Last week was quite a hectic and exciting week. I shot a commercial in my hometown of Baltimore for the Maryland Lottery, I found out I was nominated for a MAC Award, and I appeared on an episode of "Law & Order: SVU". I really felt like a working entertainer and a Renaissance Man.
All of the things going on really made me think about how much the life of an entertainer is about making the cut. So many auditions, so much rejection. Seeking the approval of others all while trying to maintain your sanity and put your best foot forward. I learned a long time ago it's not just about talent. As a matter of fact, many of the most talented people quit working much earlier than the non-talented. The next time you see someone extremely successful and you can't figure out what their talent is, it's probably persistence.
I was extremely happy to make the cut and appear on "Law & Order: SVU" last week because it was a long journey. As most people who haven't been buried under a rock are aware of, the "Law & Order" franchise has 3 shows. I've been fortunate to be cast in all 3 but unfortunately, up until April 7, 2009 all of my "L & O" appearances ended up on the cutting room floor. It was actually starting to get comical and I'm sure I would be laughing heartily while rolling on the ground holding my belly if it wasn't me getting cut out of every episode of "Law & Order" I ever taped. It was actually starting to make me think I was a ghost or a vampire.
The first time I got cut, I saw it coming. I had one line in a scene with Chris Noth on "Criminal Intent". The director didn't even bother to give me any direction and my dressing room was a trailer on the side of the road that didn't even have a window. I watched the episode I was supposed to be in with my family and actually told them when and where I was supposed to be, "see right there, I was supposed to be right there. Chris Noth was actually talking to me right there, but I guess they figured they could tell the story without having my one line input".
The second time I got cut was a little bit more of a surprise. I was on original "Law & Order" and I played a Crime Scene Investigator who was on the witness stand being questioned by one of the leads, Sam Waterston. I even got cross examined by the defendant's lawyer. I was like, "no way I'm getting cut this time, I'm in a scene with the lead character and I got cross examined. I even think I'm giving some vital information to help solve the case". Obviously my info wasn't that important, because they told the story without my input.
When I got cast on "Law & Order: SVU", I was prepared to get cut again. I figured it would make for one of those great stories for people to pass on when I'm so famous that it wouldn't matter to me anymore. People would say, "did you know that Rick Younger was cut from episodes of all 3 Law & Orders? Yeah, come to find out he used to be a vampire, but he got the antidote and went on to compile an impressive body of work and go on to win 3 Academy Awards. So don't give up". Yes, I went on to become one of the greats!!!
This time I figured I was gonna not be afraid. If I got cut, then that was just the way it was meant to be. I went all out and posted on all of my Facebook pages, sent out e-mails and Twittered about the upcoming episode. I had lots of people watching, TIVO'ing and DVR'ing the blessed occasion. I was even prepared to tell people how things go sometimes in showbiz if I did get cut. I watched at home with baited breath and sweaty palms as the hour seemed to go by and finally 40 minutes into the episode I appeared onscreen. What a relief!!! I didn't have to prepare a written statement or regretful Facebook status. I made the cut!!!
I'm glad it all worked out. Not making the cut would not have made me less of a Renaissance Man but it is kinda good to not have to say a bunch of reassuring affirmations. One thing i can say is that I'm Living My Dream. I enjoy what I do and I try to enjoy the process that leads to the work and not just rejoice in getting the job.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Thursday, April 2, 2009
The Joy of Fatherhood
Here I am, finally posting to my blog once again. Since it's called the Life and Times of a Renaissance Man I guess I should tell you about my life and times. I'll try to be as open as possible but you know I think we all have things we don't share. Let's make a deal, if ever I post and I leave out any details that need more clarification, just leave a comment asking the question(s) that you need answered.
First let me give you a little bit of explanation as to why I call myself a Renaissance Man. Like many of the people who made the Renaissance Period famous, I too do many things. I'm a comedian, singer, actor, writer, producer, etc. I add etc. because the list seems to keep growing.
So many things have been happening lately. Right now I have 3 national commercials running for Starburst, Hotels.com and ESPN. I'm also appearing on "Law & Order: SVU" on April 7th. In addition to that, Younger Child Productions has moved into the area of film producing with the completion of our full length documentary, "Souled Out Comedy" as well as our Mockumentary short, "Whistle & Snap" going into post production.
The latest addition to the renaissance list is Father. That's actually jumped to #1 on my list. It's my greatest joy and I'm not even surprised by it. I always said I wanted to be a father and I delayed the experience because I didn't want to become a father until I was at a place in my life where I could be present and able to provide and support my child(ren). So it took me 40 years. Yep, I'm one of those dudes who's gonna have to stay in the gym so that he can be in shape to chase after his son. I've actually already joined Weight Watchers and I've lost 25.4 pounds so far.
As I type this I'm looking at my son make funny noises as he sits in his "Jump & Go". He's saying something and I have no clue what it is. It's probably, "Hey man, get me out of this 'Jump & Go' and do something enriching with me instead of typing on that computer", or maybe he's saying, "Why don't you go outside and beat up those guys who're hammering beneath the window closest to my crib?". Everyday there's something new. I'm just glad to see that he's actually showing signs that he likes me. The first few months I wasn't so sure about the little dude. Don't get me wrong, I was crazy about him but it really didn't seem like I was meeting his discriminating standards. I was trying to tell him, "Hey I make strangers laugh all the time and they act like they like me and I don't even provide them with food and lodging", but that didn't impress him. It was like he was the cool kid in high school. I spent all of my time smiling at him trying to meet his approval and he just looked at me with a deadpan expression. I know he was laughing on the inside and I even think he was communicating with other babies and telling them, "My father thinks he's funny, I mean he's alright but I can't let him know I think he's cool and that he's got good material"(in that way I think he's a lot like the industry professionals who haven't given me my own TV Show yet).
Then one day he smiled! That was all I needed. I was like, "You love me, YOU REALLY LOVE ME!!!". I'm glad he does because I love him oh so much. He's changed me, just like all the cliches you ever heard about what having kids can do. One of my biggest change is my sensitivity. I cry a lot now. I've cried while watching "Real Sports on HBO", in the middle of conversations that have to do with family, when leaving my parent's house, whenever my son, father and I are in the same room together... I think you get what I'm saying.
I guess I said all of this to say. I just want to be the best man that I can be so that I'm a good example for my son. I'm also striving to be like him. He's forgiving, honest, and he gets everything he wants. It's a pretty sweet set-up and on top of all of that he has a better blog than his "old man". Yes the "Youngest Younger" has a blog(that's what happens when you're mother is an actor and a writer).
First let me give you a little bit of explanation as to why I call myself a Renaissance Man. Like many of the people who made the Renaissance Period famous, I too do many things. I'm a comedian, singer, actor, writer, producer, etc. I add etc. because the list seems to keep growing.
So many things have been happening lately. Right now I have 3 national commercials running for Starburst, Hotels.com and ESPN. I'm also appearing on "Law & Order: SVU" on April 7th. In addition to that, Younger Child Productions has moved into the area of film producing with the completion of our full length documentary, "Souled Out Comedy" as well as our Mockumentary short, "Whistle & Snap" going into post production.
The latest addition to the renaissance list is Father. That's actually jumped to #1 on my list. It's my greatest joy and I'm not even surprised by it. I always said I wanted to be a father and I delayed the experience because I didn't want to become a father until I was at a place in my life where I could be present and able to provide and support my child(ren). So it took me 40 years. Yep, I'm one of those dudes who's gonna have to stay in the gym so that he can be in shape to chase after his son. I've actually already joined Weight Watchers and I've lost 25.4 pounds so far.
As I type this I'm looking at my son make funny noises as he sits in his "Jump & Go". He's saying something and I have no clue what it is. It's probably, "Hey man, get me out of this 'Jump & Go' and do something enriching with me instead of typing on that computer", or maybe he's saying, "Why don't you go outside and beat up those guys who're hammering beneath the window closest to my crib?". Everyday there's something new. I'm just glad to see that he's actually showing signs that he likes me. The first few months I wasn't so sure about the little dude. Don't get me wrong, I was crazy about him but it really didn't seem like I was meeting his discriminating standards. I was trying to tell him, "Hey I make strangers laugh all the time and they act like they like me and I don't even provide them with food and lodging", but that didn't impress him. It was like he was the cool kid in high school. I spent all of my time smiling at him trying to meet his approval and he just looked at me with a deadpan expression. I know he was laughing on the inside and I even think he was communicating with other babies and telling them, "My father thinks he's funny, I mean he's alright but I can't let him know I think he's cool and that he's got good material"(in that way I think he's a lot like the industry professionals who haven't given me my own TV Show yet).
Then one day he smiled! That was all I needed. I was like, "You love me, YOU REALLY LOVE ME!!!". I'm glad he does because I love him oh so much. He's changed me, just like all the cliches you ever heard about what having kids can do. One of my biggest change is my sensitivity. I cry a lot now. I've cried while watching "Real Sports on HBO", in the middle of conversations that have to do with family, when leaving my parent's house, whenever my son, father and I are in the same room together... I think you get what I'm saying.
I guess I said all of this to say. I just want to be the best man that I can be so that I'm a good example for my son. I'm also striving to be like him. He's forgiving, honest, and he gets everything he wants. It's a pretty sweet set-up and on top of all of that he has a better blog than his "old man". Yes the "Youngest Younger" has a blog(that's what happens when you're mother is an actor and a writer).
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