It's really, really funny. The script was already funny to begin with and add Jack Black and Michael and all of the rest of the cast and you've got comedy platinum (Ha ha gold! Just did you one better!). In addition, the already platinum funny is coated in a thick layer of diamond dust, and, because it's in Shreveport, deep fried. If you've been following the reports on the movie then you know that Jack got in a big fight with the on-set caterers for putting too much mayonnaise on something and was fired. He was initially replaced by Hal Holbrook, but he had to pull out due to arthritis scheduling problems. Eventually Hal was replaced by Nikki Blonsky who also got fired for fighting with the on-set caterers for not putting enough mayonnaise on everything ever. Jack was subsequently re-hired at twice the cost. So it was a win/win for all. Also, there was a bit of weirdness on set when the truth about Michael's age came out. Some reporter from Toronto did some digging and found out he had legally changed his age to 36 years old three years ago and never told anyone. But that's all water under the bridge now.
And speaking of "bridge now", holy fuck is Shreveport depressing! Man, just...sad. When I get some free time I'm going to drive around filming some of the area so you can get a quick, sweet taste of a dying/dead city. If you wanted to make some real money you should come here and open up a combination, church and plus-sized clothing store. Add in a check cashing place, and a Chili's To Go and you're set for life. Every fourth radio station is Christian and every car is a truck. I've been here for over a month and I have about six more weeks to go.It's so bad that on the days off will happily pay and watch movies that I wouldn't even watch for free on a slow flight to China. I actually saw "Rambo" . Did anyone see that? Top notch stuff. A subtle spoof on pre-victorian mores. One interesting by product of staying here is seeing first hand the effects of the influx of Wal-Marts on a town. Ironically Wal-Mart doesn't sell press board, locks, window soap, and "For Lease" signs. It would truly be one stop shopping if they did.
The writers strike is most likely over and I would have to say we (America) won. Three months isn't so bad in the long term, and we were spared the Golden Globes so congratulations to all. Now Bob and I can get to entertaining the fuck out of your asses. Also, I can get back to the pilot I was working on for Channel Four in London. I was writing it with Shaun Pye (Greg from "Extras") and I think it's a right Scotch cracker (made-up, faux British slang meaning, "good"). Now we can finish it and hopefully shoot it just pre or post the HBO thing. Also I can shoot my SuperDelux pieces which have been languishing in my Final Draft folder waiting for this strike to end. I should be pretty busy for the next half a year or so.
Look for the video piece about Shreveport which I'll shoot and post when I can. Shouldn't be too long.
I love me,
david