Got out there, People!
I hit the picket line on Friday. I’m not sure I would’ve done it if It was entirely up to me. I tend to feel like I do my part when I talk about things on the podcast. I certainly have spoken in support of the strikes by both the unions I am a member of, SAG/AFTRA and WGA. I have explained what they are about in terms of grievances and possible resolutions.
It takes much for me to get out there. Tim Heidecker texted me that he and Chelsea Peretti were going and we should get a funny people presence on the line. I reached out to some comics. We met down at the main Netflix offices, were given t-shirts and a sign and got into the line. It felt correct and righteous to be out there with the rest of my community, striking for correct compensation and representation. I clocked Tim, Eric, Chelsea, Reggie Watts, Jon Daly, Hannah Einbinder, Nick Thune, Jeff Baena and Joe Mande. There were plenty of people I knew but didn’t really know. It was a powerful turnout.
I don’t know why I checked but I got in over 11,000 steps. Wait, I do know. I went to the picket line instead of exercising at my regular time. I knocked out both at once.
It’s always a little about me which is an understatement but flexible.
I’ve been watching a lot of Mike Leigh movies. Some part of my brain is preparing. I’m hoping to have an opportunity to direct a film and I want to know and feel what I really like in terms of specific elements of direction. I’ve been watching his early films that he did with the BBC and I find them totally engaging in terms of the empathy his lens has for beautifully flawed characters. He affords the actors, and hence the characters, a profound amount of space to unfold and exist in what seems an authentic world.
The fact that it takes a certain amount of courage in art to sit with the familiar flaws of people without resolution or polish or judgement is a sad state of culture. It implies tolerance with its gaze. Because of divisiveness and entitlement and viral ideologies that compromise the humanity of individuals, it's heart-swelling and essential to watch something that should be the way we all see the world and others. It's inspiring and deep.
Today my old friend Jim Gaffigan talks to me for the seventh time on the show. I love talking to Jim. We catch up about his life and new special. On Thursday George Schlatter returns with some old show biz stories we didn’t get to the first time he was on. We fill in some gaps in my curiosity about Ciro’s nightclub which is now The Comedy Store.
Enjoy!
Boomer, Monkey and LaFonda live!
Love,
Maron
Funny People Presence.
