Hiatus

Due to life outside of the blogosphere--school, work, and school mainly--I'm not sure when the next time I will really be able to write or record anything of real substance. When that magic day comes when I have some time to sit down and write, I will be as happy and pleased as I was when I finished Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Until then, I wish many happy returns. :)

--KC

A Brief Blogcast Update

After months of being buried in notebooks, textbooks, and graded research papers, it's good to log in to the blog again. In the course of three minutes or so, I quickly discuss which topics I'd like to address in future blogcasts and written blogs. A topic that I also want to play with that I didn't address in the blogcast update is my journey to return to gaming. You see, I haven't played a video game in ten years, and I just started playing Final Fantasy X. Yeah, I'm such an amateur now, it's hilarious. You might find it hilarious too.
As a side note, I want to keep encouraging everyone to keep listening to their favorite podcasts. I haven't been able to listen to some of my favorites close to a month--Treks in Sci-Fi, Knights of the Guild, Waffle On, GeeksOn,etc.--due to school stuff. I just started my podcast marathon with the brand new Anomaly episode about Twilight, and while it's not necessarily my favorite subject, great points were brought up and it was just nice to play a fun radio show rather than the study-intensive classical music playlist.
It's good to be back, and for info on the topics I want to cover, play the beautiful Podbean clip below.

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KC's First Audio Blog (Podcast? Audio Blog? Podcast?)

"My first audio whatsit. Not perfect, but it’s a work in progress. I briefly talk about why I haven’t been writing anything on my blog, touch on the Watchmen, a teensy weensy dip into the Family Guy/TNG crossover, and a many, many apologies for not writing anything for the past month."

NOTE: Please forgive a huge gap that occurs during the audio. I thought I fixed that... apparently I did not. But think of it like the first couple of Dollhouse episodes--grit your teeth and bare it, it'll get better eventually. I also forgot to mention the awesome Knights of the Guild Podcast in my podcast mentions (oopsies!), but I highly encourage you to listen to this wonderful show hosted by Kenny and Jenni.

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I don't have a lot of time to write anything detailed or interesting, but I figured an update would be sufficient. In honor of the upcoming film "The Watchmen," I have made a change of my blog in order to promote the film. I am currently reading the graphic novel which the movie is based on, and hopefully I will be able to make it to the movie theater some time during the middle of March. I plan to write a blog comparing both the book and the movie in the future, so keep an eye out for that.

Fave Bits of "Web TV"

Hey, readers. I apologize for not posting that often for the last couple of weeks. School and crazy are beginning to make life hecka crazy, but I've been working on posts little by little in my spare time. So, this is a post that I've finally completed and wish to share with you.

The Anomaly Podcast have put out an episode last month in which they interview Kenny, who is at work on Behind the Scenes footage for the ever-popular web-sitcom, "The Guild." I thought I would do a post about some of my favorite web shows, and only two of them are theater-realted (that's a huge feat for me). The list is as follows.

• Legally Brown: The Search for the Next Piragua Guy--Okay, this one needs more explanation than any of the other shows. Is anyone familiar with one of MTV's many desperate reality shows called Legally Blonde: The Search for the Next Elle Woods? Well here's a clip for those who are curious, but to sum up, it was a reality competition show that focused on a gaggle of girls who wanted to win the part of Elle Woods in the now closed Legally Blonde: The Musical. Composer/lyricist/actor Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote a parody to the program with his own Tony Award-winning show, In the Heights, at the forefront and searched for "the next Piragua guy." (For those who do not know, a piragua is shaved ice and flavored syrup. We call it an ice cone or "icey" down here in Texas.) Broadway vets are featured in each webisode, as well as music director and Broadway blogging master Seth Rudetsky and West Wing actress Allison Janney.
  

• the [title of show] show--As a way to promote the stage show, [title of show] in which they co-wrote and co-starred together, Hunter Bell and Jeff created a popular web series that showcased their misadventures before their show hit Broadway. The series is popular among fans of musicals, and it brought in several well known Broadway alum to star in cameo roles. If you're a musical theatre fan, go check it out on their YouTube Channel.
  

• Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog--Anyone who hasn't heard or seen this until now... you really disappoint me. Seriously, they have it for free on Hulu. Go watch it. Like wine, Joss Whedon's talent just gets better with age. Of course, like chocolate, Joss Whedon has always been good. Also, you get to see Guild creator/star Felicia Day, Firefly's Nathan Fillion, and the great NPH do their thing--while singing.

• The Legend of Neil--This is a very good, very adult web series about a normal guy named Neil who somehow ends up in the game "The Legend of Zelda" in the role of Link. also known as Zaboo from the Guild, is a the director and writer behind the series. The writing is hilarious, the direction is fabulous, and geeky references to the game the show is based on abound here and there. Season Two is in the works, so keep an eye out for that.
  

• Potter Puppet Pals--It began as an animated short, and turned into a recorded "puppet show" featuring the characters of Harry Potter as you never would have thought of them before. My personal favorite is "The Mysterious Ticking Noise"--you'll be thinking about it all day long. And of course, who can go wrong with a crazy, nudist version of Dumbledore.
  

• A Liam Show--If any of you don't know who Liam Sullivan, you might know him better as the character Kelly, who has been featured in the web music video phenomena "Shoes." Liam Sullivan has gotten a lot of press about the show due to his internet fame, and continually comes out with new episodes and Kelly music videos as often as he can. You can watch the show on it's YouTube Channel.
  

• The Guild--Did you really think that I would leave this out? A show for geeks, gamers, internet lovers, and the people who know them. Created by Felicia Day, who also writes and acts in the show, it is the must-see web sitcom that has started to gain some supporters and viewers within the last year. You can go to their YouTube Channel to check out the first season, and MSN is currently streaming season two.
  

There you go. As far as web TV, that is what I've been watching over the last year or so. It's not much, but I think this blog turned out pretty well considering time restraints. Hopefully I can start to post voice comments for whenever life gets too crazy with tests and papers--just a little wish of mine.

Until next time, thanks for reading!

BSG 4.5 Thoughts

I'd like to thank everyone for dealing with my very long and random post from the other day. I had a lot of energy and divergent creative thinking that I needed to shake off, and blogging about a random idea was the best way to do it.

Anyway, I've noticed that everyone has been commenting on BSG Season Four: Part Deux, and I noticed that I'm a little behind on my personal views of the second beginning of the end. So, I'm just going to briefly comment on the first two episodes, and then I'll talk minorly about all of the characters.

BEWARE! SPOILERS GALORE! IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN ANY OF SEASON FOUR OF BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (OR ANY BSG AT ALL) DO NOT READ ANY FURTHER!

AGAIN! SPOILERS AHEAD!


Okay, let's talk some Battlestar.

The first episode was so depressing that I still have a problem with sitting down and watching it in its entirety. On my first try, I just walked out of the den and looked up the synopsis on Wikipedia. I know, blasphemy, but the episode was really a downer.

But I really enjoyed the second episode. I can't believe that was Ron Moore's directorial debut. That was a fantastic job, in my humble opinion.

And now some brief character commentary:

• Tigh and Six for "Odd Couple of the Year." It's strange to see both of them calm and somewhat cheery... I have this forboding feeling about it. Maybe it's because of all the tragic plays I have to read, or the amount of Joss Whedon TV I've been watching.

• Can I just say how sad I was when I discovered that Dee committed suicide? That was seriously... wow. Just wow.
  

• Poor [former] Chief. Ron Moore is just treating him like crap. But maybe he'll get revenge on Tory when it's revealed that she killed Callie. Yes... this would be excellent.

• Speaking of which, why is Tory not dead yet? I love that she hasn't been in the recent episodes... but I'd prefer it if she were dead. Ron Moore, I know you can hear/read thousands of fan comments about this... I sure hope that you comply with those demands.

• I totally love the Adm. Adama/Pres. Roslin relationship. Seeing them on screen being a cute older couple makes me want to post smiley faces and hearts on every website I have.

• Gaeta, I get that you're pissed--I can't blame you--but bashing a woman's husband is a no no. Even if he is a Cylon.

• Lee Adama is not as good at PR as he thinks he is. Seriously, plan out an outline before you accidently let the Fifth's gender slip. That's the one of the first things they teach you in Intro to Public Relations--I should know, I took a class on it.

• And Starbuck, I'm putting you in the same boat as Tyrol. I feel really bad for you. Geez, Ron Moore is a jerk to his characters. At least Starbuck is still kind of up to kicking ass and taking names, though.

• Seeing Gaius Baltar back in his scientist role was interesting from what little I've seen of the first episode. And his drunken tirade about God was interesting. Tell us how you really feel, Baltar...

• And the Vice President can lick the dirt off of my high heeled boots. The end.

Yeah. That's all I got for right now. I'll try to do this a little more as more episodes air. March is going to be a very sad month.

I would just like to mention that the following post is what happens when I a) don't get enough sleep, b) have way to much sugar, c) suddenly have a lot of free time, or d) all of the above. Just have fun with it.

Rico, the host of the Treks in Sci-Fi podcast, is having a Re-Casting Star Trek: TNG Contest. I thought it was a fantastic idea when I first heard about it and I'm so excited about the lists you can now vote for. Due to the craziness of school starting and keeping up with my work schedule, I didn't have a lot of time to even think about entering the contest. However, if there's one thing that I love more than anything in the world, it's casting projects that do not exist yet, so I thought I'd give it a go anyway. You know, just to play around with some ideas.

But I don't want it to be any ordinary cast list--I cast imaginary remakes all the time, as does any geek who chooses to daydream during class. So I thought of something that would immediately set my list apart--what if I casted "Star Trek: The Next Generation"--the musical! I know it's one of the worst ideas ever, but I sincerely think it's a fun idea that combines two of my greatest loves and I thought that I'd give it a go. Some of them might be names that you recognize, but I thought it would also be fun to write bios for all of the actors that includes some info about the very fake, awful musical I'm creating for the purpose of this blog post. I've also included some links to clips of each actor doing their thing, whether it be on stage or on screen.

To note again, this is just me having fun. TNG is not, will not, and should never be a musical. Ever. It would be terrible.
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Star Trek: The Next Generation MUSICAL SPECTACULAR!

Capt. Jean-Luc Picard
as played by Michael Cerveris


Michael Cerveris is the 2004 Tony Award winner for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of John Wilkes Booth in the revival of Stephen Sondheim's Assassins, and a three-time Tony nominee for his work in The Who's Tommy (1994), Sweeney Todd (2005 revival), and LoveMusik (2007). Other stage roles: Giorgio in Passion, Kent in King Lear, Mr. Andrews in Titanic: The Musical, and his acclaimed turn as Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch. His film and TV credits include The Mexican (Frank), "CSI" (Sid Booth Goggle), and Fox's "Fringe" (the Observer).

Cerveris will be singing songs "Welcome to the Enterprise," "Among the Borg," the showstopping ballad "Make it So."

Dr. Beverly Crusher
as played by Bernadette Peters

Bernadette Peters is a two-time Tony Award winner for her leading roles in Song and Dance and the 1998 revival of Annie Get Your Gun. Peters has had leading roles in other memorable Broadway productions such as Mack and Mabel, Sunday in the Park with George, The Goodbye Girl, Into the Woods, and Gypsy. She has several film and television credits that include The Jerk, Annie, Pennies from Heaven (Golden Globe nomination), Anastasia (voice of Sophie), It Runs in the Family, "Animaniacs" (voice of Rita the Cat), "Ally McBeal" (guest star; Emmy nomination), "Bobbie's Girl" (Daytime Emmy nomination), and ABC's adaptation of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella" (Stepmother).

Peters will be performing a tap duet with the character Data as well as singing the song "Before the Stargazer."

Commander William T. Riker
as played by Raul Esparza





























Raul Esparza is a three-time Tony nominee (Harold Pinter's The Homecoming, Stephen Sondheim's Company, Boy George's Taboo) who is currently on Broadway performing in David Mamet's Speed-the-Plow. Other credits include the Broadway revival of The Rocky Horror Show, Off-Broadway's tick... tick... BOOM!, The Normal Heart, the national tour of Evita, the film Find Me Guilty, and ABC's "Pushing Daisies."

The creative team have added two new solos for Riker, "The Conquests of Commander Riker" and "Take Command," along with a duet with Deanna Troi (see below bio for details).

Counselor Deanna Troi
as played by Idina Menzel


























Idina Menzel is renowned for her star turn as Elphaba in Wicked, which won her the 2004 Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical. She is also known for her performance as Maureen Johnson in the original Broadway production of Rent (Tony nom.), which she recreated for the 2005 film adaptation. Off-Broadway's The Wild Party, See What I Wanna See, and the Disney film Enchanted.

The role of Deanna, a Betazoid with empathic abilities, currently has only two main songs in the show--"I Feel" and a love duet with Riker called "Imzadi (Beloved)." However, more songs may be added during the show's out of town tryout.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge
as played by Elijah Kelley



























Elijah Kelley is known to most audiences for his film debut in 2007's Hairspray, in which he played Seaweed. His next film venture will be a biopic about the life of Sammy Davis, Jr.

Geordi currently has no songs of his own, but is featured promenantly in the number "Promotions," an ensemble (or as the creators have been joking, and "ensign-ble") where Geordi has a featured solo and dances with the Ensigns.

Lt. Commander Data
as played by Neil Patrick Harris


Neil Patrick Harris returns to the stage as Lt. Comm. Data, the android who goes on a personal journey to be more human. His previous Broadway credits include Cabaret, Proof, and the Tony-winning revival of Assassins. Other stage credits the Los Angeles production of Rent. Film and TV credits include "Doogie Howser M.D.," "How I Met Your Mother," and Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle.

The character has two solos--"Ode to Spot" (based on the popular poem from the series) and "Binary Code"--and will sing the reprise of Deanna Troi's solo "I Feel." As mentioned before, Harris will also be performing a tap duet with Bernadette Peters's Beverly Crusher.

Lt. Worf
as played by Jesse L. Martin


























Known for his television run in NBC's "Law and Order," Jesse L. Martin is known to musical fans as the original Collins in Broadway's Rent, a role which he recreated for the 2005 film adaptation. Other works include TV's "Ally McBeal," "X-Files" (guest star), and "A Christmas Carol."

Though not confirmed by the producers or creative team, word is that they are working on an as yet untitled song for Worf entirely sung in Klingon.

Ensign Wesley Crusher
as played by the three Billy Elliot boys (David Alvarez, Kiril Kulish, Trent Kowalik)
























All three boys made their Broadway debut in Elton John's Billy Elliot: The Musical. They will rotate in the role of Wesley Crusher, whose character has been redesigned to fit child actors and is also the featured dancer of the show and has several dance solos throughout, including the new musical number "The Enterprise-D Ballet," which is featured at the beginning of Act Two.

Guinan
as played by Audra McDonald
























Audra McDonald is four-time Tony Winner (Carousel, Master Class, Ragtime, A Raisin in the Sun) and has been Tony-nominated for her performances in Marie Christine and 110 in the Shade. McDonald has also been nominated for two Primetime Emmys for her work as a supporting actress in television adaptations of "Wit" and "A Raisin in the Sun." She is currently a regular in ABC's "Private Practice."

The character of Guinan was written into the show after it's initial workshop, after urging from producers as well as fans of the television show. The creative team are fervently writing a new song for McDonald's character.

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See? Now wasn't that fun? Okay, maybe it was a little headache-y, in the words of Broadway blogger Seth Rudetsky. By the way, if you read Seth Rudetsky's blog or Playbill.com column Onstage and Backstage, I think my works are about as ADD as his. I think his stuff is much more interesting, but I'm a fan of his anyway.

Anyway, I assure you that the cast lists that the forum members are much better than this one, and more importantly they have names of actors that everyone will recognize off the bat. If you haven't voted yet, go to the Treks in Sci-Fi Forum and do so--I'm personally having a hard time picking out of all of them. And if you're someone who's been lurking around on that forum for a little bit, go register!

Thanks for reading my bit of randomness today.