Posts Tagged ‘I’m Famous (Not)’

Heaping Piles of Seething Rage of Steaming Anger

February 25th, 2010 by Suzanne | 7 Comments | Filed in Asshole idiots, hilarity, What is wrong with people?

>Two years ago, my friend Sara and I were interviewed for documentary on abortion. I even put on make up and shit so that I would not look like a fetus-eating zombie on film, hence making the pro-choice side of what we were assured was a “balanced” look at the abortion debate look bad. Nope. I wanted to represent!

I never heard back from the motherfuckers. Not even, “Thanks Suzanne. It was nice of you to take time out to help us make a shitty documentary that no one will see.” So when I discovered that the filmmakers actually did come up with something – and it is a scripted “dramamentary” about abortion in which the pretty blond white girl is treated like shit by nasty nurses in an abortion clinic and thus of course have her baby and all is good and – deep breath; this is an angry run on sentence/rant, sorry – the black girl who is raped and comes to NYC to have her abortion is saved by the nice white woman who hosts her through the Haven Coalition (which I was, at the time I was interviewed, the co-head of), I was mad fucking pissed. These douches could at least have had the courtesy to email me and let me know their shitty “unbiased” film (featuring a really cuddly 22 week old fetus in utero) that I helped them with was coming out. Or at least a “Lifetime”-esque trailer that befits a solid piece of filmmaking such as this was online for my viewing pleasure.

Oh. And I did I mention that this “balanced” film is executive produced by the guy who made that other even-keeled movie, Passion of the Christ, and the awesome Ben Stein movie about how “science” teachers who want to teach that evolution is all a lie are persecuted by baby- and Christ-killing Jews like me? Right. (CORRECTION: “The Passion of the Christ” guy is the one marketing this balanced film, although the exec producer is a right winger, too – “Hollywood’s Most Powerful Christian,” according to Christianity Today magazine. My bad.)

Of course, some of the documentary footage that these tools shot is in the film. (Hence the “-umentary” part.) The pro-choice people, according to the “LA Times,” all get to say things like how fetuses are nothing more than parasites (which, sorta, is true, but unlike digestive parasites which make women thin, fetus ones make them fat – ewwwwww). I’m assuming (hoping and praying) that I didn’t make the cut, but since this doesn’t appear to be available to pro-choice audiences, I may never know. I think it’s unlikely that I’m in it, since I said that people who supposedly are “pro-life” have killed a lot of actual people, and that they really scare me. Seems like something that a “balanced” film would not want to highlight.

Tags: , , , ,

The Jamie Kennedy Experience

February 9th, 2010 by Suzanne | 1 Comment | Filed in Asshole idiots, hilarity, random

>This story was told to me by Husband and Brother-in-Law. Although I have never done illegal drugs, nor have I ever even been drunk, I do not remember this incident at all.

In 2007, Husband, Brother-in-Law, and I went to see a documentary at the Tribeca Film Festival about stand up comedy. The film was done by the comic and actor Jamie Kennedy, who wanted to know why people don’t find certain brands of humor funny. The first half of Heckler included many famous comedians talking about hecklers. The second part of the movie, however, focused on why critics hated Kennedy’s movie, Malibu’s Most Wanted. He hunted down critics and badgered them, insisting that they just didn’t get it. (Husband said it was the worst movie he’s ever seen at the Tribeca Film Festival, and I’m sure I hated it, but of course, I don’t remember.)

Usually screenings at the Festival are packed. This one had only about ten people. Still, Jamie Kennedy came out after the movie to talk about it. Once Husband mentioned this part to me, I did recall that Kennedy was wasted on something. He heckled the audience. At one point, he asked us a question about what we find funny and why, and I made the mistake of raising my hand to answer it.

He did not like my response, whatever it was, and yelled at me. I yelled back at him. Apparently, we argued loudly for some time. Husband and Brother-in-Law found this hilarious.

I wish I could remember when I got into a verbal slam down with Jamie Kennedy.

Tags: , , ,

Bobblehead Suzanne: Online or On TV…

January 11th, 2010 by Suzanne | 4 Comments | Filed in Uncategorized

>I wish that I didn’t nod nervously throughout my interview with the wonderful AnneLise Sorensen, but I am glad that I didn’t look like a zombie:

View more news videos at: http://www.nbcnewyork.com/video.

Thanks again to AnneLise for having me on her show!

Tags: , ,

Awesomeness

January 5th, 2010 by Suzanne | 3 Comments | Filed in Uncategorized

>My cousin told me to say hi to Tina and Alex when I went for my taping at 30 Rock, but sadly, I did not see them. Heck, I didn’t even see the guy who plays the page. Or Janice Huff, my favorite weather person, who I’d be far more likely to run into since I was on the same floor as the news. I think.

The lack of celebrity sightings did not make my first TV appearance* any less exciting. AnneLise calmed my nerves, assuring me that I did not look like a zombie with too much eye makeup. She also said she liked my pixie haircut. Once I saw myself on the monitor, I felt a little better. AnneLise and I sat in front of a green screen, and I thought the subway car backdrop that they chose was pretty awesome.

AnneLise was great leading the interview, and I had a fun time talking to her. The production staff was also very nice. After we finished, they asked if it was my first time taping for TV. When I said yes, they said I was very professional. It was just a super experience overall. I can’t thank AnneLise enough, and I also can’t wait to see the segment on New York Nonstop!

*This discounts various times that I showed up in the audience of shows, like The Bozo Show when I was a kid, or during my period of talk show obsessions in 1994-1995, when I made a comment on The Rikki Lake Show and possibly also The Rolanda Show. Also, I ever so briefly appeared eating hot dogs in MTV’s episode of Real Life (“I Want to Be a Professional Eater”) because I stuffed my face next to Tim “Eater X” Janus, who was featured on the program. Although exciting, I do not count these.

Tags: , , , ,

30 Rock

January 4th, 2010 by Suzanne | No Comments | Filed in I love New York

>Tomorrow I will be interviewed about my book by AnneLise Sorensen for her weekly travel segment on NBC. I owe this exciting opportunity to Julie Ross Godar, who is friends with AnneLise and suggested that she contact me.

Barring any last minutes changes in studio availability, I’m meeting AnneLise during my lunch hour at – drum roll, trumpet blast, gong bang, whatever other large noise – 30 Rockefeller Center! Yes, 30 Rock! Man, oh man, I am so excited.

At the same time, I am scared shitless. Not to be interviewed – I’m psyched about that – but to appear on HDTV. AnneLise suggested that I will be fine if I wear “just a little more make up than usual.” Ha ha ha ha! Oh, if only she knew. That means I will look like a zombie with a little lip gloss* and mascara. Sigh.

*That, however, is not like dressing up a pig in lipstick.

Tags: , , , ,

>Suzanne Ilana Goes Public

October 8th, 2009 by Suzanne | No Comments | Filed in Uncategorized

>My appearance on “Seven Second Delay with Ken and Andy” went very well last night. I had a great time talking about the book, although within the first two seconds I revealed my deepest, darkest secret: my middle name. I probably also burst the eardrums of unsuspecting listeners with my shrill imitation of my mom yelling at me. Fortunately, they let me stay and talk about the book.

To hear this outburst (and my love for the Masons Hall, Mother Cabrini Shrine, Enrico Caruso Museum, and Rev. Jen’s Troll Doll Museum), there is a Podcast. I come on about 19 minutes into the show and blather on for ten minutes.

I was horrified when I noticed that there were also photographs posted (if I had known, I might’ve worn make-up), but I discovered that I look fine. Especially in comparison to Wallace Shawn, who rocked the house. Inconceivable!

Tags: , ,

>Um

October 6th, 2009 by Suzanne | No Comments | Filed in Uncategorized

>To prepare for my appearance on Seven Second Delay tomorrow, I thought it wise to review my last “Off the Beaten(Subway) Track” presentation. I put together a little slide show on subway road trips in general and some sites that are found along the A train. To my enormous horror, I discovered that I say “um” approximately every four seconds. (If you can stand it, see for yourself below. Between “ums”, there is actually some intelligent humor.)

“Off the Beaten (Subway) Track” at Adult Education (June 2, 2009) from OTBST on Vimeo.

I always thought I was a good public speaker, but if everything sounds like that little talk, eek! If I can’t get around saying “um,” maybe I should try saying “ohm.” At least that way I’ll get some meditative benefits. Oy vey.

Tags: ,

>Hitting the Big Time – Inconceivable!

October 4th, 2009 by Suzanne | No Comments | Filed in Uncategorized

>Last week was (another) rough week. This not having a job thing is really weighing on me. Even though other good things are happening, I’ve been in a serious unemployment funk.

Then, as I was moping around Grand Central Station on Thursday while waiting for a friend, I received the following email on my BlackBerry:

I’m writing to invite you to a live radio show at the UCB Theater in Chelsea next week, Weds, Oct 7th between 6-7pm. I’m sorry for the short notice, but one of our listeners suggested you as a guest, and you’d be in great company — also booked for that evening is author/actor Wallace Shawn and comedian Brent Weinbach. We’d love to
talk about your book “Off the Beaten Subway Track” and get some tips from you about exploring NYC.

The show is a WFMU radio talkshow called “Seven Second Delay” hosted by Andy Breckman and Ken Freedman. Andy’s the creator and executive producer of the Emmy-award winning show Monk, airing on the USA Network, and Ken is General Manager of WFMU, an independent radio station. They co-host Seven Second Delay, an hour-long
loosely-formatted radio show that broadcasts live from the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in Chelsea and reaches about 30,000 listeners an episode. More information on the show is available here: http://sevenseconddelay.blogspot.com/.

Are you available? Interested? We also have a date in November we
could look into.

Am I interested? Am I available? Fuck yeah!!! Not only does it sound like a rad radio show with awesome hosts, but Wallace Shawn from the motherfucking movie The Princess Bride is going to be on. Missing that show would be inconceivable! (Which, I am embarrassed to admit, was more or less my reply. I am glad they still wanted me after I made that lame joke.)

This invitation perked me right up, and I’ve been feeling much better these past few days. I owe it all to Pamela. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Pamela!

As noted, the show is on Wed., Oct. 7 at 6 pm at the UCB Theater (307 W. 26th Street). It only costs $5 to see me share a stage with Wallace Shawn. Inconceivable, I know. The show also streams online or can be heard on the old fashioned radio at 91.1 FM in New York, at 90.1 FM in the Hudson Valley. I am major excited.

Tags: , , , , ,

>A Conversation with My Father*

September 2nd, 2009 by Suzanne | No Comments | Filed in hilarity, mortification, nerds

>I called my dad. “Did you get the paper yet?”

“Yes! There’s a color picture of you on the fr-”

“I know!!!! It’s horrible! I can’t believe how bad it is!”

He sighed. “I think you are too hard on yourself.”

“That’s true, but seriously, this is a bad picture. My friend Suebob said that I look as if I had a terrible accident involving my neck.” I cackled. “But now no one is going to want to hire me because they’ll think I have a disability that they’ll have to accommodate! I’m screwed.”

“Well, I’ll always love you.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

And that is the last I will say about this awful picture. It is almost ironic that I am obsessed with how I look in a picture attached to an article about how terrible it is that young girls have to struggle with body image.

*Big nod to Grace Paley, whose essay of the same title we read in lit class last year. My lit prof thought it didn’t work, but I adore anything Paley wrote. If she wrote a limerick on the back of a cocktail napkin, I’d find it brilliant.

Tags: , , , , , ,

>When Then is Better Than Now

September 1st, 2009 by Suzanne | No Comments | Filed in mortification

>When I first posted the link to the WSJ article, the photos had yet to be posted. I may have been an enormous nerd in 4th grade, but now I am a woman who needs a better hairstyle and more sleep. Damn. And my friend Sara checked my make-up and everything before I met the photog. (“You look sort of like Rachel Maddow,” my other Sara friend said, trying to be positive. Dude, Rachel Maddow may be awesome, but I do not want to look like her.)

The good news is that the new story links to the 1986 original. Yep, those were the days.

Tags: , , , ,