posted by dariane on Thu Jul 30, 2009 at 05:48pm EVENT: Mortified Show in Hollywood - July 15, 2009

The idea behind the show is reading/performing actual entries from your childhood/teenage journals and diaries.  Such a show can bring up extremely personal aspects of the performer’s past as well as humiliating memories. You may have heard about ‘Mortified’ from such awesome shows as NPR’s ‘This American Life.’

And if you decide to go to a ‘Mortified’ show in the future, DO NOT BRING THE KIDS.  Just because performers read from childhood diaries doesn’t mean the shows are appropriate for kids.  You have been warned.

The show:

  • Overall, FUH-REAKIN hilarious!  You know it’s personal when professional performers are shaking on stage as they read.
  • I can’t believe Holland Holzer is a school teacher from San Diego and drove all the way to LA to perform.  She was probably the only performer who isn’t directly associated with the entertainment industry in LA.
  • Amber Benson & Adam Busch performed a fantastic play that Heath Corson wrote when he was 15. By the sound of it, you would think that he wrote the play two months ago; it was incredibly humorous and angst-filled.
  • Maurissa Tancharoen (co-creator, writer, actress in Dr. Horrible) had the most unique Mortified story that night.  Her’s was one of those stories you swear was from an episode of a sitcom or something.
  • The house orchestra was incredibly talented.  They topped off every performance with an appropriate ‘80’s tune. The end of the night called for an MJ tribute of “Thriller.”

VERDICT: Popped!  I would definitely go to a Mortified show again in the future.

The following is just me gushing about my ‘celebrity’ experience at the show.  And if you don’t believe me, I’ve got pictures.  Some highlights:

  • Watch HIMYM? You know the guy who plays Stuart? You know, the guy who had an intervention for his alcoholism? His name is Matt Boren, and we met him!
  • We met Felicia Day before the show! And she called me cute! Squeeeeee! And she introduced us to Tom Lenk.
  • We also got to meet and congratulate Maurissa Tancharoen on her awesome performance. She then introduced us…
  • …to her husband Jed Whedon, his brother Zack Whedon, and the Whedon parents. By golly, we’ve met the whole Whedon family.
  • Mike suggested we bring our Dr. Horrible DVD and a Sharpie. Felicia Day, Maurissa, Jed, and Zack all signed it.
  • Then while making our way out of the venue, we met both Enver Gjokaj and Dichen Lachman from Dollhouse.
  • Free parking! The $15 King-King parking was out of our budget, so we opted to walk just a bit further to our spot at a failed meter. WIN!
Tagged: event dariane
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posted by dariane on Thu Jul 30, 2009 at 05:24pm EVENT: Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em Comedy Show - July 2, 2009

WHOSDAMIKE:

Early this month, I had the chance to check out the Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em improv crew, live and in-action. There were some twitter rumors of an online feed, but the techno-boxes burped and the result was that I was privileged to witness the performance and thousands of Legend of Neel fans across the intarwebz were not.

The show opened with an array of different comedians, up-and-comings and established.

Matt Knudsen was a highlight for me. His humor was expertly executed, perfectly dry.  I have to admit I’m a big fan of chill, unadorned wit - no histrionics or elaborate gags.

Kyle Kinane provided a jovial, easy vulgarity.

After the standup, the main event. Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em.

How were they? In a word: fantastic.

I showed up because of Legend of Neel stars Sandeep Parikh and Tony Janning. But the whole team sold me: these guys are pro.

Alex Albrecht was amazing, often mixing in unexpected elements and committing physically to whatever role he may have slipped into. Jerry Lewis’s comedy was careful and deliberate, often deadpan and always precise.

The humor didn’t always hit, but that’s the nature of improv. And when it did hit? Gold, baby. Gold!

Brooke Seguin working on marketing for nutty slushies (“slutties”).

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Astro Boy & his rocket (stilt) boots!

Astro Boy & his rocket (stilt) boots!

Transformers / LA taco truck mashup...

Transformers / LA taco truck mashup...

... this t-shirt is pure genius.

... this t-shirt is pure genius.

Shirt artist Kyle Neswald (LA native)

Shirt artist Kyle Neswald (LA native)

Snake Eyes is ready to kick some Cobra

Snake Eyes is ready to kick some Cobra

Look close, it's Stan Lee in the yellow!

Look close, it's Stan Lee in the yellow!

60s spy films meet Japanese mod in Yuki7

60s spy films meet Japanese mod in Yuki7

Yuki7 artists & writer looking chic

Yuki7 artists & writer looking chic

Sacriligious "Zombie Jesus" merch...

Sacriligious "Zombie Jesus" merch...

... & their artists. I bought a comic.

... & their artists. I bought a comic.

posted by biskeeee on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 06:10pm

Comic-Con In Pictures: Friday Afternoon (Part 2)

Browsing the indie artist booths was eye-opening and turned me on to some really cool merch. T-shirts combining Autobots and carne asada in Kyle Neswald’s cultural mashup of grande proportions. Movie posters for movies that don’t exist, but that look so cool I still want them, like Kevin Dart’s Yuki7. Comics I’m tempted to leave in my church (“Zombie Jesus vs. Robot Hitler”) just to see how fast it would start a prayer meeting.

I’m close to my upload quota for the day. More tomorrow. Saturday’s gonna be awesome at the Con! -biskeeee

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Brobie from Yo Gabba Gabba!

Brobie from Yo Gabba Gabba!

An artist adding details to a sculpture

An artist adding details to a sculpture

DC artists drawing for their fans

DC artists drawing for their fans

Wanna be a DC artist? Apply here!

Wanna be a DC artist? Apply here!

2 girls: 1 dead, 1 living, both made up

2 girls: 1 dead, 1 living, both made up

Dr. Horrible's nemesis Captain Hammer

Dr. Horrible's nemesis Captain Hammer

Lots and lots of hats

Lots and lots of hats

Joey Chou, artist & author, cool stuff

Joey Chou, artist & author, cool stuff

Examples of Chou's art. Cool huh?

Examples of Chou's art. Cool huh?

Chou's kids' book "Crazy By The Letters"

Chou's kids' book "Crazy By The Letters"

posted by biskeeee on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 05:26pm

Comic-Con In Pictures: Friday Afternoon

Highlights:
  1. DC artists, and talent search!
  2. More great outfits, including Captain Hammer
  3. Artist / author Joey Chou and his book “Crazy By The Letters: Mental Problems From A To Z

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Spongebob is really popular

Spongebob is really popular

It's pretty cute for such an Uglydoll

It's pretty cute for such an Uglydoll

Stitch remixes: Gloomy Bear's in back!

Stitch remixes: Gloomy Bear's in back!

You know the storm troopers are here...

You know the storm troopers are here...

So tempted to buy some Tick stuff

So tempted to buy some Tick stuff

There's a steampunk party later tonight

There's a steampunk party later tonight

Can you guess what games they're from?

Can you guess what games they're from?

I saw this Scully & Mulder @ last year's

I saw this Scully & Mulder @ last year's

A couple cool kids in Whilce's booth

A couple cool kids in Whilce's booth

Wildstorm artists. Wanna be an intern?

Wildstorm artists. Wanna be an intern?

posted by biskeeee on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 05:01pm

Comic-Con In Pictures: Friday Morning (Part 2)

As the morning progressed I saw more great costumes, more cool gear and a few booths that caught my eye. WildStorm Studios was promoting a new book, and the La Jolla, CA-based comics house is looking for interns! (You have to be a college student, though.)

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