June 20th, 2008
I have two young children and a third on the way. It's a wonder that I can bathe on a regular basis let alone do comedy stuff anymore. Regardless, here's a new online funny that Matt Oberg, Kevin Scott and I put together for Fremantle's Atomic Wedgie web channel. Hope you enjoy it. Thanks!

Bob

June 5th, 2008
Hello!

We're putting the finishing touches on the talk show sizzle reel now. It's been a long time coming but I think the wait has been worth it. We've got some really good stuff. You should start to see elements of what we have online soon. I'll let you know.

In the meantime, check out this promo for the new season of 2/8th Life. This is the web series I'm in on Hulu and elsewhere.

Talk soon!
Bob

February 16th, 2008
I've done some work recently for a fantastic new comedy site called the Independent Comedy Network (ICN). Check out our parody of Quarterlife here.

February 15th, 2008
Hello...

I have a (very small) part in the movie Definitely, Maybe out this weekend if you're interested. We shot the thing I think a year-and-a-half ago. I'm just happy it's finally in theaters.

Thank you! Have a great weekend.
Bob

February 1st, 2008
Hello!

Life is good. Staying busy. Raising the kids. Cannot complain.

I have some new projects in the works. When things get finalized, I'll let you know. In the meantime...

Thanks for your support and I'll talk to you soon!
Bob

January 16th, 2008
Hello!

Another Successorize video on MySpaceTV for you. Hope you like it...

December 23rd, 2007
Hello and Happy Holidays!

Here's a few fun videos (with your's truly in 'em) to help pass the time...

The Resident Christmas Special


How to Throw an Office Christmas Party


Clubbing at Abercrombie & Fitch


Bad Baby!

November 7th, 2007
Ahhhh... I'm back! Sorry it's been so long. Life has been pretty intense the last few months.

Moved to California in June. Love it. Great place for me and the family right now in our lives. Couldn't be better.

Career-wise, my main focus right now is raising our kids. I'm writing thoughts/observations as I go and hope to one day turn it into a book or something. We'll see.

Outside of that, I'm still wrestling with the talk show pitch. It's taken longer than I had hoped getting it out there but I'm proud of it and think it's an outstanding idea. We'll see on that one too. It's so hard to get anything on air in this business -- let alone a solid, good idea -- that I'm not holding my breath. Either way, I'm enjoying the process.

If you want to check out some of the videos I've done in association with the show, feel free to check these clips out that we did before leaving NY:


Interviews on the Run


Subway Begging


Porno Shop Points of View


Thanks for your support of my career. Talk to you later!
Bob

April 19th, 2007
Let's try this again! Here is our lame Bob Barker goodbye video:

April 6th, 2007
Hey! A friend of mine -- a guy by the name of Matty Blake -- is doing some really funny/good stuff on an NBC Sports website show called Sidelines. If you're a fan of sports and funny things, check it out here. Thanks!

April 6th, 2007
GREAT show last night! Good-size crowd. Good guests. Good show. Very cool. Bringing on Brent Burnette as a producer for the show has been great. He's very well-organized and we share the same vision for what we're trying to do with the show. The future looks bright. To that end...

Here's the latest addition to our ongoing effort to make the lamest YouTube video...ever.



Have a good weekend. Talk to you later.
Bob

April 5th, 2007
Exciting news:

1.) The Hoax comes out in theaters this weekend. This is the Richard Gere movie I'm in -- at least I hope they kept my stuff in. Even if I wasn't involved in this movie, I would go see it. It looks like a very good/cool movie! Please catch it at a theater near you (and see me with big mutton-chop sideburns and retro 70s clothes on). Thank you.

2.) Purple Violets is debuting at the Tribeca Film Festival later this month. This is another movie I'm in -- with a more sizable role -- directed by Ed Burns and starring Patrick Wilson and others. Ed Burns is one of the "good guys" in the business. You bet your ass I'll be at the festival supporting. I hope you will too if/when Purple Violets comes to a theater near you. Thank you.

You can see photos of my experience on set at both The Hoax and Purple Violets on my photos page in the "New Photos" section, by the way...

3.) I've brought a producer onto my talk show. His name is Brent Burnette and, among other things, he's one of the organizers of the New York Television Festival. Brent has great experience in TV and talk shows and I'm excited about what we can accomplish together on this thing. We're up every Thursday night at 8pm here in New York City so swing by and sit in on the fun when you get a chance. Thank you.

4.) Our lame-o YouTube video clips are getting some traction! If you haven't looked at them already, please do. They're here and here. Each week in the talk show we get a different audience member to create the lamest YouTube video they can in 15 minutes time. The audience decides which clip is the lamest and then we post it on YouTube and see how many people can get tricked into thinking it's awesome -- when it's clearly not. Evidently lameness is contagious because these clips are getting A LOT more views than I ever thought they would!

Talk soon,
Bob

March 30th, 2007
Another talk show. Another lame-ass YouTube video clip! Check it out:



Amazingly, Dizzy's super lame toilet clip got over 700 views in 4 days and was even picked up by another website as a "killer clip." Bizarre. Evidently, lameness is contagious...

Good, fun show last night. We start sharing the bill again next month. Hopefully, that will help build our audiences a little bit more. I've been very happy with our show content but the audiences have been a little disappointing this month. It's not for a lack of trying...

A friend of mine in the industry came to the show last night and talked to me afterwards about helping out on the show in a producing role. The more help I can get, the better. I'm wearing so many hats doing this show every week that I need as much quality help as I can get. Where Lettermen and Leno have a full compliment of writers, staff and support (not to mention network money and advertising), I have just me and a couple other guys trying to do all this stuff every week. It takes it's toll.

I know what the show's potential is and we're getting there. The sky's the limit but I need some people helping out to get there. Hopefully bringing on a producer for the show will speed things up a bit...

March 23rd, 2007
Good Talk Show last night. Amongst the fun...

We had an audience contest to create the lamest YouTube video they could in about 20 seconds length. Here it is:

March 19th, 2007
Here's some new audio-visual fun for your Monday!

Links to some internet videos I did recently for HP:

Video #1

Video #2


Video #3

Photos of some of my recent Talk Shows:

Here

Talk soon,
Bob

March 14th, 2007
We're adding a very cool feature to our talk show tomorrow night that allows you -- wherever you are in the world -- to join us and listen in live via your computer. Here's what you do:

1.) Go to www.skype.com. Ignore the versions that have you pay a fee. Skype is a FREE service that allows you to talk to people LIVE on the internet -- either via phone or webcam.

2.) Download the latest version of Skype. Don't worry, it's very user-friendly and easy-to-do. Skype is very popular in Europe and the rest of the world. You'll be amazed at how many people use it. And it won't infect your computer with some virus or whatever. Trust me. It's good.

3.) Go to the Skypecast Directory -- either by accessing it on your Skype homepage or by:
- Going to the Skype website homepage
- Scrolling down to the "Share" heading at the bottom of the screen
- Clicking on the link that says "Skypecast Beta"

4.) Once at the Skypecast Directory, type "wiltfong" into the search field and you should find the Skypecast we have set up for our "Talk Show with Bob Wiltfong."

5.) At 8pm (U.S. eastern), you can use a webcam or computer microphone to join us in the Skypecast and listen in -- and participate -- in the show as it happens in the theater!

Pretty cool, huh?!

Anyway, I think it's cool at least. We plan to make this Skypecast a regular feature of each week's show. And, as a result, we'll be checking in with the Skypecast as we do the show to talk to whoever's there. Hopefully it's you!

Talk to you soon,
Bob

March 14th, 2007
Just when I'm about to hang it up and pursue a career that's more stable -- at least financially -- I book some stuff. Thank God...

Today I shoot a small role in a new pilot for ABC. I play a reporter -- in a throng of media people -- firing questions at some of the main players in the show. I'm thankful for the job and looking forward to the work. Big time.

But it's a little (teeny-weeny) frustrating that I seem to keep booking reporter roles in things. Makes sense I guess since I was an actual reporter for a number of years and it's easy for casting folks to see me doing it for their shows. But I would like them to view me for the things that aren't just reporters. Oh well. With time. I am, by no means, complaining. Work is work. Experience is experience. It's all good!

Tomorrow I shoot a national commercial for K-Mart. What a nice surprise booking this! I wasn't involved in the initial call for the spot but was brought in during callbacks and booked it! It's been awhile since I booked a new commercial so this really comes at a good time. And the spot is pretty funny. Hopefully, my performance will do it justice and it will run...A LOT.

Talk show tomorrow night. For the first time, I sent out an e-mail to my mailing list about it. I'm finally at a place with the show -- after working out the kinks for a couple of months -- that I'm comfortable with a lot of people seeing it. It's a very cool/fun show and I'm proud of what we're doing with it. Hopefully, the audiences that come to see it will agree.

It's always a pain recruiting audiences to see a show starting off. I've been blessed that word of mouth for the show has been strong and I haven't really had to recruit people -- until now. Come see the show if you can! Thank you.

Met with Lukas Kaiser yesterday -- the guy who shot my last two shows and is putting together one of them for airing on the YouTube rival site, Joost. His stuff looks great and I'm excited about what he's doing with the material. I think when it's all said and done, this edit will be a fairly good reflection of the show -- which it's very hard to capture the fun of a live theater show on tape.

Matt and I are pretty busy these days writing. Not only are we working on delivering more episodes of our Successorize series to Fremantle. But we're gearing up a new sitcom pilot for submission at this year's New York Television Festival. Good to be busy/creative.

Talk soon,
Bob

March 9th, 2007
Good show last night. Great show. I'm bummed that more people didn't see it (crowd was small). Gotta work on that. I'm confident that once word gets out about what we're doing, the audience will come. The quality of the show is high (in my opinion). To this end...

I've ordered more promotional condoms for the show and I'll add some show postcards to the mix as well. That should help. I'm optimistic about the future because: 1.) The show is good, and 2.) I really haven't made a concerted effort to get the word out about the show -- until now.

We've videotaped the last two shows -- covering everything with several high-def cameras and microphones. The end result, should be outstanding. We'll see. Once we're done editing, we'll supply a copy to my buddy, Marc Campbell, at the Westside Eclectic in Santa Monica so he can, in turn, deliver it to the folks running Joost in the Netherlands. And then, from there, you'll see it whenever you want on the internet!

Looks like I'm close to booking a (very small) role in a pilot this year. It involves a lot of good, experienced folks in that world so hopefully it happens. We'll see...

Yesterday's commercial auditions required me to: 1.) Make up a song while "playing" the guitar, and 2.) Screaming "Cum on Feel the Noize" as loud as I could for about 30 seconds. Gotta love advertising...

Finally...had a good brain-storming session with Matt and Kevin Scott yesterday. We're working together on creating a new sitcom pilot (hopefully for submission at the New York Television Festival this year). We learned A LOT doing The Weathermen Boys a couple years ago and I'm confident our efforts this time will result in an even better end result -- at least that's the plan!

Have a good weekend. Talk to you again soon!
Bob

March 6th, 2007
I like Christian Bale. I don't know the guy. I'll probably never meet him. I just like the guy. I think he's cool and I like his work. Read a cover article about him at the gym today.

The more experience I get in the entertainment industry the more I appreciate how we're all a bunch of star-f___ers in this world. If a "star" is headlining some show, we're more likely to see it than someone just as talented (maybe more so) but less of a name. That's fine and dandy but it's frustrating when you come up against people in the industry who are afraid to take a chance on anyone who isn't a "name" yet.

My wife put it in clear perspective for me... She works in the business world and she said there's a saying in business that goes, "No one ever gets fired for hiring IBM." Meaning: if it comes down to hiring IBM or some unknown company for a job, chances are you're going to hire IBM. Why? Because if they screw up, you can always say, "Hey. It was IBM. Who knew?" But if it's an unknown company -- and the same thing happens -- chances are you're going to be fired for bringing them on the job.

I realize more and more that people who hire and fire in the comedy/entertainment industry are usually pretty scared for their own safety. As a result, they hire actors/talent for jobs that others around them have already approved as talented or funny.

Meaning: they will hire somebody for a job and say, "This guy's a safe bet. He was funny on that other show so he must be a funny guy." Instead of trusting their own instincts -- and eyes -- and saying, "I don't know this guy but, man, he's funny. I'm going to hire him." That rarely happens in this business. Sadly. And that's why, in my opinion, you have so few real decision-makers in the business. The rest are just yes-men trying to keep their jobs.

I realize that may be over-simplifying it a bit but you get the gist...

March 4th, 2007
Watching Creighton play in the Missouri Valley Conference basketball finals right now (half time). Go Jays! Love this time of year...

Good/busy day tomorrow. A sitcom pilot audition along with a commercial one. Would be nice to book one of them. It's been awhile since I've booked something new.

Although I haven't had any commercials running recently, that might change soon. I've received holding fees recently for spots I did for Verizon, Domino's and Home Depot. If they all start running (which the chances are unlikely but still...), it could mean you'll be seeing me seel a lot of products soon. Speaking of commercials...

I get really irritated with any "actors" who turn their noses up at commercial work. For instance, John C. Reilly (an actor whose work I really like and admire) has been quoted as saying that he would never do commercials, that they were beneath him as an actor.

To which I say...Dude, you've never had to do commercials! You're very fortunate for that.

I don't think any "actor" says, "I want to be a commercial actor!" when they start off. But the reality is many of us end up doing them. And no "actor" should ever have to feel like they have to apologize for that.

The reality is the commercial world is populated by some very talented folks (Bennet Miller directed me on a Verizon spot right after he wrapped directing Capote) and you have to audition against some of the best actors in the country to book them.

In my opinion, any actor who says, "I don't do commercials" is either very lucky OR very ignorant.

March 2nd, 2007
I've neglected updating my blog here as much as I should. Sorry. I'm going to make a concerted effort to blog more here in the future...

The music and movies I'm enjoying right now:

Silversun Pickups - My friend, Marc Campbell, in L.A. turned me on to these guys. They're good. They have a little Smashing Pumpkins vibe to them in my opinion. It's good. I like it.

Blue October - I gotta be honest with you when I first bought this CD (Foiled) I wanted to return it. I'm a big fan of their radio song "Into the Ocean" and was hoping the rest of their album had that kind of 80's throw-back sound to it. But it really doesn't. However, the more I listen to this CD, the more I like it. It's hard to imagine that I would like a band that comes from Houston (it's just not a town I associate with art that I like) but I'm starting to...

Beck - The Information. GREAT CD. I know I'm late coming to the party on this one (this album's been out for awhile) but it's good.

Bright Eyes - Floor Noise. I love Bright Eyes. Not only because they're from Omaha (my hometown) but also because there's an honesty and originality to their music that is like nothing else on the music scene (that I know of) right now. They're unique and exposed. I dig that. Same reason I worshipped The Smiths and Radiohead when they came to the fore. Bright Eyes has a new album coming out soon. You can bet I'll be buying it.

The Lives of Others - very good foreign film from Germany. More proof that a good story trumps everything else in film-making.

Notes on a Scandal - This is a very good movie. Should have gotten more Oscar buzz than it did, Judi Dench is INCREDIBLE in it. Great story as well.

The Departed - Loved it. Provides hope for all the other star-studded movies (that usually suck) that you can have a lot of stars in your cast and still make a great film.

Now onto other things...

I'm very excited about March Madness starting up. That and the beginnings of Spring Training in baseball make me a very happy man. I love college basketball (Go Jayhawks!) and the Mets! I love me some sports, folks.

My talk show is moving along. This week's show was disappointing to me -- for various reasons. However, there's always next week! I'm excited about a future guest idea that we're working on booking: an internet pornographer! Should be a fun one, folks!

Watched most of Bob Woodruff's report this past week on his experience (of almost dying while reporting) in Iraq for ABC. Incredible. Thank God there are people in this world who are willing to put their lives into those situations. I certainly am NOT one of them. That's why I got out of TV news (among other reasons). Bob Woodruff should never have to cover another field story again. The guy's good, in my opinion. If you didn't see the report, try to find it somewhere and watch it. It's great. And it provides great perspective on the human sacrifice that goes into serving in today's military...

Have a great weekend! I'll talk to you again soon...
Bob

February 12th, 2007
Hello! It's been awhile. Sorry. I've been spending most of web time recently on my MySpace page. If you haven't already visited me there, please do...

The Talk Show is going great. I'm off the next couple of weeks and will use part of the time to go out to L.A. to audition for sitcom pilots and such. This is the time of year for that stuff. Always busy and fun.

Thankfully, there's a fair amount of casting taking place in NY this year so I've already gone in on a few projects here so far. Good scripts, good roles. We'll see what happens...

Matt and I are putting the finishing touches on our pilot for Fremantle. We think it's pretty good. We'll see if they agree soon...

If you haven't done so already...please check out the A/V page on this website. There's a TON of new video content there that I think you'll enjoy watching.

Take care and I'll talk to you soon!
Bob

January 10th, 2007
Opening night of the talk show went way better than I expected. Really pleased. If you're interested, check out this write-up for it.

Another cool show on tap for tomorrow night. Guests scheduled to appear include:

* Reggie Watts - comedian, winner of this year's Andy Kaufman comedy award

* Lori Harfenist - host of cable-access show The Resident

* A random person we pluck off the street with a live camera

* Marc Campbell (via webcam) - owner of the Westside Eclectic Theater in L.A.

This weekend, Matt and I shoot a mobile phone pilot for Fremantle using our POW characters as the vehicle to give people "useful" business tips. Looking forward to it.

Tomorrow we go in for a callback on a podcast project being put together by Sports Illustrated. It involves sports and improv comedy -- two things I love. Should be fun.

January 3rd, 2007
Tomorrow I debut a brand new show. It's called, simply enough, Talk Show with Bob Wiltfong. My guests for the inaugural performance are:

* Liam McEneaney (http://kidliam.blogspot.com/)
* Nicola (http://www.nicolanicola.com/)
* Raquel Cintron & Kendra Mara -- rat ladies -- (http://rat.meetup.com/boards/view/viewthread?thread=2207777)
* My brother and mom (via webcam)
* A person we recruit from the street via a live camera

The show will be running every Thursday night at 8pm at The P.I.T. Check my shows page for details. Thanks!

December 18th, 2006
So Comedy Central is starting to pull my Daily Show stories on YouTube due to "copyright infringement." What a bummer. I don't understand those guys. They've said in media interviews (Variety, etc.) that they have no problem with parts of their show being broadcast on YouTube -- they just don't want whole shows up there. That's cool.

But evidently what they really meant was, "We don't have a problem with parts of the show airing on YouTube -- as long as WE put it up there." The end result is you'll probably never get a chance to view my old stories from The Daily Show without paying Comedy Central for it in some capacity. And I guarantee you none of that money will make its way to me or any of the people directly involved in putting the stories together. Like I said...bummer.

December 3rd, 2006
Do a small part in a new movie, called "Definitely, Maybe," tomorrow. Films stars Rachel Weisz, among others. Doing the job, largely, as a favor to the casting director -- as the part is pretty much that of a glorified extra. Who knows. Could be fun...

Have a couple of commercials that I've been in the running for recently. FedEx just released me on one that was shooting this week in L.A. I should find out about the other one -- for ESPN -- tomorrow. If I book it, it shoots in North Carolina. Just trying to stay busy/working...

This business is very frustrating at times. Work comes and goes. Even when you "make it," you're constantly looking for the next gig.

Furthermore, it's hard to keep the faith when you see some of your counterparts -- people you came up with and you know your work is equal to -- get "made" in the business while you're not. It sucks. For whatever reason, I feel like I've been designated as a second-class citizen in the kingdom of comedy right now.

The last thing I want to do though is become bitter -- and feel like I'm owed something. There are far too many people like that in comedy, sadly. And I always wonder when I meet them, "Why are you so miserable? Is what you've attained professionally so worth it that your personal life sucks? Do yourself a favor and find something you actually enjoy doing with your life." If I ever have to give that advice to myself -- and I'm close to it recently -- then that's the time for me to mix things up, find a new challenge/task/direction and get happy (again)...

November 28th, 2006
Thought you guys might enjoy this...

Here are some YouTube clips of me interviewing people as the Grinch last December at Rockefeller Center. This was for a local cable-access show called The Resident. Each clip is only about a minute long. Enjoy...

Clip #1

Clip #2

Clip #3

November 28th, 2006
Back on the job! Had a good holiday -- spent with family, eating, watching football and relaxing. Could be a busy end of the year...

My writing/performing partner, Matt Oberg, and I are gearing up for what may be an official callback by the folks who run HBO's U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen. Always fun to go through the process (although the odds of us actually being selected for a spot there still remain slim). We'll see what happens. The callbacks, I'm told, take place next week. If we're involved, gotta get a full-house there to bring good energy/karma to the performance. Then we just cross our fingers and wait. Speaking of waiting...

Still waiting on word back from the folks at Fremantle about what deal we have to produce a mobile phone pilot for them. Before the holiday, they made an offer but our reps have to negotiate some items before it's a done deal. Either way, we're getting our stuff in order and should be ready to shoot pretty soon. If they like our pilot, our series will start airing on Sprint telephones around the country (for what that's worth)...

We also have tentative deals to produce some internet videos for Westside Eclectic in L.A. and soon-to-be-launched website ComedyNet here in N.Y. Furthermore, we're writing several greeting cards for JibJab as well. The new internet boom is giving writer/performer troupes like us new avenues to do our thing in. Just a question of how much we get paid to do this work AND who will actually see our finished products once they're done...

Have a callback for a FedEx commercial tomorrow. I'm doubtful I'll book it but you never know. Also waiting on word about a possible callback for a hosting gig of a travel show on a new cable channel called EquatorHD. As always, trying to stay busy. Keep moving, keep moving, keep moving...

November 14th, 2006
It's hard enough to get a "break" in this business. It takes a PhD to negotiate the mine-field of sabotages once you're there. There are way too many people in this business who have devoted themselves to bringing down anyone they see as a threat to their own success. It's disgusting. To that end...

There are people in the UCB universe who have dedicated themselves to making sure nothing but bad things are said about me. I feel sorry for them -- and the people who get sucked into their world. It's an incredibly sad way to live your life...

November 8th, 2006
Over-haul of the website here is moving along, slowly but surely. We're downloading a BUNCH of video to YouTube and iTunes -- as well as to the site itself. The end result, is you're going to have a ton of new, fun stuff to look at soon! Very cool.

Matt and I met with some people from a production company yesterday that are currently buying up comedy content for mobile phones. It looks like we may have a deal. We'll see. More details as they happen...

The internet boom for original content these days is providing a lot of new opportunities for comedians/writers like me and Matt. Some of them more lucrative than others. Bottom line, they all provide a chance for Matt and I to write and create for money -- and allow new audiences to see our work. It's all about keeping ourselves out there and doing our thing. When you don't have an active TV credit, it's kind of hard to do that. But these internet/new media jobs are allowing us to overcome that -- which is, obviously, a great thing.

November 3rd, 2006
Wednesday night Matt and I had to scrub our performance in an internet comedy showcase at The PIT because, unfortunately, I was suffering from a 24-hour flu bug. Bummer. I really was looking forward to doing our thing there. But oh well. Had to save my energy for...

Thursday morning when we shot a very small (read: very cut-able) scene for NBC's "30 Rock." Very quick, but good, experience. Cast and crew were having fun, doing good stuff. Weird. That, sadly, isn't always the case on a comedy set...

That night, Matt and I did a performance showcase of Adult Contemporary for some of the folks from the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen. Never know with these things. We'll see...

Saw the film "The Prestige" this evening. It's good. It's weird. The older I get, the more I admire the ability of actors to "go there" in emotional scenes. There was a time -- when I was younger -- that I think I could have tapped into that stuff more easily than I can now. I wonder why that is...

Nebraska plays Missouri tomorrow. Looking forward to it. Love college football Saturdays.

Have a great weekend,
Bob

October 30th, 2006
Booked a small role in NBC's "30 Rock." Very cool. I'm a fan of the show and it's always nice to work on stuff you like. Shoots this Friday.

Just put up some new show information on the site here. Check it out when you get a chance. I'd love to see you at a show.

Saw Flag of Our Fathers over the weekend. Good. Not great. Liked The Departed better. Just FYI.

Slowly but surely, moving forward on the re-launch of this site AND getting our video sketches shot and up on the internet for you to view. Lots of good stuff coming up, folks! Excited for you to see it all...

Bob

October 24th, 2006
Shooting a commercial for BJ's Wholesale Club today. Should be a fun one. They're duplicating me -- via computer -- several times in the spot so I'll be interacting with myself at several points. Looking forward to seeing the final cut.

My Home Depot spot hasn't started running yet. At least not that I know of. It may never air (as far as I know). We'll see...

I'm very excited (and also very intimidated) with the prospect of doing a talk show in the new year at The PIT. It's always hard mounting a new show, building up an audience while also working out the kinks in the material. You always want butts in the seats but, at the same time, you kinda wish nobody saw the show for awhile because it takes awhile to make a show good. As a result, I think my strategy is going to be to make the show free (and eat the cost of the space, as a result) for the first month or so. That way I can at least get some people there and not feel badly for experimenting with stuff in front of them.

That's one thing that's very difficult for any comedian. In order to build up a following (and a buzz for industry folks), you need to get audiences to your shows. That's not easy when your shows are just starting off and you're working through new material. Basically, you're going to suck for awhile. It's a constant battle: gotta put up new stuff, gotta get an audience to it. When you're traveling solo -- like I will be on this talk show -- that's a very hard thing to do (especially when you're trying to book guests, write material, etc. all by yourself as well). Oh well. It'll all get done. I can't talk myself out of it. A creative person must create, must keep moving, evolving...

Bob

October 17th, 2006
Busy schedule of auditions these days. Thankfully, lots of callbacks. It's always a good sign. Usually means I'm going to book something -- eventually.

Had a rehearsal for Adult Contemporary last night. Good, good, good. We're trying to make the show as best it can be for a new run in November (show dates coming soon here on the site).

Mets rained out last night. Good. Another day of rest for Glavine.

Saw The Departed a couple of weekends ago. Very good. Highly recommend it.

Also saw Open Season. Don't ask why. Good for kids. Not so great for adults.

Reading "The Late Shift" (book about Leno and Lettermen) and "Screenplay" (book by Syd Field about writing screenplays) right now. Learning a lot from both.

Got to get cracking on my talk show for the new year. Lots of cool ideas that I want to execute well.

October 12th, 2006
There is a God. I booked a spot for BJ's Wholesale Club yesterday. Nice. Should be a good spot and I love the director I'm working with on it so it should be fun.

Typed up a draft of a script for one of the viral videos my writing partner, Matt Oberg, and I are putting together last night. I'm happy with it but I'm sure Matt will rip it apart. ;-)

By the end of this month, I should have a completely revamped website here and several viral videos near completion. Good to be busy...

I've officially pitched a talk show to The PIT for a run in the new year. I'm very excited about the prospect of putting my stamp on what a talk show is and can be these days. It will only be as good as the work I put into it so here I go...

Bob

October 11th, 2006
So awhile back I opened it up here to any questions you guys might have for me. So, without further adieu, here are my replies (in no particular order):

Will Britney Spears ever divorce Kevin Federline?

Yes. Soon.

Why do you like Morrissey so much?

I like Morrissey so much because, in high school, his lyrics spoke to me. Lyrics like:

"It's so easy to laugh. It's so easy to hate. It takes guts to be gentle and kind."

AND

"Shyness is nice but shyness can stop you from doing all the things in life you like to."

It's a boyhood obsession that has stuck through the years. I just think the guy is brilliant and unique.

What's the deal with your Discovery Show?

Sadly, I'm pretty sure the show is never going to hit air. Which is a shame because we got some really great, funny stuff (that you're never going to see) and I think the overall aim of the show -- to illuminate human psychology and behavior in hidden-camera experiments -- is very interesting and entertaining.

The show did well in focus groups BUT there was confusion over what kind of show it was. Most people saw it more as a Comedy Central show than a Discovery show. That's a problem when you're Discovery and you own the show. So, at last word, Discovery is considering: A.) Putting the show on its sister station, TLC -- which the focus groups identified as one of it's best matches channel-wise, or B.) Re-configuring the show so it fits better in the Discovery programming motif. Either way, I'm not very optimistic it will hit air.

If you want to change that, I highly encourage you to contact Discovery directly and tell them, "I want this show on air!" What a wonderful world it would be, if your voice was heard...

When is your webcast coming back?

Don't know. The show is on permanent hiatus until the people behind it find some more long-term financing for the project. Cross your fingers. I certainly had fun doing the show and I appreciate all the support I got from friends and family in doing it.

When can I see you performing next in my city/area?

Good news! I have plans for a new stage show in the new year that will, hopefully, be available on the internet (either simulcast or next day). So, even though I'm performing in New York for the next few months at least, you'll hopefully be able to see me perform wherever you are from your home computer! More details to come as I have them...

Did you really run yourself over with a car in college?

Yep.

How's your son doing?

Great. Thank you. Sawyer is his name and he's just over 8 months old. He's at a stage where he wants to put anything and everything he sees in his mouth -- including electrical wires, trash, anything. He's a joy.

What's a neutrino?

A neutrino is the smallest particle known to man-kind (at this time). It has neither a positive or negative force. It is in everything. It can travel through a million miles of lead.

Will you be teaching an improv class in New York anytime soon?

I don't plan on it. My schedule simply isn't regular enough right now to allow it. We'll see though. I did enjoy teaching my last class.

Alright! That's it (for now). Thanks everybody for your questions (and interest). Talk again soon...

Blob

October 6th, 2006
Had a good meeting with my manager yesterday. It was an opportunity for us to re-connect and set some goals for the coming months. I come away from our meeting knowing I have 3 very clear goals for the rest of the year:

1.) Write and produce the viral video ideas I have with Matt, my writing partner.

2.) Put up another run of our sketch show, Adult Contemporary -- making it the best it can be.

3.) Developing a story outline for a screenplay draft.

In the new year, my immediate goals will be:

1.) Completing a draft of a screenplay.

2.) Putting up a talk show at The PIT.

I'm most excited, right now, by the talk show. I already have a lot of thoughts I'm very excited about exploring. The good news about putting up your own show on stage is you have no one but yourself to go to for the final decisions. So the show truly reflects who you are and what you want to do with it. My working title for the project is, "We Have Ways of Making You Talk."

In between all this stuff, I'm back into the audition circuit. Yesterday, I did a couple of commercial auditions (one a callback for BJ's). Today, another commercial audition and an audition for a comedy pilot produced by HBO and written by a couple of friends of mine. We'll see what happens...

October 2nd, 2006
Ton of writing/creating ahead of me in the coming weeks. Matt and I are working on several internet-only video sketches that we're excited about producing. Then we want to try to put up our Adult Contemporary show again before the year is out -- with some tweaking of the material (hopefully making it tighter/better). I'm also in the early stages of drafting our first screenplay together. It's an ambitious schedule of writing but we're up for it...

My MySpace presence is coming along. Check it out here and become a "friend."

Talk soon,
Bob

September 18th, 2006
I'm proud to say the Neutrino Video Projects (NVP) revolution has officially added another member! Phoenix Neutrino did their first NVP show over the weekend. You can check out a clip of one of their run-throughs here.

What is the NVP, you ask? It's basically an improvised movie that my improv troupe, Neutrino, invented. The NVP uses real people and real locations to shoot a short film in the same amount of time it takes you to watch it. Check out Neutrino's website for more details.

Bob

September 18th, 2006
Tonight I make a guest appearance on The Cooper Lawrence Show -- a national radio broadcast hosted by, you guessed it, Cooper Lawrence! Cooper is my co-host on the (still -- and probably never -- to be aired) Discovery Channel show I worked on earlier this year.

I'm scheduled to be on there between 8 and 9 o'clock tonight. You can listen to the show LIVE online, streaming at www.TheCooperLawrenceShow.com or you can podcast it on iTunes the next day and listen at your convenience. Should be fun...

Nebraska, as expected, got beat by USC this weekend. Oh well. They were clearly over-matched talent-wise. It's going to be a couple of years (with some good recruiting) before we can truly compete against teams like that. I like where they're going...

The Mets, meanwhile, can't seem to clinch the NL East (yet). Just a matter of time (thankfully)...

Bob

September 15th, 2006
I've also got a MySpace page now if you want to check it out. It's here.

September 15th, 2006
Ever wanted to ask me a question about something?

Well, let's try this. Over the next week, I'll be collecting any and all questions you guys have for me and then I'll post my answers to them here on my blog. Hopefully it'll be fun and informative for you (and for me). Just e-mail me your questions via my contact page...

Attended a couple of informative panels recently as part of the New York Television Festival. Among the take-aways for me:

* Write about what you know. The best stories come from real experiences.

* If you do get a show on TV, try (as best you can) to ignore any notes you get from the network about it. At the end of the day, they're going to cancel you anyway so might as well do the show you want to do.

* Writing spec scripts for existing TV shows is still the best way to introduce yourself into the TV writing world.

* Due to advances in technology, the way the military handles the media now, etc...TV war coverage is often dictated by management -- rather than correspondents in the field. Back in the Vietnam War era, it was the other way around.

With each day that passes (and no update), I'm more convinced than ever that the show I did for the Discovery Channel will never hit air. Bummer. Like I've said before, I think the show's great and would do well if it got on air but it's out of my hands. I'm not the first -- and not the last -- person in this business who's spent months working on something only for it to never be seen. Just the nature of the biz evidently...

I'm at a bit of a crossroads with my work on NewzViewz. I love the job but I don't know if it's the right fit for me -- or them -- in the long run. We'll take the next few weeks to sort it out...

I'm a guest on Cooper Lawrence's national radio show this Monday -- if you're in a market that gets it...

I've taken a job for HP doing some interviews for them with some very cool, different small business owners. I'll be busy the next week or so shooting...

A friend of mine has approached me about the possibility of taking part in a film that's shooting here in New York soon. I have no idea how big or small the project is yet. I should find out some time early next week...

E-mail me your questions and have a great weekend!
Bob

September 11th, 2006
Wanna see the sitcom pilot that my writing partner, Matt Oberg, and I put together for last year's New York Television Festival -- in its entirety?

You can watch it here.

Enjoy...
Bob

September 7th, 2006
Good POW show down in D.C. last night. The performance was videotaped and will be edited as part of our submission to take the show on the college circuit. Cross your fingers...

Matt and I left right after the performance to get back to New York. On the train ride, we squared away some of our year-end goals -- including the production of some video snipits for viewing on the internet. We're very excited about what we have planned for you. I'll keep you updated as things progress. To that end...

Check out my shows page as I've just listed the details for a very special show I'll be taking part in this Monday night here in New York City. If you're in the neighborhood, check it out. It should be a very cool show.

Also, check out this pilot that some of my friends did for NBC's internet channel. I have a very small role in it. Enjoy...

September 5th, 2006
Just spent the past week in L.A. I was there primarily tagging along on my wife's business trip but, while there, I took the opportunity to catch up with some old friends and introduce them to my son, Sawyer. It was fun watching as Sawyer routinely ripped farts upon meeting people. That's my son. The stuff cute, adorable babies can get away with...

Tomorrow Matt and I travel to Washington D.C. to perform our POW show for a gathering of Georgetown students. Should be fun. We've tweaked the show a bit to make it work for a straight-up college crowd. The gig will be videotaped and then marketed to the folks who book acts for the college circuit. We'll see what happens...

Some exciting opportunities on the internet these days. Matt and I are planning on using the last part of the year to produce some funny video elements for air on some websites including our own -- www.bobandmatt.com.

Rented and watched a great movie this weekend: Inside Man (directed by Spike Lee). It was a fantastic story that was well-acted and well told. Great movie. That, along with A History of Violence, are my two surprise "great movie" watches in recent months. Just thought I'd share...

Talk soon,
Bob

August 22nd, 2006
Got the call last night that Matt and I were not selected for that sketch competition at JibJab. Oh well. You when some, you lose some.

Thankfully, there's always YouTube. Praise the Lord we live in a day and age that there are multiple outlets for your work to be seen...

Matt and I meet on Friday to rehearse our POW show as we'll be taking it down to Washington D.C. next month for a show at Georgetown.

The Hoax is scheduled for release in U.S. theaters on November 17th. Hopefully, I made the final cut.

NewzViewz tomorrow night and Thursday. Looking forward to it (as always)...

Bob

August 21st, 2006
Shot a TV commercial for Home Depot on Friday. Have no idea when it's supposed to air. I guess I'll find out soon enough.

We shot the spot in a house near the Hudson River that's been used repeatedly over the years for different projects (I guess the owners make money by renting out the house to film and TV shoots). They had photos of actors and crew who have shot in the house over the years in one of the hallways. The coolest photo, to me, was of Adam Sandler and Chris Farley who shot the hilarious/classic SNL comedy parody for Schlitt's Gay beer there. It was wild to look at the pool in the backyard and realize, "Hey, that's where they did the pool joke in that spot!"

Matt and I are waiting on word from JibJab.net on whether we're finalists for a sketch competition they're holding. If we are, we fly to L.A. to shoot our sketch under the direction of John Landis (Animal House, etc.). Keeping our fingers crossed. We'll see...

No word on feedback from the focus groups in Las Vegas of the Discovery show. I guess I'll find out soon enough. Like I've said before, I hope the feedback is good because we (the people who worked on it) believe the show is very good and will do well if and when it hits air. I can only hope the focus group folks (and the people in charge at Discovery) agree. It would be a shame if they don't. The show is good, folks! I hope you'll see it someday...

NewzViewz is still going strong. I've been pleasantly surprised how many regular viewers we have so far -- with little or no publicity for the site up to this point.

Did a film audition today for a new movie starring Jack Black and directed by Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind). Never know on these things. Did the best I could. Hopefully they see something they like...

The Hoax -- the Lasse Hallstrom film I'm in starring Richard Gere and Alfred Molina -- comes out in November...

Website facelift here still in the works. It will look like a totally different site -- with a bunch of new content -- when we're done. I'll keep you updated...

Bob

August 9th, 2006
Hey, folks! Sorry. It's been awhile I know. What's new, what's new...?

Well, the Discovery show is being focus grouped in Las Vegas this week. At this point and time, I'm not very optimistic that the show will hit air anytime soon -- if at all. Call me pessimistic but that's what I feel. Let's hope I'm wrong...

I've been busy on the commercial front. Tomorrow I shoot a spot for Progressive Insurance and I may be booking a spot for Home Depot soon as well. We'll see...

I'm building a new demo reel right now. It's good to update things and keep it fresh. Thankfully, I have a good selection of stuff to choose from. The last couple of years have been kind to me credits-wise...

Matt and I are putting the finishing touches on some sketches we've written for an internet site competition. We send in our submissions Friday. If chosen, it could be a fun experience. I'll give you the details as soon as I can...

Neutrino has confirmed doing one of our video shows in this year's New York Television Festival. It'll be a mash-em-up show with another awesome improv group called Centralia. Once details are confirmed, I'll list them here on the site's show page.

Speaking of shows...Matt and I perform the last show of our current run of "Adult Contemporary" tomorrow night. It's been a fun, solid run. Slowly but surely the material is developing into something decent. It always takes awhile to build up new stuff...

NewzViewz is going strong. If you haven't checked it out already, please do. I'd love to see you there. Just go to www.channelblast.com and register yourself. Then join us on the NewzViewz page every Wednesday and Thursday night at 9pm (eastern).

Finally, it looks like I may be going to L.A. in a couple of weeks for meetings, etc. I always like visiting there and catching up with my peeps...

Talk to you later,
Bob

July 18th, 2006
Some new Bob Wiltfong things on the internet to keep you entertained:

Action 5 News Trailer

The Resident Christmas Special Promo

Interview with The Apiary

July 17th, 2006
Relatively quiet day. But when the product you're selling is yourself -- as is the case with me -- there are no "off" days really...

Mailing out postcards this afternoon for the new run of my Adult Contemporary show. Mix of industry folks and friends. Tonight, Matt and I will hopefully have another meeting with the website designer for www.bobandmatt.com. We've been working on the site since the beginning of this year so we're all anxious to get it launched for you guys to look at. Speaking of...

Sent an e-mail with notes for the guy who's updating this site -- www.bobwiltfong.com -- for me. I found some images on the net that I'm really excited about using as inspiration. Look for a brand new site here (with a bunch of brand new content) very soon! It should be very cool...

Tomorrow more commercial auditions and probably a meeting with Matt to go over our ideas for a sketch competition at JibJab.net.

Reminder: check out NewzViewz and join me for our live webcasts on Wednesday and Thursday night at 9pm (eastern). Something interesting is brewing there, folks...

Blob

July 13th, 2006
Auditioned for a new movie shooting in New York yesterday. Small world. The casting director I auditioned with was also from Omaha and went to the sister school of my high school (I went to an all-boys Jesuit high school called Creighton Prep).

We talked about another well-known entertainment alum from Prep: Alexander Payne. And I shared with her how I've always admired what Alexander has done and would love to, one day, work on one of his projects. She mentioned the name of the NY-based casting director that Alexander works with on his movies so who knows. One day...

NewzViewz is in full-effect, folks! If you haven't done so already, please join us. The show really is a lot of fun to do and be a part of it. I'm happy to report that we're getting a lot of "regulars" in the chatroom now. Evidently people are starting to make the show part of their Wendesday and Thursday night routine -- which is awesome.

Starting as early as tonight, we're going to start having guest comedian friends of mine come on and do "commentaries" on what's going on in the world. Tonight's topic (hopefully)? The Middle East. Oy vey...

My writing partner, Matt Oberg, and I met with a friend/development person for a website called JibJab.net earlier this week. We're taking part in a sketch competition for them that could lead us to working with director John Landis. Very exciting. Cross your fingers...

The Discovery Channel show is on hiatus for the time being while the network puts one of our episodes in front of focus groups (in Las Vegas) over the next couple of weeks. These focus groups will, no doubt, decide our fate in a lot of ways so let's hope there's a lot of Bob Wiltfong fans in Sin City!

See you on NewzViewz...
Bob

July 6th, 2006
Back from the holiday and straight back to work...

NewzViewz is up and running, folks! Please join me every Wednesday and Thursday night at 9pm (U.S. eastern) as we discuss the day's top stories as chosen by you, the viewer (what a concept, huh?). Experience first-hand what the future of viewer-driven news shows is like. There's some good things afoot here, folks... Hope to see (and hear from) you there tonight!

Before tonight's webcast, I'll be shooting the last (of our initial 6) episode for the Discovery show. After months of work, the production is finally nearing an end. Now we just start waiting for word from Discovery (and the focus groups they're doing) on: A.) Whether the show will air, and B.) Whether they'll pick up more episodes. I'm optimistic and hopeful on both fronts but I know nothing is guaranteed in this business.

Bottom line: I believe in the show and I think we've created something that's both very entertaining AND educational. So I'm very proud either way. Cross your fingers that you'll be able to see the fruits of our labor on a TV set near you soon.

This site is going to get a major face-lift in the coming weeks -- new look, new videos (tons of them), new content, etc. I met with a website designer before the holiday and we've started the ball rolling. I'm excited about the future! It's been a little over two years since the site launched (thank you for your support, everybody) and it's time to update some things and add some new features. The future is looking very bright for ol' www.bobwiltfong.com!

June 27th, 2006
Just added some new show dates to my shows page. Would love to have you along if you can make it. Also...

NewzViewz officially launches tomorrow night, folks. Please go to the site, register and join in the fray. I'm very excited about this show and think it promises to be the future of entertainment/news in the future...

Shoot for the Discovery Channel went well last night. A few bumps early on (as is usually the case) but I think we recovered nicely and got what we needed. Tonight's shoot allows me to be more of a "character." I'm totally looking forward to it.

Bob

June 26th, 2006
Another week of shooting for Discovery. As always, I'm looking forward to it. We feel like we're working on something really good. It's nice to work on things that you believe in and would watch even if you weren't involved. Speaking of...

I'm excited about the launch of this new webcast I'm doing: NewzViewz. The run-throughs/rehearsals we've done so far have been really promising and I feel like we may be on to something with the show. It's a pretty unique blend of news, comedy and multi-media sources -- all putting you, the viewer, at the forefront of the decision-making. I don't think you'll find a show like it anywhere else. We're scheduled to launch the show right after the 4th of July weekend. Please register today and join us for the adventure...

Watched Rebel Without a Cause this weekend. It was good. I can see why James Dean has such a following. There was something magnetic and real about him on screen. In the Bedroom is the next movie on the docket for us...

I'm scheduled to go to a Yankees game this week (for my wife's office outing). As a Mets fan, I'll be the one sitting in silent protest in the stands...

Have a good one,
Bob

June 23rd, 2006
That Verizon commercial I did is starting to run. I've had several people tell me they've seen it. Run, baby, run...

Three good days of shooting for the Discovery show. Great to be back at it. I'm really enjoying the experience and the people. We feel like we're hitting our stride a bit with what we're doing. It's a good feeling. Just hope the focus groups and network reviews of what we turn in agree...

Did another run-through of my new webcast last night -- www.channelblast.com/newzviewz. It was fun. We launch for the general public within the next few weeks. Anxious to see what lies ahead. Either way, it will be great experience for me in producing and hosting my own show. If interested, please register on the site and join me on this new adventure. I would love to have you along for the ride...

Got 3 movies from the library and am anxious to sit down and watch them: March of the Penguins, Rebel Without a Cause and In the Bedroom. I'll let you know what I think.

U.S. soccer team lost in the World Cup yesterday. Bummer. I was kinda looking forward to getting into World Cup, for a change...

Have a great weekend,
Bob

June 19th, 2006
Saw Nacho Libre on Friday. Man. It was not good. Sorry, folks. I love Jack Black. I think the movie Napoleon Dynamite is incredible (comedy classic) but this movie is a clinker in my opinion. Just goes to show you even the funniest, most talented people can throw gutter balls from time to time. Makes me appreciate the times when things hit even more. Magic in a bottle...

After a couple days of shooting wraps (ins and outs to segments) last week for Discovery, we start shooting a new episode this week. This will be episode four (out of six). I love the work so I'm looking forward to diving back in.

Over the weekend, I watched an hour-long documentary that recently aired on Sundance regarding famous psychology experiments of the past. It was good/interesting viewing. Makes me feel even better about what we're trying to accomplish with the show: entertain and educate about the human psyche and why we do the things we do.

Had a great first Father's Day. We spent the weekend with my brother and his partner at their new home. Sawyer traveled pretty well all things considered. Happy to be a dad.

Talk to you later,
Bob

June 12th, 2006
So the U.S. got its ass kicked at the World Cup today. 3-0 to Czech Republic. Just when I try to get into soccer...

Tomorrow: industrial job for Pepsi Bottling then a website meeting for www.bobandmatt.com (slowly but surely it's getting there). Thursday: another day of shooting for the Discovery show. In between those days: who knows.

New Dixie Chicks album: very good ("Lullaby" track a personal favorite)
New York Mets: great (weird to be rooting for a first-place team)
My son: officially kicks ass (happy to be a dad to the little guy)

Bob

June 6th, 2006
Spent the weekend in western Nebraska attending a family reunion/old car rally. It was fun. We visited Chimney Rock and other local sites involving the Oregon Trail. Part of the country few people explore.

I'm on Pepper Dennis tonight. Look for it. Lance Powers on The WB at 9pm eastern.

At that same time, I'll be doing a soft-launch of the new webcast I'm hosting -- www.newzviewz.com. "Soft launch" means it'll be just for friends and family tonight (so we can get their feedback and improve the product before launching it for the general public). It's a great and fun challenge for me. Looking forward to it.

I don't know if it'll come up in the webcast tonight but I'm a little perturbed by some recent reporting by the New York Post. The paper has been describing the people where I come from -- Omaha -- as "hayseeds" in recent reporting about terrorism funding. I know New Yorkers have a right to be upset about the allocation of terrorism funding at this point but -- as a former news reporter myself (and a current, and proud, New Yorker)-- I think it's unfair and inflammatory to call people in Omaha "hayseeds." It would be like the Omaha World-Herald reporting that the "jabronis" in New York City want more money for protection against terrorism. I know the Post is not exactly the standard of journalism but still...

Tomorrow we shoot more wraps for the Discovery show (around Manhattan). Hopefully, we'll get it all done tomorrow. I would hate for this "hayseed" to get lost in the big city shooting on a second day... ;-)

Go Mets.
Bob

June 2nd, 2006
Short, but busy, week. Had a few commercial auditions, made some good progress on Matt and I's website and did a run-through of the new webcast I'll be hosting soon -- www.channelblast.com. I was also approached to do some industrial work for Pepsi later this month (which I agreed to).

Next week, Discovery starts shooting again.

Have a good weekend!
Bob

May 25th, 2006
Fun week so far...

On Monday, I met with the producer and executive producer of the Discovery show to go over individual notes on our first episode. I was encouraged by them as it seems to me the network is wanting to go the same direction as I want to in performance and structure of the show. I'm excited about the future.

On Tuesday, I did a small role for some friends producing an internet pilot for NBC. They shot it in the studio for Saturday Night Live. Very cool to be in that space. We joked around that we should take a crap in the corner somewhere since that was the closest we were going to get to actually working on the show. At one point, we waved at some tourists (above us in a glassed-in room) who were on a tour of the place and looked like they were desperately trying to see someone "famous" among us working in the space. Imagine their disappointment when they saw it was just us... ;-)

On Wednesday (yesterday), I shot a commercial for Verizon in New Jersey. I think it went O.K. (you never know until you see the finished product). As an actor, I find myself -- after every take -- going over the performance and what I could have done differently/better. It's a little irritating/mentally tiring (over time) but necessary. The director of the spot is the same guy I worked with on a recent Jackson Hewitt spot. He's good. Knows what he's doing. I'm sure the spot will turn out well...

Today (Thursday) I meet with my co-host (Cooper Lawrence) and the production team on the Discovery show to go over the future of the show and what we can do to make the show better moving forward (based, in large part, on the notes from network). Cooper and I get along well and I'm excited about getting in the same room and brain-storming some ideas. I think the show really has the potential to be outstanding...

Also today I plan on meeting with Matt to hammer out some of our website content. We have to come to an agreement on some things before our website designer can put them into practice. The site's going to be really fun/cool, folks...

Matt and I are also starting to fine-tune our TV show ideas. We have a few of them that we're working on. The idea is, once they're ready to pitch, we'll shop them around to networks and see if anyone's interested in buying. With most networks now launching internet-only original programming, there's alot more opportunity for people like us to fill voids...

Beautiful weather in New York right now. Awesome.

Mets have won the first 2 games of their 3-game series with the Phillies. Even more awesome.

I'm watching the movie Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (directed by George Clooney) right now. It's good. I'm impressed with the movies Clooney has directed so far. Their good. The guy is obviously pretty talented -- and (according to everyone I've talked to that's run into him) a down-to-earth good guy.

Did I mention the new Snow Patrol album is great? If not...it is.

Have a good one,
Bob

May 19th, 2006
Shows last night went well. I can't remember the last time I performed improv with Neutrino. It's been too long. I'm happy to report things went well. Also, several people (who'd seen the show before) commented that our POW show was tighter and better than they'd ever seen it. That's good. Means we've made progress (just like you, hopefully, do with all shows you run and run and run...). Speaking of...

Adult Contemporary (new sketch show with Matt) does it's final performance of this current run tomorrow night. Things are on track for a sell-out crowd. Should be a fun night...

Another commercial callback today. Been going on a lot of callbacks recently. That's good. It usually means I'm going to book something soon...

Mets/Yankees tonight. Looking forward to catching the games this weekend...

Bob

May 18th, 2006
Big night tonight. Doing the POW show in a double-bill with my improv comedy team, Neutrino. Looking forward to it. Should be fun. I would love to see you there in the crowd if you can make it. Check out my shows page for details. It's gonna be a GREAT show...

Saturday we perform our last show (of this current run) for "Adult Contemporary." We're expecting a sell-out so it should be a fun atmosphere. I'll flyer for the show this afternoon. I want it to be standing-room only...

The website for me and Matt is coming along nicely (after a delay in production). I'm super excited about launching it. What I've seen so far rocks. Should be a really cool website and fun to navigate...

This afternoon I visit with the producers of the Discovery show to go over the notes from network on our first/pilot episode. I'm going into the meeting to listen and learn. Bottom line, I want the show to be as good as it can be and am willing to do whatever to get it there. I think it has the potential to be something very cool and special...

See you on the stage tonight!
Bob

May 16th, 2006
A little bit of a break happening right now. It's nice. I've been going non-stop it seems for awhile...

Discovery wrapped shooting yesterday for the next couple of weeks. We ended the day by screening a first cut of the first episode of the show. I have no idea what we have. It's impossible for me to be objective about my own performance and you just never know what you have until it's all done and an audience watches it. It's the same in everything I've ever done as a performer. If it matters, my wife thought the show was great and the feedback from the network has been positive. So we'll see...

Tonight, my character, Lance Powers, debuts on Pepper Dennis. I'm looking forward to seeing it. Lance is a small role but a fun, recurring one. You can catch him in a couple more future episodes after tonight as well.

Busy week of stage shows this week. Thursday night I perform in a double-bill of my improv comedy team, Neutrino, and Matt and I's POW show. We haven't done POW in awhile in New York and there's some industry folks who would like to see it so hopefully they can make it that night. Then on Saturday we do the last performance of our current run of that new sketch show: Adult Contemporary. It's shaping up to be a sell-out so it should be a good energy in the theater for the show. Always fun to do a show for a packed audience...

Got back into the commercial circuit today by doing a callback for a voice-over job. I don't feel nearly as confident about my voice-over work as I do my on-camera work so we'll see if I book it...

Looking for good, new music? Try Snow Patrol's new album. It's great. Got it this weekend off iTunes and have been listening to it non-stop since.

Mets begin a tough stretch of games tonight with St. Louis on the road and then the Yankees at home. I guess we'll find out if this team truly is different from years past soon...

Have a good one. We'll talk to you later...
Bob

May 9th, 2006
Second week of shooting for the Discovery show. Yesterday we spent the day at Central Park (with mixed results). I love the work but (with a newborn at home) the call-times and work schedule gets pretty grueling. It's hard to be "on" when you're exhausted...

New Pepper Dennis episode tonight on The WB. Next week, my character, Lance Powers, is scheduled to debut on the show...

Debut of the new sketch show Saturday night went as any new material up for the first time in front of an audience is expected to go: rough. Given my work and home schedule recently, I'm just glad we were able to put up a show of any sort! Hopefully, the next two Saturdays will allow us to iron out the rough spots and start to find our way a little bit with the material...

Matt and I's website designer -- for www.bobandmatt.com -- has pretty much fallen off the face of the earth. I'm a little concerned. He's a friend. He hasn't returned our e-mails and phone calls for weeks. In the meantime, our website sits in neutral. Hopefully, I can get to the bottom of it sometime soon. I hope he's O.K....

Talk soon,
Bob

May 5th, 2006
Tiring (in a good way) week. Been busy shooting a new episode for that Discovery show I'm doing. Today we wrap this episode with a shoot at Grand Central. Yesterday I was so tired (with previous work on the show, working on the new sketch show and baby) that my performance suffered a little bit I think. So I'm going to try to get a good night's sleep tonight. Hopefully, Sawyer will agree to that...

The shoots have been going great. Every once in awhile we don't get what we expected but, at the end of the day, we're still getting really good stuff. I'm looking forward to the show hitting air (in the fall -- at least that's the scheduled air date now).

Talked to the organizers of the New York Television Festival yesterday. Gave them official permission to use our Weathermen Boys sitcom pilot as part of a thing they're doing with msn.com to promote the idea of the festival. Looking forward to see what happens with that. I love the cast we put together for the pilot. I'm hopeful (and confident) that a few years from now people will see the pilot as a who's who of the next group of comedy stars from New York...

The Mets keep winning. Sweet. Makes up for all the years of suffering. Let's hope it continues...

Have a good weekend,
Bob

April 28th, 2006
Viewed a first cut of the first episode of that new Discovery show I'm doing yesterday. It looks GREAT! Really good/funny/informative. The guy editing our show is the same guy behind the wonderfully twisted show, Wonder Showzen, on MTV2 and is doing an outstanding job with our stuff. Now we just have to cross our fingers that the folks at Discovery network like the cut as well. Episode two shoots next week...

We're trying to schedule some run-throughs next week for the webcast -- www.channelblast.com -- I'm hosting. Hopefully, we can get it done -- in between the Discovery shoot and rehearsals for my new sketch show with Matt (and the baby). Speaking of scheduling...

Matt and I have been offered a corporate gig doing our POW show for Capital One in Virginia in June. Unfortunately, the date(s) we're looking at right now conflict with the Discovery shoot schedule. We'll work something out...

I've been checking out old movies at the library recently and am in the middle of watching "Singing in the Rain" right now (it's great, by the way). Gene Kelly & Company are immensely talented -- singing, dancing, etc. -- and it makes me wonder if today's "stars" have the talent to match the "stars" of old. Today it seems like more people are being cast in starring roles because of their celebrity -- rather than their talent. Oh well. Maybe I'm just getting old and cranky...

Mets vs. Braves tonight. Pedro vs. Smoltz. Looking forward to it...

April 26th, 2006
Watched the latest installment of Pepper Dennis last night. Very good stuff. The show is getting better and better with each episode. Last night's show was directed by the same guy who directed the first episode I'm in: Bob Berlinger. Speaking of...

I am told that my character, Lance Powers, is scheduled to debut on the show Tuesday, May 16th. I don't know the dates of the other episodes I'm in yet. Viva la Pepper Dennis!

This afternoon I audition for a new Jodie Foster film being shot here in New York and then meet up with Matt to do our first full rehearsal of our new sketch show -- called "Adult Contemporary."

Tomorrow I view a cut of the first episode of the Discovery show I'm doing. I'm excited to see it but, then again, not. I have a hard time viewing my own performances objectively and it's nice to be surprised by the end product of things. However, this is the first episode of the show and it's important, I think, to see it before it's finalized (so we can adjust things accordingly for future episodes). Speaking of...we start shooting episode 2 and 3 starting next week.

I recently got some more residuals for my work on Chappelle's Show (DVD sales). Nice. Can't say the same for my work on The Daily Show, unfortunately. Although I'm on the 2004 Election DVD collection, I get zippo from their sales. That, obviously, sucks but, on the bright side of things, it's fabulous to be part of that work.

Mets are back on their winning ways beating the Giants last night 4-1. Atlanta is once again on the horizon here...

April 22nd, 2006
I'm wrapped on my Pepper Dennis shoots here in L.A. Time to go back home! As always, I had a great experience here. The cast and crew of this show is outstanding -- fun, talented, easy to work with, etc. I'm excited about seeing the end product of our work. Tune in to Pepper Dennis every Tuesday night to catch my Lance Powers appearances...

It's funny. As an actor, some of the most involved/complicated dialogue pieces I've had to deliver usually come at the end of shoots (after a loooong day of shooting and everyone's anxious to get the hell out of there). Fatigue sets in and it's hard to remember your lines. Such was my experience last night as I was the last on-camera dialogue for the night -- and struggled a bit to nail my lines. No biggee. We got it done (with little wasted effort). But it's always interesting -- when you see the finished product of things -- to realize, "Oh my God. We did that in the middle of the night. I was so burned out by then. I can't believe I spit those words out of my mouth..."

Looking forward to a weekend of relaxation and then, on Monday, more auditions and preparing of my new stage show with Matt...

April 19th, 2006
Wrapped shooting on the latest episode of Pepper Dennis today. I have tomorrow off and then shoot another episode on Friday. Great experience so far. Looking forward to getting back on the set and playing evil personified (a.k.a. my character, Lance Powers)! Always fun to play the "bad" guy...

Confirmed a special performance of my POW show for next month in NYC. On the same bill, a performance by my improv comedy team, Neutrino. Check out my shows page for details. Get your tickets now. Should be a very fun night! Thanks for your support...

Matt and I are working on our new stage show (a sketch show called "Bob and Matt: Adult Contemporary") right now. We like what we have so far but you never know until you put it up in front of an audience...

Mets lost 2 out of the 3 to the frickin' Braves. When will they go away...?
Bob

April 13th, 2006
I'm pretty exhausted.

The D.C. gigs went great (a few tech problems but no biggee). We played to good crowds and people dug the show. We have a couple of promising leads it looks like out of it for corporate gigs. Speaking of...

Just got back from Minneapolis yesterday after doing a gig for the Entrepeneurs Organization there. I felt like some in the audience were afraid to let their guard down and just have a good time. Some of that we chalk up to the fact that we did the show in a conference room of a law firm. I thought that would make the show feel "real" -- which it did -- but I think it also put people in too much of a "work mode." Oh well. You live and you learn...

As if Matt and I didn't get enough of each other on these trips...we also hosted the shows at The P.I.T. last night here in New York. It was a good opportunity for us to try out some bits we're working on for our new sketch show next month (and also plug the show to the audience). It's pretty cool to see how popular the Wednesday night shows have gotten there at the theater. The place was packed for most of the shows...

Today I make travel arrangements for another trip to L.A. I'll be out there shooting a couple more episodes for Pepper Dennis (playing Pepper's nemesis, Lance Powers, at a competing TV station in town). Tune into The WB on Tuesday nights to catch Pepper in action. I should be making my debut within the next few weeks...

The launch of the webcast I'm hosting is in a holding pattern for now. My other jobs (and travel) have made it difficult to schedule. But it's coming. We did shoot some more people-on-the-street interviews for the site on Tuesday while in Minneapolis...

I know I'll have some uninterrupted time here in New York coming up as I'll be shooting the latest episodes for the new Discovery show in early May. Like I've always said, it's good to be busy...

But tack on a new baby and a new sketch show in the works and you can understand why I'm pretty exhausted these days...

Bob

April 7th, 2006
Went out with a stylist yesterday to get hip fashions for my appearances on that new Discovery show. It was a first for me. I've never had a stylist before. It was cool to have someone going out shopping for you, picking out things to hip-ify your look -- tall task given my current "look."

Anyway...I noticed a lot of "hip" clothing stores these days have dance music pumping when you're in the store. One place was so loud you had to yell at the person helping you to be heard. Am I getting too old or are some of these places' music ridiculously loud?

Today I head to D.C. for those comedy gigs. Then to Minneapolis for the corporate gig. Busy few days ahead. Gonna try to use my time on trains and planes to write our new stage show...

Bought the new Morrissey album off iTunes yesterday. Anxious to hear what the new songs sound like. Looking forward to new Bright Eyes tracks coming soon...?

Have a good weekend,
Bob

April 5th, 2006
The pilot episode of Pepper Dennis aired last night. Great fun to watch. Looking forward to seeing the season evolve. My character, Lance Powers, I think is introduced in episode 5 or 6. I'll let you know here on the site as soon as it's confirmed.

Another thing you might be interested in...my co-host for that Discovery show I'm doing is a lovely, talented lady by the name of Cooper Lawrence. You can learn more about her by visiting her website here.

I've been out of the commercial audtioning circuit for awhile -- due to other work and obligations. If all goes well, I'll get back into it this afternoon with an audition for a commercial for Stop N' Shop. Those commercial gigs are nice little paychecks that help pay the bills...

New Morrissey album out. Gotta check it out. Also...Mets won their home opener on Monday. Yay! Let's hope they can get in another win tonight. My son is still a little too small to fit into his Cornhuskers outfit but that day is coming, folks! Go. Big. Red.

Have a good one,
Bob

March 31st, 2006
Some questions I've gotten recently off the website here:

1.) Do you keep in touch with Dave Chappelle?

No. Although I worked on his show several times and shared some very pleasant conversations with him while on set, I barely know him away from his work. I can tell you the guy is one of the nicest, coolest, down-to-earth comedians I've worked with -- and funny as hell to boot. I will forever wish him nothing but the best.

2.) When will you be performing in a city near me?

My writing/performing partner, Matt Oberg, and I are hitting the road for Washington DC next weekend to take part in the Washington D.C. Comedy Festival. We'll not only be performing our stage show, POW, twice (Friday and Saturday night) down there, we'll also be taking part in a writing seminar and hosting viewings of our sitcom pilot, The Weathermen Boys.

A couple of days later, we head to Minneapolis for a private, corporate gig (closed to the general public -- sorry).

Keep checking my shows page for new gigs as they become confirmed. There's talk of going to L.A. later this year -- among other places. And Matt and I will be putting up a brand new sketch show in New York in May.

3.) Where on the internet should I be looking for your new webcast talk show?

Here. The site is scheduled to launch in the coming weeks. I'll let you know here on my website as soon as it does. We're still fine-tuning the show format and content right now. I can tell you that our goal with the show is to provide you something that you cannot find anywhere on TV. Meaning: it will be kick-ass, cool, cutting-edge, global in reach and computer-centric.

4.) Will I be able to download it from itunes?

We're still working that out but, yes, that is the hope right now that you'll be able to download shows on your iPod as they happen. We'll see...

5.) When can I see you on the tube again?

For now...only in commercials (and random re-runs of my previous work). However, I have a couple of projects currently in production that you'll see me with soon:

* I'm a re-occurring character in the new Rebecca Romjin show on the WB, Pepper Dennis. I shot my first episode in L.A. a couple of weeks ago and it looks like I'm going back out in a couple more weeks to shoot another one. I play Pepper's rival at a competing TV station in Chicago (where the show takes place). The guy's name is Lance Powers and he's a complete ass. Pretty fun to play the "bad guy."

* I've just wrapped production on the first episode of a new show on The Discovery Channel that's tentatively scheduled to air in August. I can't say much about it right now except that it's very funny and informative. I will be co-host of the show and will also be doing a fair amount of improv comedy work in several different characters for the show. Production on future episodes will take up most of my time in the coming months. As soon as I have confirmed details of show title, air dates, etc. I'll post them here on my site.

Thanks for your interest and support everybody! Please feel free to e-mail me more of your thoughts and questions. It may take me awhile to respond (sorry in advance) but I will eventually!

Have a great weekend,
Bob

March 26th, 2006
First week of production on the new Discovery show I'm doing. So far, so good. Really funny and enlightening moments so far in the stuff we're getting. Two more days of shooting this week and the first episode will be in the can.

Matt came out to my home yesterday for a writing meeting. With the baby and all the professional stuff going on in my life right now, finding time to write our new stage show and put together our website has been tough. It's pretty exhausting. It's good to be busy but my life, at times, is ridiculous these days. Need to find a break. Thankfully, they're coming soon...

April should be an interesting month. Pepper Dennis premieres on April 4th and The Hoax (the movie starring Richard Gere that I have a small role in) is supposed to hit theaters -- at least the last I heard that was the case...

Sleep, come to me...
Bob

March 20th, 2006
Did a run-through of sorts of the internet talk show -- NewzViewz -- on Friday. Went well. This is going to be a lot of fun (and work). Anxious to get going on it. Launch date is tentatively set for April 4th.

Tomorrow we begin production on that new Discovery show I'm involved in. Here we go...

Watched The Good, The Bad and The Ugly over the weekend. Funny to watch a western made up of largely Italian actors. But it was good/entertaining.

My team, K.U., lost in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Oy vey...

Bob

March 16th, 2006
Last day in L.A. Last day of shooting for my Pepper Dennis gig. So far so good on that. Cast and crew are great. Friendly and professional. Looking forward to seeing the finished product (and coming back again to reprise my role as Lance Powers).

Yesterday was an off day for me so I:

1.) Got way too much exposure to the L.A. sun and, as a result, got a not-so-flattering red neck and face (I do not do well in the sun folks). Remember Will Farrell's makeup from the Oscars this year? That's basically what I look like now.

2.) Shot m.o.s. interviews on the Santa Monica promenade for an upcoming episode of my new internet-only talk show: www.newzviewz.com. If you go to the site now, you'll see an old version of what newzviewz used to be. They're going to re-launch it (with me as the host) in the coming weeks. The format, at this point, is evolving (and somewhat limitless) so I'm trying hard to make what I bring to it fun, interesting and different from any other news-based programing out there (TV, radio or internet). I'll let you know when the launch is imminent so you can log in and watch...

3.) Auditioned for a sitcom pilot at CBS.

4.) Had another meeting with Comedy Central folks here. We'll see what, if anything, happens from it. Either way, good to get to know these folks (and vice-versa). I'm hopeful that, down the line, we can sell some original programming ideas to them. And, who knows, maybe I'll do some more on-camera work for them at some point. We'll see...

Right now my heart and efforts (and loyalty) lie with The Discovery Channel where I'll be hosting that new show for them. Production starts next week in New York. Can't wait. This is going to be a great show! I'm very impressed with the network programming these days (good, smart, fun shows that are very well produced). Looking forward to throwing myself into the mix...

5.) Finished my day with a wonderful Mexican dinner with my friends that I'm staying with here in L.A. Marc Campbell is a founding member of Neutrino and owner of a new (great) improv/comedy theater in Santa Monica called the Westside Eclectic. The place is taking off for him which is wonderful to see/hear. We're hopeful that Neutrino will be able to come here later this year to perform at the space and maybe offer a workshop or two on improv (and improvsing for the camera). We'll see...

Off to the Pepper Dennis set...
Bob

March 13th, 2006
I'm in L.A. for the Pepper Dennis shoot. I play a guy by the name of Lance Powers. Should be fun...

Spent part of the plane ride out here writing content for Matt and I's new website. We haven't made the progress yet that we had hoped. Matt's in a play. I'm plenty busy (and have the baby in my life now) so time is being a little squeezed for both of us. Regardless, it'll get done soon enough. I'm excited about what we have so far and look forward to debuting it.

Gotta get some sleep now...

March 2nd, 2006
Good meetings today.

Had a lunch-time meeting with what I call my "brain trust" -- representatives, writing partner and producer we're working with -- on the TV show ideas we're going to try to explore with some networks in the coming months. I feel like we have some really good, do-able ideas. Just gotta put in the work to flush them out.

Met with the folks behind the new website I'll be hosting some original programming on in the near future. The site is called Channel Blast. Check it out here. I'll be hosting a news/issues show for the site when it launches in a few weeks. Once it's up, you'll be able to watch me on the internet on a regular basis doing new content every week -- and leading people from around the world in a conversation about topics/issues in our world today. Should be fun, thought-provo