It's Over.

Import/Export will cease to exist due to lack of everything.

Inside Chuck's Worst Week.

IMPORT-I have Inside the Actors Studio newly set to record any episode when it's on. I used to love that show, that was until it turned ridiculous. It started with Paul Newman,had Gene Hackman, Dustin Hoffman, and on and on. Then one day it had Ben Affleck and had a question about his Blockbuster award. Next it was J-Lo, and Hulk Hogan probably. This recent recorded was Christian Slater. He's been around for a long time, people know him,and people like him. I got about 5 minutes in and deleted it. The show started as a study of craft, and now is a study of crap.

Watched the latest episode of WORST WEEK, and it may have been the weakest so far. I don't get the feeling that this is one week,and there is really not enough going 0n story wise. They only thing that was being held was them telling everyone they're having a baby. The best of this show is the awkward interactions with Sam and his new family. It stems from how hard he wants them to like them. The show loses some people and is starting to lose me with the huge things that go wrong-cars exploding,septic pipe getting punctured, etc. I think there is about 8 episodes left so it will be interesting to see where it goes.

Also watched CHUCK for the first time in a while cuz I was unsure if i was going to keep up. I watched it and remembered why I like it so i'm back on that train. Zach Levi is great,and was actually cast in a prior version of WORST WEEK that did not get picked up. The whole cast of CHUCK is really strong. I think we can lose the sister, the only purpose she has is a sounding board for chucks thoughts and where he is/what he is doing.

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Monday had another meeting for pilot and made some strides in narration by adding some jokes. Still much to be done in that area though.

And last night had a GIFT sketch rehearsal, the show will soon have a name, and worked for 2 hours on a batman sketch idea i had. It's basically a stage version of Dark Domestication. Taking the same premise but going a different route in overall story. Kind of like the comics where they use the same Batman but do different slants. Basically some things are the same, but some are different than the web series idea that may or may not make the light of day.

Life.Life on Mars.Life Life.

IMPORT-I caught up with HEROES(on it's last legs with me),watched the OFFICE,IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY,GARY UNMARRIED(which im liking except for the girlfriend role),OLD CHRISTINE, and also found new fav with LIFE staring Damien Lewis. Detective show with humourous and awkward slant that also features the always great Donal Lougue. Also watched LIFE ON MARS which now gets my vote for fav new drama over FRINGE. Really fantastic in every way. I was wondering how they were going to work that story, but the set, style, actors, balance of story was all really top notch.

Went and saw RELIGULOUS as well. It was very funny, but I thought it could have been more of a honest documentary about the subject. Watched Paul Newman on actors studio, and also netflixed CHAPTER 27 the mark david chapman movie. It was crap, don't waste your time. Also watched the VISITOR with Richard Jenkins. Had good buzz for the movie and him, but it was a bit subdued for me. Was a nice story, but lacked the emotional impact that it could of had. Sort of makes me feel that we may be shifting a bit from the minimalistic style of acting that entertains us.

EXPORT-Found out Friday that I got a call for a regional cell phone company commercial. Films next week in Indy. Also did some editing on scenes I wrote that are in the rough running order we have for GIFT sketch show.

Bill Murray Fav 5

With this weekends release of CITY OF EMBER(which i have 0 desire to see) coupled with the news that all are willing to do a Ghostbusters 3 I give you this fav 5.

Only criteria is that they are Bill Murray starring movies. So for example Tootsie is uneligible.

5.RUSHMORE-1st movie that opened up what people thought he could do,and led to his resurgence.

4.STRIPES-belongs in the classic cannon.

3.CADDYSHACK-i don't like golf, but this movie is probably one of the most quoted of all time.

1a.GROUNDHOG DAY-couldnt say this was #2. one of the most fine crafted pieces of 'romantic' comedy. and just comedy in general.

1.GHOSTBUSTERS-if i were taking movies to a desert island this would be one. im guessing i have seen it over 20 times. I love it, and hope they really do a third and do it well.

HONORABLE MENTION

SCROOGED,WHAT ABOUT BOB,KINGPIN, and LOST IN TRANSLATION.

SNL the Beast Who Didn't Met My Mother

IMPORT-Thank goodness for Sarah Palin and the increasing insanity of John 'that one' Mcain. Without them the election and the satirical tv surrounding them would be much less exciting. SNL had 10 million viewers this past week. Which is good for even prime time now a days, but thanks to the election people are wanting to see what they have to say about things. And with this past week and prior Palin sketches they have not disaponted. Now with 3 snl thursday night shows,and one Monday election day one off I think they can win back some of the comedy viewing public. Is it ridiculous to anyone else that people have been saying snl isn't good anymore since 1980. Most of those people aren't watching it, or don't remember what it was like back then anyway.

I think I have given up on HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER. I feel like I have to watch, but I don't want to. I have gotten ten minutes through the last two only to erase it. I think the jokes are predictable, and most of the cast are not funny. Just throw out the premise, because who really cares anyway, keep Jason Segal and Neil Patrick Harris and do a new show. Those two are the only reasons why the show still records, but I don't think that's enough anymore. I end up shaking my head at the tv. Why can't CBS have one night a week where they have sitcoms that don't feel exactly the same. That said I do like Worst Week, but they need to find something else to do besides tell them they are getting married and shes pregnant.

EXPORT-Rehearsals have been ramped up to five nights a week now the the GIFT sketch show. Some people can make and some can not, but after tonight we are going to have our running order. Which will be nice to get out of this growing pain stage of sketches and really work on them to get roughness out.

Also trying to get myself in for a audition for THE BEAST the Patrick Swayze show they are filming in Chicago. They have completed 8 episodes and have 4 more to shoot. Two people I know have gone in this past week, and others have asked if I've gone in yet. I haven't.

Russell Crowe Fav 5.

With the upcoming release of BODY OF LIES staring Crowe and Dicaprio, I've decided yearbookize Mr. Crowe. Looking at his credits I figuring it would be harder to choose the top five. Which at first would seem to be a slap in the face, but then you quickly realize that he has essentially only been a big player for the last 10 years. And in those 10 years he has been very consistent. Hopefully he can hold his patience with Hollywood and keep churning out movies like these.

5.BEAUTIFUL MIND-no oscar winning movie may fade with time like this, but i think what will make people watch this is Crowes performance.

4.THE INSIDER-not a great popcorn flic, but Crowes first showing of emersing himself into a person and losing his own identity.

3.CINDERELLA MAN-movie almost doesnt work b/c of too much Hollywood sheen, but Crowe is this guy Jimmy Bradock. And inspirational as hell.

2.LA CONFIDENTIAL-really may be the best movie of the bunch,and his breakout that made all stand at attention.

1.GLADIATOR-i think i saw this three times in the theatre. not many movies balance art and commerce like this. Crowe is this film. As with all his movies u don't think u are watching Russell Crowe you think you think you are watching Maximus.

Honorable Mention: 3:10 TO YUMA, and AMERICAN GANGSTER.

Raise a pint to Russell Crowe.

A Shout of for...Gene Hackman

Gene Hackman has said he's retired from acting. Fair enough because he has given us so many great performances, and movies. In my mind I've been thinking of the old guard of actors who have laid out performances for the next generations, and how when they are gone, they're gone. Here's to hoping Gene Hackman comes out of retirement, but if he doesn't at least we have these...

Some great popcorn movies like THE FIRM,RUNAWAY JURY,ENEMY OF THE STATE,GET SHORTY,CRIMSON TIDE,and SUPERMAN 1 & 2.

Just plain great movies like ROYAL TENENBAUMS,BIRDCAGE,UNFORGIVEN,HOOSIERS,REDS,THE CONVERSATION,FRENCH CONNECTION,and BONNIE AND CLYDE.

He has to a certain degree redefined leading acting roles. He really is what they call a character actor. Yet he has been able to carry movies or go head to head with the Denzels, Smiths,and Cruises. Also a inspiration for someone who didn't get his break until he was much older, and always lead with a substance over style way.

Thanks Gene Hackman.

Snl, Bigger Faster Stronger.

IMPORT-watched SNL this morning with the host Anne Hathaway who seemed like she had been there for more than just the week. She wasn't a guest who they didn't do a lot of special things for to use her. (see michael phelps) Well maybe besides the Mary Poppins sketch, but everything else she was in she was 'in' and did a great job as a performer not just as a host. The show in general was the best overall of the year I think. And just overall using all the things that make it a good show. A trio of Politically charged scenes, odd sketches, relationship sketches, a funny weird digital short, and Weekend Update gearing up for the big season. Every four years their viewership goes up because of the election and hopefully they will keep this going, and with the Thursday night shows I look forward to it being so.

Also watched the doc BIGGER FASTER STRONGER about the steroid and sport culture of America. Presented both sides very well, and used a family and specifically weight lifting brothers as it's petri dish. Highly recommend this to check out because no matter what side u are on it shows you the other side also has valid points as well.

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Memorizing copy for auditions so far. Boost mobile fun, Gilette boring. I'll take em both however.

Jason Segal Has Things by the Balls.

IMPORT-Just watched FORGETTING SARAH MARSHAL for the first time. Yes I'm  a bit behind, now leave me alone about it. Jason Segal, the lead in the film and also the sole credited writer has taken a simple romantic comedy premise and made it something pretty awesome. It's not a amazing 'film' it's not a aisle rolling comedy, but it's along the line of the honesty/true/organic comedies from producer Judd Apatow. Sighting 40 YEAR OLD VIRGIN, and KNOCKED UP. Really overall pleasing movie and so distinct and original in the process. I can't get the Dracula rock opera song out of my head. And them showing it at the end makes me really want to see the whole puppet show. I was just really impressed by the balance of humor and dramatic scenes as well as the great cast. Along with HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, but especially this I think Jason Segal has a pretty nice ticket that he can use around Hollywood for the next couple years to prove he can do this consistently.

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Worked on intro for BROTHERDOM pilot, and getting ready for boring Gillette audition, and very fun Boost mobile callback I have on Monday. I get to pretend to be a 2008 George Washington powder wig and all, as well as sing 'mamma said knock u out' by ll cool j.