.

Although Joss Whedon meant for his independently-created project, “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog” to be available without purchase on the internet for a few short days, it’s been available streaming (and gratis) from the NBC/Fox venture Hulu since its premiere on the internet.

Remember, if you love it, buy it from iTunes for about four bucks or get a physical copy on DVD from Amazon.

So, I’ve been a proponent of Flight of the Conchords, and the self-titled HBO show the group stars in alongside Rhys Darby. The first season is currently available on DVD and the second season is about to premiere on HBO in a couple of weeks. Well, now, thanks to FunnyOrDie.com and HBO, you can watch the first episode of the second season online! Right here!

So, I was a Buffy fan back when it was on the WB Network, and while I’ve never seen Firefly, I still respect Joss Whedon’s work. It was partly that, and partly the hype on PopWatch and Ain’t It Cool that lead me to check out Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog.

Now, it’s not a “blog”, really… it’s more of an internet television show / short film directed by Joss Whedon himself. The highly innovative experiment (of sorts) is reminiscent of “Once More With Feeling,” the musical Buffy episode, with its sense of humor and catchy melodies. On top of that, it’s one of my favorite Neil Patrick Harris appearances since Harold & Kumar.

While I have seen it, loved it, and highly recommend it, this post may be too little too late, as the show is supposed to be removed in its current free format today (Sunday). Fortunately, it will still be available via iTunes, but costs $3.99.

- Why do hotels close their fitness centers at night? It’s not like keeping the doors unlocked adds extra stressed on an overworked staff.

- Eating healthier is not only easier than I thought it would be, it makes me feel energized.

- Panera Bread is quickly becoming my favorite restaurant chain. Joy is a Cinnamon Crunch Bagel with Hazelnut Cream Cheese, which contradicts my last statement, in a way.

- Matthew Broderick is a terrible actor. Just thought I haven’t said that in a while.

- Did you know that Binghamton, NY shuts down on Sundays? Neither did we.

- I am loving the new season of Lost. While I certainly miss some of the characters that have already passed (which I won’t mention here to avoid any potential spoilers) I really love the pace of the new season and knowing the eventual fates of the castaways. In a way, it’s more fun having both flashbacks and flash-forwards, as it adds more pieces to the puzzle. I can’t wait for it to return next week.

- Black box theatre can be just as bad in other parts of the country as it is in New York City.

- Is anyone else enjoying this season of SNL? I really like it post-strike, and I hope to get the opportunity to audition for them one day. Andy Samberg is my hero.

- Why do people take pictures of theatrical shows with their flash on? The only thing it does is draw attention to you and endanger the actors. When there are already hundreds of lights pointed on the stage, your flash bulb isn’t doing anything. Just leave the cameras at home and buy a souvenir program.

- Come see Superstar! We’re still having a great time on the road, and we’re doing so well the tour’s allegedly booked through 2009.

If you haven’t been watching “Flight of the Conchords”… then… you’re an idiot. Do yourself a favor, and get acquainted with them using the links below:

HBO Series:
http://www.allFOTC.com

Their songs work even better live than in context of the show. Check them out via YouTube:
Business Time
Jenny
Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenocerous
Albi (The Racist Dragon)
Think, Think About It
She’s So Hot… BOOM!
The Humans Are Dead
Bowie in Space

Although we’ll never get another “Arrested Development,”

we now have

Clark and Michael.

This makes my banana stand.

I only wish I had got to the idea first — when Slafta and I first had it a year ago.
That’s how life works, I guess.

Was 1992 really that long ago?

I remember sitting in the living room, eyes glued to the TV, as Nickelodeon buried its Time Capsule in the ground at Nickelodeon Studios — and it was to remain there for 50 years.

In retrospect, it was (perhaps) a particularly ambitious outing for a studio that had only existed for two years. Had they taken in the realities of operating a business for 50 years? Had they considered the ever-changing real estate market? The ever-present threat of nuclear devastation that may obliterate anyone with even a faint memory said time capsule?

Probably not.

When it was all said and done, that time capsule was planted firmly in the concrete outside Nick Studios. The studios themselves were almost a “time capsule” of the early nineties themselves — painted in any neon color you could find, decorated with polka-dots, zig-zags, and zebra stripes. Over the course of the 90’s, quality children’s programming would be created on this spot that continues to reverberate in the memories of today’s “young adults.”

Although the memories remain, the dreams have been crushed.

I was made aware of Nickelodeon Studio’s closing two years ago when it first happened… but I did not fully realize the magnitude of this event. It wasn’t until I saw the studio in its current form — painted white, stripped of it’s essence (and most importantly, with no Gak Geyser) — that I started to get emotional about it.

The most depressing part is — I realize that I’m growing up. If graduating from acting school didn’t really do the trick… the complete destruction of (what I percieve to be) an integral part of my childhood sure did.

We’ll miss you Nickelodeon Studios, Universal Studios, Florida. We’ll miss you.

(That time capsule? For those interested… it’s been removed. It’s now down the road at a Nickelodeon themed Holiday Inn, despite insistance from Universal Studios employees that it would remain where it was buried.)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickelodeon_Studios

I can’t believe 2006 is almost over! It’s been one hell of a year for me, and I know that I’ve missed a lot of it here on my blog. To catch everyone up, I’m going to try and recap some of the things to have happened to me this year (including the recent developments that have been completely OTB).

Let’s start with something of minor significance (if any at all), shall we?

Entertainment

Television

Arrested Development - While this year brought the end of Arrested Development on FOX, it also marked my first exposure to the ensemble comedy. Although I’d been avoiding the show over the past three years, I found myself an instant die-hard fan. After watching the first few episodes, I diligently tracked down the entire series, watching every episode of the series inside of two months. Nowadays, it’s hard to imagine life before the Bluths. As a result, I’m overjoyed that MSN is syndicating AD without charge over the internet. If you haven’t seen the show, stay tuned to arresteddevelopment.msn.com over the next year to watch one of the finest shows ever produced for free TV.

Scrubs - I had seen a few episodes of Scrubs throughout 2005, but had never really realized how entertaining the show was. Throughout a four month period, I tracked down every episode of Scrubs and watched them, each in broadcast order. Much like Arrested Development, Scrubs gets funnier when you watch it in order and see which jokes repeat. The first four seasons are available on DVD, and Season Six continues on NBC.

Lost - I had intentionally avoided Lost for the past two years. It was too big, too popular, and sounded a bit too much like Gilligan’s Island for me to devote my time to. This year, fortunately, curiosity killed the cat (or polar bear, I guess), and I downloaded the pilot episodes onto my computer. Before I knew it, I would become addicted, racing home every day to watch each episode of both seasons. I was losing sleep, I was running late to school — and I didn’t care. I fell in love with each of the show’s characters (well, except for Ana-Lucia… bitch got what she deserved), and continued to “get Lost” throughout the summer with the Lost Experience online game. I’m completely on the edge of my seat after the latest episode of the 3rd Series, and can’t wait for 2007 to continue the cliffhanger we were left with.

NBC’s Saturday Night - Just at the end of 2006, Broadway Video, in association with NBC Universal, finally released the first season of Saturday Night Live to DVD. I’d been dying to see these episodes for years… and I’ve finally witnessed the comic genius of Belushi, Akryod, Chase, Radner, Brooks, Henson, and a slew of special guests. Highly recommended.

Theatre

“The Drowsy Chaperone” - certainly one of the greatest Broadway shows I’ve ever seen, “The Drowsy Chaperone” will please any audience of any age. Furthermore, “Drowsy” marks the reclaiming of live musical theatre to new artists — as it’s one of the more prominent shows of the season, and it was created from scratch (not using pre-existing songs or movie storylines… which isn’t always a winning formula anymore — look at “All Shook Up”, “The Times They Are A-Changin’”, and “High Fidelity” for proof). Anyway, go see “Drowsy Chaperone!” It’s quick, entertaining, and you will most certainly leave the theatre with a song in your head.

“Disney’s Beauty & The Beast” - I had avoided seeing any Disney Theatrical productions until free tickets lured me to Beauty. Despite Donny Osmond, the show still managed to entertain. The show currently features “Avenue Q”’s John Tartaglia, among others. It’s worth it, if you can find a good discount.

“Lestat” - Elton John must have phoned this one in. One of the worst shows I’ve seen this year, “Lestat” managed to be both over and under written — generally confused and miscast. Way to go, Broadway!

“Burleigh Grime$” - If “Lestat” was pure shit, this shit was somewhat diluted. I would even call it an intriguing effort if I knew what the point was supposed to be. The dude from Mad Money was in it, though… and I guess that was supposed to distract, if not entertain.

Check back soon for the next installment of my self-indulgent 2006 wrap-up!

Suffering from a bit of insomnia, thought I’d hit the blog.

Check out A Year At The Academy for the latest rehearsal update.

“Chekhov in Yalta” was last week. Went pretty damn well. I’m glad I got to work with such a great director and talented cast. Usually, when actors say that, they’re bullshitting through their teeth (or, in electronic form — such as this — fingers), but I’m being completely serious. I loved working on the show, and I felt we only trully got into the swing of things by Friday (not meaning to belittle the other three shows, which were also great, I just thought our timing was *perfect* on Friday) and it’s a shame we couldn’t have kept going.

And charging admission.

Okay, I’m kidding about the admission thing.

I had an incredible revelation about cereal. Okay, less of a revelation — more of an observation. Same thing, they end in -ation. Head to my Myspace blog for more on that.

I want to see “Borat” pretty bad.

Casey Affleck can’t act. I guess it runs in the family. Although, I’ll give Ben his due props for “Hollywoodland.”

The date for “Lost” draws nearer. I’m excited about the impending DJ Dan podcast. (If you know what that last line meant, you’re as much of a dork as I am… and I love you for it.)

Until next time… ask yourself — What Would Gob Do?

Well, 2AM is always a good time to post.

My brother’s finally all moved in. Christian and I have swapped rooms (a 5-hour task, as it turns out) and Craig and I are in the larger room now. I must admit, it’s a bit strange to be living in this room and for Christian to be in the other one — it’s been one way since January, and suddenly the 8-month order of things has been disturbed. Hopefully I’ll get used to it, but not too used to it (as we’re moving out in about a month).

I’m growing increasingly frustrated with my excessive facial hair growth (beard) that I’ve been keeping for my play, “Chekhov in Yalta.” The play goes up in under two weeks at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Should be a funny one. Hopefully, I can make it until the end of the week-long run without shaving.

I finished watching the second season of “Lost.” Amazing fucking show. My blood is itching for my next fix, but it won’t come until October. Thankfully, the Lost Experience will appease me every day until then. I also aught the season finale of “Entourage.” Words can’t express my sorrow. I knew what was going to happen going into the episode, and know how this arc will (probably) end, but it was still heartbreaking. Additionally, I’m pissed that I have to wait until March for new episodes. Fuck. Well, with “Lost” returning in October, and “Scrubs” coming back mid-season (with “Nobody’s Watching”… which I told you all to watch!), I should be held over for a while. Now if only “Arrested Development” could come back…

I guess I’ll try and catch some sleep. It may be futile, as I’m a bit too wired to sleep and the apartment needs to have some work done tomorrow at 8AM, but I’ll make an attempt anyway. Good night, Gracie!