Quick drawing of Fourth Doctor (Tom Baker) and his best known companion, Sarah Jane. Of course, daleks are never satisfied. Drawn by Michele Witchipoo, Nov. 2015 for Sketch Lottery. Pen and ink.
I have a particular fondness for the Fourth Doctor. Growing up during the early 1980s, I discovered Doctor Who by syndication. It was broadcast on a local NYC television station, WOR, which was channel nine on the dial. It’s Saturday early afternoon slot was right before wrestling.
For the hell of it, I’ll slap on this video:
For months watching Doctor Who became my weekend ritual, watching the Fourth Doctor and his companion Sarah Jane Smith on their various adventures. Not much was known back about Doctor Who. I didn’t know that Doctors regenerate, with companions that come and go. So when Sarah Jane left, I was heartbroken. Leela just wasn’t the same. Foolish, I know. Thus stories of Time Lords was eventually dropped along with those tacky wrestling matches that followed afterwards. Besides, music was taking over. It was the age of New Wave and ’80s Pop. Joan Jett, The Go-Go’s, and later Culture Club with Boy George captured my imagination. After all, I was only 13 years old.
Of course years later, Doctor Who finally broke out of PBS obscurity. If you follow pop culture, you probably know the rest. As they say, you never forget your first Doctor. While I’m fond of the Tenth Doctor, portrayed by David Tennant, my favorite still remains the Fourth, as defined by Tom Baker.
Anyway, check out my piece on Sketch Lottery, and of course, don’t forget to check out the other artists. I’ll leave you with another WOR station identification clip.
Last week’s character on Sketch Lottery was none other than Morticia Adams. You can see my version of this Goth-prototype on the site. Threw in a tad bit of an Art Nouveau influence in this sketch.
Morticia Adams drawn by Michele Witchipoo for Sketch Lottery. Dec. 2014.
Usually I don’t like to go back into the past. The only thing I tend to get nostalgic for is music. Usually people think I’m much younger. Once someone talks to me about music, bands I’m into and concerts I’ve seen, thus my true age is revealed. Music is one of the few things that tends to date me. Outside of music and fashion, I don’t like to look back. Much rather live in the present.
Back in March 2004, I had a one day gig. The time I was an extra for a FOX network show.
Jonny Zero never really had a chance, as it was canceled just after eight episodes. Back in 2005, the show was put in the Friday night ‘death slot.’ As an action drama it really had no fighting chance against the popular reality shows.
Me as an extra at the Jonny Zero TV shoot. March 2004. Here you can see me kinda cranky. Need my caffeine. Had been up since 6:58 am in the morning, so I could arrive in full outfit for a shoot beginning at 11am. Among some of my accessories was my beloved vinyl bat shaped purse. Still miss that bag.
As my recollections would have it, I remember having to get up around 6:58 am to be on time for the 11am shooting. The location was at a now defunct club located on West 14th street, known for having goth and fetish parties. As a non union extra, I was told during the audition to bring two outfits for the taping. On set, it was easily seen who were the ‘lifestyle’ Goths and the actors under the SAG banner. The SAG extras had the cliche’ touches such as black lipstick, badly applied eyeliner and layers of ultra white face makeup. The true Goths had the Frankenstein platform boots, for example, popular within that subculture during the first 2000 decade. Think New Rock boots. Used to own a few platforms myself.
Me at the Jonny Zero filming, March 2004. NYC. My time as a ‘Goth’ TV background/extra. What ever happened to this outfit?
Among the SAG extras, this pretty platinum blond lady with a long fake ponytail sat next to me. “What’s your name” she demanded. I replied “Michele. What’s your name?” With a swish of her fake ponytail extension, her response was “I’m bitter.” Another swish, she snorted “I’m too old for this shit.” Okay…thus set the tone. Continuing the one side convo, she began name dropping. “I’m friends with Voltaire.” The singer, not the philosopher. I was not impressed.
Non union ‘Goth’ extras at the ‘Jonny Zero’ filming. March 2004. NYC. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.
I found better company among my own crew, the non union real time Goths. A few club kids were roped in for Jonny Zero as well. In between camera takes, I mostly hung out with Grace. We had both worked at both the same punk clothing store on St. Mark’s Place and the Rave clothing shop on West 8th street. This was dating back in 2000, and later again in 2001. Same owner, same shady business practices. As Grace gave me the update about the owner and the wholesale manager (both who I suspect later got deported back to Israel), we overheard the script’s dialogue. It was dismal. No wonder the show got canceled after only eight episodes. We kept the snickering to a minimal before doing the dancing scenes. Which took take after take after take…after take…after take…after take. Is it any wonder the show got the ax after eight episodes.
Another sign things weren’t going well for Jonny Zero. My friend who helped me get the gig saw someone from the crew get hit by an SUV. Right outside the club where the episode was being filmed. Yikes.
Usually when you do a shoot for television or film, expect to stay at location for the entire day. As filming continued, the extras were sent to a building across the street to change into their second outfits. Afterwards we were to wait for word as to when the extras were needed. So we waited quite some time.
Me, March 2004 at the Jonny Zero filming. My time as a ‘Goth’ extra. NYC. When I was younger and thinner.Me, March 2004 at the Jonny Zero filming. My time as a ‘Goth’ extra. NYC. I loved that dress. It was a sleeveless number, and had added the extra shirt for the contrast. Now wondering: whatever happened to that dress?
When you’re on set, they give you free food. If you’re there for the entire day, you get breakfast, lunch and dinner. In the case where SAG and non-Union are on the same set together, the SAG members always eat first. When SAG and the camera crew were done, the non Union was allowed to get their dinner. Of course when it came to our turn, there wasn’t much food left. If anything can be learned from this blog posting, go SAG.
Waiting on set during the Jonny Zero filming. March 2004, NYC. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.During in-between takes during the Jonny Zero television filming. March 2004, NYC. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.
After dinner, both extras and non extras continued to be holed up in the building across the street from filming. As the saying goes, the natives were getting restless. The natives being the real non – Union Goths while the SAG extras behaved themselves. Some of the Goths and Club Kids were becoming slightly rowdy. Boredom was kicking in, as the more mature SAG members sat quietly away from the non-Union crowd.
Can’t remember much afterwards. Think we pretty much hung around until dismissed. Some came back to finish the scenes a week later. The show was broadcast, in which it sunk without a trace. The funny thing was, don’t think I ever saw the completed episode. Me and a friend tried to watch it in his apartment, but we missed most of it. My friend was featured in some scenes. As for myself, I was told you couldn’t see me. Just as well.
Despite my kvetching, Jonny Zero was the most fun I had on a television set. Prior to that, I had done extra work for a NYC Lottery commercial in 1999, and other scattered stuff. It would be years before I got on television again, and that might have been for a Queens public access show during one of the New York Comic Cons, around 2008. By then I had put all my energy into my self-published comics, which eventually led me to get published by others. Things have a way of working out.
It’s one thing to hear about celebrity death in the media. It’s another thing to hear about someone whose work actually mattered to you passing away.
Such is the case with British comedian Rik Mayall. One of the projects Mayall was best known for was the television series “The Young Ones.” The program only lasted for two seasons on the BBC, but became an instant cult classic worldwide.
Since Rik Mayall’s death, I’ve spent time watching “The Young Ones” all over again, from start to finished. I’ve always been a huge fan of the series, and of Mayall’s work. On his long resume includes “Bottom”, “Filthy Rich and Catflap”, “The New Statesman” and the 1991 film “Drop Dead Fred.”
It was suggested that a blog post should be done in his honor, so I obliged. Below are two illustrations done last night.
British comedian Rik Mayall, who was best known as Rick from the television show ‘The Young Ones.’ Pen sketch by Michele Witchipoo.British comedian Rik Mayall as Rick from The Young Ones. Illustration by Michele Witchipoo. June 2014.
I’m not really crazy about the first one, but it’s posted anyway. The second one was more of an experiment, using pen then coloring in Photoshop. Both need more work, but I wanted to post something in Mayall’s honor.
I’ve been attending the New York Comic Con every year since it’s first inception back in 2006. Since then it’s moved into a powerful second place right next to the San Diego Comic Con. Just like with SDCC, the NYCC has developed into mass marketed con going across the board with not just comics, but with film, television, toys, videogames, cosplay, fashion, etc. Pretty much anything and everything, really.
The NYCC of 2013 was no exception. One good thing the NYCC did was to make the artist alley section bigger, locating that part to the other side of the Jacob Javits Center. Smart move. Back when I had exhibited in 2010, artist alley and the rest of the con was all on one floor, just separated by sections. Making it hard for fans to locate artists, get sketches, etc. While some indie comicbook publishers, organizations and artists can still be found on the main floor, the artist alley department can be easily reached now. So thanks to NYCC for making the smart move in 2012. The result has made artist alley a lot more calmer and successful.
I’ll get back to Artist Alley 2013 in another post.
The NYCC 2013 overall seemed to focus on media, like with television. Luckily one of my current favorite shows is Bob Burgers, and some of the key players associated with Bob’s Burgers was having a panel.
A fan waiting to ask a question at the Bob’s Burgers panel at NYCC 2013. Many were dressed like the characters Louise and Tina. Photo by Michele Witchipoo, Oct. 2013.
Safe to say, the two most popular characters from Bob’s Burgers are the two daughters. There’s Louise, the cynical and defiant yet charismatic youngest daughter. The oldest daughter Tina is the melancholy lovesick misfit who likes to write fan fiction. On line there were quite a number of Louise clones, but fans dressed like Tina could also been seen.
On the panel was the show’s creator, Loren Bouchard along with H. Jon Benjamin who not only does the voice of Bob Belcher, but also of Archer, another animated program. Representing Tina Belcher was Dan Mintz, whose regular speaking voice sounds just like Tina. Unfortunately the actress who does the voice of Louise couldn’t make it, as with the case of comedian Eugene Mirman who voices middle brother Gene. However John Roberts was on Linda Belcher’s behalf. Filling out the rest of the panel was Larry Murphy who does both voices of Mort the funeral director, and Teddy Francisco the diner’s loyal and sometimes only customer.
A rough clip of an upcoming Christmas episode was shown. The true highlight was when a fan who dressed and walked exactly like Tina requested that someone one the panel read her “Erotic Friendfiction.” Dan Mintz was happy to oblige, as he read the fantasy of the panel being so impressed, that they paid off the person’s college loan. Yes…le sigh…if only it was that easy.
Fan rush to get Dan Mintz’s autograph after panel ends. Mintz does the voice of Tina Belcher, one of the most popular characters from the television show Bob’s Burgers. Photo taken by Michele Witchipoo, NYCC, Oct. 2013.Bob’s Burger creator Loren Bouchard after the NYCC Panel Oct. 2013. Photo by Michele Witchipoo.
“On November 13, Felix Unger was asked to remove himself from his place of residence. That request came from his wife. Deep down, he knew she was right, but he also knew that someday, he would return to her. With nowhere else to go, he appeared at the home of his childhood friend, Oscar Madison. Several years earlier, Madison’s wife had thrown him out, requesting that he never return. Can two divorced men share an apartment without driving each other crazy?”
I grew up watching reruns of “The Odd Couple.” Really didn’t pay too much attention at the time. Although I do remember the chemistry of putting opposed personalities together. In real life, combining roommates who are polar opposites would spell disaster. Yet for television it was comedy gold.
Actor Jack Klugman, who portrayed the proto-type slob Oscar Madison, passed away recently. He died Christmas Eve, December 24th, 2012. Hearing about his death made me curious about watching The Odd Couple again. So on New Year’s Day I watched the marathon on TV. Finally I got my money’s worth subscribing to basic cable. It was then I realized what a great show The Odd Couple actually was. Based on the play and film written by playwright Neil Simon, it showed the drastic difference between classic programing and today’s reality show fare.
Along with Klugman was actor Tony Randall. Randall portrayed Felix Unger, the personification of O.C.D. During it’s original broadcast supposedly the show never cracked the top ten in the ratings. Yet years later The Odd Couple is now considered classic television. One of the best Odd Couple episodes was “My Strife in Court.” Originally broadcast on February 16, 1973, Felix ends up in court when he gets falsely accused of scalping Broadway theater tickets. ‘Cause after all…when you assume, you make an ass out of you and me.
Sadly Tony Randall is also no longer with us. He passed away May 17, 2004. So while maybe Klugman and Randall are performing skits in the sitcom afterlife, I did this pen and ink sketch.
Enjoy my fan art of The Odd Couple.
The Odd Couple. Pen and ink sketch. Done January 2013. Drawn by Michele Witchipoo
As urban legend would have it, it’s assumed that back in the 1970’s rock bands had all the best drugs and booze. Some of you might have heard stories about Led Zepplin’s backstage shenanigans.
I concur.
I don’t think it’s true that all the mega superstar rock bands had the best nose candy and liquid courage. No. That ‘honor’ goes to many 1970s game shows.
Ah those wacky hazy ’70s. Only in the 1970s would you have such programs like The Match Game and The Gong Show. The stuff of televised legend.
Cause really, who needs cable when all you have to do is search on YouTube. There you will discover gloriously grainy gems, badly transferred from VHS onto the digital age. Why there’s already many clips from “The Gong Show” to choose from. Who can ever forget the Unknown Comic, The Worms, and of course, Gene Gene The Dancing Machine! Just in time for New Year’s Eve, here’s a clip of Gene doing his thing:
That’s right everybody! Party like its a tacky ’77 game show! You go Gene! Check out his swagger with his trademark green jogging jacket! Have everyone throw crappola at you in wild abandon! That’s how you celebrate.
I’m leaning towards Gene nowadays. Back in my childhood, The Unknown Comic was my favorite. In fact, back in 2008, I kinda-sorta did a tribute to him. A parody of a parody. The one where The Unknown Comic posed for a publicity photo sending up the famous Burt Reynolds shot published in Cosmopolitan magazine:
Actor Burt Reynolds. In his heyday, he did a centerfold for Cosmopolitan magazine. April 1972 (Vol. 172, No. 4)Parody of the famous Burt pic by The Unknown Comic.A parody of a parody. My character Psycho Bunny in a similar pose. Created in 2008. Cartoon by Michele Witchipoo.
For those who never heard of the Unknown Comic, here’s a clip via YouTube. If you thought your jokes were bad, try this:
Ah, those wacky 1970s. The jokes were corny as hell. Still, it was a bit of magic captured on the small screen. Dropping F-bombs without hostility in a drug-induced haze. Drinking and smoking as if nothing. This TV party was silliness personified. Yet it’s nowhere as mind-numbing as today’s reality shows.
Another thing that The Gong Show had over today’s so-called ‘talent shows’ such as American Idol or The Voice. Despite half of the Gong Show’s antics being staged, there was an organic realness to the freakishness. Whenever the talented, the not-so talented or just plain bizarre walked on stage, it was all in good fun. If an act was just outright odd, their inner freak was embraced. In no way were they weren’t trying to conform to a manufactured Hollywood fantasy. They were proud of being odd. They owned their inner freak. That was the beauty of The Gong Show.
The real star of course, was the host himself Chuck Barris. Personally I think he’s a genius. On his resume he lists American game show creator, producer, songwriter, and of course the emcee of The Gong Show. Although claims about working for the C.I.A. can be seriously doubted.
As a producer he was responsible for such tacky treasures like The Dating Game, The Newlywed Game and The $1.98 Beauty Show.
The $1.98 Beauty Show logo. Only in the drugged included 1970s could such a show exist.
Back to The Gong Show. To this very day this program remains a cult classic. In fact, there’s a very rare film, created after the first cancellation. In the tradition of The Monkee’s Head movie. It’s not available on VHS, DVD or BluRay. If you’re lucky, you just might catch it on cable or grab scenes from – of course – YouTube.
Oh yeah, the gong itself. Usually the judging panel usually consisted of three b-list celebrities. Jamie Farr and Jaye P. Morgan were regulars. Comedians like Soupy Sales and Joan Rivers also judged.
The studio audience could also be rowdy at times. When I was a kid, I caught a few episodes of The Gong Show here and there. That is, if my mother allowed it. My favorite was usually when the audience would start booing. Meanwhile the judges fought among themselves as to who was gonging first.
Yet strangely, or maybe not strangely enough, many entertainers got their first break being on that show. Many actors appeared under an alias. That was a backup plan because one bad appearance could actually ruin a career. Among the Gong alumni were PeeWee Herman, ’70s Disco singer Cheryl Lynn, musical theater actress Andrea McArdle and a very early incarnation of Oingo Bongo.
No report on The Gong Show would be complete without talking about The Popsicle Twins – a.k.a. “Have You Got A Nickel?” Not only did this segment get Barris and company in trouble with the censors – Phyllis Diller could not comprehend what the hell was going on. She gave the twins a score of zero. Guess she didn’t see Deep Throat.
Since Chuck Barris was a producer, sometimes contestants from his other shows occasionally crossed over to The Gong Show. If you read my blog post from yesterday, you might recognize the name of Cheryl Bradshaw. She was a “bachelorette” from ‘The Dating Game’ – the same one who narrowly missed a date with death. She had won a date with serial killer Rodney James Alcala. (https://witchesbrewpress.wordpress.com/2012/12/30/a-date-with-death/)
Besides another dark incident, (death of a dancer who had won on The Gong Show just hours before) The Gong Show was fun. Over the years The Gong Show has been revived. Yet somehow it always failed to capture the magic that the very original program had. The Gong Show itself is nothing without Chuck Barris as host. Sure, “The Dating Game” could always have a revolving host door. Ditto for “The Newlywed Game.” Come to think of it, the time might be ripe to bring back “The $1.98 Beauty Show.” In this day and age of instant gratification and entitlement this show could work. But “The Gong Show” itself? Nah. In my humble opinion, it could only work with the charms of Chuck. ‘Cause even with all the mayhem surrounding him, he was the glue that kept all the chaos together. He grasped it. He understood it. Like the freaks on stage, he owned it. “The Gong Show” was his show.
I could go on, but the blogging curtains are about to close. Before getting gonged myself, I’ll leave you with one final clip. One of a ‘Punk Rock’ band. Never heard of them until now. They were called Static Cling. And yes, they were gonged.
I almost wasn’t going to do this post. For starters, the word “douchebag” is being used more than ever. The more people use it as a put-down slang, the more silly it sounds. I admit it’s an immature way of describing people. Maybe because 2011 was a banner year for douchebaggery. Eh.
Where do I begin? Considering the past year had so many choices, all which nearly cemented my misanthropy even more. Almost.
For what I can see, 2012 already has a few candidates. Despite wishful thinking, it looks like 2012 just might continue where 2011 left off. We’ll see.
Anyway, back to some of the candidates for this ever-prestigious title. Who can forget Charlie Sheen? Who can forget his winning formula of tiger blood and goddesses? What cancels him out though was he supplied enough comic material to keep us running for the first half of 2011.Winning!
Jersey Shore. Could it be that they just might snag the honor for the second year in a row? Nah. Just let them burn themselves out, and eventually they’ll all wind up in your local AA meeting. Unless one of the cast members really needs the moolah. My bet is on Situation. Can’t you just see him on a program such as “Celebrity Rehab,” milking his 15 minutes for all its worth? Don’t even get me started on Snookie.
Then there’s these politicians vying for the GOP presidential nomination. Each and everyone of them truly deserve the title of “Douchebag of 2011.” Each and every one of them, but that would be too easy.
On the other side of the fence, Obama isn’t doing so hot himself, especially since he signed the NDAA act into law. Makes you wonder exactly whose side he’s on.
One strong frontrunner is Lt. John Pike, better simply known as “the pepper spraying cop.” The campus cop who causally pepper sprayed peaceful protesters in California. He’s kinda-sorta getting his already, since becoming a popular internet meme during the latter part of 2011.
In the end, the prize stays on the East Coast. The person with this dubious honor is none other than NYC Mayor Bloomberg.
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. The recipient of the Douchebag of The Year award for 2011. Congratulations.
Bad enough Bloomberg had his mayoral term limits extended; so when he was part of the NY Occupy eviction, he looked like a hypocrite. It wasn’t just the Occupy incident though. He was consistent all throughout 2011. Starting with the snow blizzard in the beginning of January 2011. You would think as a businessman, he would know better than not to be more prepared for a NYC winter storm. Anyone who has grown up in New York City can tell you, sometimes its winters can be pretty harsh. Yet, Bloomberg was out of town during this snowstorm, and therefore was severely under-prepared for the Dec. 2010 – Jan. 2011 blizzard. The result of his oversight didn’t affect most of Manhattan as much, but when it came to the outer boroughs, he failed. Passengers traveling on public MTA transportation was stranded for hours, as local buses broke down. In some cases, right in front of some people’s houses. Neighborhoods in Brooklyn, Queens and other areas weren’t plowed – in some cases, one or two weeks later. Bloomberg successfully managed to do what many others couldn’t….had NYC temporary shut down.
Bloomberg tried to make up for his winter fiasco by over hyping Hurricane Irene. Okay, I’m not saying Irene wasn’t dangerous, but it barely passed through NYC. Instead it had more of an impact in the more suburban and rural areas such as Long Island, Upstate New York, Massachusetts. Hey, at least the local supermarkets made a profit.
During the Irene press conferences, Bloomberg tried to not only warn city residents in English, but in Spanish as well. Normally, not a problem but he mangled the Spanish language pretty bad. He just should’ve hired a professional translator instead. It’s not like he didn’t have the funds. Besides, people needs jobs, don’t they? No comprendo.
When I was doing a bit of research for this blog post, I discovered this little fact; Mayor Bloomberg wasn’t even born in NYC, nor was he raised here. Bloomberg was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and grew up in the surrounding suburban areas.
Without further ado…here’s the Douchebag Of The Year for 2011, going to Michael Rubens Buttberg, er, I meant Bloomberg. Congratulations, Mike. Not only did you earn it, you deserve it.
Okay, so I’m late with this…better late than ever. Here’s some photos I took at last year’s New York Comic Con (NYCC 2010)
My table at the NYCC 2010. I think this one was an Ugly Doll, not too sure. NYCC 2010Costumes like these, I love it. This one is Angry Penguin. I've seen him before at other cons. NYCC 2010Why so sad? One of the many patrons from the NYCC 2010.Salior Moon is a staple now at comic cons. This one being no exception. Salior Moon drag, NYCC 2010.More costumes at the NYCC 2010From the shoulders up, they remind me of the "Way-Outs." The Way-Outs was a garage type band on a Flintstones episode. NYCC 2010.Not just for comicbook and anime costumes. Someone went as The Old Spice dude. Brilliant if you ask me. NYCC 2010.I do not get this "Free Hugs" thing. His costume was cute and all, but I do not get this free hugs trend. Maybe it's because I'm become slightly misanthropic over the past few years. I dunno. Plus I'm weary of hugging strangers. Ever heard of scabies? Still, a cute costume. NYCC 2010.
Part two will be photos of various Cosplay/Anime costumes. Stay tuned!
Happy New Year everyone! Today it’s January 1st, 2011. 1/1/11. One means new beginnings , and eleven being the number of magick. Not a bad way to start, huh?
Wish I would’ve done this sooner, but didn’t have a chance to do this blog post until now. Introducing the Douchebag of the year for 2010!
2010 was a banner year for douchebags, no question about it. In fact, it’s kinda hard to narrow it down. We started off with Tiger Woods and it just rose from there. Jesse James, Mel Gibson, Sarah Palin, Christine O’ Donnell, Charlie Sheen…and the list goes on. Not all douches were public figures, but just as douchey. English woman Mary Bale got her 15 minutes of douchebaggery by dumping a cat into a trash bin. “It was just a cat” was what she said. Therefore it’s only fair that we can shrug her off as just another douche. The Tea Bag party is still going strong with their douchebadges.
Kinda want to keep this short, so here goes…the Douchebag Of The Year award goes to…Jersey Shore!
The Douchebag Collective, otherwise known as The Jersey Shore cast. Winners of the 2010 Douchebag of the year award.
This Douchebag Collective, known as the cast of the reality show “Jersey Show.” Guidos aren’t exactly my thing. Can’t wait for the day when they all fade into much needed obscurity.
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