If you’re like me, you love listening to Coast To Coast AM on the radio every night. It’s a nationwide radio talk show that deals with everything from alien abductions, to demons, to ghosts, to conspiracies, to healthy eating alternatives. They cover the gamut. One of the listeners wrote and performed a song that they air every Friday night at sign-off, and many of my friends are ADDICTED to this song. It’s very catchy and sums up the show’s content in a few well-written verses. Please enjoy UFO Phil singing“Listening to Coast To Coast” and you can find out more info about the show at coasttocoastam.com.
Monday the 5th – MANIC MONDAY! – I started the day at Voice Trax West doing a commercial for HH Gregg. I perform the voice of their animated character HH, a talking circular with a dot for a head. It’s turned into a really cool adventure as the commercials are entertaining and hilarious! When we finished up there I was on my way down to the Westside and a studio called Eleven in Santa Monica. I did a voice in a radio commercial for US Cellular. Though I only had one line, the producers had me do it in a variety of ways so they can choose the one they like later on in post-production. It was a really quick session, and then I was on my way back home. But my agent called and said he had a last minute SINGING audition for the Disney Channel, and he would like me to come into the agency’s office to record it. So I went in, studied the melody and we recorded it. Then I was on my way to ‘The Tonight Show’ after a quick stop off home to walk Sassie. After the show, I went to Bank of America to deposit some checks. Later that night my friend Alex Zsolt and his wife Monica got into town for a music convention they were attending. I made up the Puppet Room to accommodate them and we had fun catching up on things that had happened since we had last seen each other about a half year ago.
Tuesday the 6th – TERRIFIC TUESDAY! – I was up early again and headed to Buzzy’s in Hollywood to record two more “Garfield” cartoons. My friend Patrice brought over a HUGE Garfield plush (this things was bigger than most small children!) and gifted it to the crew. We immediately placed him in a director’s chair in the corner of the waiting room. Garfield looked very at home there. Buzzy’s is the studio where the original “Garfield” cartoons were recorded back in the 80’s, so it’s very fitting that he have a place of honor there. It was another great day working with great people. David L. Lander was in playing Jon’s brother Doc Boy again. I know David has gone public with his battle with MS in his new book “Fall Down Laughing: How Squiggy Caught Multiple Sclerosis and Didn’t Tell Nobody.” But on this particular day David was getting around marvelously! He was walking without a cane and he looked amazing! God bless this fine man! We had a lot of fun. Also was amazing was the legendary Laraine Newman who came in to play Jon’s Aunt Ivy again. It’s always amazing to me to be standing next to her, doing lines with her and thinking back to those days in my teen-hood when I was watching her and Gilda on “SNL” in the 70’s. Now, here I am in Hollywood performing alongside her. Dreams CAN come true if you keep the faith! When the “Garfield” session was over I headed over to my mailbox to pick up my Tony Clifton tux jackets that I had won on eBay. I couldn’t WAIT to get them! I had been looking for jackets like these for 12 years and now only had I found one, but TWO! I picked up the packages, along with a few other things, and headed home. When I opened the packages it was like hearing a Hallelujah chorus. Here they were. In near perfect shape! And certainly in great shape considering their age. A 12 year journey was over!
Here’s the tuxedo I won, and here’s Andy Kaufman as Tony Clifton wearing the same type of tux on “The Fantastic Miss Piggy Show.”
I got over to NBC for the taping of “TTS” and when that was finished, I met up with Chuck McCann, Fred Westbrook and my friend Sara at Marie Callendar’s in Toluca Lake for dinner.
Wednesday the 7th – WILD WEDNESDAY! – Up early again, and this time headed to Studiopolis Burbank to record for TWO anime cartoons. Initially I was scheduled from 11-noon, then an hour break, then another session from noon-2. But it was going to be a busy afternoon so I was hoping we’d finish early. It was better than that. I finished the first session for a cartoon called “Kekkeshi” and when I went to the lobby, I had noticed that the other actor for “Bleach” (my second session of the day) had already finished. A HA! I thought. Perhaps I could start my session now instead of waiting an hour. Sure enough, director Jeff Nimoy was accommodating and we started right away. This allowed me to get out around noon and on with my day. I had my friend Patrice and her friend Bridget coming to “The Tonight Show” that afternoon, as well as 12 people from Ohio who were in town from an ad agency that I would be working with the next day. They had scheduled me for a day-long session on Thursday, but since they were all in town a day early, they asked my agent if they could get tickets to “TTS” on Wednesday. Amazingly, my amazing agent worked it out. So I would be meeting 14 guests at the show. I picked up Patrice and Bridget and we headed to NBC. I also met up with the agency people and we went in to get the tickets. I checked into stage 11 to start my day, and then met up with them as they were being brought over to the set. I also had time to pop in to Kendra Wilkinson-Baskett’s dressing room and say hi. I had met Kendra at the Playboy Mansion before with Chuck McCann and she said she was a huge “Family Guy” fan. I also was the announcer on the MTV Show “Celebrity Rap Superstar”, where she came in second place. I also reminded her that I was on “Girls Next Door” with Bridget teaching her voice-over. She introduced me to her family and her husband Hank, and their adorable little boy. Kendra’s very nice and she deserves all of her success. Then I went into the audience to find my friends and make sure they were all set and ready for the taping. The gig I’d be doing for them was the voice of a talking bobble-head for an insurance company’s TV commercial. So I went and grabbed one my old bobbleheads that I had made years ago…the Wobblin’ Wally…and showed it to them. They thought that it was an amazing coincidence that I had my own bobblehead, and here I was set to do the voice of a bobblehead for a set of 4 commercials! Small world, eh? They totally enjoyed the taping and I took them back to the audio bay afterwards to meet Patrick the audio engineer. They thought it was funny that Patrick was busy bleeping the “S” word from David Duchovny’s interview, but it’s gotta be done. They had to get to their pre-production work for next day’s shoot, so they couldn’t meet us for dinner. But Patrice, Bridget and I went to Michael’s Bar and Grill in Burbank to have dinner. We were soon joined by my friend Edi. Three hours later, we were still at dinner, talking, laughing and eating. And since all three ladies were stunning, I was thinking that I had my OWN “Girls Next Door” at dinner! Though they preferred to call themselves “Charlie’s Angels.” Even though none of the three wanted to be Kate. We laughed about that for awhile, because when they were little girls playing Charlie’s Angels, nobody EVER wanted to be Kate. I’m not sure why, but the coincidence was funny to me. I got home and got prepared for my looooong day on Thursday, and the shoot for the insurance TV commercial!
Thursday the 8th – LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG THURSDAY! – I’m not kidding! It was LONG! Alex and Monica bid me farewell that morning, as they were heading back up to San Francisco for a concert, and I headed off to South Pasadena to the commercial shoot. I got their right on time and it was a very nice day so far. I had a little breakfast at the craft service tent, and then walked over to the location which was a block away. The on-camera actors were there in make-up and ready to go. My part for today, was to read with the actors off-camera, to give them an idea of the voice of the bobblehead character, and the pacing of the lines. Plus, we were allowed to ad-lib a little and create some new funny stuff. Plus Adam, the writer, was on-hand to feed me alternate lines at the last minute. My actual voice tracks will be recorded later in a studio once the commercial is edited and finished. It was a great time. We worked until about 1:30 and then waited for them to break-down the shoot and move to the next location. But since I had to split around 2:30 to make “The Tonight Show” taping, they released me at 2 (since they were about to break for lunch anyway). The next set-up involved shooting a Spanish version of the spot, as well as English. So while the Spanish-speaking actor was doing the shoot, I was off doing “TTS.” After the taping, I whisked back to South Pasadena and got back around 5:45pm. They were just wrapping up the other commercial and were heading to the next location, a TV store in South Pasadena. Now, I remembered all of the day-long shoots I used to be on when I was doing some on-camera stuff in the old days. It can be AWFULLY boring. So I brought along a bag full of books, my DVD player, and some movies in case I got bored. Well, it was VERY heavy, and I had to lug it around everywhere we went. When I finished my part of the commercial, they brought in the Spanish-speaking actor. I figured I’d go to the transport van and try to catch a quick nap. The van had rows of seats that could accommodate about 12 people, but getting in and out of it was difficult. Especially if you’re 6’1″! But I threw my bag in the back and laid down for awhile with my cap down over my eyes. But I couldn’t get comfortable. Then the driver of the van got in and said she had to make a quick trip to base camp. I told her I would just ride in the back and snooze if that was OK with her. No sooner did we get to base camp than she got a call on the radio that they needed me back for more stuff! So, off we went, back to the set. I got up, twisted out of my seat, grabbed my heavy bag and went back to work. Apparently there was more to do on the spot. We finished that and then went to the next location. A gas station with phone booth outside. It didn’t take long for them to set up that shot, since it was getting late and I don’t think South Pasadena would let them shoot much past 1am. I spent some more time talking and hanging out with the ad agency people, and going over possible re-writes with Adam the writer. We had a bite to eat and then did the commercial. It was a lot of fun, but it was a very long day. I got to talk to one of the set cops about police work and the type of firearms he likes to use. When we wrapped up, I got back to my car and I was feeling odd. The right side of my chest was hurting, as was my back. In fact, when I turned a certain way it was VERY painful. I realized that as I was twisting around in that van holding my heavy bag, I probably pulled something in my back. Sure enough, it was painful! I got home, took a pain pill and went to bed. I realized that I had been up about 18 hours straight! Friday I had an appointment with my chiropractor, so I would bring this up with him.
Friday the 9th – WEEKEND AT LAST! – I purposely took Friday morning off, because I knew I would need to recuperate from the long shoot day on Thursday. I slept fairly late, then hobbled into my chiropractor’s office. I told him of the pain under my right shoulder blade and he knew very well what the problem was. He put the heating/vibrating thing on it for about 5 minutes and tried to work the muscle back out again. It felt great. Then I went to “TTS” and did the taping. They had a lot of great animals from Sea World on the show, and it’s always great seeing them up close. The sea turtles, the wombat, all the animals. Fascinating. Normally I have no interest in seeing the celebrity guests on the show, so I keep to myself. But on the days that the animals are there, I love to walk around and see them up close. I got home after the taping and started packing for my overnight trip to Palm Springs. My childhood hero and friend Adam West was getting a star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars, and I was asked to speak at the ceremony. I printed my speech, printed the directions to the hotel, and got packed. My housesitter Emily came over and got situated, and my pal Sara got over with her bag and we loaded up the car. We gassed up around 8:45pm, and made it to Palm Springs around 10:30. We stopped at Denny’s in Palm Springs and had some dinner. Then we check into the hotel and got our room. It was on the second floor overlooking the golf course and the pool area. But we wanted to go check out the location where the star would be, so we took a walk. The reason I booked the room at the Hyatt Regency Suites is that it literally is a block and a half from where Adam’s star would be. We took a VERY nice walk down Palm Canyon Drive and found the star. We stopped in and got ice cream at Ben and Jerry’s. The weather was absolutely PERFECT! Not cold, not hot…just still and perfect. I was starting to see why people loved Palm Springs so much. I was starting to love it too! We got back to the room and got prepared for the next day. Sara quickly fell asleep in her bed, but I was charged up! The ambience was making me quite “high.” I was playing my i-Pod on the dock they had there in the room, I had the patio door open and though there was no breeze, the desert environment was intoxicating. I just laid there on my bed, hands folded, eyes closed, listening to my i-Pod, enjoying the moment. I didn’t close the patio door the entire night. Nor did I have the AC running in my room. The weather was absolutely PERFECT! I got up and stood on the patio for awhile looking up at the desert sky, and marveling at all the stars. I was falling in love with Palm Springs and knew I would have to return for a longer stay. Needless to say I slept VERY well that night.
Saturday the 10th – ADAM WEST DAY! – I’ve known Adam West for over 30 years. In fact, I met him on March 1, 1980 when I was a DJ at KELO radio in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and we’ve been friends ever since. Now that we’re working on “Family Guy” together, it shows that dreams really can come true if you just have the faith. We even share a credit card at the end of some shows, because the guest cast is listed alphabetically…West…Wingert. So when Fred asked me to speak about Adam at his star ceremony, I was determined to make the speech funny, but also poignant and meaningful. Entertaining, but also heartfelt and sincere. I have posted the speech in written form HERE in case you want to read it. I added a few things during the delivery of the speech. I got up at 9:30 and got ready. I had about 26 Batman t-shirts printed by a screenprinter, and was wearing one of them for the ceremony. (BACKSTORY: At It’s a Wrap a few years ago, I found these great long-sleeved, gray t-shirts made by American Apparel. I had always wanted to have the Adam West bat logo printed on them, since they were perfect for that purpose. But since I only had 10, I didn’t have enough for a minimum for most screenprinters. I found a seller on eBay that had 16 of them in various sizes, so I bought them all. Come to find out, her husband was a screen printer, AND a comic book fan. I told him of the event and he said he’d take the job. I shipped him my 10 shirts, and e-mailed him a scan of the original Adam West bat logo. I got the shirts on Thursday, just in time for the event, and they’re MARVELOUS! I’m going to give the rest out as gifts to friends)
The bat shirts arrive just in time!
I needed a blue sport jacket to go over the gray t-shirt to accomplish the “bat” look I was going for. I had a blazer that was made from ultra-suede in blue. Actually, it matched my blue suede boots perfectly. So I put on that outfit and then met up with Scott Sebring, may pal and webmaster, along with his wife Vickie, our friend Ben from the U.K., and a new friend, Steven. Scott donned his Batman costume, Steven became Robin and Vickie dressed Sara as Batgirl. I let them change while I walked over to the star ceremony. Walking along Palm Canyon Drive by myself gave me the chance to go over my speech in my mind and focus my thoughts. It was a nice, cool, overcast day. Just perfect. The first guy I saw was my friend James, so we talked for awhile. Then I saw Adam’s agent and my pal Fred Westbrook smoking a cigar on the Starbuck’s patio. The crowd was already formed and the turnout to see Adam was amazing! I met several of the Palm Springs Walk of Stars board, and hung out to meet a lot of the Adam fans who were there. It was a wonderful morning! Soon Scott and company arrived and posed for photos, then Adam arrived to the Batman theme. He got several certificates to commemorate the day, and then the speeches started. I was called to the dais and started my speech. It was exhilarating to be able to tell the crowd about my experiences with this amazing guy, in the presence of that amazing guy. It was nice to know I made Adam laugh on several occasions, and many people told me after the speech that they really enjoyed its heartfelt, sincere quality. I’m glad it reached people in the way it was intended. Even Adam’s son Hunter came up to me later and said, ‘Thanks for being such a good friend to my dad all those years.” That comment touched me more than any other comment I had received all day. I told him the honor was all mine. Be sure to check out the video by clicking here.
Fred Westbrook, Adam West and myself after the Walk of Stars
ceremony in Palm Springs.
But strangest of all, I ran into an old friend named Doug from the 80’s. Doug was actually my second Robin, when I used to dress up as Batman. We had gone to a mall to see a matinee screening of the 1966 “Batman” movie back in 1988 dressed as Batman and Robin! And he just happened to be walking by at the time I was speaking. He said he saw people dressed as Batman characters and just knew I had to be close by. What a small world! After the ceremony Adam was mobbed by press and fans. I grabbed Fred and told him we had to get a shot with Adam to commemorate this great day. Then after everybody got out of costume, we all met at Denny’s and had lunch. Then Sara and I were on our way back to L.A. Whew! What a day! Make sure to check out the Adam West Walk of Stars photo page here. I unpacked my stuff, then got prepared for Blu Ray Trek night with my friends. By the time I got to bed I realized that I had again been up close to 24 hours straight again!
Saturday night silliness! Ben from the U.K. wears an original costume worn by Wayne Osmond, Scott wears an original costume worn by Alan Osmond, Vickie wears an original Merrill Osmond costume, and Teri wears an original Donny Osmond costume.
Sunday the 11th – SLEEPY SUNDAY! – I slept really late, then got up for awhile, then slept again. I got to evening church with my friend Georgette, then we went to dinner at Ernie’s Taco House with her friend Elise. When we got out of the restaurant, it was pouring rain. I perfect end, to a perfect week! I love it! Then the girls came over to watch a movie by the fire. But I was still exhausted from the previous week, so I went upstairs to take another nap. Just before I laid down though, I heard quacking and splashing outside in the pool area. After a brief absence, my ducks were back. My neighbor calls them Luke and Lulu. But something different was happening! There were three ducks all splashing around and making a huge ruckus! It looked like Luke was trying to fend off the advances of another male duck toward Lulu. All three ducks looked like they were locked together in battle. Poor Lulu was trying to escape, the other male was right on her, and Luke was on top of him trying to get him to leave. I called the girls out to watch and we stood in the rain watching this strange, duck mating ritual. Very odd, but fun and memorable nonetheless. By the time I got up Elise had taken off, and Georgette was just getting ready to leave. I bid her farewell, did an audition and then settled in to write Wally’s Week. But right in the middle of it, I heard more splashing and quacking. Either the previous male duck had returned, or it was another male duck. The same splashing, quacking ritual occurred again. But like before, Luke was able to fend off the amorous attacker. It’s funny to see that the duck world in a lot of ways is just the same as the human world. I’m not sure, but in the duck world Lulu must the equivalent of Pamela Anderson. One HOT duck! Quack!
