Americans, please aid us here. Where the hell did McCain find his VP candidate? In Dumbville? He should probably have got someone who can make a proper speech without stumbling. OK, I'm probably being unfair.

No, wait, I'm not. This isn't a tiny position we're talking about. It's someone who will be second in charge of "The Greatest Nation in the World".

So, on that note, if you're in LA (and you're not, because why would you be reading my blog, which is usually non-related to LA, unless I mention Greg Proops?), please go to this fundraising comedy event for Senator Obama, to help us all out. I agree with Biden; I haven't actually heard how McCain will do things differently from Bush.

On a completely unrelated note: Why, oh why was Simon Shepherd just sporting a bushy 'tache on The Wright Stuff? I seriously hope it's for a part somewhere (the sound was turned down). Ooh, and good news: William Hurt joins the cast of Damages for the new series. Wahey the lads! I re-watched I Love You to Death the other day, and he is so funny in that film. But hey, even Keanu Reeves is funny in that film. Intentionally, for once.

And Heroes series three started over here a couple of days ago, on the same day as Medium, which is just not fair. Two great shows on the same day? Speaking of which, BBC Two's comedy lineup on Thursday is really shaping up; Never Mind the Buzzcocks (Simon Amstell is really funny), then Beautiful People (which wasn't laugh-out funny, but had interesting characters and a great cast) and of course Graham Norton, which yesterday had (all hail now) Eddie Izzard and Harry Shearer (which reminded me I really have to start watching The Simpsons; I think I've seen a couple of episodes in all).

Labels: comedy, current affairs, eddie izzard, greg proops, simon shepherd, TV, william hurt

Uhmm, yeah, well, I bought the ticket in early May on the completely unconfirmed rumour in a blog that Greg Proops was going to appear at The Comedy Store here in London on the 17th of August, and boy, was I nervous all yesterday! The nerves vanished when I could finally rest my gaze at...the back of his head as he went past us about an hour before the show was about to start. I knew he was there due to the sudden whiff of increased oestrogen in the air (ew?), mixed with a lot of "OMG! He's here!" shouts emerging from the crowd of mostly female weirdos students (products of the fact that the apparently neverending re-run schedule of Whose Line programmes are shown mostly during the early afternoon here these days) in front of me. I was happy I didn't know them. Sure as hell, though, one of those was the one starting the aforementioned rumour, so I should probably send out a big "hello and thanks" to her.

It was definitely worth it. I laughed so much my stomach still hurts. Really. I guess I should have stretched before going to bed.

Someone had to suggest "an ocelot" for one of the sketches; not a huge surprise as the audience consisted of what seemed to be mainly Proopstermaniacs, and ocelots being one of his trademarks...sort of. Kind of like Eddie Izzard being awfully fond of Jeff, jam and James Mason (you know what I mean, if you have seen his shows).

Andy Smart was very funny, Neil Mullarkey annoying (but funny at times), and Steve Frost and Josie Lawrence two real treats. Loved to hear Josie swearing. Steve's 'tache kind of scared me. Oh, and the venue itself did not look like I have been picturing it for the last eight months. Tsk, tsk.

Labels: comedy, eddie izzard, greg proops

OK, this is one of my favourite episodes from the UK Whose Line, with Eddie (Izzard) and The Proopster. The first part of this video is The Creature from Essex (which is very funny for anyone with a vague knowledge of UK society), and then there are funny Moving People and Party Quirks games thrown in for good measure at the end. Well worth a look!

I went to see 27 Dresses yesterday, which was slightly more amusing than expected, but not by much. Not a disappointment, though, as I went in there with very low expectations. I do believe Katherine Heigl has good comedic potential. I really liked her in Knocked Up (and no, I don't watch Grey's Anatomy.) And Judy Greer is always great to watch. Hmm, I want to see 13 Going on 30 again now...then why don't I? Nothing stopping me. I've only seen it four times before. Ahem.

Labels: comedy, eddie izzard, film, greg proops, TV

I suddenly had this strange urge yesterday (I blame the fever--I am enjoying a cold at the moment) to watch a lot of drag films. So I watched La Cage aux Folles II, Privates on Parade, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Victor/Victoria. I was also going to see Der bewegte Mann, but didn't have the time. Had to see Matthew Kelly turn nasty for a return of the Cold Blood series, you see.

But when it comes to the four films I did see, I think they're all brilliant. I have also seen them numerous times. La Cage aux Folles II is the one I have seen the fewest times, only thrice. The rest? Well, considering I saw Victor/Victoria thrice within the first 24 hours I had it...you get the picture, although that ratio has not kept up, mind.

The dubbing in La Cage is just awful, but is redeemed by the fact that Michel Serrault is extremely funny. Even with my limited French I understand that his timing is good.

Privates is just a deeply underrated dark musical comedy (yes, they do exist) and I just cannot believe I missed the chance of a lifetime of seeing Roger Allam as Captain Dennis in the 2002 stage version in this very city. I hang my head in shame. But I missed quite a lot of gems in the few years before I moved here and will eventually just have to get on with my life.

Priscilla...well, it's where I first spotted Hugo Weaving and Guy Pearce. Bill Hunter I already knew through watching way too much Aussie telly (once again: Why isn't Aussie telly more popular here in the old country? You're missing out on some fantastic talent, people!) when growing up. Terence Stamp as Ralph...uhmm...Bernadette is just amazing. I constantly have to remind myself he is actually not a woman!

And V/V, with the most ridiculous turn by Dame Julie as the count/Victoria...the way she looks even the most skilled makeup artist would have major difficulties making her look the least bit masculine...obviously. But the film is very funny, the music is swell (I use that expression way too seldom, probably because it had its heyday in the fifties?) and it's sort of like the musical version of The Pink Panther. Only with a more interesting story. And James Garner, which is always a plus.

On Monday we ventured off to see Ocean's Thirteen which I think was way better than Ocean's Twelve. It helped having more of Eddie Izzard (for there can be only one Eddie...until another one comes along, that is). I was fighting against a very runny yet blocked nose (weird, I know, but perfectly natural when you have a cold) throughout parts of the film, but was saved by my trusty (but evil) Otrivine nasal spray and managed to enjoy the rest of the film. Even with overly salty popcorn.

On Tuesday I played Civilization IV. I wasn't going to, but once I got stuck on Monday evening, it just poured over into Tuesday morning, afternoon and evening. After 21 hours I finally won my first cultural victory, and immediately started a new game. What an idiot. However, it was fun watching my Viking civilisation suddenly, in a mad rush over a few decades only, manage to convert the whole world to Islam, their chosen religion. It's history in the making, I'm telling you.

I have also started buying Blu-Ray films. I was so impressed with the quality of Casino Royale (yeah, that was probably Sony's point when they gave it away for free, you sad git) that I simply had to get a few more. Not full price, though, they're much too expensive for that. And always check the online reviews before buying, as some of these films are too old to give you any effect over DVD when it comes to visual quality. I have pre-ordered The Patriot and bought Black Hawk Down and I swear it's not so that I can scrutinise the pores of Jason Isaacs. Honestly. I also bought Vertical Limit and Hellboy and of these four I already own three on DVD. I haven't even managed to upgrade my VHS collection to DVD yet, and now they want me to flesh out on a new system? Bastids.

Labels: eddie izzard, film, gaming, james garner, jason isaacs, roger allam, technology, theatre