
(I've written about my brushes with SNL before, but since no one really reads blogs, I'm doing it again.)
Dan Fiorella
Dan Fiorella: Writer @ large |
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![]() I've been reading the updated version of "Live From New York: The Complete, Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live as Told by Its Stars, Writers, and Guests." I read the first edition years ago, around the time of the 25th anniversary of the show. I've come to the conclusion that I really need to stop reading about the show, about how it works, about how the writers are picked, about the whole thing. I need to stop reading the stories of the zaniness of being backstage or the thrill of seeing your work broadcast live to the nation. I just need to stop. I used to read everything about SNL when I was younger. Because that was the dream I thought I could attain. Now I read it and know that the dream has withered away. But I tried... (I've written about my brushes with SNL before, but since no one really reads blogs, I'm doing it again.)
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or Skit Happens![]() During my time with Olympia Dukasis' Whole Theater, I managed to impress Ms. Dukasis with my comedy material. Here's how I know: At this time, 1988, NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” had a mini-tradition of asking Oscar nominees for best supporting actor to host the show. And they asked Ms. Dukakis. Good for her. But then the weirdest thing happened. Tom Gilpin called me aside after one of our rehearsals and asked me if I wanted to meet with Olympia Dukakis. Sure? Or Skit Happens![]() I recounted some of this in an earlier post, but I wanted to revisit the story in line with my sketch writing. I was always joining writing groups to present my little comedy skits. I usually got good reactions from them. After presenting a sketch in a group called Pen-to-Stage (known more for one act and full-length plays), one of the actresses approached me and mentioned that she was working with a comedy troupe. She felt they really needed some strong material and was wondering if she could show some of my stuff to the troupe. Of course. As it turned out, the troupe did like my material and was curious to meet me and see what else I had. Okay, it was in New Jersey, but my writing had impressed someone outside my little circle of co-writers. I headed out to Montclair, NJ... ![]() Looking at my journal (as we've been doing here), I was home working on a draft of “Pee Wee’s Christmas Adventure” but other things were going on and I was starting to make notes of that. Face it, my life is not that interesting and I had to start doing something to justify my diary. In my youth, as a struggling young writer (as opposed to now, as a struggling old writer), I met a person in a workshop who recommended me and my writing (not in that order) to a comedy troupe that she was part of. Okay, it was in New Jersey, but my writing had impressed someone other than my parents (who, frankly, still weren’t that impressed). So I headed out to Montclair, NJ...
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Dan FiorellaFreelance writer, still hacking away. Archives
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