Programmed Entertainment:
I recently watched Lewis Black, a standup comedian, on an HBO netflix movie. The show consisted entirely of Lewis Black standing on stage with no props doing his stand up comedy routine. It was quite funny. But at the end, for some reason, I noticed the credits for this performance. I really can't imagine what all these people do---I mean the guy stands there and delivers jokes. Seems pretty straight forward. I guess not.
Listed in the credits were:
3 Executive Producers
1 Producer
1 Written by (Lewis Black)
1 Executive in Charge of Production
1 Production Designer
1 Lighting Designer
1 Associate Director
1 Stage Manager
1 Art Director
2 Associate Producers
1 Script Supervisor
1 Production C0-ordinator
8 Production Associates
1 Staging Supervisor
1 Technical Director
1 Audio Mixer
1 Video Control
8 Camera Operators
1 House PA Mixer
1 Video Tape Director
3 Audio Associates
1 Gaffer (what the hell is this?)
1 Vari Lite Operator
6 Utility persons
1 Engineer in Charge
1 Audio Maintenance
1 Teleprompter
1 Hair and Makeup
1 Editor
2 Post Production Audio
1 Music By
1 Main Title Designer
2 Scenic Photo Material
1 Tour Manager
1 Assistant to Lewis Black
2 Promoters
I can't decide, could this be some kind of joke? Or is this for real? If this is how many it takes for Lewis Black to go on stage and deliver a monologue, I wonder how many it takes for President Bush to deliver some sort of address?
P.S. I looked up Gaffer. It is the chief electrician. If I counted right there are 63 people listed in the credits. Suppose he has to go to the bathroom, he does this all by himself? Suppose he 'breaks wind' isn't there an Associate Odor Control Executive? I remember back many years ago when a friend and I promoted this country music show with Marty Robbins, Lefty Frizzell, and the Louvin Brothers---they just showed up with their bands and went on stage and sang. Times have changed I guess.
The credits for this e-mail are: Main Title Designer----oh the hell with it.
