It’s more of a spring break skit, but since it features the beach, here it is, Us Guys at the Beach:
I don’t know where the idea for this one came from. I wrote it up and presented to the comedy group I was involved in, Style Without Substance, and they immediately had it up as part of their lineup. The cast was bigger at the time and it had a good number of parts and could be filled in with some extras. The video is from their home base, The Whole Theater in NJ. I know they did it in Manhattan a couple of times. It was originally called “Beach Blanket Zingo,” referencing both the old Annette Funicello movies and the daily contest that the NY Post ran back in those days.
The troupe did an amazing job with the material. And the characters grew on me. When I did the next draft, the skit became “Us Guys at the Beach” and it seemed like these guys would be back in some form. But they never really did. The premise of a new sketch eluded me, not that there was a pressing need for a new skit.
Years later, when I worked on a script, “Christmas Carol,” about a family and a Christmas pageant, I decided to make the character of the son part of a garage band. So he would need some band-mates. I put Joe, Harry and Lars in the script, the guys who joined the band to “meet chicks.” Then, when I decided to turn a script of mine, “Halloweenies,” into a novella, I re-wrote it to be the same family as the one in “Christmas Carol” (with the intent of turning that script into a novella as well). The son character had a pal in “Halloweenies” but I changed that friend into Harry from the sketch, to keep a sense of continuity.
The troupe did an amazing job with the material. And the characters grew on me. When I did the next draft, the skit became “Us Guys at the Beach” and it seemed like these guys would be back in some form. But they never really did. The premise of a new sketch eluded me, not that there was a pressing need for a new skit.
Years later, when I worked on a script, “Christmas Carol,” about a family and a Christmas pageant, I decided to make the character of the son part of a garage band. So he would need some band-mates. I put Joe, Harry and Lars in the script, the guys who joined the band to “meet chicks.” Then, when I decided to turn a script of mine, “Halloweenies,” into a novella, I re-wrote it to be the same family as the one in “Christmas Carol” (with the intent of turning that script into a novella as well). The son character had a pal in “Halloweenies” but I changed that friend into Harry from the sketch, to keep a sense of continuity.
And now, after all these years, I wrote a sequel to the original sketch. The comedy show I contribute to, TMI: Hollywood, decided it was going to do a Comic-Con themed stage show this July ‘17 and wanted all the sketches submitted to be about the convention or the world of comics and fantasy. Not really my world, but as I struggled on one sketch idea, I was still trying to get a handle on what Comic-Con is. I’ve never been, but many of my on-line acquaintances have and they’ve all told tales about it and posted pictures. Especially the cosplay girls. Nerds and hot-looking woman. What a mix. Suddenly Joe, Harry and Lars popped into my head. Of course, Comic-Con would be the perfect place for them to visit. Now I had a premise AND an excuse to write a new skit.
Granted the first draft was an attempt to re-write the first sketch in a different location, just to get the feel of the guys again. But soon I was updating the situation, re-working the jokes and finally committing to this new venue, while using the old skit as a template for the rhythm and pace; a combination sequel and re-boot (since only a few dozen people have actually seen the original done).
I hope “TMI: Hollywood” does the skit. I’d really like to see Us Guys back on their feet again.
Granted the first draft was an attempt to re-write the first sketch in a different location, just to get the feel of the guys again. But soon I was updating the situation, re-working the jokes and finally committing to this new venue, while using the old skit as a template for the rhythm and pace; a combination sequel and re-boot (since only a few dozen people have actually seen the original done).
I hope “TMI: Hollywood” does the skit. I’d really like to see Us Guys back on their feet again.
