Celebrity and should-be-celebrity sightings

2008-10-13T14:25:00.000-07:00

this is from my girlfriend.

Jennifer: This morning Carmen and I had to do the test run of our treasure hunt next week (it ended up taking us over 4 hours since we walk really slowly and we had to do the last clue 2.5 times, oops). Anyway, the treasure hunt in in hollywood this year, and at Hollywood and highland we totally walked right past jack black. Carmen recognized him immediately, and by the time I spotted him so had a gaggle of fans who were asking him to take a picture with them. turns out he was getting a star this morning. Then, while we were trying to get away from the massive crowd of tourists, we walked by the incredible hulk! The one from the documentary with superman. I felt bad when I saw people hug him because I could just imagine how badly he stunk in that sweaty padded outfit.

Affleck...Casey Affleck

2008-07-09T10:16:00.000-07:00

I was at my first day back on the job teaching on Monday, prepping for the little tykes (3-4 year olds) that were about to come busting through the studio door. After having scattered paper and crayons all over the table, I looked up and did a double take at none other than Casey Affleck! He was holding the hand of his son, and giving me his famous "Who do you think you are?" expression. I was really pissed at myself that I had done a double take so obviously he knew that I knew who he was. It would have been a lot cooler if I just casually looked up and down again with an indifferent look of "eh, big deal". So his son, who is named after a particular state by the way, took a seat and started drawing and Mr. Affleck had a seat in the corner. It is common for parents to want to sit in on the first class and make sure the teacher isn't some incompetent boob or perv, which I understand. So there he was, reading a book but looking up often to silently judge my approach to teaching. It was a little unnerving. There he was, giving me the same disapproving scowl he delivers in most of his roles. Thankfully and unexpectedly, his kid was really fun, enthusiastic and good natured. I expected him to be a stereotypically spoiled Hollywood child, but I was mistaken thank god. Oh, and his wife, Summer Phoenix, came and picked their kid up the next day, so it was a real double whammy! I swear she winked at me too as they were leaving but maybe that's her default mannerism when greeting or saying good-bye to someone. Better than lolling your tongue out of your mouth and performing pelvic thrusts I guess.

Jimmy Carter and Sarah Silverman...together again!!

2008-06-25T16:53:00.001-07:00

From guest poster Ashley!

Ashley: Here's something for your celebrity blog: I have seen Jimmy Carter and Barbara Walters in person at book signings over the past few months. Incidentally, Barbara looks awful in person! I totally understand all the ethereal, fuzzy glamor-shots style lighting they surround her with for her talk show. Tom and I also saw Harry Shearer at a swanky little LA restaurant called Campanile. We were there for a dinner hosted by Random House for author Ethan Canin (author of The Palace Thief and, most recently, America America). And today we have Sarah Silverman in our store doing a taping for her show. I think that's it for now.

The new Joe Piscopo?

2008-06-09T20:43:00.000-07:00

Jennifer: On Saturday, Stephanie and I were driving down Beverly blvd when we saw Hank Azaria doing power lunges down the street. Stephanie started laughing and going on about how “built” he was looking. she called aaron, who works right by where we saw hank azaria, to tell him, and aaron said that hank azaria is always outside doing power lunges. I guess his gym is near aaron’s work. But why work out in a gym when you can work out on a sidewalk?

What happened to Roger Rabbit?

2008-04-01T18:37:00.000-07:00

I forgot to mention a few weeks ago, when my friends Ryan and Laeh were in town we decided to try a Japanese restaurant on the westside called Furaibo. The actual location of said restaurant is in Little Osaka, which Jen and I have frequented often when she contracts Boba fever, or we want to blow some cash at Giant Robot. But we always steered clear of Furaibo as it was adjacent to a karaoke bar, which happens to be Jen and my greatest fear. Anyway, sorry, I forgot this isn't a restaurant review...just let me say that the food at Furaibo was excellent and plentiful...I mean it just kept coming, like thirteen or fourteen dishes. But as we were wrapping up our meal Laeh motioned behind me, indicating that she thought that Al Franken might be sitting at the table across from her. I did the casual arm stretch but really trying to look behind me maneuver but couldn't get a good view. Finally as we left I took a good, long look and it was none other than the voice of Roger Rabbit, this guy, and I must say he wasn't looking too good. Not that he was looking old or unhealthy, not at all. He just had, how can I put this delicately, I mean because he was a childhood hero of mine, um...a hump...on his back. Yes, its true, he possessed a severe hunchback. I have nothing against hunchbacks it was just unexpected, but I'm sure he's a great guy. Although he was talking to some girl that looked to be thirty years his junior. Hopefully it was his daughter...otherwise YIKES!

Paris Hilton maimed by Phantasm ball

2008-03-07T20:40:00.000-08:00

Asha and I had a celebrity two-fer as we drove from Beverly Hills to Scoops in Wilshire Center. After leaving an art opening we were heading East on Melrose and caught an extremely surreal scene. There were about 15 paparazzi outside a small book store taking photos of someone through a small circular window. We couldn't get a good look at who it was, but she was definitely blonde so that narrowed it down. I also saw a man with a long, gray flowing beard wearing an orange robe. It turns out it was Paris Hilton and the guru she was with was an actor planted by Ashton Kutcher to exploit the gullibility of the media or something stupid. It was for his new show which sounds completely different and groundbreaking.

Later at scoops as I was shoveling hazelnut mocha and thai iced tea coconut ice cream into my mouth hole, I thought I heard a familiar voice. I looked up and saw a jolly bearded man ordering ice cream with his family. He looked and sounded so familiar but I couldn't put my finger on who he was. A minute later I realized it was none other than Don Coscarelli , renowned director of Phantasm 1, Phantasm 2, Phantasm 3, Phantasm 4, etc. as well as Beastmaster 1 and Bubba Ho-tep. IN all seriousness I thought Phantasm was a totally disjointed, incoherent masterpiece, so I have to admit, upon recognition I was a little excited to see him. I really wanted to stand on the table and just yell "PHANTASM!" then run, but didn't because I am a sad, cowardly little man.

Barry and Eric's awesome jury duty. Great Job!

2007-08-20T08:46:00.000-07:00

I forgot to mention I was called into jury duty about a month and a half ago. I had postponed for way too long and finally had to face the music. I was pretty upset about the whole situation, as it meant I might have to miss a couple weeks of work, but little did I know that two comedians would be there, sent from the lord to make the ride a little smoother. When I first arrived at the courthouse at 8 in the morning, I was greeted by one "Judge Wapner". Not THAT Judge Wapner, but it was his son. Looking around the room I happened to spot Eric Wareheim from my favorite all time program, "Tim and Eric's Awesome show GREAT JOB!" on Adult Swim. It's basically an insanely stupid variety show with skits, fake commercials and other random stuff. Mr. Jon C Reilly even makes guest appearances from time to time as Health expert Dr. Steve Brule! After having spotted Mr. Wareheim, I was then immediately sent to a panel upon which I would either be selected for that cases' jury or released. It was a murder case, and it just so happens that I was on the same panel with Eric. I was really excited to hear him try to explain what he did for a living, (My name is Eric and I like to make weird faces and invent exclamations like "Farge" and dance on the beach with shrimp in my speedos) but alas, I was kicked off the panel before the judge got to him.

From there I was sent immediately to a different panel. This one wasn't as exciting, being a medical marijuana case. I was pretty disappointed with the overall quality of potential jurors. No one seemed exceptionally interesting or crazy. Although when we first walked into the courtroom and the judge announced the nature of the case an old lady started wailing hysterically and practically fell to the floor. If it was an act to get out of jury duty, it worked pretty well as she was immediately ushered from the room and never heard from again. Maybe they executed her.

Anyway, at some point when we were introducing ourselves, I heard an older gentleman mention that he used to be a comedian. His name was Barry Niekrug. I was on the panel for two days before I was mercifully excused along with this Barry Niekrug character. He was a really nice guy and he told me about how he got his start in Boston when stand up comedy was really taking off in the late 70's, early 80's, and how he worked alongside people like Bobcat Goldthwait, Stephen Wright and Denis Leary. He said he was in the movie Punchline with Tom Hanks and Sally Fields, but I'd never seen him before. Then, just last week a documentary came on IFC called "When Stand up Stood Out". It chronicled the very same period in Boston that Barry was referring to, and he was even featured in a few scenes.

I couldn't have imagined my jury duty experience going any better, unless of course I was "sandwiched" by Alan Thicke and Joyce Dewitt in the jury box. And I do mean "Sandwiched"! wink wink.

Bradley con beard

2007-08-07T11:22:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I feel blessed by the celebrity gods (imagine Mr. Drummond from Diff'rent Strokes with a long, flowing beard) Not because I have the opportunity to see a lot of celebrities living in L.A., but mostly because the quality of celebrities that I actually spot are top-notch. Just to list some of the aformentioned sightings in the last six months: Kid from Kid N' Play, Jake Busey, Jon C. Reilly...These figures are cultural icons (sort of), celebrated not just for their talent and acheivements but for being true originals.

Now, I don't know if I can extend the former assessment to my two recent celebrity sightings, but in the context of the show they were featured on, Project Runway, it seems applicable. Just a couple months ago, I was working a family workshop at MOCA museum downtown. I was in charge of the clay art project, there was also a man juggling pancakes for entertainment, and a woman dancing with found objects. It was total chaos. Amidst this chaos, I spotted none other than Mr. Vincent Libretti. Those of you who watch Project Runway (sadly, I am one) know exactly who that is: Former prominent New York fashion designer who fell out of favor, went far on the show, but was eliminated partially due to his explosive outbursts (You can not FLUFF AND FOLD THESE SHIRTS!) and the fact that his designs that were stuck in the 80's. He was milling around the clay tent, and seemed like a nice enough guy.

Then, just last Saturday Jen and I were driving around Silver Lake trying to find a breakfast place when my other favorite character from the show, Bradley Baumkirchner, wandered into view. He was at a competing breakfast joint and looked lost and confused, much the way he was depicted on the show. If you remember, Bradley was the guy who claimed that he was eliminated because they didn't like his beard. Pretty amazing. I was happy to see that he grew his beard back, so much so that I yelled "Glad you grew your beard back" out the window. He didn't hear me.