The other day I auditioned for a new reality show. I can't tell you the name of the show but I will tell you the premise.
It's a competition a la American Idol, except the talent in this competition is impersonation. You might say the producers aren't looking for real celebrities but instead are looking for "the next best thing."
Now when I first heard about the show, I assumed it was all about impressions. I couldn't have been more wrong.
See, a friend of mine is one of the writers and when I called in for information he said he could get me an audition appointment so I wouldn't have to wait in line, but there is a catch. All auditioners had to show up at the same time so the producers of the show and every entertainment news show could get footage of all of us. This is where it turned bad.
As I walked to the line, my eyes beheld the biggest collection of freaks this side of Mardi Gras. Marilyn Monroe, Michael Jackson, Ray Charles, Marilyn Manson and even Fonzie were just a few of the characters who had come to audition. At this point, I felt I had made a mistake. It was clear to me that this show was less about actual impressions and more about looking like the person you were impersonating. The most ludicrous part was the cameraman who was getting individual shots of each contestant. This guy was a giant douche. At one point he asked a Minnie Pearl impersonator, "What is Hee Haw?" Later he asked the Fonz himself, "Who is the Fonz?" How do you work in television and not know who the Fonz is? That guy was "uncoolamundo." After about an hour of this sideshow I sneaked away and started to reconsider coming back the next day for my audition.
When I got back home I called my friend and asked him if I should shave my goatee to look more like Shatner. He responded, "It depends on what you want to get out of this competition." To which I replied, "We both know that what I want and what I'm going to get are two different things." I decided that if they asked me to shave I would, but I wasn't going to do it just for the audition.
Cut to the next day. I showed up for my audition and hung out with Ralph Kramden & Ed Norton, Little Richard and a woman who looked vaguely like Maya Angelou. When the time came for my audition, I walked into the sound stage and was met with the smiling faces of Lisa Ann Walter, Elon Gold and Jeffrey Ross. I introduced myself as Will "Young" Shatner, the country's premiere Shatner impersonator. As expected, they immediately informed me that I didn't really look like Shatner. This gave me the opportunity to defend my talent as an impressionist and talk a little smack about all the lookalikes whose only talent is the ability to buy a costume. Then I busted out with my impression.
Due to legal hassles, I was unable to sing Rocket Man, but they were able to clear How Insensitive from Shatner's album, The Transformed Man. Quite frankly, I rocked it. When finished, Lisa couldn't hide her amazement, she admitted that although I didn't look like Shatner, she could see the transformation (pun intended) during the song. Jeff Ross, however, couldn't help but comment that I had let myself "boldly go." Then my day went from bad to worse.
I told Jeff How funny I thought that line was when he used it at the Shatner Roast a few months ago. He didn't appreciate that at all and told me to beam myself out. At this point, my only chance was to get a yes vote from Elon. After a very long winded attempt at humor, Elon voted no and made it clear that had I not had a goatee he might have voted differently. To which I replied, "It's not even real, it's a merkin."
Overall, it was a fairly enjoyable experience and I will probably make it on one of the audition episodes. So watch and judge for yourself.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-08-2007 @ 12:10PM
cdawg said...
how do i get on this show? i do a mean janis joplin!
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3-08-2007 @ 12:18PM
gwangi said...
I've been told I look like John Turturro, but I don't think I need the world to know.
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3-08-2007 @ 1:02PM
Valerie St. John said...
Cute...Paul, maybe you auditioned for the wrong "character".
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3-08-2007 @ 1:31PM
Gemini said...
Do please let us know when this show premiers? Sounds like fun.
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3-08-2007 @ 2:08PM
Danny Edwards said...
I assume this is the show.
http://www.thefutoncritic.com/devwatch.aspx?id=next_best_thing
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3-09-2007 @ 7:06AM
Svenalike said...
Mainstream broadcast media seems incredibly jealous of the cream of the professional lookalike/soundalike celebrity impersonator industry and at every turn take the opportunity to "expose" and ridicule the amateur end of the business.
The real "dead ringers" have spent years perfecting an authentic and original act based upon their uncanny resemblance to a list celebs but invariably are passed by for an actor in a wig doing a laughable attempt at what we pros do all year when an impersonator is required for TV or film.
All that I have heard and read indicates that The Next Best Thing is a cruel charade aimed at attracting only the most obsessive freaks with the real talent cut, edited and abused for the sake of some distorted agenda within the production team?
I sincerely hope that the top talent will boycott this and treat it with the contempt that is so apparently being shown towards us!
For truly talented international acts refer to the non-profit professional association: www.lookalikes-unite.com ?
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3-09-2007 @ 10:58AM
BELLA said...
Paul
first of all if you have a "friend" that works on the show- you know it is a conflict of interest for you to audition in the 1st place/ Second -who the hell are you? some of those "freaks" you list are some of the most professional, highly respected (and paid) impersonators in this biz-many if not all- are pro actors, musicians, singers, so don't blame them if the set up made everyone look "cheesy"- and let me guess you are an out of work actor? trying too hard to explain his "talent" to the judges?
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3-10-2007 @ 12:36AM
ellie weingardf said...
Of course it's a sideshow...exploitation in which you make no money....oh, but somebody does.....guess who? Do you want to risk being made a gigantic fool on public television and having your art berated and you publicly humiliated? Then go for it! If there is only one winner what does that tell you? Someone is more Michael Jackson then you are Marylin Monroe? Duh!
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3-15-2007 @ 11:58AM
Svenalike said...
It's worth remembering that Charlie Chaplin once entered a Charlie Chaplin lookalike contest at the height of his popularity and he didn't even get past the first heat let alone win. Maybe it's the modern day version of that kind of audience appreciation and the frequent public delight in a larger than life version of a celebrity that's provided by the best celebrity impersonators that makes the "mainstream" of showbusiness so very jealous and vindictive?
It's just up to the pro-lookalikes NOT to play into their hands without some serious safeguard against being set up for some very underhand treatment.
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3-17-2007 @ 4:06PM
Sherie said...
Everything that I have seen and heard about this show is very professional. Like American Idol, you are in a position to be critized...and also in a position to be recognized. I am very proud of all the impersonators who gave it a "shot" and took the risks. Life is about taking risks. It could be the best thing that ever happens to you! For the real pros...they will always work...and most likely get more work if they are seen!
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3-22-2007 @ 11:14AM
Rick said...
All these people calling impersonators "professional" make me laugh. The only thing some really have is through genetics. Not the hard work of their benefactors. To look and sound like someone else who put the work in and capitalize on that is a ridiculous profession beneficial to the producers and a few who obviously miss the circus freak show.
I am sure a show like this is not produced to "enhance" the impersonation "career". rather do what it should. Show how ridiculous people are in their basic need to gain applause, acceptance and ultimately money on another's back.
I will watch the show though because I can't turn away from car wrecks either unless it becomes too serious. If that happens (which I doubt) the show will go down in flames (as it should).
No one cares about impersonators in a serious manner. The multitude of Elvis impersonators has made a joke of Elvis (who became an impersonation of himself) and started a fad which has long burned out.
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3-28-2007 @ 2:45PM
Cardwell said...
Just auditioned for the show. Yes, to say the least there's no doubt an odd side to the look alike world. If one keeps this pursuit in perspective, it can be a harmless and quite fun way to if not make a living, at least make some extra$. Basicly they are hired to liven up events...sometimes corporate....Play the fool....loosen up the guests. The promoters obviously feel its worth it. The woman judge Lisa Walter seemed fair and respectful, others said the same. Jeffrey Ross is and came off as an insufferable, smug little'TROLL'(SP?)...sniping at perfomers from the darkened shawows. The NYC Bridge &Tunnel Authority is slipping badly. Elon Gold appeared to me and was said by others to be more interested in getting up on stage and outdoing the contestants w/his impersonation of their character...then often giving a thumbs down....while keeping said performer dangleing. "Come see these mildly successful comedians beat up on the lookalikes" Easy targets, especialy when they have beefy security and loyal editors to clear a path. If they ever ran into some of the performers on a darkened NYC st. they'd surely run for their lives. Next reality show, one that would surely gain an appreciative audience "Revenge of the Look-alikes" Windowless vans circling the block, the smell of hairspray wafting out the windows.
Wellington
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3-26-2007 @ 3:36PM
Dawnn said...
What qualifies these comics to judeg anyone?
In my opinion its a cruel vehicle for the comics to get some publicity at the impersonators expense.
Impersonators are ACTORS,NOT FREAKS!
They don't think they are th real thing....
They play a part/role of a person or charcter!
Past( EX: Elvis)
Present( Angelina Jolie),
Real and sometimes even fictional roles come into play(EX: Austin Powers).
They are just like any other actor or actress.
Can't they get a little respect?
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3-26-2007 @ 3:40PM
Dawnn said...
Sorry I need spellcheck......
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3-29-2007 @ 10:36PM
Rick said...
Impersonators are not actors. Most only can do a handful of characters. Usually one really well. Actors are trained to CREATE and INVENT characters (which are then impersonated). A huge difference.
Anyone who believes any exposure to this ridiculous "profession" will be respectful is living in a dream world.....go figure,
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4-02-2007 @ 6:46PM
deb said...
Greetings from the real or maybe unreal world of impersontars/lookalikes/tribute artists...
I personally tend to lean toward the word artists, not for myself but for singers and comedians.
I have read every comment so far and snicker at the negative ones. Obviously such comments are made by those who have never been in the entertainment business or if they are, have little or no respect for themselves nor those in it as well. And that's okay, read on if you dare.
Yes, I happen to have auditioned for this show, have and do portray a variety of lookalikes (I call myself that as I do not sing or do stand up comedy).
I have also been involved in theatre in years past, currently in film and television, and have trained in all the above in a variety of areas, including at college level. I have also worked behind-the-scenes in said areas for several years.
I do NOT profess to be a professional pshychiatrist or the kind of person who makes statements and thinks they should fit, like a pair of shoes, to each person/talent in the same way. I just express what I see at the time FIRST hand and respond accordingly, for myself, thus not saying what I see is right or wrong, just that I saw it, I liked it or I could lump it - referring to the arts, or any other field/area you can think of.
So it really bugs me how people can make such rude comments about something they know very little about. Yes, it's their opinion too, but why are there such opinions and so many of them? I think it's because this industry is so open, as we are OUT THERE - EXPOSED so to speak - on stage, as well as on the little and big silver screens as actors, lookalikes, singers...
(and I've seen and respect ALL of them - that's the main reason I'm in this biz AND writing this; I've never seen such camaraderie, nothing I've experienced in other walks of life, although I'm sure there may be such a closeness in other areas out there; I hope so)
Of course anyone can feel free to comment on just what they hear/assume/not experience, but yet, it's difficlut for me to read what such a person has to say and take it seriously when they have NOT experienced such things first hand themselves. Hopefully that goes without saying.
As for me and the NBT show, finally I'm getting to that, I turned down the show a few times. First of all I had a date conflict, and I was forewarned about such a kind of show. Believe it or not I have never seen American Idol or shows like it, so I didn't even know what to expect, although I had an idea from viewing commercials about such shows and from comments in "movie magazines."
It was one or more of the show's representatives that convinced me to audition, and they chose my character, a sci-fi one at that, as I have others. I figured that there may not be too many sci-fi lookalikes out there, my date conflict cleared, and so I went for it. Another plus, the audition's location was very close and convenient for me. Many talent flew from everywhere.
YES, all that everyone has said in previous comments pretty much happened at the audition(s)for me as well. I even ran off the stage too early, as I thought I was suppose to, so the whole world might see that GOOF, or read it here first. LOL
BUT I did return to the stage, that took guts, :), and I continued on. I think my best improv comeback was explaining why I left the stage, but the audience viewers may never hear it - maybe I'll share it here one day!
No matter what, those who have never experienced any kind of an audition or casting, HAVE most likely expereinced a job interview, being the new student or new kid, even adult, on the block and have an itsy bitsy idea of what "that" is like.
So, if you dare, just enjoy, or not, that we have a variety of shows and entertainment to choose from, those with cable or satellite, VCR and DVD players can be entertained in so many ways. OH, and don't forget live stage, bands, radio and the actual movie theater...
Enjoy! But don't ever forget ALL the talent, all kinds of talent that's needed both in front of and behind the scenes. The process to put together anything from a short film or a community play to a feature film, and oh yes, even a TV show called THE NEXT BEST THING requires so much energy.
Try it one day and see for yourself. You may be turned down for your first audition or your 273rd, but you will never be turned down at the box office(buying that ticket or just plain flipping that TV channel).
I dedicate the above, that is, all the good thoughts/intentions, to my fellow talent - dear friends - those I've met and those I've yet to.
All others - take it and learn or leave it and remain the same.
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4-09-2007 @ 12:24AM
goodkine said...
since everyone who is in support of this show is basing their comments on how "professional" the whole production is... let me add this tidbit of info for your review...
i auditioned for this show in orlando... ALL THREE judges were amazed at my impersonation and voted decisively for me to advance... i was excited and felt i had did myself justice for spending over $1000 in travel, accomodations and costume to go to florida and take a chance...
to my disappointment, i received a call (and on the answering machine no less) that they were "sorry" that the judges had passed through over 100 "qualifiers" for the only 30 slotted semi finalist round...
i also later got a call from a friend who literally works on the CREW for this show who said that they ALREADY KNEW they had enough contestants for the show and that they only went through with the orlando audition JUST TO GET FOOTAGE...
you tell me how professional it is to completely lie to the people who came out earnestly to try out and wait for literally hours to achieve NOTHING... ESPECIALLY to those who MADE IT and were just lured into the production under false pretenses...
i have lost all respect for ABC and Disney... very UNPROFESSIONAL...
skeptics who think this is just a 'rant' with no merit are welcome to email me for names and specific info to verify this occurance...
SHAME ON ABC... SHAME ON THE PRODUCERS...
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