Beginnings

Tina, Yes and..., Del Close, fatigue, "Will I make it on to TourCo?". Ah, memories. So much has changed at Second City since you've left. There's a Starbucks attached so everyone can pretend to be a screen/comedy writer in Chicago, there's an abundance of people in running shorts because there's a Fleet Feet next door, there's a brightly colored yellow chair outside the new wing of classrooms, and more importantly they're opening a Chipotle downstairs. The only thing that hasn't changed is the effervescent feeling of creativity and joy you get every time you enter Second City's doors. But what I want to know is what it is like for you back in the day. The good and the bad. You're so secretive, gosh Tina. Tell me why I've got to hear, and I'm assuming the story I heard today was about you, from someone else. Because it was hands down one of of the most endearing stories I ever heard and I can't share it. More like I won't share it in respect of you and the people involved. There's nothing incriminating, but it's one of the advantages of going to Second City, hearing "before they were famous" stories. It's one of those stories that remind you of why you do what you love. Since I won't repeat the anecdote, I'll just post this video.

Hear Me Out

Tina, I've been rewriting and rewriting this post for the past week. And I've come to the conclusion that there's no better way to write this post than to just write it. I don't know how you'll feel about this, but as a woman who's broken barriers (man that sounds outdated and cheesy) in comedy and the entertainment industry in general, I'd think you'll understand. This is a small note to Hollywood. As sincere and serious as I've ever been on this blog: Hollywood, please take a chance and cast outside the box. You see what happens when you take a risk, you get someone like Tina Fey. My shout out to you Ms. Fey. She wasn't your typical starlet, and that is exactly the reason why she is where she is now. She wasn't typical. So with the recent casting announcement for Spiderman, I can't help but think what if you cast a non-Caucasian actor to play Spiderman. Ironically, when news broke that there were plans to reboot the Spiderman franchise, I told someone they should cast an African American. The next day I learned Donald Glover had a Facebook campaign to get an audition for Spiderman. I'll admit he isn't the Spiderman type, but there are many male actors of diverse backgrounds that could be. If you wanted to "reboot" or "reinvent" it, why not reboot and reinvent. I understand comic book fans would probably hate you if you did this since Spiderman has been around for decades and is obviously Caucasian. Think of all the buzz you'll create if you cast someone totally unexpected. Plus, if it doesn't turn out as planned, Tobey's Spiderman was well executed. But if you're going to stick with typecasting. What's up with other adaptations? Take for instance, M. Night Shyamalan's Avatar: The Last Airbender. Now Airbender isn't as beloved a comic as Spiderman, but the world in which these people live, though fantasy, clearly indicates an Asian or at least an ethnic background. So you would think that the main roles would mostly be Asian, yet there are no ethnic people cast in the major character roles. With the exception of Dev Patel, who actually replaced Jesse McCartney. Alright Hollywood, I'll go back to my funny self, but sometimes life makes you want to react like Michael Scott.



P.S. I love Steve Carell. I love this scene and I love Steve Carell. I love Tina Fey and Steve Carell's chemistry in Date Night. I wish they could have been on Mainstage together. I may being tossing around the word "love" too loosely in this blog.

Reality TV Binge- Alex Wong

Tina, do you make it work? Are you a Top Chef? Do you think you can dance? Well if you're not on a reality show take a moment from the million projects you're working on and come watch reality tv with me. We're only weeks away from Project Runway, so we'll have to make due with So You Think You Can Dance and Top Chef. You know I only like reality tv that actually requires talent. Now if that were also true for all tv and film. SNAP.

Let me catch you up, particularly on SYTYCD. I can't get enough of this guy: Alex Wong. 

He makes me want to do all the Dirty Dancing scenes with him. Zac Efron and Jake Gyllenhaal too. Plus, I like to keep an eye out on my fellow Asian Americans representing. Most of the time they make it to the top 10 but get kicked off within the first 2 weeks because they lack the whole X factor. But this Alex, I predict will at least be top 5. Anyways, remember how I said swagga doesn't always translate to both classic technique and dance like hip-hop. (http://tinafeyismyfriend.blogspot.com/2010/06/i-got-swagga.html) Well Alex totally destroys my theory. He's a breath-taking ballet dancer but then just rips it in this hip-hop routine. Check out the videos below. Then tell me how much you want go to a country club right about now. Although I think we can work on his hip-hop dance face. (http://tinafeyismyfriend.blogspot.com/2010/06/dance-face.html) The first video you have to skip to about 1:40 to see his ballet skills.

That's What She Said- Whoa, Hold Up.

Tina, why won't they stop coming to me? That's what she said. And by they I mean "That's what she said" lines. I love "That's what she said". Love it. I love it so much I want to have a one night stand with it and then fall truly in love with it like a romantic comedy. OR Take it behind the behind the bleachers and get it pregnant. (Thanks for the line 30 Rock. I love you so much that you're next.) I'm a TWSS addict, but how can I not be when almost every sentence that comes out of a person's mouth can be labeled a TWSS. Especially when you work with food. "Fluff the meat" and "golden, crunchy crust, soft center". Hello! My buddy Loren and I would say it so much at the restaurant we worked at (I call it a restaurant to feel less embarrassed about where I worked) that it lost some of its value. It's like the time when my friends and I were in Stratford upon Avon, the birthplace of Shakespeare AND the ever so popular phrase "Ye olde [noun]." Ex. Ye olde Starbucks. That line gets, well, old real fast. So I, and since this is my blog I'll take credit, I enforced a "Ye olde" rule. One could only name something "Ye Olde" if it was a really good one. Mine was Ye olde bush. Nailed it. That's what she said. See what I mean. It's not as funny. So I, again, will impose upon myself a TWSS rule. OR give TWSS a safe word to use to protect its integrity. I respect you TWSS and I would never want to hurt you.

People You Should Know

Tina, whip out those 3-D glasses and throw 'em away, because you're about to get a 2-D look into the future of fashion, film, yoga, etc. I'm starting a list of people you should know. A clique if you will because I know how much you love cliques. (By the way, I totally auditioned for Cady in Mean Girls. We could have been friends much earlier.) I'm going to call this list of people Fey-riends or until I come up with something better. Now these people go through a rigorous selection process. I wouldn't suggest just anybody to you, Tina. Your new Fey-riends are not only amazing at what they do, they're really cool people.

First up is Kat Swick. How cool is that name? Simple and has a verb in it. Kat has the great honor of being first on this list because we've been friends for a long time and she paid me $50. Just kidding. We've only been friends for like 2 yrs.  I'm labeling her as a fashion designer, but she's also consequently an artist, photographer, graphic designer, etc. I've been telling her to go on Project Runway because she's talented and because I know she'll be a fan favorite. And she's the girl whose soundbites you like watching compiled during reunion specials because she'll have the most ridiculous, sincere comments. Don't worry Tina I got the hook up on your fashion needs. What you want, girl? I'm coining the phrase Kat Call anytime you need something to wear from Kat's collection.
Here's some pics of Kat's Originals. Just think how Swick (not a typo) you'll look in those.

And I guess TOMS had a contest for shoe designs. I would have definitely bought those and put up with the terrible customer service that I now associate with buying my TOMS. (Reference to earlier post: http://tinafeyismyfriend.blogspot.com/2010/06/i-hate-mediocre-bad-customer-service.html)

Aside from designing, there are some facts about Kat that will blow your mind grapes.
1. She writes backwards AND in cursive. The sentence still comes out normal but instead she writes right to left.
2. Do you need a voice for any animated projects you're working on? Because her natural voice is perfect. There's no way to describe it. I'm sure it's like the time you heard Cyndi Lauper speak and you're like "that's your actual voice?"
3. She was neighbors with Eddie Matthews, who apparently designed the Chunnel. That's right Tina, you're 2 degrees of separation away from Eddie Matthews.
4. She's incredibly genuine and optimistic. She can make the most mundane story hilarious. How can you not be around that energy?