RANDOM PIC OF THE WEEK
When I picked up my dog Roxy from getting groomed at Rusty’s Discount Pets in Studio City this week, I was introduced to the newest member of the Rusty’s team. This is Rusty 3, a beautiful collie puppy! He’s painfully cute and seemed to love Roxy so much, he wouldn’t stop following her around, nipping at her neck. Which a very patient Roxy endured for quite awhile. Rusty 3 will take over the Goodwill Ambassador responsibilities from Rusty Jr., who sadly passed away suddenly in his sleep at the age of 9 last October.
Did you ever snap awake one morning and leap from the bed singing a song? Maybe you heard it in a dream you just had, or maybe it just seem to fit the moment? One morning last week, I sprung from the bed singing“Dancin’ Man” from Q, (one of those one-hit-wonders from the 70’s). Particularly one part of the song. “Gotta get up, get the get-down feelin’…gotta get up, get it on!” I kept singing it over and over, as it seemed to help me get up and going. It IS quite a snappy tune!
Monday the 18th – THREE BITS/NO BED! – I got a hotline call in the morning to record a bit for “The Tonight Show,” so I got up and did it, and sent it in. Then I went back to bed to get more sleep. But then I got another hotline call to record another bit. So I got back out of bed and recorded it. Then I hopped back in bed to try and get a few more hours of sleep before the taping. But third time’s the charm I guess, I got another hotline call to be in early at 2:30. So it was up and at ’em! I hustled into NBC and did the bit, then got a sandwich at the world-famous NBC Commissary. We taped the show, and then I headed home to get a short nap on the couch. My assistant Sara came by to do some work, and after we finished I went upstairs to grab another short nap in my bed. It seems like the whole day was a collection of short cat-naps. I got up later to do some work around the house and record three auditions in my home studio. I e-mailed them to my agents, fed my dog Roxy, walked her one last time before bed, and we went upstairs to enjoy another episode of “Kojak” from the third season boxed set. It was the Christmas episode from that year, and there’s something magical about seeing New York around Christmastime.
Tuesday the 19th – PEE-PEE/POO-POO! – Ever had one of those days? I got a hotline call to record a bit for “TTS,” and Sara came by to pick up my cat Spook so he could get his nails trimmed at the groomer’s. Spook was sticking to everything he walked on…the carpet, blankets, my comforter, everything. But Spook has a sixth sense about when he’s going to be taken to the groomer, and he panics. I have to casually close all of the bedroom doors, otherwise he’ll escape under a bed and we’ll never get him out. She came over and picked him up to put him in his travel bag, and as she was about to put him in, she noticed that Spook had relieved himself all over her. Her shirt, pants, even her sandals were all covered! All the while this was happening, I was trying to record the bit for “TTS” which had to be in right away! Sara threw her clothes in the washer, rifled through the dresser in the Puppet Room to find something else to wear, and headed out to Rusty’s to get Spook’s manicure. Things settled down and I got the bit delivered to the studio. I showered and then headed to my dentist. No cavities! I grabbed lunch at Taco Bell and then headed to my tailor to pick up some shirts. I bought these beautiful blue long-sleeved t-shirts at It’s a Wrap, and I wanted my tailor to sew on these large, colorful, embroidered Superman logos I bought on eBay. I picked up the shirts and they looked amazing! I got home to walk Roxy quickly before I headed into “TTS.” As I was running up my steps to go inside, I accidentally bumped the poop scoop on the back of my left pant leg. I looked down and saw a bit of doggy doo on the back of my shoe and pant leg. EEEEK! Luckily everything I was wearing was washable, so I took the garden hose, turned it on full blast, and showered my shoes and pant leg for a good couple of minutes. First Sara gets Spook’s #1, and now I get Roxy’s #2? What was going on?! I headed off to NBC and met up with my pals Reverend Doctor Marilyn and her husband Uncle Norman. Reverend Doctor Marilyn preached at our church last Sunday, and she’s always amazing. She and her husband Uncle Norman live in Houston, Texas. The reason we call him Uncle Norman, is that (small world!) he happens to be the ex-uncle-in-law of Wayne, our “TS” keyboard player! I connected with them before the show and saw where they were seated. I told them I’d come get them to go backstage after the show and say hi to Wayne. But during the taping Miguel, our sax player, went up into the audience to play coming out of a commercial break. And there he was with Reverend Doctor Marilyn and Uncle Norman, and they were jammin’ and dancin’! It was awesome! All I could do was point at the monitor and laugh and cheer! Too cool! After the show I gave them the backstage tour and then we went back to see Wayne. They chatted for a bit and caught up on family stuff, and then Wayne showed us a picture on his computer that was taken back in the 60’s. It was black and white and a little grainy. It was a shot of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on one of his marches. Behind him was Wayne’s dad, who was also a minister and a close friend of Dr. King’s. He told us some amazing stories about their historical adventures! It was fascinating! They said their goodbyes and then I dropped them at their car so they could go have dinner with our Pastor Bob and his wife Peggy. I went home to do some work, then took a short nap on the couch. I got up and walked Roxy, and answered a voicemail call I got from Jasmine at the Hyatt in Palm Springs. She confirmed that my favorite room at the hotel was all set for my trip in April. Awesome! Only four more weeks to go! I can’t wait! I took a dip in the pool and then in the jacuzzi. The pool water was warm and delightful! I went inside, did some work, tidied up my desk, did my auditions, and prepped for an early session the next morning for Old Navy.
Wednesday the 20th – AND DON’T CALL ME SHIRLEY! – I sped off to another Old Navy session in Santa Monica. I’ve been doing the pilot voice in the recent campaign of commercials that take off on the movie “Airplane.” They even have “Airplane’s” Julie Hagerty in the spots! I’ve been wanting to meet her for awhile and have her sign something for my collection, being a huge fan of the film. The Old Navy production staff said that Julie would be coming in right after my session was over to do some recording, and if I wanted to meet her I could hang out. I have a record album that was released in 1980 that has a lot of the dialogue from the film on it. I think it was released to radio stations only, so the DJs could use it for drop-ins. I don’t think it was ever commercially available. Julie was very nice and looked exactly the same as she did in the film! She commented on my Pee Wee Herman Show cap, and said she almost wore her Pee Wee Herman t-shirt to the session! Her signature now joins Leslie Nielsen’s, Peter Graves’, and the two jive dudes on the cover of the LP. Awesome! On the way home I called my folks who happened to be visiting with my 100 year old grandma. She sounded fantastic! It was touch and go with her health recently, but she’s bounced back amazingly! When I got home there was a bit for “TS” waiting for me in my inbox, so I recorded it and sent it in. I walked Roxy and then headed on in to NBC to tape the show. But I pulled into the lot, and was about to turn my radio off to go inside, when I heard the story that had been released that day about NBC’s plans to move “TTS” to New York and hand it over to Jimmy Fallon. What a shock! There had been rumblings recently, but in the back of my mind I didn’t really think it could be possible because it defied all logic. But after all, we ARE talking about the network who canceled “Star Trek.” I got inside and everyone was looking up the stories on-line. Ahhh the crazy world of television. But as the ever-wise Patrick Smith (sound mixer for “TTS”) said, “It ain’t over ’til it’s over.” Good advice from a guy who’s been around the block a few times. During the show I got a call from a pal who’s doing sound on “Hawaii Five-O,” asking if I’d be interested in doing a bit for the show. They need an announcer for a bit they’re doing, and one of the producers asked him if he could find somebody who sounded like the guy on “The Tonight Show.” My pal smiled and said, “I think we might be able to get him.” Small world! I told him I would LOVE the chance at the job, and I would even bring over my original Jack Lord Hawaii Five-O badge and ID card to show him. So regardless of what happens with “TTS,” I’m sure I’ll be OK. I worked a lot before I got the job, I’m sure I’ll continue to work a lot after as well. I stopped at my mailbox on the way home and my new mannequin for my Beetlejuice figure came in, as well as a few tuxedo jackets I bought on eBay. I got home and assembled the mannequin. It will look awesome once Jim Ojala works his magic! My audio/visual guy Mark Ackerman came over to fix a few things with my entertainment system, and he brought his 14 year old daughter who wants to be a voice actress. While Mark worked away on my system, we all had a great chat about the world of VO. I answered as many of her questions as I could, and gave her some useful information to start her career. Before they left, I brought up my audition copy for that day, and actually did some auditions while she watched, just to show her how it was done. They took off to mull over all of the things she had just learned. I took a swim and a jacuzz, and then napped on the couch. I got up later to finish a few more auditions and do some work around the house. I’m replacing the hands on the new mannequin I received, with some hands from another mannequin I bought awhile ago. When the Oliver Hardy mannequin arrived a few months back, he was posed with his hands on his hips. But to look more like Ollie when he’s angry with Stan, I wanted his hands to be fists on his hips. So I bought another mannequin with fists for hands, and had Jim swap them out. So I took the open, extended hands from the original Ollie mannequin, and put them on the new Beetlejuice mannequin which, oddly enough, had fists. Had I known all those months ago that I’d be getting a Beetlejuice, I could have just swapped hands on the two figures. Oh well. I made a pot of spaghetti and retired to bed to watch another “Kojak” episode.
Thursday the 21st – HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LACEY! My daughter in South Dakota turned 30 today. Hard to believe it’s been three decades since I saw her dark-haired little head emerge from her mother’s womb. It was the most amazing thing I had ever seen, and I’ll never forget it as long as I live. I got a hotline call to come into NBC early to record a bit. Soon after I got another hotline call to record a revised script in my home studio and e-mail it in. Then I got another hotline call to do a second bit. Those guys sure keep me hoppin’! It’s nice to be wanted! My pal Fred called to invite me to an event that night in Hollywood. To celebrate the forthcoming onslaught of 1966 Batman merchandise, Meltdown Comics on Sunset was having a huge function with Adam West as the featured attraction! I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to go or not, but I also had to make other decisions. Should I ride my bike in? Should I get lunch on the way? Should I drive my car? Should I try to hustle and make the Meltdown function? Decisions, decisions! I walked Roxy and pondered the possibilities. Since I had to be at NBC earlier than usual, I decided to drive my car. I stopped at Paty’s on the way to get a salad. YUM! I got to work, taped the show and then headed home. On the way, my agent called with a last-minute audition that needed to be in to his office within the next 15 minutes! So I hustled home, recorded it and got it in just under the wire! I fed Spook and walked Roxy, and fell back on the couch. I nodded off and missed the Meltdown event! Must’ve needed the rest! I woke up and stumbled to the jacuzzi. But it was super windy out, and leaves and stuff from the surrounding vegetation was blowing into the water! I came inside to do work, and then went to DuPar’s to grab a bite with my friend Kristy. Chuck McCann was there as well when we arrived, so he joined us. When we finished I stopped by the grocery store to get some supplies. I fed and walked Roxy and hit the hay. I had to be up early the next day for a session, and I wanted ot be rested up!
Friday the 22nd – FRIDAY AT LAST! – It was a positively beautiful day! I walked Roxy and decided that I would bike to my jobs. I biked over to Studiopolis Burbank to record some more lines as Renji for “Bleach.” It’s a great episode where the Soul Reapers make a movie! Lotsa fun! I also recorded a bit for “TTS” while I was there. When we finished up “Bleach,” I biked over to NBC to tape “TTS.” When we wrapped, I hopped back on my bike and headed home. But the wind was considerable, and the biking was tough. I kept on singing Bob Seger’s “Against The Wind” in my mind as I trudged homeward. It was a good workout. I relaxed, did some work, fed Spook and then walked over to Rusty’s to get Roxy. Sara had taken her over to get groomer earlier in the day, and Roxy was in dire need of a bath! Roxy and I were introduced to the new Rusty, a cute little collie puppy. Adorable! He loved Roxy for sure! I wonder if it’s true that dogs can identify their own breed? I got home and took a dip in the jacuzzi. My friend Brittney Powell came by to join me, and we had a great conversation with some new neighbors of mine. Jason and Maureen had just moved in from D.C. and Jason picked my brain about acting and voice-over. My friend and contractor Terry came over to pick up some equipment he left at my house that he needed for the construction of a new gun case he’s making me. When he took off I nodded off on the couch until 1am! I got up, did some work around the house, loafed around then made a salad. I headed to bed to watch another “Kojak” episode.
Saturday the 23rd – SATISFYING SATURDAY! – I got up around 2, picked up Sara and we got KFC at the drive-thru. We went over to my friend Ruben Procopio’s house to check out their yard sale. He had been collecting stuff for a long time and was looking to downsize. He and his wife sorted through his stuff and sold the stuff he no longer needed. There was a lot of great stuff! I got a Muppet t-shirt, a Batman embroidered work shirt, some Superman collectibles, a Disney mug, and a roll of Spider-Man and Hulk toilet paper! That’s right! It came out in the 70’s. Toilet paper with a comic book adventure printed on it that you could read while…um…doing your business. My pals Paul and Misty Dini were also having a yard sale, so I went to check theirs out as well. Everybody’s downsizing! Maybe I should take the hint and do the same! I took my new treasures home to sort through them. My pal Jeremy, who works with Tony Clifton, came over to buy a few tux jackets I was going to sell him. They were in the traditional Tony Clifton pattern, but instead of orange they were blue. Tony’s going to be VERY jealous when he sees them! I walked Roxy and then got ready for movie night. We watched a terrific James Bond documentary called “Everything Or Nothing: The Untold Story of 007.” Since we’ve spent the past 23 nights watching all of the Bond films on Blu Ray, it was the perfect punctuation to our series. It’s a fabulous doc! After everyone left I started doing some work around the house, when I got a text from my pal Edi asking if she could come over. I told her sure, as I’d be up for quite awhile. I sat down on the couch to wait, and I nodded off. I woke up an hour later, and still no Edi. She had texted me that her friends wouldn’t let her drive to my house since she had enjoyed a few drinks. Maybe all for the best, as I don’t want anybody getting hurt. I spent the rest of the night working around the house and on the computer, organizing the photo folders on my computer. I made another awesome salad and watched an episode of “Kojak.”
Sunday the 24th – HAPPY PALM SUNDAY! – I got up mid-afternoon, walked Roxy and went back to bed for another hour’s worth of sleep before evening church. I walked Roxy over to Palm Sunday services, enjoyed the service, and then came back home to meet up with my pal Amanda. We went over to Paty’s to grab dinner, then we headed back to my house to take a dip in the jacuzzi. I did some work, took a quickie nap, and then got up to do my auditions. Before bed I prepared for the upcoming Easter week. We have Good Friday off from “TTS,” and then next Sunday I’ll be playing Jesus again for the kids at the Easter Walk in our church.
And how was YOUR week??!!!
