The first 30 seconds off the interaction was just you blabbing on about how awesome and funny I was. And I was just standing there waiting for my turn to talk about how funny I was going to be next week. Then I pulled out a sword and beheaded you. And you called David Cross and asked him to remove your name from the MR. Show writers credits and put my name in its place.

Now does that ring a bell?

ComedySnobedy

10-21-2005, 03:08 PM

That story is bullshit, you wouldn't behead him with a sword, you would kill him with your kung fus.

tjamick

10-25-2005, 10:10 PM

Fuck you Nick. One time Mike bought a plane and flew to my house, helped me start a lemon ade stand, went water skiing, then we built things with my K'Nex for like 2 hours and smoked way too many cigarettes in one hilarious montage. Oh yeah, BEFORE HE LEFT HE GAVE ME HIS EMMY.

Brain Stew

10-25-2005, 10:29 PM

Originally posted by tjamick
Fuck you Nick. One time Mike bought a plane and flew to my house, helped me start a lemon ade stand, went water skiing, then we built things with my K'Nex for like 2 hours and smoked way too many cigarettes in one hilarious montage. Oh yeah, BEFORE HE LEFT HE GAVE ME HIS EMMY.
Dude, that's a total lie!

You guys couldn't have played with K'Nex for two whole hours!

Upskii

12-23-2005, 09:20 PM

http://static.flickr.com/36/74553741_9732ebe4ef_o.gif

It took me half a day. I bet if you dug up Einstein and gave him the software, he would NOT be able to figure out how to do the above animated gif in half a day. In your face, Einstein!

Some other stuff I did:

Cheap Seats:
I helped on their new season. It's one of the funniest shows on TV, and you don't have to be a sports fan to enjoy it. Jason and Randy put together a helluva solid show, and get the best people in comedy to do guest spots and cameos, including David this season doing a hilarious diet guru character. Catch any episode you can, they're all good:

http://www.cheapseats.tv/

Blue Collar TV
I was brought on for 13 weeks to help write redneck sketches. I had a good time and learned how to skin a possum but, unfortunately, the show has been pulled from the schedule. I think we went over the heads of the American public. We took a chance doing sophisticated urbane comedy, and unfortunately it hasn't caught on. There is hope though, and it's grass roots communities like this one that can help make a difference. If we can all pull together and get the word out, maybe we can bring back Blue Collar Comedy® and make comedy safe for rednecks again. I'm not making this plea for myself, though I do need the money, I'm making this plea for poor Larry. He's living in his van, and he doesn't even have the job at the cable company anymore. Anyway, sorry to bring this grave news about BCTV to BUTM. Your love of Blue Collar Comedy® and its rednecks has been expressed in countless threads on this site. I'm sure you're all devastated and need time to make sense of it all. But, then gather yourself and go to the Warner bros site and tell them they gotta bring it back or you will dynamite something.* (Note: make sure to sound like a redneck)

http://thewb.warnerbros.com/web/show.jsp?id=BC&frompage=sitemap

Powerloafing
Hey, remember that? The site has been totally redone, partially as a result of all the technical problems the BUTM'ers were experiencing. I blew all my redneck money getting ready for the big roll out starting in January. We also shot a new episode. You can see a sneak rough cut Quicktime of it here only until the end of the year:

http://powerloafing.com/inscrtyoficer.mov

You will hopefully be seeing me on the web a lot next year promoting powerloafing like a religion. Thanks for being the petri dish for it.

Also, happy holidays to all of you and that ass crank Bill O'Reilly, and may the new year not suck as bad as the last one.

* Joke.

ME!!!!

12-24-2005, 08:53 PM

In larry the cable guy's book there's an entire section on why he's glad his parents put him in private school.

I'm just sayin'...

ME!!!!

12-24-2005, 08:57 PM

hey Upskii, Did you write the part in Mr.Show where the Mens Club of Allah provides "Security for the Insecure" with bob doing the hilarious comb over?

Just noticin' the insecurity officer title.

Upskii

12-30-2005, 05:48 AM

Originally posted by ME!!!!
In larry the cable guy's book there's an entire section on why he's glad his parents put him in private school.

I never even got to meet him. Blue collar was shot in Atlanta, but written in LA, and I wasn't on the live shoot. Larry didn't do any taped sketches that year because he was busy touring the country playing arenas pulling in a reported half a million per weekend. (approximately $500 per Get-R-Done uttered) He's in the rare position of having to take a pay cut to do a TV show. I did get to meet the other two rednecks and they were super nice guys.

m

agent_PUNT

12-30-2005, 02:51 PM

any stuff get rejected from that show that you could tell us about in the form of a funny story?

Upskii

12-30-2005, 03:40 PM

Originally posted by agent_PUNT
any stuff get rejected from that show that you could tell us about in the form of a funny story?

Here's a sketch that was actually shot. I guess it was changed a lot in Atlanta, and I haven't actually seen the final sketch. I doubt the taped sketch will ever see the light of day.

“Larry BOT 7000”

INT. CENTER STAGE

JEFF AND BILL COME OUT AND SIT ON THE CHAIRS.

JEFF
Hey, where’s Larry?

THE DOOR OPENS, AND A GIANT 50's STYLE ROBOT WALKS IN. IT’S DRESSED IN A SLEEVELESS SHIRT AND BASEBALL CAP.

ROBOT
(MONOTONE)
Git‘er done. Git‘er done. Git‘er done.

BILL
Oh, there he is.

JEFF
What’s going on? What happened to Larry?

A P.A. (TBD) WEARING HEAD PHONES RUNS UP.

P.A.
Larry couldn’t make it. He sent the robot in his place.

JEFF
This is the last straw! I’m gonna go give Larry a piece of my mind.

JEFF EXITS, AND CAMERA FOLLOWS.

INT. LARRY’S DRESSING ROOM

LARRY IS GETTING A PEDICURE, HE HAS SPACERS BETWEEN HIS TOES, AND HE’S GETTING A SCALP MASSAGE BY A KOREAN WOMAN. HE'S READING "HELLA BIG FORTUNE" MAGAZINE.

JEFF ENTERS.

JEFF
Larry, what on earth are you doing? You were supposed to be on stage and a robot showed up.

LARRY
Yeah, that’s the Larry Bot 7000. I didn’t think you’d notice.

JEFF
Didn’t think I’d notice?!? It’s a robot!

LARRY
But, it says “git’er done.” Doesn’t it?

JEFF
That's all it says.

LARRY
Good, it's working.

JEFF
Larry you’re supposed to be on the show.

LARRY
I would be but I’m too dang busy, and I can’t be in two places at once unless I use the robots. See, I’m gonna have Larry Bots in cities all across the country. And, I’m trying to get one to play a wacky neighbor on the Reba show. Hey, you should get some robots to tell your redneck jokes, Jeff.

JEFF
Larry, we’re paying you to be on the show, not a box of gears and sprockets.

LARRY
Don't the robot say Git-R-done? Dang, is it broke again...

BILL ENTERS. HIS ARM IS RIPPED OFF, AND BLOOD IS SPRAYING OUT.

BILL
(MATTER OF FACT)
Hey, Larry, your Larry Bot just ripped my arm off. I hope you’re happy. I’m going to my dressing room to eat crackers.

JEFF
Larry, Bill’s down to one arm because of the Larry Bot. Now, you’d better shut him off before he does something really bad.

LARRY
But, the Larry Bot don’t have an off switch. I couldn’t turn him off if I wanted to.

JEFF GOES TO A GUN CABINET, AND PULLS OUT A SHOT GUN, AND HANDS IT TO LARRY.

JEFF
Here’s your off switch.

MUSIC: DRAMATIC

LARRY
(SHOCKED)
But, Jeff... I can’t. I love the Larry Bot.

JEFF
Larry, it has to be done.

LARRY GETS A SOLEMN EXPRESSION.

INT. CENTER STAGE
LARRY, JEFF, AND BILL WALK OUT. THE LARRY BOT IS TIED TO A FAKE TREE, AND IT’S HOLDING BILL’S ARM.

LARRYBOT
Get‘er done. Get‘er done. Get‘er done.

LARRY
(TORN)
I, I can’t.

JEFF
C’mon, Larry, he’s asking you to do it.

BILL
Suck it up, Larry.

LARRY
I need some time alone.

JEFF
Okay, if the audience would please clear out of the building for a few moments...

CUT TO:

INT. AUDITORIUM EXITS

PRETAPE OF THE AUDIENCE LEAVING.

LARRYBOT
Get ‘er done. Get ‘er done.

LARRY
I’m gonna get ‘er done, little buddy. I’m sorry Larry Bot. I’m sorry.

LARRY SHOOTS. WIRES AND SPRINGS FLY ALL OVER HIM.

LARRY HUGS JEFF.

JEFF
It’s okay, Larry. It’s okay.

BILL
I forgive the Larry Bot for taking my arm, Larry.
(THEN)
But, I’m suing your ass off.

JEFF
We’ll be right back...

FADE OUT.

CptPlanet

01-08-2006, 01:55 AM

I've got a couple of general purpose questions about writing etc.

How do you create a funny character? I'd like to start writing more fiction/sketches as opposed to observational pieces, but I always have trouble getting anything interesting out of my characters. Do they come from observation? Are they based on a funny voice someone can do? Do they just pop into your head randomly?

Is there any difference in how you approach sketches that are driven by characters (i.e.: the Droopy sketches) and those that are driven by a premise, or is that not even a real distinction? How do you know when you're overusing a recurring character (aside from "you're working on Mad TV")?

How did you find other people to work with when you were first starting out and weren't networked at all? Did you just bump into them and hit it off or did you have to go looking?

Do you prefer collaborative writing or solo writing?

creator of AM

01-08-2006, 09:06 PM

Why do they make fun of how much you eat on the Mr. Show commentaries?

Upskii

01-09-2006, 12:51 AM

Originally posted by CptPlanet
How do you create a funny character? I'd like to start writing more fiction/sketches as opposed to observational pieces, but I always have trouble getting anything interesting out of my characters. Do they come from observation? Are they based on a funny voice someone can do? Do they just pop into your head randomly? I keep my antenna up all the time for characters in real life. I also have insane friends and family members who can be hilarious in spite of themselves sometimes. I don’t think I consciously insert people I’ve met into sketches, but I have a collective memory of all the nutty people I’ve met that I draw from.

I read somewhere that all characters are some aspect of the writer. This is instructive, I think. When you’re writing characters you should inhabit them, instead of keeping them at arms length and manipulating them into things. If your character thinks aliens are stealing his sperm, put yourself into his crazy thought process. Believe it, and really commit and make the best arguments you can, and it will probably end up funny. A good sketch character is an exaggerated version of a real person that hits home in some way.

Either a premise grows out of a character, or a character serves the premise. The starting point is unimportant, both are valid ways to get into a sketch. I pitched a sketch at Mr. Show that never got on about a Senator who holds a press conference to deny wrongdoing. He doesn’t deny anything specific, but wants to make an all-purpose general denial just to be safe. Funny premise, and Bob is great at playing frustrated authorities. We worked on ways to portray deceit, embarrassment, guilt, and the attempt to maintain composure. Bob focused on the emotion of the scene and came up with a lot of funny lines. In this case, we started with a premise and ended up working mostly on character and, conversely, when you start with a character, you’ll usually spend a lot of time hammering out the premise.

Originally posted by CptPlanet
Is there any difference in how you approach sketches that are driven by characters (i.e.: the Droopy sketches) and those that are driven by a premise, or is that not even a real distinction? Nowadays, most sketch comedy is premise driven even when it’s based in character, like with “Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer,” or “Massive Head Wound Harry,” the character itself is the premise. There is a distinction, but truly character-driven sketches are a rarity these days. Examples of a character sketches would be the Greek café sketches on early SNL, or the secretary sketches on Kids in the Hall. Those characters were played as real people, and were slightly deeper than you’ll find in heavy premise sketches. Mr. Show did a character-based sketch in the second season called “Recruiters.” It was about these two basketball recruiters each vying for the same unborn child. Bob and David committed to those characters, rather than just goofing like Fartin’ Gary, or Doctor Retarded. That kind of sketch was rare on Mr. Show. If a character sketch was pitched, it was often shot down as “Tracey Ullman,” not in a derogatory way, but just as shorthand for stuff the show didn’t do.

What's a Droopy sketch?

Originally posted by CptPlanet
How do you know when you're overusing a recurring character (aside from "you're working on Mad TV")? I don’t know, but somebody needs to devise a method to persuade Michael McDonald to stop doing Stuart on Mad TV. He’s done it so many times that he’s probably actually crapping in his diapers by now. Being able to piss and shit himself at any time is the only advantage for him to keep doing that sketch.

Originally posted by CptPlanet
How did you find other people to work with when you were first starting out and weren't networked at all? Did you just bump into them and hit it off or did you have to go looking? Do you prefer collaborative writing or solo writing? I was always working on stuff and pitching ideas to whoever would listen. I like both writing alone and working with partners. A good writing partner is an easy laugh, is good at mining a comedic vein, and can roll with almost any premise.

Upskii

01-09-2006, 01:17 AM

Originally posted by creator of AM
Why do they make fun of how much you eat on the Mr. Show commentaries? I ate constantly. It is hard to get a reputation as a big eater on the same staff as Jay Johnston, but I somehow managed. I guess because I'm smaller and scrawnier is why it stuck with me. I blew all my money moving to LA, and I had a low paying job the first year I lived here, so when I got on the show I was like a starved street urchin. I couldn't believe there was a fully stocked fridge and tables of food everywhere, which is standard in the entertainment industry. Ding-dongs, chips, little pieces of chocolate, bagels, sandwiches, crackers, I just crammed my gullet constantly. It didn't matter if the food had sitting on a table for 8 hours and was dried out with green stuff growing on it, I'd wolf it down, and my body had no trouble processing it. I guess I once scarfed week old cream cheese on a moldy bagel, and the phrase "Is this schmeer still good?" became my catch phrase.

Roddimus

01-09-2006, 12:34 PM

Originally posted by Upskii
I don’t know, but somebody needs to devise a method to persuade Michael McDonald to stop doing Stuart on Mad TV.
Sort of a funny personal sidenote on that tip...
I was on the bus a few months ago and I heard a woman start talking about Mad TV. Her friend immediately mentioned Stuart and how much she loved him, then proceeded to explain how she hopes her first boy is just like him and that she's even planning on naming him Stuart.
I think people like her are ensuring McDonald won't be retiring Stuart anytime soon.

Pali

01-09-2006, 01:33 PM

I have a funny story too. Yesterday I was at a local 'convenience mart' purchasing some 'smokes' when I heard the young woman being served before me telling the cashier (also a lady) about a mutual friend's (let's call her Jane) recent wedding.

She started by saying it was a 'romantic story,' then proceeded to explain how Jane met a young man through a drug dealer she used to purchase her 'fix' from. They hit it off straight away, enjoying a light conversation over a crack pipe (paraphrasing here). They eventually moved in together, and about a week into their cohabitation, he violently beat here and she had to go to hospital. She moved out, and went to live with her mother, continuing her long addiction to crack and crack-related drug paraphernalia. Then this man appeared at her mother’s house one day, banging on the door and shouting for Jane to come out. Jane did, and the man proceeded to tell her that he had given up crack, and wanted to marry her. A matter of weeks later they had the civil ceremony, and have moved back in with each other. Jane still enjoys the occasional crack.

There's only one way to summarise this story, and the cashier did so better than I ever could. 'That's so sweet.'

On a related note, I enjoyed the new powerloafing episode. I have never seen this 'Larry the Cable Guy' show, but I'll trust David Cross when he says it isn't very good.

ME!!!!

01-09-2006, 07:15 PM

The Droopy Sketches are the ones featuring the character Droopy, as performed by Bob odenkirk. He's the character in the very first sketch of the very first episode. "That stop lights really changed"

agent_PUNT

01-09-2006, 08:41 PM

Originally posted by Upskii

What's a Droopy sketch?

he is the character that gets chocolate on the NASA pictures that links to the BUTM sketch.

CptPlanet

01-09-2006, 09:03 PM

Originally posted by Upskii
I don’t know, but somebody needs to devise a method to persuade Michael McDonald to stop doing Stuart on Mad TV. He’s done it so many times that he’s probably actually crapping in his diapers by now. Being able to piss and shit himself at any time is the only advantage for him to keep doing that sketch.

Ms. Swan is still pretty fucking hilarious though! You'd think after all these years her English would have improved but no hahaha! She still just knows how to say those three catchphrases!

Upskii

01-09-2006, 11:02 PM

RE: Droopy.
Holy shit, I did not know that. You think I'd pay more attention to the shows I've written on. I swear I remember Bob calling him "That character I do...." then he'd do the voice. Now I know his name.

RE: Pali's romantic story
That story warms my heart like a big deep hit of crack. I'm a little confused by the "smokes" reference. I'm aware of the slang for cigarettes over there, and it's not smokes, so by logical deduction I'm assuming that you were at the convenience store buying a pack of homosexuals. I get the lingo.

BTW, Pali: I downloaded the Brass Eye Paedophelia special. Wow. It was really good. It probably wasn't the best episode to watch first because it was so shock oriented, but there were a lot of great little bits in it. Also to follow up: Little Britian's new season was a huge disappointment. Why did screw it up with a laugh track? A couple other great Brit shows I've been watching "I'm Alan Partridge," and it's brilliant. Steve Coogan kills me, and I hope he becomes better known in America. Also "Green Wing" had some great moments, and some great editing gags, like the fast motion bits, that really interest me as an editor.

RE: Baby Stuart, Ms. Swan
Yeah, Rodd, that doesn't surprise me that someone named their son after Stuart. When I worked at Mad we got a phone book sized print out each week of fan emails that were sent into the Mad website. About half of them were saying "We need more Stuart!" or "Give Ms.Swan her own show!" About 2 percent said things like "If I see another Stuart or Swan sketch I will jam hot pokers in my eyes!" The pro emails were riddled with spelling and punctuation errors, while the anti emails were better written. I think Mr. Show just did a show for those 2 percent. Imagine a universe where Mr. Show is still on and Ronnie Dobbs and Droopy are each doing their 100th sketch. Luckily, that could only happen if some evil TV execs kidnapped Bob and David, gave them frontal lobotomies, and forced them into slave labor. And yet, that show would still be better than Mad TV.

5InchTaint

01-10-2006, 04:54 AM

The fact that you worked on "Blue Collar Comedy" and "MADtv", if my inference was indeed true, I don't think I like you's no more. I got respect for your "Mr. Show"s; no disrespect meant or nothing, but the other stuff....I mean....it's like you learned to wipe your ass before you knew how to shit. Ya know what I mean? C'mon.

quartersmostly

01-10-2006, 05:00 AM

Brain Stew

01-10-2006, 09:05 AM

Originally posted by agent_PUNT
he is the character that gets chocolate on the NASA pictures that links to the BUTM sketch.
OH THE IRONY!

Roddimus

01-10-2006, 11:10 AM

agent_PUNT

01-10-2006, 03:43 PM

Originally posted by 5InchTaint
The fact that you worked on "Blue Collar Comedy" and "MADtv", if my inference was indeed true, I don't think I like you's no more. I got respect for your "Mr. Show"s; no disrespect meant or nothing, but the other stuff....I mean....it's like you learned to wipe your ass before you knew how to shit. Ya know what I mean? C'mon.

Are you kidding me?!

The only reason there is a BUTM website is because of this man.

And jesus christ, if I got offered a job writing for a nationally televised show I wouldn't pass it up. UNLESS I was already in a spot in my career where I could financially call my own shots. and no offense to mikey, who i adore, but i doubt Mr. Show made him a millionaire or any real main stream credibility.

Anyways Taint, when SNL comes calling for you to work for them, I'm sure you'll pass it up.

I know i wouldn't.

5InchTaint

01-10-2006, 05:47 PM

I'd write a sitcom for Satan, Hitler, and Jim Belushi if there was a paycheck in it but I'd also realize that doing so would open me up to insults and scorn from know nothing internet losers, such as myself. I was half kidding when I wrote that but Mr. Upchurch sure did work on some shitty jobs after Mr. Show. I'm not fond of sycophancy and he did write for the two shows that are universally hated here. I do like Powerloafing and the shorts he did so maybe he helped make those shows better.

Roddimus

01-10-2006, 05:55 PM

Originally posted by 5InchTaint
I'd write a sitcom for Satan, Hitler, and Jim Belushi if there was a paycheck in it but I'd also realize that doing so would open me up to insults and scorn from know nothing internet losers, such as myself.
I think Upchurch realizes this, but unlike you, he probably doesn't care.
The fact that, despite working full time on those shows, he still manages to crank out something as top notch at Powerloafing for, lessee, oh yeah, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING should be enough to shut the mouths of those know nothing internet losers.
Apparently not tho.

5InchTaint

01-10-2006, 06:01 PM

It's real sweet that you want to defend your boyfriend but I think he can handle himself. So shut your fucking trap.

Roddimus

01-10-2006, 06:13 PM

You're quite the badass Taint.

Upskii

01-10-2006, 08:30 PM

This is exciting. As an unknown comedy writer with no power in the industry, I think it's wonderful that people are actually arguing about whether I've sold out.

I hope I can give some perspective to the comedy writers here without depressing anyone. The fact is, if you want to be a professional comedy writer, you won't always be able to work on a show of the caliber of Mr. Show. Consider that there only about 6 actual jobs, good or bad, at any given moment - whether they're hiring or not - and you'll understand the stark situation sketch writers face.

I forgot to be born into a wealthy family, so I've had to take jobs just to get by on occasion. I'm actually a very picky writer compared to most, which causes my agent untold aggravation. When I have money in the bank I won't take a job that I don't like. After I worked on George Lopez my bank account was pumped up, and I turned down everything for a year and half, bought a camera, and worked on my own stuff. I wish I had the luxury to do that all the time.

I do have a rule for any job I take: no matter what I will only pitch stuff that I think is funny. I don't think I could say to myself, "Well, this is a crappy show, so let me dish up some crap for them." I wouldn't know how to do that. I always try to write for the show I think it could be, not the show that it is. I didn't last long at Mad, but I stand by everything I pitched and wrote. Same goes with Blue Collar. (BTW: I believe there are 3 or 4 former Mr. Show writers with Mad TV on their resumes, and none of them lasted very long either. There are some really talented writers on their staff currently, but for some reason the show mostly blows. Patton made some good observations about how both Mr. Show and Mad had equally talented writers, but somehow the quality to crap ratio was completely inverted between the two shows.)

I don't think working on a sub-standard TV show is the equivalent of working for a baby raping factory, but I understand the distain hard core comedy fans have for some shows, and how it can spread to the writers. If you knew all of the super talented comedy writers that I know who are unemployed or working day jobs, you probably wouldn't consider my recent employment as a fall from grace. It actually saved my ass, but beyond that it was a good job. Consider this: I got to work with writers from SCTV, and the Kids in the Hall who I greatly respect, I was paid several thousand dollars per week, (yes per WEEK.) I also got to work within rural themes and redneck humor, which had never done before, so it was a challenge. And the fridge was loaded with ding dongs!

Anyway, Taint, I don't know why you listed Satan, Hitler, and Jim Belushi in that order. If I were making the list, Belushi would be right in the middle.

m

creator of AM

01-11-2006, 02:11 PM

Originally posted by Upskii
BTW: I believe there are 3 or 4 former Mr. Show writers with Mad TV on their resumes, and none of them lasted very long either. There are some really talented writers on their staff currently, but for some reason the show mostly blows. Patton made some good observations about how both Mr. Show and Mad had equally talented writers, but somehow the quality to crap ratio was completely inverted between the two shows.

Perhaps the greatest distance in quality between the two shows can be attributed to censorship :eek: and what can and can NOT be said/done that might offend. Part of the beauty that is Mr Show is that it barred no holds and the actors were really into it and HBO seemed to embrace the zainyness. The MAD actors, particularly the regulars, I think have their own ideas about the show and how it should be written. At least that's how it seemed the three times I ever watched it (and only for the musical guests, mind you). Anyway, what are your thoughts on how censorship limits the writing/creativity that could make a show great? Also, do you think if Mr Show was aired on FOX (same people, actors, writers, etc) if it would be the same disgrace that is MAD?

5InchTaint

01-14-2006, 08:42 PM

Originally posted by Upskii
Anyway, Taint, I don't know why you listed Satan, Hitler, and Jim Belushi in that order. If I were making the list, Belushi would be right in the middle.

I listed them in ascending order of despicability.

CptPlanet

01-16-2006, 07:59 AM

mike do you like ali g? (the show not the dumbass movie)

(i never watched the ali g movie was it any good?

Upskii

01-16-2006, 05:27 PM

Originally posted by creator of AM
Perhaps the greatest distance in quality between the two shows can be attributed to censorship :eek: and what can and can NOT be said/done that might offend. Part of the beauty that is Mr Show is that it barred no holds and the actors were really into it and HBO seemed to embrace the zainyness. Anyway, what are your thoughts on how censorship limits the writing/creativity that could make a show great? Also, do you think if Mr Show was aired on FOX (same people, actors, writers, etc) if it would be the same disgrace that is MAD?

If you put Mad on HBO it would still suck, possibly even more, and if you put Mr. Show on Fox it would still be really good. The reason Mr. Show was so great was because Bob and David, and Dino, had vision. However, in the unlikely scenario that a network would even let Bob and David be the stars and producers of a show, it definitely could go wrong in many, many ways.

The chief obstacles wouldn’t be softening or censoring, but plain old dumbing down, plus incessant meddling of every kind. On any network (except HBO) Bob and David would be faced with at least a dozen executives vetting every sketch, none of whom had ever previously written a joke in their lives. They would probably argue against the pre-taped call in show, “too hard to follow” or Drugachusettes “younger viewers wouldn’t get it,” and so on. Bob and David would be clever in getting around stuff through subterfuge, like decoy sketches (inserting something you know will be killed, so the thing you want in slips by unnoticed), or flat ignoring specific comments until an exec tires out, and, as a last resort, arguing for stuff they really want in the show. Aside from arbitrary and capricious cuts, there would be endless notes on “where the show needs to go…” The “edgyness” would be debated endlessly, with everyone on record as being for more of it, and with each exec pointing to their favorite sketch as an example of the right direction. Memos shat out by execs and typed and cc’d by their assistants would arrive daily. The execs would be savaged in the writer’s room, and the memos would be read aloud with unflattering impressions, and a well-earned deep-seated resentment would grow towards the execs.

At some point late in season one, either Bob or David, could be either, would come in for a round of notes tired and short-tempered, and some well-rested exec who just got a massage and ass waxing, will launch into another long philosophical argument about the nature of comedy. This will unleash a startling and fully deserved hurricane of verbal abuse from bob/david, and whoever had the most sleep the night before would try to mitigate the situation but end up joining in the vitriol. They would both be branded as “difficult” and be fired. Then, finally, the show could be taken in that new direction all the execs were arguing for: Dino would be replaced with Bruce Vilanch, hot newcomer Jim Fallon would be brought in as the new Bob, and SNL veteran Melanie Hudsell would step into David’s shoes, and the show would be renamed “Mr. and Mrs. Show.”

Originally posted by 5InchTaint
I listed them in ascending order of despicability.
My point exactly: What on Hitler’s resume justifies putting him ahead of The Belush? Have you seen the K-9 series?

ME!!!!

01-16-2006, 06:21 PM

Ascending...1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6...

CptPlanet

01-16-2006, 07:44 PM

Mike I think you just almost wrote a sketch.

Upskii

01-16-2006, 08:15 PM

I just remembered the definition of "ascending." You got it right Taint, the evil all flows upward to the Belush, and he gets his orders from Satan, via Hitler.
Originally posted by CptPlanet
mike do you like ali g? (the show not the dumbass movie)
(i never watched the ali g movie was it any good? Didn't see the dumass movie either. I like the show, and I've seen most of the episodes. I like that he concentrates on being funny, and the whole thing isn't just an excuse for him to be mean to unsuspecting strangers, ala Tom Green. So many prank shows make me sad for the human condition, and I end up staring at my hands contemplating all the suffering in the world as I softly weep - which is probably not the reaction they're going for.
Originally posted by CptPlanet
Mike I think you just almost wrote a sketch. I don't know how you could comically exaggerate the network system for a sketch, since it's already off-the-scale absurd. I caught a reality show called "sit-com" produced and hosted by Sean Hayes. If you want to see what's wrong with the network development system, this show puts it all on display. Remember the network people in Run Ronnie Run? Worse than that.

CptPlanet

01-16-2006, 11:16 PM

Say what you want about network people, they've ok'd five glorious seasons of "Yes, Dear" and that makes them cool in my book!

RizzleMcIzzle

01-16-2006, 11:22 PM

POWER SURGE!!!

http://ftp.tcp.com/pub/melissa/images/photos/sstars/ssmjh055.jpg

Kelsy

01-16-2006, 11:57 PM

Originally posted by CptPlanet
Say what you want about network people, they've ok'd five glorious seasons of "Yes, Dear" and that makes them cool in my book!

Why do you always mention "Yes, Dear" right when I'm forgetting it exists

Its so awful http://pinkzappa.com/gp.jpg

CptPlanet

01-17-2006, 12:16 AM

yes dear

Brain Stew

01-17-2006, 09:58 PM

Do you guys remember the British woman, Mo, from GUTS? Man, her voice was weird sounding :).

creator of AM

01-18-2006, 05:01 AM

Originally posted by Brain Stew
Do you guys remember the British woman, Mo, from GUTS? Man, her voice was weird sounding :).

Wasn't that the kid version of American Gladiators? I think I remember her... But most Brits aren't worth remembering.

morgan morgan

01-19-2006, 05:37 PM

Originally posted by CptPlanet
Mike I think you just almost wrote a sketch.

Wouldn't be the first time!

I never saw this thread so let me be the last to say: Hello, Mike.

Rabot

01-19-2006, 06:56 PM

That show was great they won a medal and a big piece of fake glowing mountian. I still prefered GaS: Legends of the Hidden Temple and Nick Arcade.

http://www.polas.latentmedium.com/snes/guts/rock.jpeg

A glowing piece of our radical rock the aggro grag.

5InchTaint

05-16-2006, 03:37 AM

So...what's up Mike? Us small group of comedy nerds want to know.

ME!!!!

05-29-2006, 05:41 PM

I've been writing bits and saving up money to move to NY next summer.

Brain Stew

05-29-2006, 08:34 PM

I've been working at my computer programming job.

Dart Shitter

05-29-2006, 11:33 PM

im still waiting for life to happen to me...

DoctorDelicious

05-30-2006, 03:11 AM

Originally posted by ME!!!!
I've been writing bits and saving up money to move to NY next summer.

What's your plan once you get there?

ME!!!!

05-30-2006, 06:37 AM

Originally posted by DoctorDelicious
What's your plan once you get there?

Get a day job and try to break into the comedy scene.

Upskii

06-02-2006, 12:12 AM

Originally posted by ME!!!!
I've been writing bits and saving up money to move to NY next summer.

Sounds like a solid plan, ME!!!! Have you scoped the NY scene already? stand up or sketch? Moving is such a huge decision. Forget about the bus back to bumfuck, it's the first move out of bumfuck that ends most careers before they start. So far I'm putting my money on ME!!!!, since he seems to have the most detailed plan for breaking into showbiz. The rest of you need more detailed scemes, just hurry up and get into showbusiness.

Is it my imagination or has BUTM slowed down lately? It seems like less posting going on, but then I checked the "who's online" and there were 30 people lurking around. I seems like a year ago there was way more posting, yet rarely more than 20 online. Weird.

On a related note, will this thread never make it to 10,000 views? I don't want to pronounce it dead, but the pulse is faint. I just reread it for the first time, and it transitioned from spam post to motivational comedy forum to career seminar, with some inane chatter and uncomfortable moments thrown in, but overall it's an okay thread. Especially after I edited a couple of my posts for being stultifying. But, now I'm not sure where the thread is going, so I guess I'll post some unpublished Mr. Show photos:

http://static.flickr.com/56/158476097_3e8706d855_m.jpg
Bob and David in a creative dispute, (Bob won.)

http://static.flickr.com/50/158476096_7cba847cf2_m.jpg
Bob and John Ennis bumping into Sarah Silverman on the street.

http://static.flickr.com/75/158476099_5acd881f95_m.jpg
Brian yelling, "Hey everybody, I'm the Poo Man! I'm pooing! I'm the Poo Man!"