Hello readers, people refer to me as Brody. And so can you!
Just doing my thang, as all the kids say. Spots at the Comedy Store in Hollywood off Sunset across the street from House of Blues and next door to the Rock and Roll Hyatt where bands like Led Zeppelin would hang in mid-70’s.
Drumming late night as a member of the Barris-Brody-Overdrive, BBO takes the crowd back to the second Coachella, a radio sponsored event at Jones Beach featuring Limp Biscuit, and of course The U2’s Rattle and Hum.
Take part in the energy, see us live while you can. I’m also all around LA as a solo artist. You can catch my speeches at several various venues spread throughout Southern California and Las Vegas.
Check my schedule as far as that goes…
*me and Spanish
Got fired up yesterday. Wanna hear about it?
So I’m helping out my friend Dave Holmes of The TV Guide Network who hosts the game show Celebrity Says. I arrive at Tribune Studios in Hollywood for my 9am call time. Being a weekend, and being told to enter the Bronson gate, I attempt to do so. Gate is closed, I end up parking on street with regular folk, then walking 1/3 of a mile. I’m painting a picture for you, Act One if you will.
Once situated and on set, my duty was to kept everyone happy while we taped five shows, some call this audience warm-up.
Went well, felt good, pay fair.
After work, I head out to my car, can’t find an open gate, and I’m not gonna walk ALL the way around like I did in the morning. But, Bingo! There it is, an open gate and a shorter walk than my pre-noon commute.
I’m carrying a tote bag, 13 pounds of laminated photos and keys. So the distance to and from sound-stage, then back to car definitely matters! Don’t you dare question my methods, I’m quite familiar with the Tribune Studios lot layout - I was told to enter on Bronson!!
*Brode @ UCB-LA
Back to post-show adventure…
Anyway, I’m feeling accomplished as I head out the quicker South Gate on the way to my vehicle up and around the block, parked on Bronson. Upon doing so, I run into a line of people waiting for another television taping. I recognize about half of the audience, they tell me it’s for Family Feud.
Needless to say, I was quite comfortable and in a good mood touching base with old acquaintances. I work a lot of shows in this town, it really is a small community and the name Brody Stevens carries some weight.
Yes, it feels good to brag. I connect with paid audience members.
After some chit-chat and greetings, I work my way up the sidewalk to my car through the rest of the crowd, most I did not recognize.
But hey, I’m in a good mood, buzzing, why not do some shtick with teenagers up front in line waiting for The Feud? Here come the photos and a few chuckles. Remember, I’m in a good mood, just worked 5 hours, I know half the crowd, etc…
After about a minute, two teachers/administrators approach me and asked me not to talk to the kids. “These are high school students, please don’t talk to them, Thank You”. Are you kidding me?? I say, “have I cursed or said anything offensive?” I go on to tell them, this is what I do, and I just did it all day for half of this very same audience.
As they stood defiantly protecting their kids, I tell them I’m a licenced substitute teacher and that I’m embarrassed for them. At this point, people start shouting my name, saying “Brody“, greeting me with hugs and high fives as they arrive for the show.
It was weird, felt like Aquaman mentally contacting audience members as they slept in their cars between shows, zombies coming out to salute their master. One by one, a smile and nod.
It felt great to rub the faces of these By the Book Chaperons in the frightened negativity they created. They just don’t get it. Not comedy, not life and not culture. Was it because I was on a public sidewalk? Was it my beard and non-Nordic features? How about my confidence? How about the sheltered sanitized students absorbing PG-8 material?
Then the studio door opens, guy with headset (my friend Jason), in front of these two from the sticks, “hey Brody, how’s it going, see ya tomorrow, etc..”
I won. I walked away the winner.
I should have just parked on the lot and kept to myself. But I got some bad info (that happens, no biggie) and I was being nice to fellow humans.
This is a crazy world we live in, but I bring good, so I will not stop and/or change who I am.
Know where you are, know your audience, accept the outcome.
I took a chance by doing humor for teen strangers on a public sidewalk. But because I’ve put the time in and technically believe in my art and persona, I cannot recommend these highly honed spiritual comedic methods to a novice.
