(Numerous people have automatically assumed that I would blog about my experience with Michael Ian Black and Michael Showalter, 2-3 cast members from Stella...as so.....here ya go)
Two summers ago, I literally stumbled upon an utterly historical sketch comedy show called, "Stella" of which has become one of my three (main) obsessions. [ The list as it stands now: 1. myself 2. Fili 3. Stella] Oddly enough, I could never seem to attract other people to legitimately watch the show with me with as much passion and enthusiam as I experienced each time I tuned in.
NOTE: I am not, by any means an avid TV watcher. I'm not against TV however I am always busy and tend feel bad if I spend more than an hour watching TV, unless of course it's STELLA, which I could and have sat and watched for hours.
Unfortunately for me, Stella was only on once or twice a week and sometimes not at all because of the idiotic people who simply cannot understand the complexity and delicious sarcasm, parody and satire of the Stella comedians' style. I however, understand them completely therefore I began checking the show schedule online and planning my life accordingly around the show. (Not that I had to do much life re-arranging, since the show was on Monday or Sunday night starting at 10pm or 3am). Nevertheless, my ass was ALWAYS tuned in and loving every second of it.
You can imagine my extreme despair when I saw on the Comedy Central website that the show had been "postponed" and then later CANCELLED. Shocked and appalled, I never forgot these amazing comics and kept up with them via Myspace and their personal web pages.
Early one morning, while I was in the middle of reading one of Michael Ian Black's fucking hilarious blogs, I got a notification that Michael Showalter posted...TOUR DATES FOR OCTOBER!!!!!!!!! I felt a surge of excitement shoot through my entire body and I think I screamed (it was Saturday therefore NO ONE was at my house). I feverishly scrolled through the list and found the venue for Baltimore...Otto bar. After a quick search, I found the website and bought tickets...then sent a message to Michael Ian Black telling him how ecstatic I was that he was FINALLY coming to Baltimore and that he would "love me." You can now imagine my utter delight when he wrote back, "glad to hear you got tickets. Look forward to loving you." I think that made my next month.
It gets better. A few days after the posted tour dates, Michael Showalter put out a Myspace bulletin, asking for a select few from each city to be a part of the "street team" whose job it would be to display posters promoting the "night of comedy" tour. I was, more than likely the first person to respond and then HE CALLED ME...a number of times and we conversed....I made sure to tell him that I was amazing...to which he replied..."uhh, okay."
The night had finally come and I had been mentally preparing for months. I chose a bright shirt, a tasty mandarin color, since I figured that everyone would be dressed in dreary colors and I wanted to be sure to stand out.
I finally found the Otto bar, which was located in a weird area of Baltimore...Nevertheless, I was there and the anticipation was building inside of me.
After standing in front of the stage, waiting for over an hour, I realized it was a good choice since the place was filling up and I endured the torturous back pain that I always experience after standing in heels for over an hour. Oh well, I was right smack up against the stage....ready.
Michael Showalter was first on the list and was hilarious. He played some songs, did some awesome impersonations and we all rocked out. He really is a card, I simply adore him.
Next up, my personal favorite, too bad he's married...Michael Ian Black. Honestly I think this man has the exact same sense of humor that I do, which could be scary for some of you to fathom...I know.
For the next hour or so, I had a permanent smile plastered to my face and for a moment I had a flashback to my good 'ole "parade days" when I had to pose for hours at a time with a smile etched into my face and shivering from the cold. I quickly dropped that recollection.
Michael Ian Black, again is probably the most talented, funniest individual I have ever met, (yes, I'm getting to the part where I meet them). I was in awe for a while and I had to frequently pinch myself, (actually I really didn't pinch myself because I'm not 15 anymore but it just sounded good. ha.)
Finally they came out for their final bow and said they would be signing autographs and selling Stella shorts, no not gym shorts, short movie clips, they clarified, at the side table.
It then occurred to me that they had not once mentioned their highly praised STREET TEAMERS. So, I decided to wait in line, pulling out my Street Team poster for them to sign and developing a good first liner. I purposely stayed towards the back because I didn't want to be "rushed" away by fans behind me.
It was more than obvious that both Michael Ian Black and Michael Showalter keep seeing me emerging throught the crowd, getting closer and closer and though they were feverishly signing away, they continued to glance towards me, trying not to blatenly make eye contact, yet obviously intrigued by me.
Finally it was my turn at the table and I paused to give them a good look and make sure that no one would interrupt before I started with my opening one liner. They both kind of stopped what they were doing and stood there, dumbfounded by me since everyone else in the Otto bar, not to toot my own horn or anything, but everyone else was somewhat unattractive; lets just call them "nothing spectacular," to be on the safe side. So naturally you can imagine their surprise when this goddess in the mandarin colored shirt and beautiful Swede jacket stood mysteriously smiling in front of them.
"I have a question..." I said and proceeded to unfold the Street Team poster in front of them then saying, "What the hell happened with the STREET TEAM???"
They seemed generally concerned and said, "What happened? Didn't they let you in?"
"NO, I got in..." I said, "but I thought that you guys were going to give us a personal shout out or SOMETHING..."
Then Michael Ian Black, being the kind hearted fellow he is said with an ever so warm smile, "well here why don't you have a CD?" NOTE: everyone else paid for their CD's.
"Ohh, okay...thank you!" I replied. "But will you sign it....ha obviously right?" I laughed.
Michael Showalter chimed in, "Hey I recognize you..." (yeah, I thought, you only talked to me on the phone on numerous occasions...) "your Vale from Myspace! I'm glad you could make it....awesome thanks." He said with a shy, boyish smile, obviously madly in love with me at this point. NOTE: my MySPACE name is "Vale La Pena" which means, "to be worth it," which I obviously am.
Michael Ian Black, after signing my CD and poster and looking somewhat disappointed that he was married, told me that I could get pictures in a few minutes after they were done signing. "Oh goody," I said.
"PS," I said again to Michael Ian Black, "Taco party was fucking amazing," (for the record, Taco party in my opinion, was one of his best blogs, I would know since I've read them all.)
He gave me a chuckle and said, "hehe, thanks."
Again, I got back in line for the photos, making sure to not be too close in the front because of the whole "rush" factor so I hovered behind...allowing them again to be completely taken back and full of excitement when I again emerged from the crowd and asked, "Okay...can it be MY turn now?"
"Absolutely..." Michael Ian Black said with a smile.
"OH goody!" I said again as I placed my purse and soft coat on the chair behind them. "Oh, and we are definitely getting more than one pic," I assured them.
I found someone to take our pic and warned her about the "ghettoness" of my camera.
I think they were a little taken back with my quick and witty poses, but they were oh so quick to join in, as you can see from the pics.
"Look hot guys," I commanded and they obliged.
After the pics, I gathered my coat and said to them, "I know you guys are tired as shit, but I just have to say that you guys are fucking awesome and your my idols."
They both looked quite pleased and Michael Showalter could not rip his boyish eyes away from me...I felt sorry to leave, honestly I was searching for an excuse to stay but some fat bitch interrupted our beautiful moment with, "HEY can you take my pic now?"
"SURELY!!!" I said, with not an ounce of sarcasm...
I snapped away and then waved goodbye to my idols...both of them crying inside.
On my drive home, I was completely elated. I felt like I was on every drug in the book and for the record I was NOT. I guess that's just what amazing sketch comics do to a hot, intellectually sarcastic woman like me.
