ROCK STAR
Last weekend my latest Donny's Skybox show opened here in Chicago. I had been worried about it because the writers/director decided to change the running order two days before the show (and after our last rehearsal). Needless to say, I didn't tell anyone about the show (and I don't think the other actors did, either)... so I wasn't expecting much of an audience. I was quite surprised when the director emailed us the day of to tell us that we had already sold out (for a Skybox show opening?? Quite odd).
The show went much better than expected. Long after the show, I would tell someone that the crowd "spoiled us" by laughing harder than they probably should have. Immediately after the show, the cast was on cloud 9... we felt like we could do no wrong, and it didn't help our egos that we were asked to come back on stage after the show. It turns out that an entire women's basketball team from a small college in Missouri had attended the show--and aforementioned basketball team wanted us to come back on stage and take pictures with them. It was the first time I was asked for my photograph from someone who wasn't legally blind. And, even though I felt insanely awkward, it was nice to feel like someone that other people want a picture of, just to commemorate your performance.

A WORD ON THE BCS
This year, I feel the short-comings of the BCS are most apparent... and the ease of correction is also fairly apparent. My solution? A 4-team playoff. That only adds one game to the season (which is already in place this season!), and would be fairly easy to figure out this season: Ohio State, Michigan, Florida, and USC would all play each other for a spot in the Championship game. But John, you say, what about LSU? I think USC is a better team than LSU... and every year, with only four teams, you'll have the same "Who's #4 and who's #5?" B.S. that we have with #2 and #3. But, really, the further from #1 we get, the less it will really matter who number 4 or 5 is.
Alternatively, we could have an 8-team playoff between the Big 10, Big 12, ACC, SEC, Big East, and Pac-10 with two "at large" spots (which this year would be Michigan and LSU). This means each of the four big bowl games (Rose, Fiesta, Sugar, Orange) is part of the playoff... but it also means adding two more weeks instead of just one. I think it's doable and only the WAC, MAC, and Conference USA would be upset (although they could be 'at large' spots as well). Sound good? I think that makes lots of money and sense... so call your local congressperson and let's get on this!