Well, dear readers, I have breaking bombshell news in several parts and there may even be more breaking bombshell news coming later in the day, so I may as well get to it, otherwise it won’t be breaking bombshell news. First of all, can someone explain to me why each time I typed “breaking” it came out as “breaing”? I’d understand once, but three times is a little wicky-wacky and ticky-tacky. So, the first bombshell breaing news – there it goes again – breaking news was our confirmation e-mail that Sami, our new comedy series with music, officially premiers on April 23 on Amazon Prime Video. While we really wanted it to be free, Amazon no longer allows that for shows that they don’t themselves produce. So, we chose the least expensive option, which was ninety-nine cents per episode or the entire series for nine dollars and ninety-nine cents – but if you buy the series they give you a ten percent discount, so basically nine bucks. There was simply no way around it and believe me we tried. But we’re thrilled that it was approved. We have the links but they don’t go live until Saturday night at 12:01, which is, of course, Sunday. Here’s what several experts who’ve done this have told me – we must have a great first day, just like an Indiegogo compaign. So, the hope is you’ll binge it and then review it, or even if you watch just a few episodes at first, still review it on that first day. Anyway, that was just the best news and I danced a jig and almost got a hernia. Now we’re going to start posting a lot of behind-the-scenes photos and a few little snippets from a few episodes, so make sure you’re following Sami the Series on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, as each will have different stuff. I’m also thinking of having a preview private screening of episode one and then a Zoom Q&A with our cast and such. Would that be of interest? We’d send a private link to view at a certain time and a link to Zoom right after. The show would be a one-time live event, screening-wise. Let me know your thoughts.
In other breaking bombshell news, the new book is up for pre-orders and here is the direct link. Copies ordered through Kritzerland come signed and with a really fun special extra that I think everyone will love. http://kritzerland.com/prev_harv.htm
I did watch a motion picture last night entitled The Normal Heart, based on Larry Kramer’s play about the beginning of the AIDS epidemic. It’s obviously autobiographical, with its lead, Ned Weeks, being the stand-in for Mr. Kramer. Mark Ruffalo does a good job of actually resembling Mr. Kramer at times. Some of it is moving, some of it is just angry, as befits the subject, and some of it resembles an article rather than a play, but its normal heart is, of course, in the right place. The movie is directed by Ryan Murphy, who I don’t think is a very good director – he does love to fast cut, he will occasionally let scenes play out but rarely in one shot, which can sometimes, especially in something like this, be very effective. And I found the opening scenes at Fire Island completely gratuitous and almost parodic in an Allan Carr kind of way. I can’t say I enjoyed it because this is not a story you enjoy, but one can feel and empathize with Mr. Kramer’s seething anger at how dismissive everyone is to what’s going on. Of course, the score does not a single thing to actually underscore what’s on screen – it’s just obnoxious droning and that, I’m afraid, is all on Mr. Murphy.
Yesterday had lovely things in it and would have been perfect if not for needing another major miracle and soon before my head explodes into little bitty pieces. I got eight and a half hours of sleep, got up, got the news about Sami and danced a jig, had a text volley about what happens next in terms of our publicist and campaign, then made two turkey sandwiches with cheese on the rye bread and ate them both. They were a little boring, but fine. I had a couple of macaroons with chocolate bottoms for a sweet. I had a few telephonic calls, one of which is because we have to replace the “Coming soon” card on the trailer with the coming on April 23 to Amazon Prime Video card – that’s mostly for the publicist and her outlets. Then I sat on my couch like so much fish and watched the movie.
I tried to then watch Mean Streets, which I’ve never seen, but fell asleep about forty seconds in. Since I’d really only had the two sandwiches, I was hungry and thought I could use a bit more food so I ordered from Mel’s Diner and got a cup of their excellent chicken soup and a small cup of their chili, which I’d never tried and it was pretty good – not as good as Jerry’s Deli used to be, but good.
Today, I’ll be up when I’m up, I think I’ll be getting the revised designed book – we found ten little things to correct, so hopefully those will all get done – all very simple stuff. I’ll check and see if anything is at the mail place, I’ll eat something, I’ll start organizing the Sami stuff for the next week and a half, so that everyone is on the same page and knows what everyone is doing, I’ll get the folder for the book parts assembled, I’ll finish a set of liner notes, I’ll make a show order, and I’ll start writing the commentary. Then I can watch, listen, and relax.
Tomorrow, I have a work session for the Kritzerland show at one and after that I’ll just do whatever needs doing. She of the Evil Eye comes on Saturday so we know how that goes, and Sunday I’m seeing a matinee of a play. Then we begin the busy Kritzerland rehearsal week.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, be up when I’m up, hopefully get the revised book and check to make sure all changes are correct, after which I’ll sign off on it, I’ll see if there’s anything at the mail place, I’ll eat, I’ll do some Sami organizing, I’ll get all the book parts into a folder so that’s ready to send early next week, I’ll finish liner notes, I’ll make a show order, I’ll start writing commentary, and then watch, listen, and relax. Today’s topic of discussion: There have been a rather large number of plays and films that have dealt with the AIDS epidemic – which are the ones that you liked best and that really moved you. And what was the first time you heard that there was a mysterious disease killing people. I think mine was Orrin Reiley’s death, which was in 1984. I’d worked with him at Bluth Brothers Theater, when he was Terry Reiley – he was one of two Bluth Brothers people who got to New York and began working on Broadway – Walter Willison was the other. Orrin was in Dear World and Applause and a few other shows. Your turn. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, happy to have had a day of breaking bombshell news that was good and hopefully there will be more I can share today. Meanwhile, do order the new book.