October 22 – October 28 (2012)

RANDOM PIC OF THE WEEK

My new family member. Harry’s his name. Named after Dirty Harry, as this is the same model of pistol he used in the Dirty Harry movies (except his was dark). It’s a .44 Magnum Smith and Wesson model 29. Purdy ain’t he?

All week long I had been trying to learn the “Big” part of this sing from Big and Rich so I could sing it at church on Sunday night. The service and song went splendidly with the help of my friends Bruce Kulick on guitar and Michael Lever doing the “Rich” part. But here’s the hit version of “That’s Why I Pray” from Big and Rich. Even though the service is over, I’m STILL singing it!

Monday the 22nd – BACK AT IT! – It was great to hear that hotline ring. That meant we were back in business at “The Tonight Show.” After a week-long hiatus (which I enjoyed immensely) it’s always great to get back to business. They told me to be into NBC at 1:30 for a comedy bit. But first I stopped by my pal Fred’s agency to drop off some cigars I had bought for him in Palm Springs. Then it was off to NBC. I did a few bits and then got some food at the commissary. We taped the show, then I went to see my chiropractor for an adjustment. After sleeping in a hotel bed for several nights I normally get a little creaky. But the beds at the Hyatt Regency Suites in Palm Springs are so comfy I had no problem at all. But it was nice to get an adjustment anyway. I got home and watched the final Presidential debate, grabbed a nap, then got up to do a bit at home for one of the “TS” writers, and I watched another episode of “Kojak” from the Season 2 DVD set.

Tuesday the 23rd – GREAT HOUSE!! – I got to sleep in today and there weren’t any hotline calls. I walked Roxy, checked e-mails, and met my pal Randy at a house that was for sale by NBC. It was a GREAT house! Very pleasant looking from the outside. Big 2 car garage for the Mustang and the Torino, a great area for displays, triangular pool and cabana area, a beautiful master bedroom and bathroom, and a WONDERFUL (and I do mean WONDERFUL) two story room that would transform into a terrific home theatre! It also has a nice area outside that would be a great dog run. I was ready to whip out my checkbook right then and there. The bad news? Outside the backdoor was a field with giant electrical towers and power lines. EEK! I like the house, but not bad enough to want to glow in the dark. So I passed on it. But I kept thinking about how cool the house was for days after! Too bad. I wonder if I could wear around a lead-lined EMF resistant suit while lounging around the house??? I only had a few minutes before my call time at “TTS,” so I stopped at the McDonald’s drive-thru for some food. And I stopped, and stayed stopped. Something was wrong. I wasted 10 minutes in that line and didn’t move. So I bailed out of the line and the guy at the window said their computer system wasn’t working. Remember the old days where you’d just order a hamburger and fries and the guy would write it down and take your money, then give you the hamburger and fries? Ahhhh the olden days! We taped the show, and then I went over to Gun World to pick up “Harry,” the newest member of my ever-growing handgun family. He’s a beautiful chrome .44 Magnum Model 29, similar to the one made popular in the “Dirty Harry” films. (Except Eastwood’s was blued). And this one came with a beautiful wooden collector case. I got my mail at UPS then headed home. I did a few things around the house and then napped. My pal Brittney Powell came over for a visit, and then I cleaned up the house to get ready for my parents’ visit. I cleaned the Chaney Room, the Puppet Room (where they’d be staying), living room, kitchen, and other areas. Then, totally exhausted, I made some of my world infamous summer sausage spaghetti and eventually got to bed at 6am.

Wednesday the 24th – PRESIDENTIAL VISIT! – I got up two hours earlier than I had hoped, but I had a lot on my mind, and I was pretty excited to boot! I worked a little around the house, walked Roxy and headed to the hardware store to pick up some items. I also stopped by the printer’s to check out the progress on my new Planet Wallywood signage. Then I went to Studiopolis Studio B to do a videogame session. It only took an hour and was tons of fun. But I’m not sure I can release the name of it quite yet. But it’s another biggie. I grabbed some food at Subway and headed home to change. I went in early to “TTS” to do a bit, and then went back home to switch cars, from my Mustang to my Gran Torino. I rested up a bit at home. Today we were taping later than usual. Why? Because the 44th President of the United States was our guest on “TTS!” Normally when we have a dignitary on the show we tape early in the day, but this time we taped at 6:15. It’s not everyday a humble Midwestern boy gets to introduce a United States President on national TV! Every time it happens I get a thrill. There were lots of security, but after two Presidential visits, one former Presidential visit, a Vice Presidential visit and two First Lady visits, I’m getting used to it. Meanwhile, my parents were flying into the Burbank airport at 5:30! I told them a month or so ago when they bought their tickets, to arrange their arrival time to be after 5:30pm. That way I can finish up “TTS,” and head to the airport and get them. Little did I know then, that the day they were flying the President would be the guest on the show, and we’d be taping at 6:15. My call time was 5:30…the TIME THEY WERE EXPECTED TO LAND! So I arranged to have my assistant Sara pick them up while I…uh…hung out with the Prez. He landed at Los Angeles International Airport in the late afternoon, then was helicoptered to the Burbank airport, and landed at 5:40pm…about 10 minutes after my folks landed! They were just about to claim their luggage when the announcement was made that the airport was being temporarily shut down until the President was clear. WILD! Of all the strange timing issues! They eventually made it to my house and met Roxy and saw Spook again. Meanwhile I was still at NBC taping the show. We wrapped around 7:30 and I headed home to see the parents. We all went out to Jerry’s Famous Deli and had dinner, got some groceries, then headed back to Planet Wallywood. I had some auditions to do, and then hit the hay. What a LONG (but exciting) day it was! And we had to be up early the next day because I had a surprise for my folks!

Thursday the 25th – GREAT GARAGE! – We were up early and headed to a location in Burbank to meet with my friend Bodie’s pal Donny. Bodie, who works on my Torino and is a good pal, was out of town. He had been bugging me to go with him to Jay Leno’s Garage for months, but I wanted to wait until my parents visited so I could take them too. But wouldn’t ya know it. The week they were here, Bodie was on a rare vacation fishing in the mountains! He sent his pal Donny to escort us over. Jay’s Garage is one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen. His tour guide Bob is a great guy, and we saw hundreds of cars! But it wasn’t just the cars that was impressive, the artwork, the organization, the cleanliness, the toys…all utterly amazing! My dad was beside himself with joy! Some of the cars were one of a kind, others were the only ones left of about three or four. I got a call to be in early to “TTS,” so we grabbed lunch on the way. I got the folks all checked in and settled, did some comedy bits, and then we taped the show. Afterwards we went to the bank, and stopped by It’s a Wrap. On the way home I discovered with horror that I had left my phone somewhere! I had my mom call my phone number and the lady at the bank answered. But the bank was closed so I couldn’t get it until the next day. I got home and took a quick nap. Sara and the folks and I went to DuPar’s for dinner, but the service was awful. The last several places I’ve been to had really bad service. Is it me? What’s going on in the restaurant business anyway? I got home and fed Roxy and then went to bed. LOOOONG day! But fun!

Friday the 26th – STARS AND CARS! – I got some good sleep, but Roxy was wiggling around on the bed and panting quite a bit. I started to wonder if she was alright, so I took her out to walk at 5am. I think she was a little nervous that other people were in the house. It was a new thing for her. Plus she didn’t really know them that well yet, but she had a real affinity for my dad. She couldn’t get enough of him! After our walk I went back to bed and had a dream that I was making phone calls to try and find out where my Grandpa Joe’s old Model A Ford ended up. He sold it back in the late 70’s to a guy in Mitchell, South Dakota for $1100 cash. I guess going to Jay’s Garage got to me. I woke up determined to find out where Gramps’ car ended up. I learned to drive on that thing, for cryin’ out loud! Luckily, I had my dad there and I could tap his brain about facts and dates. He was good resource. But we couldn’t remember the name of the guy who bought it, or where he might be. I made a few calls but didn’t get very far. Some of the guys at a car club in Mitchell, South Dakota had a faint memory of the car, but couldn’t offer any real clues as to its whereabouts. Next stop, the Mitchell DMV to see if they still have records of the title transfer! I’d LOVE to find that car! Sara went to the bank to pick up my cell phone. The bank called me and gave me 20 questions before they’d release it. I suppose it’s safe after all. She brought it over and all was right with the world. It was another hot day out, and we were getting ready to go to lunch, but “TTS” called again and wanted me in early. I left Sara at my house to let the maids in while my folks and I headed to NBC. I checked them in again and got their passes, then I did the comedy bits. My friends Joe and Josh had their mom in town, and they were at the show too. So after the taping was over I brought them all backstage for the nickel tour. Paula Deen was one of the guests and she’s great. Very friendly. My folks and I were in the Gran Torino, and just as we had pulled out of the parking lot, the SUV that was taking Paula back home pulled up beside us. Paula had her window down checking her phone. My mom loves her cookware, so I got on my Torino’s P.A. system and said, “We love you Paula!” She smiled and waved. Then at the next stoplight her SUV pulled up next to us and she yelled out, “I love you too!” It was awesome. We just barely made it to the car wash before they closed to get the Torino washed. There was another classic car guy there who had a beautiful white ’66 GTO Mustang. We chatted for awhile as our cars were being cleaned. While we were taping the show I went on eBay and bought a new car cover for the Torino. The old one was starting to leave a fine film of dust on my car. A powdery residue. So hopefully I won’t have to have the Torino cleaned nearly as often after I get the new cover. After my car got a bath, we drove through the Bob’s Big Boy parking lot to see all the cool hot rods. Every Friday night is hot rod night at Bob’s, and when the Torino’s all shined up I like to take a drive through. Lots of people whip their cameras out and take shots. We got home to rest up a bit, then we headed out to Miceli’s for some italian food with Brittney, my folks, Sara, and Edi and her son Josh. It was lots of fun, but I was exhausted from the week. On the way home we drove by the Rusty’s Discount Pet Store Halloween party in the parking lot. I went home, got Roxy and walked her over. It was kind of sad since Rusty, the big rust-colored collie who acted as the store’s figurehead and mascot, had just passed away a few weeks ago at the premature age of 9. He died in his sleep, sadly. I talked to Terry, Rusty’s owner, and he was doing alright. He enjoyed seeing everyone there with their doggies in various Halloween costumes. Edi brought her teacup Maltese Bunny over to the party and they had a blast as well. We went to my house and Edi picked up the Star Trek costume to wear at a Halloween party she was going to Saturday night. As for me, I hit the hay and I hit it hard!

Saturday the 27th – BRING ME THE HEAD OF SEAN CONNERY! – We got up early for Son of Monsterpalooza, a monster/horror-intensive convention in Burbank. Since I had my folks with me, we needed a bigger car. Sara picked us up, then we dropped by Edi’s house to pick her up. I bought tickets on-linen so it was a very short line at will call to pick up the tickets. I saw the lovely and talented Kelli Maroney, my old pal. As well as my pal Lance Henricksen who provided the voice of Grim Reaper in “Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.” It was a great convention! I met a guy named Evil who bought all of the molds of the heads from the Movieland Wax Museum when they went out of business. He would then make castings from the molds for fans who wanted to have John Wayne or Lucille Ball in their homes. You could buy just the latex castings, or latex with foam filling. Then you could pay extra to have them painted and haired. What first drew me to his table were the heads of Laurel and Hardy. Then I spotted him. Sean Connery! Even though some of those unpainted heads are hard to recognize without eyes and eyebrows, I recognized Connery’s features right away. Then I realized I had a cool vintage “shawl collared” tuxedo that would look great on a James Bond figure in Planet Wallywood. I also had a great replica Walther PPK which we could mount in his hand. The possibilities were endless! Not only that, but a glass eye manufacturer was there selling glass eyes. One stop shopping for a new mannequin! Then we went to lunch next door at the Daily Grill, but I couldn’t get the Connery head out of my mind. I was inspired! I couldn’t wait to finish lunch so I could march over there and buy the head and glass eyes. Then we started discussing the color of Sean Connery’s eyes. I remembered a line from “From Russia With Love” when the girl said, “The case is leather, and brown like your eyes.” During lunch I had called my effects guy Jim Ojala and consulted with him on the possibility of doing a Connery/Bond mannequin. He gave me the go-ahead. George “The Animal” Steel was eating lunch as well (he was a guest at the show) and I paid for his lunch. I told him I was a big fan and I hoped he enjoyed his lunch. He thanked me profusely. Earlier I had him sign my “Ed Wood” movie poster. But I had a mission to accomplish. After lunch I sped over to the convention, bought the Connery head and then bought two brown eyes. I got back home and walked Roxy. We stopped to talk to neighbors along the way. Then I noticed that it was time for my church’s Trunk or Treat. It’s where cars pull into the parking lot, open their trunks, decorate their cars in a Halloween theme and give the kids candy out of their cars. Though I didn’t have time to put anything together for this year, I still had boxes of wax lips, glow sticks and glow necklaces left over from last year. I took the boxes over and left them in the care of Pastor Louise. It was a lot of fun and Roxy had a blast! I barely made it back in time for movie night. I had a few guests standing outside waiting. We watched “Thunderball” on the James Bond Blu Ray set, followed by the Blu Ray of “Creature From The Black Lagoon.” I was beat! It was a long day, and an even longer week! I could sleep in some on Sunday, so I walked Roxy and headed for bed.Sunday the 28th – WAKE UP QUAKE! – At 8:30am I got awakened by a wake-up quake. I thought my folks would be wide-eyed and nervous, but when I got up they had slept completely through it! Later I found out that my dad had heard something but didn’t know what it was. I checked on the dog and cat, and they were laying on the bean bags in the living room and were completely ok with everything. We got up and headed out to Lassie Land to meet Roxy’s brother Junior (the current Lassie, Lassie 10) and the other dogs on the ranch. It was a day full of fun! We got great photos and enjoyed talking with Carol the trainer, her husband Patrick and their daughter Chelsea. We got back to my house, I grabbed a quick shower and we went to church to do a run-through of the song we were singing at the evening service. My pal Bruce Kulick was going to be there too to add his amazing guitar licks. We performed “That’s Why I Pray” by Big and Rich. It was a fun service and an amazing time. We got a call from Edi that her mom had just moved to L.A., so we met up with them at Coral Cafe for dinner. When we got back I grabbed a nap, the folks did laundry and prepared for their departure on Tuesday. I got up around midnight, so I spent a few hours doing work around the house and walking Roxy. I looked through the Andy Kaufman negatives I had just purchased, as my pal Scott Sebring had recently scanned them in three different resolutions. I’m going to pick the best 50 or so out of the 203 images and have them retouched. Then I’d like to print a deluxe hardcover book through My Publisher.com to keep in my collection. I think it’ll be a very nice little glimpse into a very historic performance by a very “unique” comedian.

And how was YOUR week??!!

PICS FROM THE WEEK

One of my squirrels from “da hood” chills on my gate.