If you like comedy, PR or the occasional inside scoop on the entertainment world,
then drop by for a daily dose written by me, Kambri Crews, producer and publicist to comedians and more!
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Busy Days Ahead
Our task list is a mile long with finishing Christian's new website, wrapping up last minute "wedding" stuff like vow writing, planning the artwork and liner notes for his upcoming CD set for an October 2006 release so forgive me in advance for the continuous ad nauseum reporting on said topics.
I just took a quick jaunt to Philly to hang out with Christian for his last night at Helium Comedy Club where the shows were packed and the audiences receptive despite the warm temperatures and poor sound quality. I had hoped to meet Meredith, the club's publicist, in person as we had worked together getting Christian some plum PR spots incluing a morning television show. My Tex in the City pal Robert caught the spot -- or maybe it was his boyfriend's brother? -- and got in touch for some free passes. I love being able to treat friends and strangers to a free night of comedy or theater. It's truly one of my favorite things, especially when they can score points with their friends by getting free passes. Who doesn't like free stuff?
Speaking of free (and awesome) stuff, Rachel gave Christian and me a free galley copy of Pick Me Up so he / we could provide blurbs (as though ours would matter since Courtney & David Arquette have already enthusiastically endorsed it) and I'm hooked. This is the best book ever. I know it's supposedly for the tween set, but adults will dig it. You will dig it. Your kids and nieces and nephews and cousins and children will dig it. Dig? Rachel also gave me an awesome card set -- she has the best taste in stationary -- and fuzzy, cushiony socks that I can't wait to sink into once the oppressive heat lets up. I'm all set for Fall with these socks and after buying the most gloriusly sleek and chic trench coat today in a fit of desperation for a reprieve.
OH, and the 100th episode of Best Week Ever airs this Friday, so there's a big party sponsored by Old Navy. The invite says something about "a night of fashion and comedy..." so I thought I should dress nice, cool, trendy, hot or something especially since it's being held at Marquee where every Page Six item is born. But then it's Old Navy. A night of fashion? Really? Now I have no clue what to wear. Help! Strapless, leopard print, skin tight, knee length hot little number or skinny jeans, heels and a summer top?
--Kambri Was living in a tin shed in Texas ever this hot and miserable?
Link - 11:52 PM -
Saturday, July 29, 2006
It's a Major Award! Did I tell you my friend Sarah won an Emmy? No? Well, she did! She was awarded Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation for her work on Robot Chicken airing on Adult Swim. So when you're watching the Emmy Awards this year and they talk about those creative arts awards, pay attention and raise a glass in her honor.
She rules and not just because she's a winner but because she & Bobbie are the girls who convinced me to go see Portable Comedy where I met Christian. She also gives me a tour and sneak peeks at upcoming episodes every time I'm in LA. Here's me on the Moral Orel set and here's another pic of us on the Robot Chicken set.
She gets her golden statue a week to the day after Christian & I wed. Then on August 27th, half of our other wedding guests actually go to the awards as nominees. We have seriously talented friends. Do you MySpace? If you have a MySpace page then perhaps you've seen Christian on the home page where you sign in. If not, just refresh a few times and he'll pop up. He reported on the Just for Laughs festival in Montreal and the videos are there for your viewing pleasure. They've been there a while, actually, but MySpace has been having major problems. Is it jumping the shark? Anyway, here's the link to all four videos, two hosted by Christian and the other two by Steve Byrne.
My final guest blog entry for Comedy Central's Insider is posted here.
--Kambri Check it out!
Link - 10:42 AM -
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Obviously, I'm Bored
What with planning a wedding party, attending the best (read: exhausting) comedy festival in the world, preparing for Christian's debut CD release drop by Comedy Central Records and general stuff, why not take a break to make Paquita do tricks?
She usually clams up for the camera and insists on being right in my face for trick time, but Scott (aka Reverend Ramsey) taught her how to "stay" when he recently took care of her during my trip to Texas a few weeks back. She was still skittish at first but eventually warmed up. "Be cute" is a new trick we started just before I left for Montreal last week so she hasn't quite mastered that one. Five years old and she still wants to learn two new tricks in one month...if only I could think of more tricks! By the way, her barks are intentional as she knows the sign for "speak". She'll also answer questions with a bark if phrased the right way.
Added bonus: Larry Bird, my parakeet, chimes in with a cat-call and his best imititation of Paquita's bark.
Paquita and the Rug
Christian and I were gifted with the most beautiful rug from our registry from a very kind and generous friend. It was just delivered today and Paquita decided to take it for a test run.
CBC Expose'
Here's a nugget I left out of the stuff I sent to Comedy Central for publishing:
The CBC wanted to get behind the scenes stuff for their profile of him. Christian & I came up with a little sketch that entailed them following us to a cheesy bridal shop where I was ostensibly shopping for dresses.
I browse through gowns and ask Christian, "Did you call the caterer?"
"Uh, caterer? Do we have a caterer?" His phone rings. "Hang on, let me take this."
He proceeds to have a conversation about how awesome Montreal is then hangs up.
"Yes, we have a caterer! And where's your final guest list?"
"Oh, uh, I..." His phone rings again, "Hey! [pause] Okay, sure! You mean a massage, massage or like a massage, massage?"
"Is that Rick," I scream. "He better not take you to a strip club!" They hang up, before two seconds later the phone rings again.
I threaten "Don't you dare answer that," before resuming looking at dresses as Christian busily text messages behind my back.
--Kambri And scene.
Link - 10:24 PM -
Sunday, July 23, 2006
I have a few more guest blog entries to type up for the Comedy Central Insider regarding the Just for Laughs comedy festival I just attended in Montreal, so check it out here over the next day or so.
Meanwhile, no rest for the wicked or whatever they say. Christian goes to Philadelphia for a long weekend at Helium Comedy Club so he has two short days at home. If you're in or near Philly, be sure to check him out.
--Kambri Au revoir!
Link - 4:34 PM -
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Only 30-ish Days To Go
The cupcakes for our ucoming nuptial party are gonna rock. This baker is so talented and a pleasure to deal with. If all goes according to Hoyle, I'll definitely give her a plug and recommendation to anyone on the hunt for a special cake. Other than a few miscellaneous items and a whole bunch of procrastinators I have to pester to RSVP, the work is done. Let the countdown to marriage begin!
Paquita is on vacation at Keith's (why don't you ever comment, Keith?!) while Christian and I hobnob in Montreal for the Just for Laughs comedy festival. I may not be blogging much here as I'm booked for a bunch of meetings and have a ton of shows on the agenda. But don't fret you avid reader, you! I'll be guest blogging for Comedy Central. I have high hopes to have a review or interview here and there mixed in with some general gossip and industry biz but I should keep the expectations low as rumor has it the hours logged of drinking and partying rival that of actual comedy. Wish list: I want to snag a quick Q&A with Drew Carey. He was one of my favorites for a time, pre-Drew Carey Show.
Oh, and did I mention we've been working with Bill B Design putting together a new website for Finny in anticipation of Montreal and his debut CD release? Many tweaks and pictures and add-ons will be forthcoming, but the bare bones will be up some time later tonight. So check it out at www.christianfinnegan.com.
--Kambri Maybe Bill Cosby will want to be on the blog? Or maybe not.
Link - 6:13 PM -
Saturday, July 15, 2006
What Your Favorite Summer Movie Says About You
Watch Christian's commentary from last night's episode of Best Week Ever:
Click here to watch his commentary on that Zidane dude.
Gulp!
We're off to meet the baker then go over our vows and get a marriage license. And then maybe a light lunch before we vomit.
--Kambri Or pass out, which ever comes first.
Link - 10:13 AM -
Thursday, July 13, 2006
The CBS Early Show tour of the Meow Mix House was really cute. Watch Julie Chen's report here. Tom Shillue got in a funny line or two and the cats were as adorable as ever.
If you miss Christian on CNN tonight, I'll try to post it tomorrow but things are crazy busy here in anticipation of the Just for Laughs comedy festival in Montreal.*
UPDATE: CNN postponed the segment due to the crisis overseas. Whatever. If not knowing the whereabouts of Suri Cruise isn't a crisis, then I don't know what is!
--Kambri *Oh, yeah, and a wedding party thingy.
Link - 4:34 PM -
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
TiVO Alert for Tomorrow, July 13th Christian Finnegan will appear on Paula Zahn NOW airing on CNN from 8:00 - 9:00 PM EST.
The CBS Early Show will air a segment on the Meow Mix House around 7:40 AM.
Bonus Gospel of Jack 7:12 Email from Jack: "Unfortunately, I can't make your wedding but feel obligated to get you a gift anyway......do you have my latest 8x10 glossy with autograph?"
My reply: "I had your latest glossy but it is worn through from all the slobbery kissing I give it every night before bedtime. Bring two. One for me & one for Christian."
--Kambri Don't forget to read our profile in The Observer! (See entry below for details.)
Link - 4:35 PM -
Profiler
Christian & I were profiled by The Observer in the Love Beat section by the lovely Ms. Daisy Carrington. With a name like that, she should live on an episode of Dynasty! But if we all followed our name calling, Christian would be God-fearing and I'd be a porn star.
To be fair, I'd change my moniker to Kumbri Screws, Panther Boar's Head if you follow the formula of first pet + first street name. For anyone related to Finny, please note the spelling. I prefer my Kum with a K, thanks.
Read about our love fest here or pick up a hard copy of The Observer from your local NYC newstand through next Tuesday night.
--Kambri Pulchritudinous
Link - 12:39 AM -
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
From my friend Keith comes word on more Meow Mix House coverage:
The CBS Early Show is planning to air a story on the Meow Mix House this Thursday morning. Julie Chen, who co-hosts the show, and also hosts Big Brother, will be reporting from the house (this was obviously taped) about the differences between the Meow Mix House and the Big Brother house. The Early Show airs from 7-9.
If you're looking for something to do tonight, Drink at Work presents Summer Tuesdays tonight at Rififi. Check my calendar for the details. Gothamist plugged it, too.
--Kambri They have very good taste.
Link - 5:33 PM -
Monday, July 10, 2006
The rest of the weekend at the DC Improv was awesome. Shows were sold out with packed, appreciative fans there to see Christian. The Improv is in the midst of renovations so the AC is out and the temporary set up wasn't that cool. Other than that, no complaints.
I got a letter from My Jailed Deaf Dad with his toast written out for our wedding. It rules. I'll publish it post nuptials. Meanwhile, enjoy the handmade birthday card he sent me.
Also entertaining, John Hodgman's blog which I discovered after he linked back to Christian's.
--Kambri Lots of meetings and late nights meant little sleep so I'm going to bed. Now.
Link - 8:06 PM -
Friday, July 07, 2006
Mac Ad Spoof Christian Finnegan & Nick Kroll spoof the Mac Ads. Oh my, look how crazy geeky Christian looks as the PC. Incidentally, the PC in the real commercials is played by Finny's good friend John Hodgman.
In DC
The sound quality of last night's CD recording at the DC Improv was amazing. The show was packed with 15 year old "Discovery Kids", though, so it was an odd audience. That aside, he got in a bunch of material and the first run under his belt. We have lots of meetings planned including a Texan who wants to start a DC chapter of Tex in the City, a woman whose step-sister I want to honor via a fundraising production, Discovery Channel execs and a Comedy Central rep who just happens to be a good friend of ours.
Speaking of Comedy Central, they just posted some ringtones by Christian Finnegan which you can purchase for your mobile. There are twodifferent Morrissey spoofs and even a little poem his dad used to say to him all the time that now Christian & I say around the house all the time.
This one and this one cracked me up. Well, all of them did actually.
--Kambri Yo, yo, yo, I got phone calls.
Link - 2:47 PM -
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Today we head to our Nation's Capitol for Christian's as of yet unnamed CD recording at the DC Improv produced by Comedy Central Records. My old high school pal and former Tex in the City partner Greg Gorman will be there as will some casting & development people, press and Comedy Central reps. We're worried about the turnout being a holiday week and all so tell your friends!
The MySpace deal is signed, sealed & delivered for the Just for Laughs comedy festival in Montreal. Basically this means the partying and schmoozing will include photos and note taking and a camera crew. Check back for coverage of this heavyweight, main event in the comedy industry.
--Kambri Time to pack, I guess.
Link - 8:33 AM -
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
StoryCorps was great fun in a "we're doing something interesting and kind of potentially historical here" kind of way. Interviewing Christian about his brother Bobby who died five years ago at such a young age is hardly "fun". It's as much fun as Christian asking me to relive the night I stopped my dad from killing my mom. But there were plenty of laughs and fun stories, too, and no tears were shed although we came close.
Afterwards we enjoyed a most scrumptious meal at Michael Jordan's Steakhouse in Grand Central Terminal where the StoryCorps booth is also located. We took a cab home with plenty of time to join all our neighbors on our rooftop where I thumped Finny in Gin Rummy (nothing new) and we watched a pretty lame fireworks presentation. (Read where Christian waxes poetic about how all fireworks suck.)
In the category of Who Gives a Flying Fuck: My annoying blog project is complete! Now they're stored on Blogger, all on one template and entries are easily searchable. Deleting the other manual HTML template freed up tons of storage space, too.
--Kambri Sick of Blogger, blogging, blogs, bloghaosdgopasihdf;oiahsdljk;.lanfl. Yeah, annoying project is DONE!
Link - 8:21 PM -
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Americana
For our 4th of July holiday, I recruited Christian into participating in StoryCorps, "a national project to instruct and inspire people to record each others' stories in sound."
I will interview Christian about his younger brother Bobby who died five years ago this July 14th and Christian will interview me about (what else?) growing up in a tin shed with my deaf parents and visiting Dad in jail.
Yesterday, I gave our spare keys back to Chuck in anticipation of him and Rachel looking after Paquita during my & Christian's upcoming trip to the DC Improv to record Christian's debut CD for Comedy Central Records. Chuck asked how we planned on spending today and I let him know about our little field trip to record our slice of Americana. He looked genuinely disappointed that we wouldn't be BBQing and boozing so I threw in, "Then we're totally gonna get stoned and watch the fireworks from our fire escape."
True or not, I can't believe how I instantly caved in to the ittiest bit of wanting to be cool! Damn peer pressure! Regardless, I am genuinely looking forward to the StoryCorps experience.
Meow Mix House Today Show Clip
At long last, here is part one of a clip of the Meow Mix House segment that appeared on the Today Show and includes some nice blurbs by my good pal Keith:
At the Movies
I've had my first day with no appointment, no work and no more dentist visits so I've turned off my phone, typed only essential emails and relaxed!
Yesterday Paquita & I spent the bulk of our day lounging on the grass in Central Park where I read every backed up New Yorker, New York and InStyle magazine and wrote a letter to My Jailed Deaf Dad. We then walked all throughout the park before a late afternoon lunch date at my favorite outdoor dining restaurant in Midtown, Brasserie Centrale where every tourist snapped her photo and manhandled her. She's still sleeping, that's how beat she is.
This morning, I caught the first showing of Devil Wears Prada and loved it. Stanley Tucci & Meryl Streep are superb. Beforehand they showed a preview of Running With Scissors, a movie based on the memoir by Augusten Burroughs, a book I recently read and enjoyed so thoroughly that Monica loaned me her copy of his follow up novel Dry. I am bound to be disappointed by the movie version no matter how wonderful it is. I envisioned entirely different creatures than those cast and the book & its characters are imprinted too deeply in my mind to relinquish myself to someone else's conception.
Alternately, I read DWP on the beach two summers ago in Turks & Caicos and, though I enjoyed it, it didn't move me. Didn't touch me. It's chick lit, extra light fare about fashion, fergodsake. Until Christian bought me a Coach bag, I've never owned a designer anything. So, two years later and about a topic (fashion) in which I am neither knowledgeable or invested, I was able to recline comfortably in the conditioned air with my two bags of smuggled M&Ms and Dr. Pepper and simply enjoy the light hearted, inconsequential entertainment on the big screen.
--Kambri I'm now 2/3 of the way my third attempt at watching The English Patient. I really should have seen this in the theater because everyone I know loves this movie but watching it at home blows.
Link - 6:22 PM -
Did I tell you my friend