Emerging from the Strike FOG....
Welcome back, everyone! I know, I know. Long time no see. I guess you are aware that there was a strike. A very strange and frantic strike. But now it's over. It is behind us and it is now time for the drunken redhead to move forward and face the world again. To say that I have missed you all terribly is an understatement. The strike was an altered state. A constant off-balance feeling. A "FOG," which stands for "Freakin' Opportunity for Growth".
I had my doubts and fears like anybody on TV who used to wait tables for 20 years. I have been busy performing, picketing, auditioning, working with a singing coach, getting political, doing some charity events, waving in a parade and just plain worrying.
I've just returned from Minneapolis with the very funny and talented Mr. Brian Baumgartner. We were the judges for
Last Comic Standing there. We had a ball. Angela [Kinsey] and Oscar [Nunez] did the same thing in L.A. It was interesting sitting through all that stand-up. I think I was a bit of a Paula Abdul to Brian's Simon Cowell. He was tougher than I was. I just hate telling people "No," especially on TV. I was pleasantly surprised by the talent. There were some truly funny folks (and a few scary ones, too).The town really rolled out the blue carpet, like one big sheet of ice. It was darn cold. A balmy 11 degrees below zero! We went to some crazy outdoor ice bar that had a fire pit a few feet away, just to really confuse your body. The people in that town couldn't be nicer. Brian and I had fun partying and coat shopping. (Don't ask.) I bought a copy of Steve Martin's new book,
Born Standing Up,to keep me in the right mood. (It's a great read!)
I need you all to forgive me for not writing more during the strike. In the beginning I was picketing and doing my part. I got to sing with Creed [Bratton] and the Scrantones. We sang some Pete Seeger union songs and some other famous faces stopped by to join us, including Lily Tomlin. Someone made a short that included clips from that day called "Which Side Are You On?"
It's on YouTube. I was in the Laguna Beach Holiday Parade, and Christmas came and went with no solution, and then January felt like the longest yard. I went to Mazatlan to Estella del Mar for their charity golf event. It was great! I don't really golf so I felt like a rodeo clown. Just puttin'! The club raises money to further educate the local children of Mazatlan who don't normally get past a sixth grade education. College
es mui bien. (Did I say that right?) Golfers know how to party. I think golfers are just alcoholics with money and sticks. And what is wrong with that?
Estrella Del Mar is famous for the Coco Loco, a drink that will knock you into next week, in a good way. They put it in a coconut right off the tree! Unreal.
It wasn't until the SAG Awards that I had a reality check. The reality that
The Office would one day return! How bizarre that a surreal glam, star studded award show is my reality check. I borrowed a beautiful gold dress from designer Dina Barrell and jewelry from Erica Courtney. The
L.A. Times picked me as "HAPPIEST NOT TO BE WEARING A MUMU." What ever that means. Winning was amazing but it was mostly great to just to see everyone in our cast again, all together. Steve [Carell] was in the middle of jury duty that week. The hardest working man in show business finally had a little down time, but I think the government decided he wasn't busy enough so they put him to work. I am sure he would make a good juror. He's a good listener. You have to listen well to be a good actor. Steve's new movie,
Horton Hears a Who, is coming out soon. Go see it!
Angela, Ed Helms, Oscar and I did a special IO West benefit for the people hurt by the WGA Strike, with Kate Walsh. It was a really fun improv show. Angela was out there, all pregnant and what not. They were all very funny! We may do another show next month like that. Kate Walsh has been campaigning for Barack Obama and she invited me to the rally after the debate before super Tuesday. He was amazing. I don't want to talk you into anything, but consider this man for president. He is quite a presence. I was very impressed and I felt a real sense of hope.
The Lampshades, my comedy act had shows coming up next month and hopefully a new video in the works. The Lampshades have a show March 1st and 15th at the Improv Olympic West in Hollywood, and March 6th at the Steve Allen Theater with Rudy Casoni. Go to
TheLampshades.com.
OK - I will see the
Office family very soon and we will make some new magic. Thanks for hanging in there. Thanks for all the support. Thanks for good thoughts. Hope you are not sick of reruns by now.
The Office will return! Life will go on.
The drunken redhead in the corner will return.
Cheers!
