I Want To Be A Comedy Writer

Okay folks, here's the truth.  I want to write.  I want to make people laugh.  I started my first novel when I was 15 in High School.  It ended up being 365 handwritten pages.  It was terrible, but at least it kept me from succumbing to absolute boredom in Math Class.  Sorry Mr. Brown.  I know I was a terrible student.

I have since written the beginnings of more than 30 stories.  It's true that I don't finish most of them, but I'm proud of them nonetheless.  I think some of the strongest points of my writing is the dialog.  I'm not trying to toot my own horn, but I can come up with surprisingly witty banter.  In my head I hear the lines spoken out loud.  If only I could describe how each line was being said, however that's the point in having reader's interpretation.  Detail is not my strong suit.  I am much better at dialog.

I think if I ever wanted to pursue writing professionally, I need to stop "practicing" and take some classes on structure and form.  My nephew announced that he wanted to be a sitcom writer, and he would do what it takes to get there.  He's young, I am not so young.  I think it may be too late for me to join the writers of The Big Bang Theory.  But maybe, just maybe, I can life vicariously through my nephew.

Oh Charlie Sheen...

Well, it's finally happened.  Charlie Sheen has officially been fired from Two-And-A-Half Men.  Is it long overdue or should they look blindly away from his crazed behavior?  I think he crossed the line when he started insulting and mocking his boss, Chuck Lorre.  His poor behavior prior to this was questionable, but at that point I really don't know what he was thinking.  Frankly I've looked the other way through the drug, alcohol, and sex addictions, after all, who am I to judge?  But he's really crossed over the line.  Even his lawyers have been telling him to shut up.  His publicist quit, although Sheen fired him immediately afterwards.  But the most twisted thing is I am completely caught up in the media circus he has created.  I was one of the first 1 million followers on Twitter.  I read every news story that developed.  I have not however watched his Sheen's Korner broadcasts, though I understand they are available on YouTube, so it is only a matter of time before I give in.

I liked Two and a Half Men.  It was starting to get a little old, and I feel it was reaching the end of the road, but I still watched it every Monday night at 9pm.  Now his behavior not only affects him, but his costars, and the crew, most of which are considered freelance and won't get paid.  His behavior is causing massive speculation.  Is he pulling a Joaquin?  Is it an act?  Or is he in the middle of a manic episode?  He seems somewhat delusional to say the least.  I hope for his sake that he can pull his act together.  But I'm not sure anyone will hire him again. Look at the trouble Lindsay Lohan is having trying to move on with her life.  Good luck to him when he's ready to do the same.

My Obsession With Craig Ferguson

Now before you think I'm a Craig Ferguson stalker, I assure you, I'm not.  I follow him on Twitter, yes, but I also follow a lot of people on Twitter, and Mr. Ferguson doesn't even tweet that often.  I have only twice sent a question to his show, the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.  So why do I say I'm obsessed?  I suppose I'm not really, I just find him hilarious and fascinating.  Out of all the late night shows, I watch his daily, while the others I only watch if there is a guest I really want to see.  Thank goodness for the DVR!  I am a huge fan of all things British, which is probably why he's my favorite, with his Scottish brogue.  For all he puts down his show, it really is the best.  It's not trumped up with curtains and a band, which I actually like.  His sidekick is a robot built by the talented, Grant Imahara of Mythbusters.  Geoff Peterson (said robot) is full of prerecorded expressions that are played with excellent timing.  And even with all his new programmed expressions, my favorite is still "In Your Pants". 

Craig's simple studio is all he needs, because he has something most of the other hosts do not: talent.  With the exception of Conan O'Brien, I feel that the other shows don't hold a candle to Craig Ferguson.  I hate Leno after the Late Night Wars which screwed over Conan, I think Letterman is long past his comical prime, and Jimmy, he's okay sometimes, but he lacks the experience.  He also slurs his words a bit.  And forgive me Jimmy Fallon if you are getting over some kind of speech impediment, I did not mean to make light of your condition. 

Perhaps it is also Craig's guests that I find fascinating.  He manages to get a lot of people I actually care about, like the Mythbusters, the cast of the Big Bang Theory, and Stephen Fry.  Perhaps also it is his constant swearing on the show.  I LOVE the way they bleep it out with words in foreign languages with a flag over his mouth. 

If I were really obsessed with Craig Ferguson, I suppose I would know more about his personal life.  I don't know much.  I know basically all he's said in his stand-up and his show.  I do however wish him all the best, not that he'll ever read my blog.