Eulogy for a Mac Classic

Sweeney talking to a salesman at the Honda dealership.

Cleaning out a storage facility last week, I found a box containing my old Mac Classic, just in time for the passing of Steve Jobs. Back in 1991, M.D. Sweeney accompanied me to the Westwood Mac store and negotiated on my behalf for the computer and a printer. Sweeney is a phenomenal dealer with a deadpan expression like an Olmec mask. Sales reps flash their easy smiles, grow uncomfortable and sometimes offer things at a lower price. (They didn't this time, but even A-Rod strikes out occasionally.) On that computer I wrote many Acme Comedy Theatre sketches as well as my first Animaniacs script, "Dracu-lee, Dracu-la." But it's doing no one any good anymore and is destined for the green waste facility. Farewell, Mac Classic and rest in piece, Mr. Jobs. And if you're ever in Los Angeles, stop by Amalfi Restaurant and see if you can talk the owner (Sweeney) into a free dessert. Let me know how it goes.
Image: antique trader

A repost from Oct, 7, 2011 only with links.

Annoying Orange Takes to the Air

Tom Shepphard will help breath life into You Tube hit Annoying Orange as it migrates to Cartoon Network.

h/t: Forces of Geek; Image: Blippitt

South Park Not in the Clear

Via The Village Voice, South Park creators Parker and Stone were investigated five years back by the Church of Scientology. Private eyes spied on the pair and searched public records—as well as trash— for anything incriminating that might be used against the duo in retaliation for a South Park episode mocking Scientology beliefs.

Never a dull moment with the Hubbardites.

Orange You Glad You Wrote That

An NYT article mentions Warner chum Tom Sheppard as The Annoying Orange prepares to roll from Web to TV pilot to potential series. (Would it be wrong to say this proves Glee won't be the only televised home for fruit?)

Fab-oo and Amazon

Tom Ruegger reminds us who got the Emmy ball rolling at the WB.

Also, Amazon offers the Kindle edition of R. Scott McCoy's Necrotic Tissue Best of Anthology containing my short tale, "Dagon and Jill."

So there's all kind of news.

Carl Macek's Robotech Universe

There's no tech like Robotech. This '80s hit animated TV series introduced anime to America where it's taken root and grown ever since. And no one made that happen more than the late Carl Macek. Felled by a heart attack in 2010, Macek was honored last night in a documentary at Harmony Gold Theater on Sunset Blvd. (And because my wife works occasionally with the film's associate producer, we attended.)

Culled from the 25th Anniversary DVD and originally intended as a series of podcasts, the doc featured Robotech voice actors such as Tony Oliver, Richard Epcar and Reba West. From the the insane production schedule that had actors pulling overnights, to scripts being rewritten in studio, to the undreamed of success that greeted the series, to its staying power over decades, Keith H. Maxwell's documentary described producer/ story editor Macek as the turbine that kept the Robotech machinery spinning.

In addition, Macek founded Streamline Pictures with Jerry Beck and theatrically released anime giant Akira. (I've always been strangely drawn to films featuring a gang of evil clowns.) Macek also helped John Kricfalusi establish Spumco.

Following the screening, I spoke briefly with David Keith Riddick, who produced the U.S. versions of the Robotech soundtrack. (On RECORD ALBUMS—round vinyl things with music inside that came out when you stuck them with a needle.) Riddick recalled that Macek loved anime with its more adult themes, carefully crafted animation, and cinematic staging.

Clearly Macek's love grew into a drive for perfection and character depth that flowed into a series that has lived on, spawned sequels and now sits poised at Warner Bros. waiting to become a live-action feature.

Prior to last night, I knew a bit about Robotech but very little about Carl Macek. Today, I salute the guy. He had a monster career, cut a bit short, but pretty darn rich any way you slice it. Rest in anime peace, sir.

Image: Robotech.com and Robotechnology

Hit the Road, Mac Classic

Sweeney talking to a salesman at the Honda dealership.

Cleaning out a storage facility last week, I found a box containing my old Mac Classic, just in time for the passing of Steve Jobs. Back in 1991, M.D. Sweeney accompanied me to the Westwood Mac store and negotiated on my behalf for the computer and a printer. Sweeney is a phenomenal dealer with a deadpan expression like an Olmec mask. Sales reps flash their easy smiles, grow uncomfortable and sometimes offer things at a lower price. (They didn't this time, but even A-Rod strikes out occasionally.) On that computer I wrote many Acme Comedy Theatre sketches as well as my first Animaniacs script, "Dracu-lee, Dracu-la." But it's doing no one any good anymore and is destined for the green waste facility. Farewell, Mac Classic and rest in piece, Mr. Jobs. And if you're ever in Los Angeles, stop by Amalfi Restaurant and see if you can talk the owner (Sweeney) into a free dessert. Let me know how it goes.
Image: antique trader

Tom Ruegger Remembers

In the beginning......there were a number of people responsible for the creation of Tiny Toons and Anamaniacs. Tom Ruegger says who the heck they were.

Image: Commentarama

SpongeBob Strongarm

A former lead artist on the popular animated series has been accused of setting up an attack on his art dealer. I've always said you need to diversify your animated career.
Image— It Thing

Pitching Animated TV Shows

With my big-ass sling on, I went to the last of this session's pitch sessions. The exec. was affable and laughed after I told him I was only wearing the sling to score a handicapped parking plaque. He listened politely and demonstrated the mark of a seasoned exec. - expressing both interest and a non-committal attitude.

So far, the score stands at two shows out of three pitched, generating a trio of foul balls known as 'maybes.'

The only way to improve at pitching is to keep at it. I'm taking a deep breath plus my notes on what approaches worked and which ones sucked and start cranking out more ideas for my summer pitch session.

I really hate pitching. Why can't they simply give me money to write something funny and then make it my way? Lousy politics, that's why.

Rachel Maddow Meets the Huntsman

Thanks to Tom Minton and Tom Ruegger we now have MSNBC's Rachel Maddow and frustrated crime fighter The Huntsman in the same room at the same time. Zip ahead to around 7:52 for her intro. Don't forward too far ahead or you'll be saying, "Darn the luck!"
Image: meine kleine fabrik & newsinus.us

Pitching Animated Shows

A strike and a long foul ball. Double-pitch meeting today at a studio with happy, laughing execs. They knocked down one idea in short order, but loved another, wanting to hear a bit more. So I'll get a second swing. Weird to be on that particular lot, since I'd worked there a few years ago during a dark period of life and hadn't been back since. It was the last time I smoked.

So fix my one idea, write up a few more, and return to seek that elusive development deal.

Just to clarify my Ick! post. I reread it and smelled a victimy scent. I'm the only one who can sidetrack me—not mean people, bad breaks, or unfortunate circumstances. Alas, I'm very good at sidetracking myself, thus need little help. But this time will be different!

"The hot dog of fate is often lathered in the mustard of opportunity."
Billy the Marlin, mascot for the Florida Marlins

Ugly Pitch Meeting

An unpleasant pitch meeting this morning. The exec. clearly was looking for reasons not to buy my animated TV show idea and couldn't wait to tell me. On the one hand it was refreshing to receive the blunt, unvarnished truth, on the other hand who wants the blunt unvarnished truth when it isn't good news?

I've never had a rewarding experience at this particular studio, despite the fact that I know many people who have worked there for years and proclaim it a pleasant environment. Several years back, one big exec. dissed me to my agent and would not allow me to even pitch there. What triggered his animus has yet to be revealed. In any case, his no-pitch edict was successfully enforced. Today was my fourth pitch in six years. (On one of those pitches I was the writer attached to a big star's project; on another they passed on a fav, Tomorrow Bear.)

On Wednesday, I have a double-header, pitching a brace of animated TV show ideas to an exec. at another studio where I've had universally pleasant but financially meager dealings over time.

"Each new at-bat holds the potential for a variety of outcomes."
— Billy the Marlin, mascot for the Florida Marlins