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This week the "The Mouse House" (ABC/Disney) is all about the red and the blue.From news pertaining to studio heads, actors, producers, and writers, find out what sorts of waves Penn alumni are making this week!
DT's B&P: 6 Reasons Why ABC Is Really Loving On Penn Alumni This Week
Friday, September 25, 2009This week the "The Mouse House" (ABC/Disney) is all about the red and the blue.From news pertaining to studio heads, actors, producers, and writers, find out what sorts of waves Penn alumni are making this week!
Scott Baio Makes a Cameo in His EXTREMELY NSFW Viral Video
This Musician Wrote the Jingle for ABC's "Modern Family" (VIDEO)
Thursday, September 24, 2009
If you didn't fastforward through the credits, you would have seen that the show's composer is a Penn alum (and DT favorite!)
Find out who!
Demi Moore, Alyssa Milano and CNN's Wolf Blitzer Love "Twitteleh" (VIDEO)
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Last week I covered Reg Tigerman (C'07, Mask and Wig) and Matt Johnson's (C'99, Mask and Wig) hot new viral video, "Twitteleh"
Check out the CNN coverage above! Classic!
Hollywood's Abuzzing About THIS Penn Alum Taking Over Disney
Monday, September 21, 2009
Last Friday, Walt Disney Co. Chief Executive Bob Iger canned studio head Dick Cook.Today, newspapers and blogs are abuzzing about the speculation of one of our notable Penn alumni taking over...
Click HERE to read more from the LA Times as to why Rich Ross (C'83) may be a great candidate for the position!
More of my previous posts about Rich's success HERE
Real Jobs Are Not My Forte: "Don't Get Trapped" (Episode 2)
This month Ben Naecker (C'09, Water Polo) and Blake West (W'09, Jazz Combos) talk about:
- their move to Austin
- their new day-to-day life
- their plans for how they're gonna keep eating and living (and how much that costs...).
- What sorts of gigs don't make financial sense for musicians like themselves.
DT Catch Up:
This New Emmy-Award Winning Entrepreneur Knows How to Get To (and On) Sesame Street
After working in children's television for nearly 10 years, most notably creating, producing and writing for:- an award-winning series of animated shorts for "Sesame Street"
- Bill Cosby's Emmy-winning Nick Jr. series "Little Bill," and "Whoopi's Littleburg," (as lyricist)
- a series of specials also seen on Nick Jr., last month
And just being nominated was a total surprise...
Twitteleh: Twitter For Your Jewish Mother
Friday, September 18, 2009
Reg and Matt put it up this past Monday expecting 10 people to watch it. They're now up to 20,000 after Demi Moore tweeted it last night, and now, barring breaking news, it was supposed to be featured on CNN's Situation Room in the 4PM hour, eastern time (1PM west coast time.)
You should watch it, enjoy it and wear a sweater.
Wishing all of you a happy and sweet new year!
(...If you enjoyed the clip above, then you'll also love THIS clip!)
Side-By-Side Vlogs: How Freshman Year Transformed Him
Last year, I covered a bunch of vlogs HERE documenting Kevin Shapiro's (C'12) freshman year. He did a really good job documenting his transition from newbie at Penn to full fledged student.
I recently got Kevin's vlog he had posted from last May (which also qualifies it for being part of my "Delicious Leftovers" series) and it's amazing to compare his first freshman year video to his last freshman year video, and how freshman year can transform someone (physically and in attitude). I think it was probably true about all of us (or at least me : ) ).
Check out the videos below!
Last Vlog Freshman Year:
First Vlog Freshman Year:
This Contest Finalist Is Wining For Your Vote (VIDEO)
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Actor Ben Pace (C'00) has performed Shakespeare in the Kennedy Center in DC, stand-up comedy at the Hollywood Improv, appeared in another Penn alum's film Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon ...and just became a finalist for something he needs your help with!
A few weeks ago, Ben submitted a fun video he appears in called "Hot Bottle Issue" to Wine Spectator Magazine. In it, Ben answers the question, "What country produces the best wine in the world?" and answers the question by assuming characters from Italy, France, US, Spain, Germany, Australia, Chile, and Ireland. He really nails these characters!Ben's video has now become a finalist ...and he needs your vote! (voting ends on Sunday, Sept. 20)
Watch his video and vote for "Hot Bottle Issue" every/any day this week HERE
After you vote, check out Ben as "Harold the Janitor" in Elevator, a web series that was developed in the HBO Lab and has recently been bought by Break Media. In the episode below, "Harold takes it to another level to defeat Meredith from HR".
He Ambitiously Recreates Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog at Penn (VIDEOS)
In my facebook feed I saw that director Ben Grinberg (C'11) was staging a production of the popular viral video hit "Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog" for Penn's Fall 2009 New Student Orientation show.
Below, check out the "Laundry Day" clip that Ben sent me ...and then see the original clip below that starring Neil Patrick Harris!
I love how Ben has projected the laundrymat as a video in the background during the scene! (fyi, check out Ben's other entertaining video projects HERE)
Original production written by Maurissa Tanchardoen, Jed Whedon, Joss Whedon, and Zack Whedon. Penn's version produced by Julia Kahn (C'10). Directed by Ben Grinberg (C'11). Musically Directed by Reza Mirsajadi (C'11).CAST Dr. Horrible: Mike Silverstein (C'12), Captain Hammer: Harrison Unger (C'10), Penny: Cassidy Regan (C'10), Ensemble: Jack Stanley (C'11), Jess Dignam (C'12), Annie Norbitz (C'12), Amanda Atkinson (C'12), Kevin McAleer (C'10), Dan Singer (C'10).
They're Looking for a Double Date If You're Good Looking and Not Crazy (VLOG)
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Ethan Fixell (C'04, Off the Beat Music Director, right in photo above) and best friend and comedy partner Dave really like to double date.
They went on their first double date in 7th grade, then one in 10th grade. Who knew that this would spiral into something, much, much bigger...
In 2008, almost 10 years later, what begun as a double date ad on Craigslist has led to:
- emails from over 1500 pairs of women
- 200 double dates
- a vlog charting their experiences
- a monthly live show at NYC's People's Improv Theater
- and more recently, a national college tour (performances have included shows at Dartmouth, Florida Atlantic University, Boston University, and of course, Penn).
- without a shirt (1:12)
- followed by their performance with Off The Beat (2:35)
More on Dave and Ethan at http://daveandethan.com and...
And the Award For The Most Enthusiastic Penn Undergrad Who Will Take Over The World Someday Goes To... (VLOG)
Usually one can tell within seconds of meeting someone that he or she is destined for greatness.
And I just have this feeling about incoming freshman Ryan Villanueva (W'13).
As you'll see below, Ryan produces and stars in a dramatic, passionate and entertaining vlog series as he brings us on his "quest for victory" as he journeys to Penn as an incoming Freshman.
Even if you don't want to, do me a favor and just find out why Ryan is like "salmon" in his first episode below...
You really have to see this...
More DT Vlogs HERE!
His Growing Empire Is All About Partying, Women and Remaining Uncommitted
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
As reported on DT, stand-up Aaron Karo's (W'01, Pennfest 2006) multimedia empire seems to be growing rather quickly.Thus far, Aaron's achievements include:
- 2 books
- live performances through the US
- a hot website dedicated to everyone's "Ruminations"
- a great appearance on "The Craig Ferguson Show"
- An itunes comedy Top 10 CD: "Just Go Talk to Her"
Aaron's 3rd book, I'm Having More Fun Than You drops today and celebrates the fact that although Aaron has turned 30 he remains on a "quest to party like a rock star, get laid with abandon, and silence his critics in relationships with the rebuke “I’m having more fun than you."
Per the jacket cover,
Why did he write the book? Aaron tells me:“Happily married people and perpetually single people are similar: We’ve both given up on dating and have merely chosen different exit strategies.” So begins Aaron Karo’s hilarious exploration of bachelor life, from the alcohol-fueled pursuit of chicks in bars to sophisticated advances on defenseless bridesmaids. As his thirtieth birthday approaches, Karo observes the women around him growing increasingly desperate to tie the knot and finds himself equally determined – to remain uncommitted. ... Irreverent, insightful, and relentlessly funny, Karo offers a unique glimpse into the world of guys who defy convention, morality, and their moms in order to preserve their independence.
"When I realized almost all of my friends were married except for me, I decided to write a tribute to modern bachelorhood. If you’ve ever gone to a wedding where even the singles table had couples at it, this book is for you."Check out Aaron's video above to get a flavor for Aaron's clever comedy. (Watch the whole video above which builds up to his great last sentence!)
DT CATCHES YOU UP ON AARON KARO
- Check out my other posts about Aaron Karo
- Click to read how Aaron got his start as a stand up
- Check out other Penn stand up comedians
From "The Wizard of Oz" to "The Cheese Whizard" (VLOG)
Monday, September 14, 2009
Before he was a wicked awesome musician, DJ was actually a sports nut; he was a left-handed pitcher in baseball, recruited to play at a few division I schools, the quarterback of his high school football team, and a member of the Philadelphia Junior PGA as a kid.
And, now, with the performance experience he has gained, and the passion for sports grabbing a hold of him once again, he has made a move into sports broadcasting...
Check out these 2 impassioned vlogs DJ recently published:
1) (Below) This week's piece concerns the upcoming NFL season and the impending blackouts that many clubs will face. Due to the semi-socialistic revenue sharing model that the NFL operates under, blackouts are used to punish teams who don't effectively market the product locally. But, with the recession putting a strain on ticket sales, journalists across the country criticized the NFL, and commissioner Roger Goodell for threatening to stick to league policy. The Cheese Whizard chimes in to disagree.
2) (Below) On a more Philadelphia-related note, after the announcement that Michael Vick was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles, the Cheese Whizard struck back at protesters of the NFL and the Eagles organization
Per DJ:
"Technology has made it possible for anyone to do what they love - especially in entertainment - whenever they want to. I'm glad to have the means to write, produce, edit and promote my sports ramblings from the comfort of my home."Incidentally, how did DJ come up with name, "Cheese Whizard"?
"The Cheese Whizard is a play on words...The "High Cheese" is a baseball reference having to do with a high, hard, fastball, sometimes pitched inside to a batter who is crowding the plate. It's a pitch that makes a statement. And, Cheese Whiz is the traditional cheese of choice for a Philly Cheesesteak...Put 'em together and you have The Cheese Whizard"Get in touch with DJ at thecheesewhizard at gmail.com
More from DJ's blog HERE
More DT Vlogs HERE!
More DT "Sports" related posts HERE!
This Week, Vlogs R Us And We've Got Some Good Ones!
In an age where everyone has a voice on the internet, I have decided to dedicate this week to another alumni and undergrad filled new series I'm calling "Vlogs R Us".Look out for some impassioned posts this week which include:
- alumni sports nuts
- one very enthusiastic undergrad
- a fascinating comparison of 2 Vlogs and how time has created quite a transformation!
- 2 very entertaining alumni trying to score a date
(In the meantime, check out my other DT series by looking down the right-hand column of this site)
DT's B&P: They're ALL Hollywood Producers To Watch
Friday, September 11, 2009
Some exciting entertainment tidbits from our alumni film producers...
Mike Karz (C'89, W'89)'s Sorority Row (as reported HERE on DT ) debuts today.The film is about "A group of sorority sisters try to cover up the death of their house-sister after a prank gone wrong, only to be stalked by a serial killer."
Past posts about Mike's film projects here
More of my Penn "Film Producer" posts here
Adding to our "Alumni on Important Lists" series, husband and wife team, Elizabeth Banks (C'96) and Max Handelman (C'95, AEPi) are now 2 of Variety's "Top 10 Producers To Watch".More Here!
More of Liz's busy actress life HERE
Check back in weeks to come! I have a ton of developing stories from Penn alumni film producers!
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