Yep, I was just waiting until that moment happened, as opposed to just being really lazy and unmotivated.
A few weeks back, a couple folks emailed me to say that Spike TV was on the hunt for a new late night host and based on what they were looking for, I was a highly qualified candidate.
Here's the deets:
SPIKE TV LAUNCHES A NATIONWIDE SEARCH FOR COMEDIC TALENT TO HOST NEW LATE-NIGHT TALK SHOW
New York, NY, February 25, 2010 – Spike TV will launch a nationwide search this week to find undiscovered comedic talent for a new late-night talk show. The series is being developed and executive produced by Thom Beers, owner of Original Productions ( “The Deadliest Catch,” “Ice road Truckers,” “Ax Men,” and “Monster Garage.”)
The new late-night entry will differ from the typical late-night chatter of movie stars and politicos and will seek out ordinary people doing extraordinary things. The host search will focus on the same types: undiscovered comedic talent who mirror the regular, everyday guys the show will target.
Casting directors will scour the country and hold open calls in New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and San Francisco (times and dates tbd), seeking two males who appear to be in their late twenties to mid-thirties. The perfect candidate will have a likeable, regular-guy appeal with inherent comedic talent. Candidates selected will be flown to Los Angeles for a screen test with network executives.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the right individual,” said Beers. “We want that laid back guy with whom every dude wants to be friends. He drinks beer, loves sports, video games and is unassuming and approachable.”
So I went to the open call audition and had all of 30 seconds to bring the thunder and wow the casting directors.
From there, things progressed far enough that by the end of the next week I found myself staring down the barrel of an unprecedented third call back and showcasing for the show's producers and Spike TV executives. Apparently they had seen over 1200 people in their search. I was among the final cut of 29, a good chunk of which were fellow comics who I knew.
The showcase went well. We had tell a humorous anecdote and then add our own spin to a monologue they had written.
Unfortunately, I didn't make the final, final cut.
The week before, I not only met Rowdy Roddy Piper, I got to go ride bikes with 2006 Tour de France champion Floyd Landis (I don't think he cheated so much as got hosed by the French thank you very much).
As that week wrapped up, issued a dare to the cosmos to make the next week even better. It was amazing how close that came to happening and was one of those times that makes you take a step back and smile at how strange things can get. One day you're picking belly button lint to pass the time. The next, you're on the precipice of having your own TV show. Good times.
Anyway, here's me and Piper. He was awe. some.
