Godfather, meet Godfather
Last night was our first J.Keith vanStraaten Show of the new season.
I love being on a live stage, in front of a live audience, and I'd forgotten how much fun it is to do that show.
One of our guests last night was Bruno Kirby, who I realized is in 3 of my favorite movies of all time, and who's father was in Stand By Me! We were talking backstage and we realized that we were just 1 degree of separation, in many, many ways. It was cool.
The show started out really well. Keith's monologue was hilarious, and the full house loved it. Then I came out, and I felt that we were a little rusty. So much of comedy is timing and rhythm, and we were just slightly out of rhythm, but we got in step after a bit, and the show went very well.
The coolest thing was, some WWDN readers came down to see the show, and support your old pal, Un-- oh, you know what I mean.
Bruno Kirby was amazing. He was telling these amazing stories about working with people, and one of them was about Marlon Brando. He was telling us how he was working with Marlon Brando in New York, and they went into an Italian restaurant together, with Al freakin' Pacino. Bruno says that he thinks, since the Godfather, Brando has not been allowed to pick up a check in an Italian restaurant, and I say, "Yeah, I hear that Al Pacino isn't allowd to go to the bathroom alone, either." The 30% or so of people in the house who have seen Godfather laugh really, really hard, and I figure that I just made up for being a little slow at the top of the show.
The rest of the show goes great, the band, Blockage, kicks more ass than Jackie Chan, and John O'Donnell, the comedian, tells one of the funniest stories I've ever heard.
In two weeks, we have Aisha Tyler, from Talk Soup, on the show, and we're anticipating a sell out, so you should make your reservations now!
And now, yard work.
Comments
I saw a girl from brrdshit.com post about Wil's site...
If you're reading this, drop me a line...
thanks
*wink*
Posted by: celestial blue | March 9, 2002 11:39 AM
Oh and Wil, I don't think you replied..
Are you going to be in Detroit for the MotorCity Con as the site indictates??
Posted by: celestial blue | March 9, 2002 11:40 AM
Oh lord, I meant indicates...not indictates.
Nice that I have that RIGHT at the front of the entries for all to see.
Posted by: celestial blue | March 9, 2002 11:41 AM
I am *NOT* going to be at Motor City Comic Con. This is the same bullshit they pulled on me last year. They advertised me as coming, then said that I pulled out at the last minute, causing me no end of grief.
Posted by: wil | March 9, 2002 11:43 AM
Too cool, I like how (in your last note) you were excited to meet MM, and he you.. I always wondered what you show biz types talk about..
LOL
Posted by: J.C. | March 9, 2002 11:43 AM
Oh.
:-(
Ok.
Thanks for letting me know Wil.... I would have been pretty disappointed.
Posted by: celestial blue | March 9, 2002 11:45 AM
I don't know why, but it seemed really funny to go from talking about the show to yard work. Glad to hear it went well. Always liked Bruno Kirby's work in Good Morning Vietnam and When Harry Met Sally.
And if you dooo...and if you dooo...
Posted by: olafandy jon | March 9, 2002 11:47 AM
Ummm yard work..Ummm butt cracks..UMM
I think I just morphed into Homer Simpson.....
Posted by: bluecat-redblanket | March 9, 2002 11:50 AM
If Ms. Tyler of Talk soup is going to be a guest, you should also get a few laughs out of her dating show, "The 5th Wheel". Have you ever watched it? Try it.
Posted by: adeversole | March 9, 2002 11:52 AM
Dammit. I wish I could have seen the show. Unfortunately I live in Missouri which can be considered the armpit of the nation. As much as I enjoy live theater, there's an amazing lack of it here. I will have to make a trip to LA and see some, even if Uncle Willy isn't performing that nite :) Congrats on the show, Wil!
Posted by: Jess Lat | March 9, 2002 12:00 PM
Times like these I wish the West coast wasn't so far from the East coast. :( Also being a typical poor college student, I have no $ either. However, congrats on the successful show! :)
Posted by: Anne | March 9, 2002 12:04 PM
The show ruled. Wil is right, if you live in LA you don't want to miss the next one. Thanks again!
Posted by: sean | March 9, 2002 12:19 PM
Mr.Wheaton..sir..according to one of those links
your sister will appear on "SIX FEET UNDER" on
March 17th. Can you confirm? Please?
What kind of wine on Fridays? Red,white or blush?
Roughy I have missed you so..Spuddy is STILL
gone or has morphed into a new idenity..not sure
which...very good to have you back in print!!HA
lol
Posted by: bluecat-redblanket | March 9, 2002 12:23 PM
All right..have sent 3 emails to "those"people
that will not book you..WWDN posse..WE need to
get this man more work!! See Wil's note above
on the first part of the page(not thread newbies)
send "those" people emails..GIVE WIL WHEATON
MORE WORK!!
Posted by: bluecat-redblanket | March 9, 2002 12:33 PM
Any chance of you coming out to the Boston area sometime? Either to do a convention or maybe a tour of yer live show?
And since I'm here, wanna do my yard work too? I think my neighbor's cat Mino is lost in the old leaves out there.... *sigh*
Posted by: Toonces | March 9, 2002 12:54 PM
I really like Bruno Kirby as a character actor, but he doesn't do enough movies for me to see him very often. Sigh. Oh well. Maybe I'll go rewatch "City Slickers" or "Good Morning, Vietnam".
Give Bruno Kirby more work, you Hollywood producer types who must frequent this site and listen to us posse people whining all the time! :-)
Posted by: Mandy | March 9, 2002 1:08 PM
Steve Martin was less than 15 feet from me at a restaurant in suburban Milwaukee. He was eating a chicken salad sandwich.
And Kristen Johnson, of "Third Rock" fame? My mom helped her dad run for Congress back in the late 1970's. One Saturday, when I went with my mom down to his Milwaukee office, I briefly met Kristen, and she was quite tall, even then.
Wow! You're letting me post on your website?
That makes three hilarious people I've been in the presence of in my life.
Golly.
... urm, eh.... well, wait. Four if you count Spudnuts...
Posted by: Don | March 9, 2002 1:15 PM
I am glad you like it, there, Wil! ^_^ At least was not so boring, as other actors sometimes say about some shows, and being guests on them. I would have gone, also, to support you, but, is so far away, and I not can get there! ~_^ I would get lost by car, and so! LOL
I like some of the things you say, Wil. You are not like some of the actors who always put down other actors, about the way they are, and so. I am really happy to see this! ^_^ I really am. Teaches a lot of some things that maybe everyone should learn.
Liebe Alles!
~Gispie
Posted by: Gipsie | March 9, 2002 1:26 PM
I'm glad to hear the show went well! =) Good job! =D Too bad I missed it. :( heeh! Well the next time I'm down there HOPEFULLY you'll be doing a show and I can see it then. *big toothy grin*
Posted by: Sayre | March 9, 2002 1:37 PM
***Wil, have you ever thought about writing a book, yourself? Not another fucking 'Star Trek Golden Memories'-type crap...there's been WAY too much of that already...but a book about you, your beliefs, your interests. Your stories on here range from an interesting distraction to out and out hysterical. I'd buy a book.***
Later, man.
Cameron
Posted by: Cameron | March 9, 2002 1:41 PM
Glad the show went well. Uuhmmmmmmm, SpongeBob?
Posted by: ymous_annon | March 9, 2002 1:43 PM
hmmm, I've been reading for a while, and got a chance to listen once in a while too when the ol' burrito was up and workin'. You've made several remarks regarding Topeka, and the general tone is that it wasn't a good experience. You've also made a lot of comments about why you enjoy the West Coast so much. and I can understand.
So my question is(and I don't want to come off sounding bitchy or rude or anything because I am not trying to),do you really despise Topeka so much that ya won't even come out to visit the midwest once in a while for cons or comedy tours or whatever??
just wonderin...
Posted by: Farmer's Daughter | March 9, 2002 1:51 PM
You should set a few "wheaties" loose on the convention.
"Round up the posse"
(j/k)
Posted by: AMStrange | March 9, 2002 1:54 PM
Bluecat: I didn't mean that they wouldn't book me. They're all friends of mine. What I meant was, it's one thing for me to tell them, "Hey, guys. I think that some people would come to the show if I was speaking there." It's totally another thing if those people contact them on their own.
I think I'll rephrase that page, to avoid any further confusion. :)
Oh, the lawn is mowed, and I got to use my new bitchin' edger. RAWK.
Posted by: wil | March 9, 2002 2:11 PM
Right now, I'm still trying to decide if I should put away or keep the snow blower out.
Exhibit A: 18 degrees on Monday in Detroit
Exhibit B: 60 degrees yesterday
Exhibit C: 54 degrees and big time rain storm this morning, feels like about 30 right now with some form of frozen precipitation hitting.
Guess I'd better keep it out...
Posted by: olafandy jon | March 9, 2002 2:37 PM
HELLO WIL: I KNOW I'M NOT BLUECAT OR ANYTHING, BUT DO YOU READ THE OTHER PEOPLE'S COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS? JUST CURIOUS.
Cameron
Posted by: Cameron | March 9, 2002 2:38 PM
i need a beer
Posted by: Adam | March 9, 2002 3:22 PM
Cameron: I think Wil just reads the interesting comments, or
those posted by the illuminati. I know for a fact he doesn't read
mine, and in fact, has actually patched the MoveableType blog
software with the undocumented, yet amazingly popular "+ignoreMrsVeteran" option.
Okay, no, I'm just kidding. :-) I would imagine Wil probably reads almost
all the comments, but he doesn't really respond all that often. I think that's
'cause he has a life, or at least, a family. :-) Sometimes people post
questions for Wil in the comments, and sometimes he
answers and sometimes he doesn't...but I don't
think there's anything personal to it, really.
Posted by: Mrs. Veteran | March 9, 2002 3:34 PM
"...I got to use my new bitchin' edger."
Now how often do you expect to see a celebrity using these words?
Next thing you know, Mr. Wheaton (SIR!) will start in on how great his electric tree pruner is.
Posted by: JSc | March 9, 2002 3:35 PM
Nah, JSc, given Wil's task list he's got to be looking at a trenching tool or God forbid a 'saws all' ( won't his living room look nice after that?)
John McGregor
Posted by: John McGregor | March 9, 2002 3:49 PM
Saws-All. Definitely a Saws-All. Saws-All makes really short work of any yard-related tasks.
:-)
Posted by: Mrs. Veteran | March 9, 2002 4:01 PM
mmm...trenching.
Posted by: wil | March 9, 2002 4:04 PM
On second thought, he's going to be laying sprinkler pipe -- do you think we can talk him into a back-hoe?
John McGregor
Posted by: John McGregor | March 9, 2002 4:08 PM
If you had ever seen my yard, you would know that sometimes, I think a backhoe would be a really great yard work tool.
I'd kind of miss all the trees and shrubbery, but then again, there wouldn't be as much raking to do...
mmmm...backhoe!
lol!
Posted by: Mrs. Veteran | March 9, 2002 4:11 PM
Bruno Kirby does make great movies...But the one I really enjoyed was THE FRESHMAN with Broderick, Brando, and Kirby. Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa. By the way, Aisha Tyler, although married, keeps my soup hot. I plan to be there!
Posted by: ze-mag | March 9, 2002 4:29 PM
"The 30% or so of people in the house who have seen Godfather laugh really, really hard"
Hey Wil, don't you think you might be making a logical error here; just because only 30% of the audience laughed, that doesn't necessarily mean that the remaining 70% had never seen the Godfather. Maybe they just didn't think you made a funny. And don't go to the mattresses on my ass for this either. ;)
Posted by: Internal Audience | March 9, 2002 5:12 PM
Edging, trenching, snow blowers, laying sprinkler pipe, backhoe...I think I'm starting to get a picture of a new Wil Wheaton HGTV show.
Either that or something on the hardcore channel.
Huh huh...he said hoe... (/Butthead)
Well, if it's an HGTV show, maybe it can be on after the gardening one with that Ned Flanders like guy.
Posted by: olafandy jon | March 9, 2002 5:42 PM
It's all about the backhoe.
Posted by: KJB | March 9, 2002 5:52 PM
It's so foggy outside right now you couldn't see Marlon Brando at 100, no... 50 feet.
Posted by: Fred Fowler | March 9, 2002 5:57 PM
PH34R the l337 B4ckh0e!!!!
Geez, I have got to find something else to do. lol!
Stop me before I post again! :-)
Posted by: Mrs. Veteran | March 9, 2002 6:03 PM
Back Hoe?
Damn, the language, man.
Damn the man, Lucas.
Wilster, it's good to be back. When's the next show? I need a good surprise to another rude town for me and the missus... ;-)
'Scuse me whilst I wisk off to yon video store to peruse the selection of evening entertainment...
Posted by: Roughy | March 9, 2002 6:06 PM
Forget backhoes and trenching tools. What you *need* Wil is a Garden Weasel.
Four spikey wheels rolling over your exposed dirt. Just think of the excitement you'll have, Wil!
You'll be the envy of the neighborhood with nicely aerated soil.
Posted by: Don | March 9, 2002 6:52 PM
Edger? Backhoe? Saws-All®? Trench digger? No, what you really need is a light saber.
http://www.nucleartoast.com/rfiles/aayardwars.html
--NT
Posted by: Nuclear Toast | March 9, 2002 8:06 PM
Non Sequitur by Wiley 3-10
STORYTIME WITH OBVIOUSMAN (sitting in a chair in front of a group of little kids)
"Once upon a time, there was a word. It was a perfectly good little word which, like all words, had a specific meaning.
It meant being broad-minded, open to progress and tolerant of others with different views.
But, ironically, those who held different views didn't like the little word and didn't want anyone else to like it, either.
So they began to obscure the nice word's meaning by demonizing it... (man and woman marching, man holding sign that says"Think like us, talk like us, follow us...or else!!")
They would say the word with a snarl, as though it was a slur that no God-fearing patriotic citizen would want to be associated with. And the more they snarled, the more people believed the distorted definition.
The truth, however, is that the meaning of the word hasn't changed. It remains intact in the big book of words, just waiting to be rediscovered by people who want to know what they're talking about. The good, God-fearing patriotic citizens just might find it actually descrbes them, not what they fear." (marching couple looking into a dictionary with puzzled looks on their faces)
(Obviousman looks down at the children)
(Obviousman sitting with dictionary in his lap)
"And you haven't the vaguest idea what I'm talking about, do you?"
(little blond haired boy) "No. But it sounds like a load of liberal bilge to me..."
Posted by: Fred Fowler | March 9, 2002 8:27 PM
Kylie Minogue is still big in Europe.
So is that Jamiroquai.
A back hoe is the least of your worries, my friend.
Posted by: Roughy | March 9, 2002 8:54 PM
Wil:
long time viewer, first time poster...
what do you think of the possibilities of talking to Aisha Tyler and making one of your wishes come true?
Posted by: geb | March 9, 2002 9:53 PM
I only wish I could've been there- Sorry I missed it. Hopefully I will get to take a actual Vay-Cay back to Cali. and when I do, I hope to see a show if your in one at the time. That would be cool-
Bruno Kirby is soo cool- City Slickers, When Harry Met Sally, Godfather, the list goes on- He's one talented dude!
off to the family- home for a week- i hope they have a computer so I can at least keep reading all the fun.
Posted by: Andie G. | March 9, 2002 10:21 PM
-Wil you sir are also Very Talented-
just in case you didn't know,
keep the faith,
smile with love
live to be happy
Andie
Posted by: Andie G. | March 9, 2002 10:23 PM
Kylie Minogue is getting big back in the USA again.
Now that's kinda freaky.
Posted by: KJB | March 9, 2002 10:53 PM
Sounds like you had an awesome time Wil! Can't wait to hear what the next one's going to be like!
Posted by: smhauthority | March 10, 2002 1:23 AM
the sucky thing about living in hawaii is that comedians never wanna visit unless it's on their honeymoon or if on extended vacation(in which they plan nothing but rest and relaxation) that's so totally not fair :P
Posted by: wargoddess | March 10, 2002 2:12 AM
I'd almost feel bad for people in Hawaii for that reason...
... but then I remember how the weather is always nice there, the scenery is gorgeous, and the sushi is tastytastytasty.
But yeah, I dig you, wargoddess.
Posted by: KJB | March 10, 2002 2:20 AM
Fred Fowler: LOL! That rocked.
(Just thought I'd offer a little positive feedback, and in so doing use another term whose meaning has changed... though through less nefarious means, one hopes.)
~j
Posted by: joemorf | March 10, 2002 2:34 AM
So it's really icky outside.
I had to drive almost 45 minutes to my eye doctor yesterday (which is usually only a 20 minute drive) and the power was out when I got there. Seems that my minion who controls the weather screwed up. Instead of hitting somewhere else with the ice and rain and 75 MPH winds that went on for about ten hours yesterday, he dumped it all on Ann Arbor. Bad minion.
Posted by: Misty | March 10, 2002 6:21 AM
I would have loved to be one of those wwdn'ers who came to see you, sadly, Canada is just a little too far away from California for me to just take in a show.... so... Wil... if you're ever going to be in the Toronto or Niagara Falls area... post it somewhere in big bold letters so I can see you go do what ever it is you're up here doing....
Posted by: KarinAoi | March 10, 2002 7:28 AM
Yeah, Wil, and if you ever get to Chicago...
We'd love to throw some rotten tomatoes at you or even shovel a few hunnert Chicago style hotdawgs down yer gullet.
Or something.
It's always the 'or something' that gets you in the long run, you know.
Man, I need a haircut.
Posted by: Roughy | March 10, 2002 8:45 AM
Don't mean to upset you, but the Star Trek "official" site doesn't mention your presence at the Pasadena Convention. I'm not sure why.
Posted by: kazfeist | March 10, 2002 9:01 AM
kjb: :) margaret cho is about the only one i know brave enough to perform here.
"..it's cool when you can go to the 7-11 in hawaii and find sushi!" -margaret cho
Posted by: wargoddess | March 10, 2002 3:13 PM
so how big is this yard of yours?
Posted by: jodilyn | March 10, 2002 4:41 PM
Watching the SAG awards now. Wondering if Wil is in attendance...
Posted by: Jess Lat | March 10, 2002 5:26 PM
cool! A Stand By Me clip with Wil in their "tribute to the children!"
Posted by: Jess Lat | March 10, 2002 5:32 PM
Ok. This is utterly and completely off topic.
At the same time, I thought it was important enough to abuse the privelege of posting.
It seems Bush and his cronies have decided it's appropriate to use nuclear weapons against terrorists.
Am I the only one who sees something utterly and completely fucked up about this?
Here's a link to a short news story on it--I haven't had time to look for more yet, but I'll hit a few of the major news outlets and see what's coming through the grapevine.
http://www.looksmart.com/r?l&iabw&pin=020310x087f11b057de5812a31&panel=news{day=Sun{cat=TopStories{art=wed/cn/Aus-nuclear.R-FR_CMA{colorAus-nuclear.R-FR_CMA=FFFFFF
Again, sorry for posting something like this here, but as soon as I read it, the first thought through my mind was, um, not good.
Posted by: JSc | March 10, 2002 5:56 PM
I'm sure I'm a COMPLETE idiot, but isn't there a Bruno Kirby who writes or illistrates comics?
Also, can't you sue those bastards at MotorCity Con to stop them from lying about ya, uncle Willy? (Defamation of Character, Libel, Something?)
Posted by: dake | March 11, 2002 8:37 AM
illustrates I mean... God it's pathetic when you feel compelled to spell check your own posts AFTER you post them...
Posted by: dake | March 11, 2002 8:37 AM
Wil - My boyfriend and I saw the show Friday. I was pretty impressed, not having any clue what it was all about when I walked in. J. Keith was funny(The Valley -- It's hot...but not in a good way.) and is now my new "celebrity" crush. And Bruno Kirby -- could he have been any cooler? The Pacino joke was pretty witty too. Anyway, it was a lot of fun, so thanks for the suggestion. Good luck with the rest of the season.
Posted by: Gen | March 11, 2002 10:44 AM
I haven't been to the Motor City ComiCon in... like six years now, ever since I won a contest dressed like Death from the Sandman comics. I miss it. I should go again soon.
Posted by: Misty | March 11, 2002 11:54 AM
Dake,
You're probably thinking of Jack Kirby, who worked on comics way back when at the dawn of Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, etc.
Posted by: olafandy jon | March 11, 2002 1:06 PM
Thank you, that would've driven me nuts.
Posted by: dake | March 11, 2002 1:09 PM
Wow, that was a looong time ago, when that man worked on the comics, also! Whew!
Liebe Alles!
~Gipsie
Posted by: Gipsie | March 12, 2002 1:29 AM
Wil: What are those three movies? I can think of two in my top 10: Godfather 2 and Spinal Tap ... but he has a fertile career. When Harry Met Sally, Good Morning Vietnam, City Slickers ... plenty of good movies.
Posted by: Rasputin | March 12, 2002 5:30 AM
vater tochter beziehung http://vater-tochter-beziehung.inc-diary.com/
Posted by: vater tochter beziehung | January 8, 2005 4:50 PM