|
 |
 A Conversation About Stella Live! by jamie flam and chiara triska On Saturday April 24th I had the pleasure of attending a comedic event in the city of San Francisco featuring Stella: the comedy trio of Michael Ian Black, David Wain, and Michael Showalter. I had heard about them through the wonderful interweb location Statemedia.net (which still has a sweet little sidebar link to lunchboxing) a couple years ago, and knew only that they performed a weekly show in New York, and had some hilarious videos online. I learned a little bit more about them when lunchboxer Jeremy Padow sent me his article Wet Hot American Friendster, a real life tale which called the trio out for being dickheads in person. As you might imagine, it wasn't a popular article amongst die hard Stella fans, and I got the brunt of it to the tune of one scathing email. Youch. Despite Jeremy's tales, I still wanted to something more from them. But with their busy schedules, which I knew included the filming of such popular shows as "I Love The 80's" on VH-1, I never figured they would have them time to perform in my fair city. How very wrong I was! They finally made it out to the city, and I had the pleasure of going to see them with the beautiful and courageous Chiara Triska. After a day of reflection, we came together to discuss what we have not just seen, but experienced together, and the results are just entertaining enough to make it as a feature on lunchboxing. Won't you please read? Thank you. Jamie: Hi Chiara, how are you this morning? Chiara: Absolutely titspacular! And yourself, Jamie? Jamie: Funny thing, I am also titspacular! Jamie: I am thinking that perhaps you are titspacular because you had a titspacular weekend, no? Chiara: I certainly did. How was yours? Jamie: Titspacular, as I just mentioned. Chiara: Oh, yes right... Awesome! Jamie: So I have been meaning to ask you, Chiara... What did you think about the Stella show we saw on Saturday evening at the recently opened The Independent in San Francisco. Chiara: Ah, yes The Independent, formerly the Justice League. Jamie: Yes, formerly the Justice League, now The Independent. Chiara: I thought the show was thoroughly entertaining, although I did miss the funny characters that use to be on the wall of the Justice League. Jamie: Funny characters? Do explain! Chiara: There used to be all of these "graffed" or painted pictorals on the wall near the ceiling. Jamie: So I would imagine that if one did halluconogenic drugs, it would provide quite a landscape for "tripping the fuck out." Chiara: Yeah, it was mostly just funny little characters and if I remember correctly just heads. It made for good stoney zone out times. Jamie: Awesome, brahhh. Speaking of "brahhhhhs," there sure were a lot of them in attendance on Saturday wouldn't you say? Chiara: Most definitely, but as someone did mention, the ladies that were there weren't looking too shabby. Jamie: No, ample breasts for sheezy. Chiara: I don't recall any real knockers though. Jamie: Right, just ample... Hey, remember when I was doing that old timey announcer voice while we waited for the show to begin, about the racial make up of the audience, like "White East Coast transplants and select Asians unite... three white funny men are about to take the stage in a comic Tour de Force. Chiara: Yes, that was funny. And I thought it was funny that Stella immediately made reference to that demographic when they came out on stage. Jamie: I don't think I really said Tour de Force that night, and to be honest, I am not even sure what it means. Chiara: I think it means FORCE TOUR in French. Jamie: Wow, then if I did say it, it was entirely appropriate! Chiara: Yep. So what did you think of the opener, Eugene Mirman? Do you think he's related to Ethel? Jamie: Ethel Mirman? No. Do you? Chiara: No, just asking. Jamie: I appreciate that. So anyways, I found Eugene Mirman quite funny, and even though some of his jokes fell flat, it was a charming flat. Chiara: Well, I thought he had some funny material. Nothing flowed though. Funny material, no segues. Jamie: I think the lack of segues was ok, and normal. And his videos were pretty hilarious. What did you think? Chiara: I think the lack of segues may have detracted a little from his overall performance, but I still thought he did well and was funny. Agreed on the videos being hilarious. Jamie: Have you ever been to his website? Chiara: No! Should I check it out? Jamie: It's pretty hilarious. If I remember correctly, there are pictures of him as a youngster that sing songs in a high pitched voice, much like a youngster. So yeah, check it out. Chiara: You got a link? Jamie: I sure do! Go to http://www.eugenemirman.com/. Jamie: Moving on... Stella. Now tell me, Chiara, how familiar were you with Stella before seeing the show? Chiara: Well, I was pretty familiar with The State, so that was my first encounter with the members of Stella. Then from your extreme graciousness you exposed me to a lot of the video shorts that Stella has produced and even prompted me to watch Wet Hot American Summer. Jamie: Lots of "cock" and "Jew" references, yes? Chiara: Tons. They like their cocks and they also like being Jewish. Are all three Jews? Jamie: I think its safe to say that each one chanted from The Torah around the time their pubic hair was coming in. Chiara: Yes, and masturbated A LOT. Jamie: More than I feel comfortable talking about right now, to be honest. Speaking of honesty, did you feel their performance was an honest portrayal? Chiara: Of themselves as artists? Or how much they love penises? Jamie: Both, and at the same time, neither... Moving on, which of the guys was your favorite? Chiara: Funny you should ask that.... because before the show I would have probably chosen Michael Ian Black. Jamie: Because you love the 80's? Chiara: No, because he's the cutest, Michael Showalter being second, then the David dude. Jamie: You just hate bald men. Chiara: Actually, after the show, I decided that my favorite is DAVID, hands down. And I LOVE bald men. Jamie: Word. So did he become cuter as the show went on? Chiara: It wasn't his cuteness as much as it was his moxie. Dude's got moxie. Jamie: I felt the moxie too. Though, it may have just been the five margaritas I drank prior to the show. Chiara: He also dropped his pants in the middle of the set. Speaking of which...... How did you feel about the simulated sex on stage? Jamie: It worked. Maybe a little too much. Chiara: Do you think some the crowd got horny? Jamie: If by "some of the crowd" you mean "Me, Jamie Flam," and if by "horny" you mean "blood engorged penis," than absolutely. Chiara: That was probably the margaritas as well. Jamie: Yeah, quite potent. So did you ever read Jeremy Padow's article about Stella and friendster that appeared on lunchboxing? It was published about the time that friendster was worthy of mention. Chiara: I did! It was a good article. Jamie: I thought it was well written, fun and informative. Would you say that the article, which was about the Stella guys being dicks in real life, described an isolated incident, or a fair depiction of who they are and what they are all about? Chiara: I think it's probably safe to say that those dudes are nicer to cute girls than to fans with penises. But that's just my assumption. I mean, they seem pretty down to earth with only a slight asshole edge. Jamie: I have to agree. Still, Padow's article was fun. Chiara: You know, I sent Michael Ian Black a friendster message after reading the article. Jamie: Did he reply? Chiara: Yes! Jamie: Really?? What did you write and what did he say? Chiara: I think I thanked him for keeping me entertained one Sunday afternoon when I was deathly hungover and watching "I Love The 80's" all day long. You know, pretty silly fan mail. Jamie: To which he replied? Chiara: He was very sincere and told me that liquor is not good for the liver. Jamie: Good for him! Chiara: Yes, it was inspirational. Jamie: Did you know he is a regular contributor to Mcsweeneys? Chiara: I did not! That's very interesting. Jamie: Yes. His appeal is widespread. From wealthy East Coast white kids who like jam bands to wealthy East Coast white kids that label themselves "literary." And a handful of assorted Asians. So... any other notable moments in the show for you? Chiara: Hmmmm....... I thought it was funny that they came out for an "encore" but admitted to not having any "encore" material. Kinda weird and funny. Jamie: That's not notable. Thats unforgivable. Chiara: Yeah, you're right. Just don't come out then. Jamie: Or whatever. Chiara: Exactly. Jamie: Seeing as how lunchboxing is the most self referential site in the universe, save for Monkey Acrobat With Clown, I must ask how you think The New Expression Shows we put on measure up with this. Compare and contrast please. Chiara: Comparatively speaking, I think New Expression shows are definitely on par with selling out a club such as The Independent. Jamie: And contrastively? Chiara: I think New Expression shows attract less people who burn easily and show more funny videos. You see, it's all about diversity. That said, how do you intend to diversify your target audience if that, of course, is an intention you have? Jamie: I would like to get more involvement from half South East Asian females, Persian men, and invite Jay-Z to be a part of the show. Chiara: I think you may be onto something there. Jamie: I figure since Jay-Z sells out venues 100 times the size of The Independent, it could only be a positive to have him on board. Chiara: Most definitely. I'm pretty sure Jay-Z loooooved The State when it was on MTV. Jamie: I like to think while he liked The State on MTV, he was also quite jaded with the current state of hip-hop at the time, hence his foray into the realm of fantastic beat making and vocal delivery. All this talk about Jay-Z is making me hungry. Chiara: You should probably eat something then... So, were you expecting Stella to show more videos maybe? Jamie: I was, actually. They only showed one. Which was funny. But I wanted more. Chiara: As a whole do you think you enjoy their videos more or their sketch comedy? Jamie: I guess its one in the same really... it just seemed like an overall waste of resources to only show one video, though. Chiara: True. They do have a ton of them. Who's your favorite? Jamie: Hmmmm.... well Michael Ian Black is the obvious choice... and Michael Showalter is like the Paul McCartney cute guy of the bunch which rules him out for some dumb reason, but you know, I think I agree with you... David Wain has a certain charm about him, even though he is the supposed dickiest one. Still, as LUBO has learned from urban youth, it is far better not to hate... only congratulate. Chiara: Would you see them again? Jamie: I would definitely see them again. Chiara: How (if at all) did the show inspire you, given that you are a writer/comedian/video guy yourself and really like them? Jamie: As a writer/comedian/video guy trying to do things like them, I am inspired that there are a lot of people that come out and pay good money to see funny comedy of their ilk. I'd like to capitalize on the same audiences, and make more videos and laffy-scripts for the people! Chiara: You go, boy. Jamie: Thanks for that. And thanks for chatting... I reallly needed to get this off my chest, you Michael Ian Black groupie. Chiara: Not so. I just LOVE the 80's!! Jamie: Here is a pun that barely makes sense to end this conversation: See you Back To The Future (Part 2)!!! Chiara: That's real nice, Jamie. |
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| lunchboxing.com 2003 | all content © | all rights reserved | suck it so hard | feel the rhythm of the night |
