BLOG

Carvey Documentary Failure Success

Featuredbillchott2 Comments on Carvey Documentary Failure Success

The documentary Too Funny to Fail, Josh Greenbaum’s hilarious documentary is getting some exciting notices in the press. The doc focuses on The Dana Carvey Show, which was a failure by network standards, but a cult hit among comedy fans…some of whom include Bill Hader and Jerry Seinfeld!

You can read some great reviews in The New Yorker,  Time, The New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, and the very funny film was featured on NPR’s Fresh Air

The pic below is from the episode sponsored by Mountain Dew. Rave reviews followed from all those outlets after the release.

Screen Shot 2017-10-18 at 10.32.20 PM
Dana Carvey: What does that look like to you? Bill Chott: Liquid Sunshine.

We were not kind to our sponsors, and that’s one of the many reasons why the show pushed the boundaries for what was acceptable on network TV in 1996. It was so great to hear some stories of the battles going on between our producers and the network, which had recently been acquired by Disney. It explains a lot of the behind the scenes stuff that was off my radar.

Screen Shot 2017-10-18 at 10.36.02 PM
Steve Carell manning the radar, Bill Chott ranning the madar.

Thanks for your support. If you have a question about the Dana Carvey show that I can answer, I’ll give it my best shot. Might be wise to save us both some time and watch the documentary first.

Mention on Colbert’s Late Show

billchottLeave a Comment on Mention on Colbert’s Late Show

Dana Carvey was on Stephen Colbert’s Late Show on CBS last night. They were discussing the documentary Too Funny To Fail, which is currently on Hulu. It’s about the Dana Carvey Show, a short-lived sketch show on ABC in ’96. I was a writer and performer on the show and I was honored to be mentioned as part of the “murderer’s row” of comedy talent on this cult favorite. Click HERE to see it!

I haven’t run into either of these guys in years, but they’re always incredibly kind when I do. They were so nice to include my name among all the other comedy talent that has come out of this show. Watch both The Dana Carvey Show and Too Funny to Fail on Hulu now!

Do you have any favorite sketches from that show? Would you like to see a reunion? Let’s hear about it!

Screen Shot 2017-10-18 at 10.32.20 PM
Dana Carvey: What does that look like to you? Bill Chott: Liquid Sunshine.

Cartoon Mailman!

billchottLeave a Comment on Cartoon Mailman!

This week’s episode of This is Us was recommended in Entertainment Weekly. Their Deja View capsule reminds us that there is so much more to know about the Mailman. It also features a pretty sweet cartoon rendering of me.

Mailman in EW for IMDb

To see some of my thoughts on my original appearance, read 5 Things the Mailman Hears.  Click HERE to let NBC know that you want to see more mailman. You can also call (212) 664-2333 and let them know there, too!

Make your mailman happy! Write it on a postcard so he can read it, and send it “snail mail” to: This is US c/o NBC 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY – 10112

Another email never hurts! Since this episode first aired, some cool things have happened, including an article on HuffPost and Buzz Feed and I was honored to be interviewed by the US Postal Service for their national newsletter, LINK. You can read more about that HERE!

Okay, I know it’s Oscar time. In the scheme of things this isn’t groundbreaking entertainment news, but it feels really good today to see a cartoon of myself in Entertainment Weekly.

(EDIT: I originally thought that “Deja View” meant that they would be re-running my episode before the final episodes. Turns out that’s not the case, so I changed the title of this blog post. Not sure what EW’s cryptic post meant and why I was featured. Do you?)

 

See Me On TV

billchott2 Comments on See Me On TV

Are you waiting to see my next TV appearance? Don’t hold your breath! But if you click HERE you can see where I’ll be appearing in some classic reruns of past shows, including appearances on The Middle and the film Dude Where’s My Car?

I’ve had some great auditions this past week, and if anything comes of them, I’ll post here if I’m able. Some of the projects came with a big non-disclosure agreement so I may not be able to mention them even if I get them until they air!

Is the suspense killing you? What shows would you like to see me on?

TMI Sketch Comedy

billchottLeave a Comment on TMI Sketch Comedy

See me in this great sketch show, now in its 5th year! Sunday Nov. 5th, 8pm.  Topical sketches lampooning celebrities and celebrity news. 

Watch Too Funny To Fail

billchottLeave a Comment on Watch Too Funny To Fail
Screen Shot 2017-10-18 at 10.34.43 PM.png
Steve Carell, Heather Morgan, Bill Chott, Stephen Colbert

I hope you’re as excited as I am! This Saturday, October 21st, the documentary about The Dana Carvey Show, Too Funny to Fail, premieres on Hulu. You’ll see our memories of a show that was a bit before it’s time. Edgy sketch on network television, hosted by one of my big comedy inspirations, Dana Carvey and featuring me and some of the funniest people I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. like Steve Carell, Heather Morgan, Stephen Colbert, Elon Gold, Peggy Shay most prominently. Including a writing staff that no one could ever afford again: Louis CK, Robert Smigel, Robert Carlock, Charlie Kaufman, Dino Stamatopoulos, Jon Glaser, and so many other writers and guest stars that it makes the head spin! 

You’ll see interviews, rare footage of our auditions and behind the scenes videos and photos. This is a real treasure for comedy fans. You can see the trailer HERE.

You can watch starting this Saturday! I suggest supplementing your intake with popcorn.

 

Now YOU Can Watch Me Improvise!

billchottLeave a Comment on Now YOU Can Watch Me Improvise!

Every Friday in October, you can watch me in my new show LIVE ON FIRE! I’m directing and performing in this amazing show.

Thanks to everyone who came out and made our opening night a big success, and thanks to everyone who joined us online! You can watch online if you can’t make it out to the theater. Click HERE to subscribe to the livestream

You’ll also get a subscription to view other great live theater from The Whitefire, inlcuding Bobby Moresco’s Working 2017. There is something truly amazing and trailblazing going on at The Whitefire and you can be a part of it.

It’s a different show each week, with new guests joining in! This week, our guests are Dave Cox and Jay Sukow! Click HERE to get tickets to the live show!

22221789_10156197832161874_7690304812909441462_n

Improv Nerd Podcast

billchottLeave a Comment on Improv Nerd Podcast

544664_311504498915082_2039813248_nYou’ll really enjoy listening to this podcast episode of Improv Nerd. Jimmy asks improv’s widely known teachers and performers about the fun little quirks about how we do what we do. We had a great conversation about my improv beginnings, what I think it takes to do a great improv scene, and even some of my work as a magician. Yep, I’m a magician when I want to be. Were you aware?

Is there anything else you’d like to ask me? Comment below and I’ll do my best to answer your questions.

Click HERE to listen.

Comedy Death Star Podcast

billchottLeave a Comment on Comedy Death Star Podcast

My favorite interview yet! I had so much fun with Denzil Meyers on his podcast that features comedy folks, improvisers and other interesting types. He asks so many interesting questions that I had never been asked before!

20819059_1753204074972178_7237805354911405422_o

We met exchanging comments on Facebook about improv. He then invited me to join him on his podcast as we have several mutual friends. He gets to the questions using some really fun games, and does some deep research about his guests. One of the most amazing things he asked are “What is your superpower?” and “Which anagram of your name or projects you’ve been on describe you best?” So interesting.

He also told me about his pie-in-the-face therapy. It’s called Pie Yourself Free, and you can join the group on facebook to learn more. Fans of The Three Stooges, classic comedy and solid therapy will enjoy learning more. He gave me a Pie Yourself Free card, and I’m allowed to pie him in the face. I’m also encouraged to let others pie me in the face, too!

Give the podcast a listen HERE.

comedy-death-star

Wizards Reunion – more pics

billchottLeave a Comment on Wizards Reunion – more pics

What an amazing time! Jennifer Stone, who played Harper Finkel on Disney’s Wizards of Waverly Place invited me to a mini-reunion of cast and crew from the show a few weeks ago. I cleared my schedule, including taking a night off from Comedy Sportz to stop by for a snack and beverage or two.

I was overjoyed to reconnect with so many people from the show. Including Jennifer, Gregg Sulkin, Bailey Madison and so many of the amazing crew of the show that I hadn’t seen in so long. We had some great conversations, and my wife Sam and my daughter Isabella got a chance to meet so many of the people who were there.

IMG-5201
Me, Jennifer Stone, Samantha Chott and Isabella Chott

Everyone on that show is like family, and like family we took some pictures to remember the night by. After some of us shared the pics on  social media, we were surprised to see word of this mini-reunion online in Seventeen Magazine and Teen Vogue. Click those links to read the articles and for more details and pictures!

Me and Gregg Sulkin
Gregg Sulkin, Jennifer Stone, Bailee Madison and me

We all took turns playing a game that’s in The Jack Pack, which are spinoffs of You Don’t Know Jack. We played Quip Lash, which is a game in which you come up with funny sayings and fellow players vote on the funniest, most outrageous things you can think of. You, know….glamorous Hollywood parties! Really fun night with down to earth people. I was amazed that it actually made a few headlines. We all hope for more chances to get together again soon.

 

Kritical Kane Podcast

billchottLeave a Comment on Kritical Kane Podcast

I was a guest recently on the Kritical Kane Podcast. We discussed a lot of topics including This is Us, improv and what’s going on now! Give it a listen?

Returning as Fred Mertz

billchottLeave a Comment on Returning as Fred Mertz

I’m so honored to be asked to reprise my role as Fred Mertz in the 100th birthday celebration of Desi Arnaz.  The annual Lucy Fest celebrates Desi’s birthday in style with three performances at the Willow Bay Theater in Jamestown, NY.

Desi’s character Ricky is played by Bill Mendieta, and as always Diane Vincent and Rhonda Medina’s Lucy and Ethel celebrate the work of comedy pioneers Lucille Ball and Vivian Vance. Tickets are available HERE!

20597253_10154569108732364_9144018060045587483_nI’ve been fortunate to work with all of these great folks before in different incarnations. I performed with Bill Mendietta in I Love Lucy Live on Stage in Las Vegas and in Hollywood at the Greenway Court Theater, and I have performed with
Diane and Rhonda in several Lucy Fest performances. What we’ve been working on in rehearsals has been magic!

%d bloggers like this: