Just wanted to brag a bit. My local ABC affiliate here in Dallas has a new anchor on its early morning news show, and they’ve really been pulling out all the stops promoting him – I’ve seen billboards, bus ads, magazine ads, radio, and TV commercials. The ads are pretty funny, and the new anchor is being a really good sport about the stuff they’ve got him doing in them.
Well, I landed a part in one of the commercials! I got a casting notice looking for an overweight white male (a “Kevin James type”). One could argue that I’ve been preparing for THAT part my whole adult life, so I sent in my headshot and resume. The casting director replied within a half-hour, requesting a full-length shot and asking whether I’d be willing to appear shirtless. :dubious:
I said tentatively yes, and she asked me to self-tape an audition video pretending to take a shower while being ambushed by a reporter. I did this; to set myself apart, I sang “I Feel Pretty” while pretend-showering.
As I said, I got the part, and filmed it maybe six weeks ago. It started running a couple of days ago, and people have been reporting seeing it during shows like Jimmy Kimmel, Dancing with the Stars, and the local news. I wanted my Doper buddies to share in my excitement, too, so here’s a link to the video. (Warning: shirtless fat guy.)
Although I have to admit your name wouldn’t have been the first I would have thought of if somebody asked me which dopers I’d like to see taking a shower.
Actually, no. That take was the last one we did in the shower itself before we switched to a different setup. Up to then it had just been me screaming, and much shorter, more of a yelp; for that one, I suggested a longer scream just to mix it up, and Ron decided to join in on the spur of the moment. You can see in the commercial that he starts screaming a second after I do – I guess he matched pitches on the fly.
You have a lot of talent, Chef Troy. A lessor actor would rely on their own innate personality without examining the inner turmoil of the character. When watching William Shatner perform, the viewer always knows it is William Shatner that they are watching and never truly buys in to the character as a separate person. You were able to transcend that, and the audience doesn’t see “Chef Troy” but is instead transported into the private world of “screaming fat guy in shower”. It was an amazing performance.
I guess they could have, but I’m sure glad they didn’t (on more than one level – if you think MY man-boobs are unsightly, just imagine Dale’s. At least my man-boobs aren’t wrinkly).
Looks like you had fun.
