Wednesday 30 March 2005

Johnnie Cochran 1937-2005

Johnnie Cochran has died. He taught me the only thing I know about law and lawyers. "Never ask a question if you don't already know the answer."

Here are some of his greatest moments.

He featured in Chris Rock's latest show "Some people say if you hire Johnnie you look guilty...Yeah, but you go home." And spawned the hilarious Jackie Chiles, lawyer of choice for Kramer's numerous trumped up lawsuits on Seinfeld.

Friday 25 March 2005

It's All Over

The second night of the show went even better than the first. We had a similar number in terms of audience, but they went for it even more than the previous night's.

Most people that I've spoken to or that have e-mailed me, have their own personal favourites, which is nice.

We're all going to watch the film of the show on Sunday night and after that the best bits from both nights will be edited into one DVD.

We've yet to sit down and discuss what's next for Glue. We are intending another show in a few months time, but we'll have to see what transpires.

Barney Martin 1923-2005

Barney Martin, the actor who played Jerry's Dad on Seinfeld has died aged 82.

Wednesday 23 March 2005

The First Night of Glue

I'm posting this here rather than on the You Owe Me Glue blog since, let's face it hardly anyone reads it. The first night of the show seemed to go really well. So far the only negative feedback we've had were from two old guys, who asked how "anyone could laugh at this pish." Though apparently they stayed 'til the end.

We had 65 in thru the door, including our guestlist and someone who didn't think the show was worth paying for and barged her way in for nothing. We're expecting more in tonight, so if you're coming get there early.

I should use this space to thank everyone involved in the show. Especially Tommy, Ronnie and Graham. These guys have helped us out just cos they wanted to. They've sorted out all the props and sound and helped the show run smoothly on the night. Ronnie also made his acting debut with us and unfortunately got more of a kicking than his character was meant to.

Tonight should, I hope, be even better than last night, since everyone has that little bit more confidence and we all have less to worry about.

Tuesday 22 March 2005

The Comedy Scene Continues

With the comedy festival continuing apace we reach the big day. The day we finally put our bunch of rag tag sketches in front of a paying audience. As far as the comedy festival has been going so far, I've quite enjoyed it. Kitson was hilarious on Wednesday night, playing for 3 hours. As I keep saying, he's one of the few guys who can riff off the top of his head and be consistently hysterical.

On Friday night I saw The Musical! A show I had seen already at the Edinburgh Festival, but as it was in the venue we're using, the 13th Note I wanted to see how it looked and how the lighting system we are sharing with them looks. A good show and deserved much more than the small but appreciative audience it got.

After that I headed up to O'Neills where Fizzy was taking on the dual roles of doing the door and heckling the acts.

Saturday night I had a gig at O'Neills which went quite well. Considering. After that I headed to a mad night down at Blackfriars. With practically every comedian in town in the room, about a dozen of us had a turn on stage. I got on around 1.15am. Luckily the act on before me made me look like Jerry Seinfeld.

Tonight though is the biggie - You Owe Me Glue at the 13th Note. For anyone interested in my expectations - I think the acting will be fine. The only things that are currently causing us problems is that this afternoon will be the first time we have been able to rehearse in the space we're using with everything as it will be on the night. Timings for enterances and exits will have to be tightened and quick costume changes must be mastered. Other than that it should be a laugh.

I have just been informed this minute that we have 22 advance ticket sales for tonight. Fuck. People are coming after all.

Wednesday 16 March 2005

"I Don't Wanna See a Movie Where the Guy's Gotta Take Viagra."

Two posts in one day? Surely not? Here's Quentin Tarantino on, James Bond, Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair, his 'Guys on a Mission' movie and when he intends to retire.

The Fag End of the Entertainment Business

There have been very few posts up here recently. You may think that we have been too busy with the impending show/shambles/triumph/disaster and yes you would be correct. 6 days to go and still loads to do.

The Glasgow International Comedy Festival has for 16 days provided Glasgow with the comedy scene that a lot of folk would like to think exists all year round. Comedy promoters are even starting Tupac and Biggie style feuds. At the weekend I saw 6 shows in 4 days, working at 4 of them. Fizzy played 2 gigs in one night. Running across town Jerry Seinfeld style to get to the second one. With the country’s only deaf comedian Steve Day clutching his ‘gameshirt’ running alongside.

I’m off to see Daniel Kitson tonight, then at the weekend it’s another round of shows for the pair of us. If this were to keep up, we’d be under the impression that maybe we were actually in the entertainment business.

Tuesday 15 March 2005

Glue Photos

For those interested the official You Owe Me Glue site now has some photographs added to the photos page. I think everyone who reads this knows all about it, but just to remind you all the show opens one week from today.

Saturday 12 March 2005

The Perry Bible Fellowship

Ah, a weekend posting. Exciting. I've spent a while laughing out loud to the cartoons in the pages of The Perry Bible Fellowship. Some of it is a little bit dark, but very similar in tone to our own Iain Laurie. As well as laugh out loud jokes PBF also displays a wide range of drawing styles a lot of times in the same strip and sometimes even in the same panel.

Friday 11 March 2005

Dave Allen 1936-2005

The first post for over a week and it's a death notice.

Irish comedian Dave Allen died last night. When he was on TV regularly I remember my Dad watching him and I was too young to get him. However when I was working in an Irish themed pub, when we had a quiet Monday or Tuesday night I would put on his video compilations and I really began to appreciate him then.

Here is a biography.

Thursday 3 March 2005

Who? Eh? What?

Here is our Blub on the 13th Note’s webpage for the Comedy Festival. We have no idea who wrote this and while it’s great to get such a glowing reference (thanks, whoever you are) it does pile the pressure on somewhat…

A comedy revue with satisfyingly unpleasant undertones. The creators of local zine Cheery Bananas, whose Timmy Mallett-esque name belies the often darkly satirical content (think Chris Morris guest-editing The Onion) are Tom Brogan and Fraser Campbell. Their show is intended to go "riding roughshod over live sketch comedy rules like a big funny horse"; obviously created by and for fans of the flat expression school of bathetic comedy - like The Day Today - "You Owe Me Glue" throws out non sequiturs like the horse one with abandon, the dry delivery laying like an attractively crunchy-looking coat of snow above coal black ice, as three pensioners round the corner on uncertain legs. Darkly tragic funnies, playing for two nights, see them now before they get their own series on BBC Digital!

Wednesday 2 March 2005

Ted Leo and the Pharmacists

Last night I went to see Ted Leo and the Pharmacists. They played a rocking set. An amazingly hairy rhythm section they were a really tight trio. The highlights for me were Me and Mia and Timorous Me. Go see them if and when they play again.