Just a Little Love...

I wanted to say thanks to everyone who has supported me in the last year. You make me feel like I have family.

"Everyone say Dirk"

Meet the Knicks

So, last night before my standard Tuesday show I went to a special event for season ticket holders. This is my husband and I's first year with the Knicks. We had Nets tickets for two years. But, the distance, horrible fans, and lack of caring that made us leave. Joe was upset because he was banking on their move to Brooklyn because they would have been within walking distance.

But, I digress. The Knicks, as anyone who follows sports knows, are atrocious. But, truly, and I don't want to talk about this too much. Isaiah Thomas is horrible and Stephon Marbury stinks. But, if you look at the new guys and what they could be doing, it's a shame. I have a feeling Marbury will be traded in the offseason and they will magically win a lot more games next season.

Again, another digression. As a thank you to fans, the Knicks had a big event. There was free food, autographs, and games. We got a DVD about the history of the Knicks. I got to meet my favorite player Nate Robinson. He was friendly, cute, and really connected with the fans. BTW, he had his dunk contest trophy with him.

Joe got to meet his favorite player Channing Frye. But, he was a little sad. He thought Frye was aloof. But, I did make the point that being a talented athlete does not make you friendly or not socially awkward. Joe basically acknowlegded the truth in my statement and as usual, I win.

Later today, I am going to try to load pics of the event on my myriad of blogs. Be on the lookout.

Joe said he will get season tickets again because the Knicks have made him feel like they care.

Upcoming Amy Events

April 6th at 7pm Kaparty Lounge 140 2nd Avenue NO COVER!!!

April 9th at 7:30 High Chai Tea Room Avenue B and 2nd Street NO COVER!!!

And, as always, every Tuesday at 10pm The 5Spot Supper Club 459 Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn NO COVER!!!!

Hopefully, this gives you loads of information on where to find me. And, check back for more dates and other important Amy news.

Trader Joe's

So, NYC just got a Trader Joe's last week. I did not go on opening day because I learned my lesson from opening day at Target. Fool me once, you know the rest (unless you are President Bush). So, I waited a week and also decided not to go until after lunch when it might not be so packed.

How could I go at that time of day? Most of you know. So, I went and there was a crowd, but it was not bad. They also have modeled their check out similar to Whole Foods. The selection was not as good as other Trader Joe's I have been too. But, I am attributing that to the fact that it is probably madness their every day and they do not re-stock until after closing.

But, I did get a lot of stuff and didn't even break the 30 dollar mark. You can't beat that. The same stuff at Whole Foods would have been much more expensive. But, I still love you whole foods. You stole my heart.

So, that's all from this front for now. I am going to enjoy my Trader Joe's turkey jerky and hazelnut spread. (Not at the same time weirdos).

Guilty Pleasures

So, there are many things in this world that due to where I live, my education level, etc. that I should not like. But, I can't help it. I love these things.

• curly fries with cheese from Arby's
• the musical career of Jennifer Lopez (that new song with LL Cool J is phenomenal.)
• judge shows (Greg Mathis is the gangsta of justice)
• vacations in Daytona Beach
• chicken sandwiches from Burger King
• NY 1's "In the Papers" segment hosted by Pat Kiernan
• The Planet if the Apes films
• Jem and the Holograms
• Classic Fantastic Four plotlines
• Maury Povich
• the books of Jaqueline Susann
• the books of Anne Rice
• teen series books (Gossip Girl, Meg Cabot, Francine Pascal)
• Weather on the 1's
• Star on Ice and other traveling skating shows
• spelling bees on ESPN
• world's strongest men competitions
• Wendy Williams

Why did I write this? Because as I watched Fox News (to know my enemy) and saw an advertisement for Branson, Missouri. Bart Simpson summed up it up best. "Branson is Vegas for people like Flanders." The sick part is, as I watched the commercial I thought about going there. Why? Because deep down, all of us are week for cheese and kitsch. It's human nature, I think

But, even with these guilty pleasures, there are things that I will never like.

• Larry the Cable Guy
• Siegfried and Roy
• the circus
• mini-vans
• racist, homophobic jokes (see Larry the Cable Guy)
• arena football
• Hannity and Colmes
• "Date my Mom"
• Dip Set (Cam'Ron, Juelz Santana, Jim Jones)
• Michael Baisden
• Books from Triple Crown Publications

The Greatest Show in the History of Television

The other day I was watching some atrocious dating show on MTV. It could have been "Next", "Date my Mom", etc. And it got me thinking. In my college and early post college days there was a show that made dating a beautiful, horrible, spectacle. That show was "Blind Date".
"Blind Date" went off the air about four years ago. To that I say, rest in peace. Blind Date was a train wreck that featured two kinds of dates: nightmares or full erotic encounters. The show also featured thought bubbles, sideline comments, and pop-up commenting on the sanity, horniness, or drama of the contestants and the situation.
The show had obviously intoxicated people, mentally ill people, and just plain bananas people. Good times.
Nowadays, every date on the MTV shows end with making out. There are weird dates, but never ones where you worry for the safety of the participants. It can be funny (see the chubby who wiped out coming off the "Next" bus), but it never reaches the heights of Blind Date.
If you have never seen it, check out Amazon. This might be the best 30 dollars you ever spent.
Trust me.

Getting Back in the Swing

Starting this week, the blob will be back to its old self. More reviews, more musings, more Plow!

Sad news, Make my Cake on 110th and CPN in Manhattan has been torn down. Anyone who wants amazing sweet treats has to go to 139th and Lenox Ave. near the Harlem Hospital.

And one more FYI to New Yorkers, the Shake Shack in Madison Square Park is back open!!!!! Praise the Lord!

Why the Plow Has Been Derelict in her Blogging Duties

So, it's been a long week. I know that my tens of fans have been depressed. My family was here and I had the Comic Strip audition this week. So, in a nutshell, it was bananas.
Mainly, the Comic Strip audition was what I wanted to talk about and piggyback on Josh's blog. I think I got a really good tape out of it and the crowd was supportive. I did some old jokes that I tweaked and worked on with my homie Josh. My grandma got harassed by Jessica Kirson and she loved it!!!! Yay!!!!!
So, the audition. I did my classics and tried to stay calm. Apparently, I didn't. I must have appeared nervous. Which, full disclosure, I was. This was big time and it matters. It matters a lot. But, the feedback was great. Starla gave me props on my jokes and said that my construction and joke writing was far ahead of my year in comedy. But, she told me I was a deer in the headlights. I was honest with her and told her how nervous I was at the venue and how much it meant. She said she understood, but I gotta get over it. It was very positive. She said she hopes to see me at the next audition and that I knock it out of the park.
So, the next year is all about confidence. It's about stagetime and joke writing. The feedback made me feel like I'm on the right path. I also told her that for me, joke writing is my goal and it was good to hear I'm on the right path.

Apologies...

To my tens of fans...
I have been working very hard at finding a job. So, the blog has suffered. Hopefully, after next week, I'll have work and something to write about.
Thanks for your support.

Oscar Re-Cap

So, I'm just going to write few random thoughts about the Oscars. In my famous and barely literate way, I'll use bullet points to get the messages across.

• I thought John Stewart did a very good job. The show ran on time and he realized he didn't need to hog. The ad bits about campaigning for Oscars was fun. And, his best line was "I think it just got easier for a pimp."
• Speaking of, as much as I worship Dolly, "It's Hard Out there for a Pimp" was the song that best represented its film. I take issue with the chorus having to change bitches to witches. Um, pimps and bitches go together like peanut butter and jelly.
• "Crash" won and was the only real surprise. It was a good film. But, "Brokeback Mountain" and "Good Night and Good Luck" were better made films in my opinion. And, I don't think homophobia hurt Brokeback, I think overstauration did.
• The Robert Altman honorary Oscar made me happy. He gave a short speeach that was self-effacing and humble. I love that man. "No one has gotten a bigger break than me."
• As they showed the clips of his films, Joe looks at me and goes, "He never won an Oscar?" I reminded him that neither him or Martin Scorsese have won.
• Lily Tomlin and Meryl Streep were amazing and natural giving a speech in the style of an Altman film. I wish I was Lily Tomlin
• I also love George Clooney. I usually don't quote Sex and the City, but Clooney is the Armani of men. Classic, smart, and always in style.
• Finally, the show ran on time, good work was rewarded, and the montages were nice.

Now, enjoy my wrap-up and every other person's wrap up.

Blogging for Fun and Profit

Not really, but here are some good blogs to kill time at:

http://trent.blogspot.com
http://www.gawker.com
http://blaggblogg.blogspot.com
http://www.bestweekever.vh1.com
http://www.queerty.com

Enjoy slacking on your bosses time!

Dave Chappelle's Block Party

I was fortunate enough to see a sneak preview of Dave Chappelle's Block Party with my good buddy Kristy. The movie is not flashy, it's basically a straight up concert video with human interest things thrown in. But, it's the mix of music, comedy, and good nature that makes the film a winner.
I will throw out this caveat. If you are not a fan of backpack rap or neo-soul. Pass on this. The acts include The Roots, Mos Def, Jill Scott, Common, Erykah Badu, etc. You get the picture. If you are not a fan of this kind of music, pass on this. The film is almost 50% concert footage. However, if you are a fan, you will be impressed. As usual, The Roots are the coolest and most talented guys in the room. The Fugees reunite, but they sound terrible and Lauryn is still in crazy mode. But, it was good to see the three of them back on stage.
Now, the human interest/comedy segments are the strongest sections of the film. Two young men that get tickets in Dayton to the concert will steal your heart. They are funny, cute, smart, and just adorable. Hopefully, they're single because they will be getting a lot of lady fans. Many of the people Dave meets during the day to day of his life are genuine and seem to be nice people. Dave also meets some adorable children in a Daycare Center and gets to give Central State University's band to the show. CSU has had a lot of financial and political trouble as a historically black college. Their exposure in this film should change it.
Dave and Mos Def do some hilarious Vegas style comedy. Dave hangs out with a wide variety of characters. And, director Michel Gondry, knows when to just let people talk and never makes himself the star.
So, check it out. It will make you love Dave all over again.

Parental Control

Just a short post. But, I am highly recommending the new MTV show "Parental Control". In the show, parents pick new prospects for their child.
Good times.
The boyfriends and girlfriends are atrocious, the parents are overbearing, and the kids are spoiled brats. It's all good when you watch it. You will laugh your butt off and cringe at the same time.
Also, check out the special doc on MTV called "Fat Camp". I can only say one thing. Wow.

From MTV's website:
Thanks to MTV's new Parental Control, Mom and Dad finally have a chance to do something about that poor excuse for a loser their son or daughter calls their 'better half.' Fed-up parents will send their pride and joy on two blind dates of their choosing, in the hopes that one of them will catch his or her eye so they'll finally dump What's-Their-Name. All the while Mom and Dad will be watching every minute of every date, sitting side-by-side with their son's or daughter's current partner on the couch like one big, uncomfortable family. When the dates are over, the son or daughter has to make a choice between Mom's pick, Dad's pick and their current partner. Will the son or daughter follow parental guidance, or reject the parents' picks and stick with The-Wrong-One.

When Amy met Mooney

So, this is another personal blog, and it will totally be the last. I already posted a version of this on the Comedy Soapbox. If any Plow fans want to get to know me, check out my blog at www.comedysoapbox.com. But, here I'm usually a culture vulture. But, I did want to talk about the amazing class I took at the Learning Annex. It was a comedy writing seminar with Paul Mooney.
A lot of people probably know Mr. Mooney from his recent appearances on Chappelle's Show with "Ask a Black Dude", "Negrodamous", and "Mooney at the Movies". In the past he has an amazing list of credits. I'll list a few; head writer for "Sanford and Son", writer for "Good Times", comedy writer for Whoopi Goldberg, Lily Tomlin, Richard Pryor, and Eddie Murphy. He has also written for SNL and "In Living Color", and he was in the movie "Bamboozled". Holy Crap!!!! I'll take one of those credits.
So, at the program you had to go up and do a five minute set in front of him. I was literally a foot away. He is a comedy legend and known for being uncompromising. There have been times in the last year that I have grown frustrated with comedy because I feel like the hustle is too much. I'm always told by show runners and club owners that my comedy is too "smart" and "don't you have any personal material?" Both of these comments are code for, "you don't fit the stereotype of a lady comic. Do more self-esteem and dating jokes." But, I can't. And, during the seminar I am now more committed to doing my thing and people can come around to me.
Why, you may ask? Because Paul Mooney loved me. He told me to get on stage more. He also said I was hip, smart, deceptive, and kept him listening. This happened two days ago and I'm still high.
I have been up and down with comedy. But, lately I am back in the saddle. Three shows a week is my minimum. I suddenly feel much better about comedy and I have to thank Paul Mooney for that.

Cultural Differences

I am a fan of cultural differences. So many times in our country we do this whole, "we're all the same" nonsense. Personally, for me that's a bunch of bunk. I think differences are what make us so great. If everyone was the same the world would be really boring.
Case in point...
I was at a baby shower on Saturday. It was a predominantly Jamaican group of people. There were a smattering of African-Americans. My self and a Jamaican born white dude were the only people lighter than caramel. And, it was a totally different world.
A short list of the things at this shower that I have never seen before:

• A DJ who played reggae and when a good gift was opened by the mother to be gun shot effects or voice effects were played.
• A full meal and appetizers.
• The party started at 7pm, but things didn't really start until almost midnight.
• Dancing, a gift announcer, and about 200 people.

It was amazing. I had never been to anything like it. I loved every minute. I stayed until midnight and the party was still going strong. I got home from a baby shower at 1am. Wrap your mind around that! Everyone should have to do things like this. Something like this baby shower is why America is great.

And the Nominees Are...

completely predictable.
So, they literally just announced the Oscar nods. I was on the treadmill at the gym watching them. I was glad with some and the rest were exactly what I expected. Just a few notes however.

• Play a real person
• Scarlett Johansson did not get nominated because they nominated too many good looking actresses. How did Woody's supporting actress magic not work this time?
• The screenplay noms are solid and very good.
• I wish Jeff Daniels had gotten nominated.
• Because society has finally discovered it's 2006, gay roles, minorities, and "edgy" subject matter is being rewarded.
• And lastly, if subtle acting and tricky roles were the only consideration Michelle Williams, Felicity Huffman, and Terrence Howard would win.

Why Rap Music Matters

So, rap music is not as good now as it was even a decade ago. Currently, the market is loaded with bloated product and sub par talent and production. But, it still matters. For almost 25 years raps has mattered more than rock music. Critics are always looking for reasons why. People look at the production, the changing face of the United States, and the rise of music videos. All of these are valid arguments, but I have one big reason that no one mentions. Rap uses popular culture to link there songs to current life.
Rock music is usually in a vacuum. There are about three topics rock talks about. Rock talks about ladies/romance, rocking, and partying. They never talk about what happens in day to day life. They obviously never watch TV, read books, see movies, or exist with the rest of the world. Rappers bring up everything. They use metaphors and descriptions that usually employ pop culture. It brings the song to real life. It becomes relateable to the rest of the public.
Right now, rap is getting out of control. A lot of it is junk. In the way that rock had to be destroyed by arena rock and new wave to slowly come back with roots rock like The White Stripes, Wilco, Kings of Leon, and My Morning Jacket. Rock is coming back very slowly. But, it's still a long way off. Until things balance out, rap will continue to dominate.

Two More Recommendations...

I forgot to mention two other movies that I saw this year that I really enjoyed, but others seem to have missed.

Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang
In Her Shoes

both are very different, but are worth your time.

Lifetime Movies are Back!!!!!

So, last night "A Little Thing Called Murder" premiered last night. The film was a fictionalized account of the Sante and Kenny Kimes saga. For, those of you who don't know, Sante and her son Kenny killed Irene Silverman in NYC in a plan to steal her home. They were caught and convicted, but not of this crime. Ms. Silverman's body was never found. But, they were convicted of a string of crimes that they found evidence on. They are both currently serving life sentences without the possibility of parole.
The new movie "A Little Thing Called Murder" plays in a similar manner to "The Positively True Adventures of the Texas Cheerleader Murdering Mom". Both films stay true to the facts, but the acting, writing, and directing of the film enhance the camp factor.
Judy Davis eats more scenery in this than she did as Judy Garland. She plays Sante as deranged and believes that she is smarter than everyone. Every other actor on the screen just has to hang on and enjoy the ride.
The movie should be replaying throughout the month. Check it out and be prepared to be awed by the real things that happened. Remember that this woman was one of only 2 people in the 20th Century to be convicted of slavery!!!!

The 6th Annual Amy Awards

So, here it is. I know all of you have been clamoring for it, the 6th Annual Amy Awards. As my many fans know, I make a list of the films, actors, and other film matters that I loved the most during the year. As usual, I have not seen every movie. There are plenty of films I'm sure I would have loved, but did not see. So, until someone is willing to pay me to see movies, which I will gladly do. Also, remember that the movies are in no particular order, just as my brain remembered them.:

Favorite Movies:
Batman Begins
The 40 Year Old Virgin
Wedding Crashers
Broken Flowers
The Squid and the Whale
The Family Stone
Brokeback Mountain
Match Point
Hustle and Flow
Junebug
Grizzly Man
The Aristrocrats
Kung Fu Hustle
Movie that Nobody Saw and I loved: Lord of War
Movie that Nobody Saw and I hated: Derailed
Best Actors: Terrence Howard, Anthony Anderson, Ludacris (Hustle and Flow), Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal (Brokeback Mountain) Matt Dillon, Ludacris, Terrence Howard, Ryan Phillippe, and Michael Pena (Crash), Joaquin Phoenix (Walk the Line), Jeff Daniels and Owen Kline (The Squid and the Whale), Bill Murray and Geoffrey Wright (Broken Flowers), Christian Bale (Batman Begins), Steve Carrell, Paul Rudd, Seth Rogan, Romany Malco (40 year Old Virgin), and Werner Herzog for his narration of Grizzly Man.
Best Actresses: Taryn Manning, Taraji P. Henson (Hustle and Flow), Thandie Newton (Crash), Reese Witherspoon (Walk the Line), Amy Adams (Junebug), Michelle Williams and Linda Cardellini (Brokeback Mountain), Scarlett Johansson, Penelope Wilton, and Emily Mortimer (Match Point), Felicity Huffman (Transamerica)

The year in review: I found that this year the movies ran in cycles. The summer was very strong as was the winter. There were movies I didn't love, but admired like "Crash" and "Good Night and Good Luck". I think the strength of conviction has grown for many films. Comedies had a strong year. I could talk about numerous things this year. But, to me, the opening of movies dealing with race, sexuality, and gender are all moving forward. We still have along way to go. An example of this is in "Hustle and Flow" which is about a pimp, but is mainly about the black strive to get to the middle class.
This was a tough year for female actresses with even a smaller amount of good roles. Actors feasted. Maybe one day, I'm not holding my breath, it will get a little more equitable.

So, I hope all of you enjoyed. I will be adding comments when ideas come to me. But, you guys should feel free to post on up. Get ready for the Oscars!!!!!