I cannot wait to see the video of you and your mom cooking. I need a recipe for leftover turkey. Turkey and rice sounds great. I have an 18 lb turkey and it is only for me and my 2 cats.

LOL … “A face made for chimping” is right up there with “sexual extremists”. I always love the energy when Gregg is on the show.

This week was so busy with fabulous guests and that’s great!

But please, I beg you! Give me Amanda back! I miss her smashing my eardrums.

Hasenpfeffer Fridays? Is it okay to eat rabbit on Lent?

If it doesn’t count as meat, let me know. After 10+ months of vege/pescetarianism, I’m getting hungry…

Wow that’s a really pretty closing song. I might just have to buy it! You guys should make a deal with the artists to do a FOF CD containing music by the indy artists played on the show. That would kick ass! Sort of like a conglomeration of tunes featured on the FOF. I’m sure it would sell on ITunes.

I just want to say that I have a crush on Gregg Shapiro. Maybe it’s the shaved head and goatee (a look which I often sport and am very turned on by in other men). Maybe it’s the fact that he’s got a necklace with a gold 45 rpm adapter hanging from it (and how many of you actually know what those are, I’m showing my age, yikes). Maybe it’s the fact that he’s such a pop culture junkie that I know we would have tons to talk about. Now if he were only kinky he’d be my perfect match. Sigh.

I had to comment about the Mamma Mia Effect you guys were talking about. It’s not like this is an original idea. I remember bitching about this very thing when Moulin Rouge (a movie I absolutely hated) came out. A close friend pointed out that the idea of using popular songs to tell a story in a musical goes back to the big MGM musicals. They often used songs that were well known as standards back then, but through the years the songs have become associated with the movies rather than the people who originally recorded them. And when I saw Across the Universe the first thing I thought was, “Oh my God, they’ve remade Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, but without the Bee Gee’s.” Actually, it seems more like a remake of Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, but using Beatles music instead of the famous French composer. (See Greg, I am the man for you. Come over to the dark side.)

I love Gregg too. In fact I probably have a crush on him AND PupDon… so there!

The “Mamma Mia” effect is a strange one. People like things to be familiar, and rarely do show tunes crossover to become hits like they used to. So the easiest way to suck people in the theatres is to promise them tunes they recognize immediately. In addition to Abba, there are revues around the Beach Boys, Queen, Bob Dylan, Elvis, the Beatles (count the Cirque show too!), and anything you can think of. We’ve seen movies become musicals like SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER, XANADU, THE PRODUCERS, and the just opened YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN. Then there’s all the Disney musicals too. Muscial theatre is really becoming bland, boring, and safe. But what can you do when the pop songs mean profit? I think we’re stuck with the “Mamma Mia” effect for quite a while.

I’d rather see a Sondheim show, but what can you do?

I didnt knew Abba means Dad really interesting taht y i like this show I always learn useslles information lol Luv the show guys have a nice weekend

I know its gonna be a great show when greg is on. His laugh and wit are very fun to listen to. He makes a good contrast to Marc and Fausto. I think they always have great shows with greg. But my favorite thing about this episode is when fausto freaked out about Tony Kushner…”fuck you tony kushner….” I don’t know but i love it when fausto Says that line….he says it with such verve and gusto it winds me up. Anyhow great show everyone!

And no Fausto French people do not eat squarrels in France…!

Well if not in France then where do French people eat them, Yves?

I’m just giving Tony Kushner some shade, Xavi. I kid because I love his work.

But the title he have to the show ensured it would kill it. The name was “too obtuse” as they say in media circles. The name would make most people wonder what the show was about. he was trying to be “smart” about the title, instead of calling the show: “Caroline’s Change” or “Changing Caroline” or “Caroline at the Crossroads.”

It’s like calling our show “Of Fools And Feast” or “Fools, For Wait Feast.” New Yorkers just love nonsensical shows, like “Waiting for Godot” or “Cats.”

you know you are a true theater fag when the mention of Tony Kushner’s name makes you go red with rage in two seconds. That rant was the funniest thing I heard all day Fausto.

I actually liked across the universe, it was very well done, even if the music wasn’t original.

I adore it when Gregg Shapiro is on….I logged in today to find out what he looks like because I suddenly realised I have this image in my head of him looking like Greg Proops from Whose Line Is It Anyway? !

Thanks for bringing up the topic of musicals based on/around pop songs/movies and not stories written for musical theatre with original songs that progress the plot….in London’s West End there are tons of these playing now:

Mama Mia (songs of Abba)
Desperately Seeking Susan (based on the movie, with the songs of Blondie….what the hell?)
We Will Rock You (songs of Queen)
Never Forget (songs of Take That)
Buddy (songs of Buddy Holly)

Hairspray (based on the movie)
Gone with the Wind (based on the book/movie)
Dirty Dancing (based on the movie)
Footloose (based on the movie)
Billy Elliot (based on the movie)
Lord of the Rings (based on books, capitalising on recent movies)
Spamalot (based on Holy Grail movie, but with original content added, so they’re somewhat forgiven)
Lion King (based on the movie)

It feels like everything out there is something I’ve already seen in another form. Going to Avenue Q in January and soooooo looking forward to it as it seems like the only NEW original thing happening!