Heather Ho on "Parks and Recreation"

NashvilleStandUp alumni Heather Ho (aka “Heather Horton”) has been in Los Angeles for the last few years, doing stand-up, improv, shorts on the web, AND she recently appeared on NBC’s Parks and Recreation (Season 4, Episode 13: “Bowling for Votes”).

She’s in the opening scene, sitting closest to the television in the focus group.. and she delivers her lines about 40 seconds into the episode: “She’s kind of short, don’t you think? Aggressively short almost. It’s like she’s throwing it in my face!” If you missed it, here is the video of the full episode:

N’Sup asked Heather to talk to us about the whole experience.. here’s what she said:

I had only had my agent a few months and had only been on one other audition but I felt pressure to book something soon. That shouldn’t creep into your mind but it does. It’s there – like the memory of that embarrassing moment when someone pants’d you in the school cafeteria in the 6th grade. The day was a Friday. It was raining. They say rain is good luck for weddings. I now say rain is good luck for auditions. It was only 3 days before that a casting director asked me what shows I’d like to work on and I answered “Parks and Rec” and “Modern Family.” So if you believe in that whole putting stuff out to the universe thing, there you go. So I arrived at the audition. I had made my character choice but was loose and ready for re-direct if needed. They were very specific on what they were looking for – women ages 23-60. Fortunately my 25-35 age range just made the cut. Obviously, I would say it was one of my best auditions. Everything just clicked and I knew the casting director liked it.

I booked it! It was my first Co-Star. That co-star credit on your resume gives the casting people the confidence that you’ve been there and you won’t screw up. For some, it helps you get an agent if you don’t already have one. For others, hopefully it leads to other co-stars and so on. We shot the following Thursday. It’s a fast process. They’re constantly casting and shooting, no callbacks for the tiny parts. Something about Hollywood people may not know is that there’s a lot of hopping around with the studios. Parks and Rec shoots at CBS Radford interestingly enough since it’s an NBC show.

My call time was 9:00 AM. I was ushered to my private dressing room where the wardrobe people came in and picked out a lovely purple turtle neck, blue sweater and gold earring combination that fit nicely with the Pawnee town folk character. No, I didn’t get to keep the outfit. Then I waited. 3 hours. They were shooting early that morning and got stuck at the other location. So I got paid overtime to sit in my dressing room and read my Kindle and play on my iPhone. Now you know what
devices I’m “on.” PS I was reading Bossypants. Being on the set was amazing as always. It’s so nice to work with professionals. There’s a reason these guys get paid to do this – they’re professional, hard working and courteous. I have never been on a paid gig where any of the staff were assholes. I have only had that experience on “independent” sets.

The shoot was great. One of the actors had never seen the show. I always find that interesting because I try to catch a few episodes before auditioning for something I’ve never seen. Eventually Amy Poehler breezed through and told us how good a job we were doing. Collectively the group mumbled a blushing thank you. There was, in my mind, one of the most brilliant female comedic actresses
of my generation standing in front of me and the first thing that came to mind was “Holy crap, she’s shorter than I thought.” She’s really short you guys – hence my characters lines if you haven’t seen the episode yet.

She was very gracious and it was great to watch her work; how meticulous she is with each line is amazing. People who “get it” about comedy understand that it’s not easy. Although it’s not shouted to the rooftops by awards shows and the likes, comedy IS well respected by the industry. So for a day, I won the lottery. And that’s what it is. I see some of the best actors not book and I see some of the shittiest actors book all the time so all you can do is put your head down, work hard on your craft and hope you have the winning numbers.

Congratulations to Heather for doing such a fantastic job on one of the funniest shows on tv!

Read more about Heather Horton at your local library! And also around the web:
HeatherHo.com
Twitter.com/HeatherHoComedy
About.me/HeatherHo
IMDB.me/HeatherHorton

Here’s a sketch video NashvilleStandUp’s own Chad Riden did with American Idol’s Scotty McCreery to promote Scotty’s ACM New Artist Of The Year nomination. Since Scotty posted the video online a week ago, his fans have warmly embraced Chad as “cousin” JIMMY DALE. Some YouTube comments even go so far as to say Riden should get his own show on CMT.. and we wholeheartedly agree. wink wink

For more Chad Riden’y goodness, visit:
ChadRiden.com
Twitter.com/ChadRiden
Facebook.com/comedychad
YouTube.com/ChadRiden

This January is the first month of the end of the world; that’s why Corporate Juggernaut is bringing you another incredible night of stand-up comedy FOR IT MAY BE YOUR LAST. Corporate Juggernaut and Bongo After Hours Theatre are proud to welcome one of Variety’s 10 Comics To Watch, the hilarious Kyle Kinane. With his critically-acclaimed debut album, Death of the Party, his own Comedy Central Presents half-hour special and a recent turn on Conan, Mr. Kinane is already a juggernaut unto himself. Here, look:

Hosted by Corporate Juggernaut (comics John Thornton Jr, Gary Fletcher, and James Austin Johnson) with a special guest spot by Brad Edwards January 30th at Bongo After Hours Theatre could change your life entirely.

January 30, 2012
7:30pm & 9pm
$10 online http://www.shop.bongoafterhours.com/
$15 at the door (the 9pm is already sold out, the early show will soon, so buy tickets now or you’ll miss it)

(facebook event)

Bongo Java After Hours Theatre
2007 Belmont Blvd; Nashville, TN 37212-4405
http://bongoafterhourstheatre.com/

OPEN MICROPHONE: Comedy Open Mic is one of the best open microphone comedy open mics in Nashville. Come on in and laugh a spell. Heck, you can even tell some zingers and humdingers yourself! Hosted by the Crazy, Sexy, and Cool, Gary Fletcher.

Every other Tuesday (check the NashvilleStandUp Calendar)
Signup: 8:30 PM
Open Mic: 9:00 PM
FREE ADMISSION!
(Facebook event)

Bongo Java After Hours Theatre
2007 Belmont Blvd; Nashville, TN 37212-4405
http://bongoafterhourstheatre.com/

SmartyPants NerdCore Stand-Up Comedy Show EVERY SUNDAY @ Steve’s:
featured comics plus semi-open-mic
(If you are dirtier than you are funny, you’re not welcome. Smart and funny WINS.. stupid and filthy goes home.)

HAPPY HOUR SPECIALS:
- $2 Domestic Drafts / bottles
- 2-for-1 wells
- $4 House Wine

Hosted by America’s Favorite Comedian Of All Time, Chad Riden.

Every Sunday at 8pm. No Cover. Smoke-free.

Steve’s Restaurant & Bar
604 Gallatin Avenue #217
Nashville, TN 37206
615-227-8383

More infos:
StevesEastNashville.com
(facebook event)

Corporate Juggernaut and the Bongo Java After Hours Theatre welcome Rory Scovel back to Nashville with open arms and a loving embrace. Rory has been on Comedy Central, Jimmy Fallon, and most recently made an appearance on Conan. Since his last visit to Nashville, Rory released his album “Dilation” which reached #3 on the iTunes comedy chart and had more than one person say “it’s the funniest thing I’ve ever heard in my life!”

Here’s video of Jon Dore and Rory Scovel on Conan:

Rory Scovel @ Bongo
Monday, November 14, 2011
(Facebook event)

2007 Belmont Blvd, Nashville, TN 37212-4405
615.385.5282
http://www.bongojava.com/

The show is all ages and starts at 9 PM.

Tickets are $7 in advance online or $10 at the door.

Check out Rory’s album on iTunes or Spotify.

For more infos about Rory, visit his website:
http://www.roryscovel.com/comedy/

GMX, the Geek Media Expo, is Nashville, TN’s Next Generation Multi-Fandom Convention, featuring celebrities, multi-genre programming (comics, sci-fi, fantasy, horror, gaming, costuming…21 areas of content!), destination events, contests, workshops, fan panels, vendors and more! GMX takes place October 21st-23rd at the Millennium Maxwell House Hotel near downtown Nashville.

New for 2011, gut busting hasn’t been this much fun since ALIEN. Witness the daring comedic feats of the ginormous giants of geek-friendly comedy! We pointed the Batty Signal to the sky, and the call was answered by the area’s top talent. The GMX Geek Comedy Showcase is beaming down this October!

The GMX Girls will host the event (and be hit on by all the comics)

The Geek Comedy Showcase will take place from 7-8:30 PM in the Crown Ballroom immediately following Opening Ceremonies. The GMX Girls (Gia, Mia & Xia) will be hosting the event, which features some of the region’s most talented comedians performing material with a decidedly geek persuasion.

Come laugh at the comedic nerdery of Heidi Ervin & Erin Roberts Grammatico, Ray Price, Gary Fletcher, Chad Riden and James Austin Johnson.

Geek Comedy Showcase @ GMX
Friday, Oct. 21st @ 7pm

Millennium Maxwell House Nashville
2025 Rosa L. Parks Boulevard
Nashville, TN
USA 37228-1505

For More Information:
GeekMediaExpo.com
(Facebook event)

Billy Wayne Davis is the thinking man’s hillbilly. With a combination of subtle, disarming intelligence and an unmistakable comfort on stage, he has the rare ability to win over every kind of comedy audience imaginable. After making a name for himself in his homeland of Nashville, TN, he has gone on to perform in virtually every corner of the United States, from the deep south to the “alternative comedy” hotbed of Seatte, WA, which he now calls home. Billy Wayne’s comedy really has no discernable category. He can be personal, shocking, political and absurd, but his ability to form an instant connection with audiences allows him to get away with anything and everything. For Billy Wayne Davis, no subject matter is off limits because there is nothing he can’t make funny with his trademark drawl and easy charm. He has worked with some of the biggest names in comedy, including Colin Quinn, Lisa Lampanelli, Louis CK and Mitch Hedberg and has toured as the feature act for national headliner Ralphie May. He has performed festivals, comedy clubs and theaters as diverse as Seattle’s Bumbershoot, The Ryman in Nashville, Comedy Works in Denver and the LA Improv.

Also featuring Dan Whitehurst. Hosted by Gary Fletcher.

$10 at the door or in advance online
7pm Thursday, October 6th, 2011

The Basement
1604 8th Ave South
Nashville, TN
615.254.8006

(facebook event)

Advance tickets are on sale NOW at BrownPaperTickets.com

NEW YORK, NY – The New York Television Festival was held September 19-24, 2011. Nashville animator Mike Salva left the festival with three development deals for his comedic animation work, more than any other artist received at the festival this year.

The New York Television Festival provides unprecedented access for emerging television artists looking to showcase new and innovative ideas for television programming.

Bing “Decisions” Project

NYTVF teamed up with Microsoft’s Bing search engine and Ben Silverman’s Electus studio to develop a new show created by a member of the NYTVF community. Mike Salva’s cartoon “Death Row Diet” won this competition, receiving a $25,000 development deal.

“Death Row Diet” stars Jonathan Katz (best known for Comedy Central’s “Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist”) and Tom Leopold (who wrote episodes for “Seinfeld”, “Cheers”, “Will & Grace”, others) about a man who is on death row and Weight Watchers.

MTV’s “Voice and Vision” Awards

MTV offered two development deals at the television festival for comedic animation submissions. The awards, each valued at $5,000, were to be presented to an outstanding comedic writer (“Voice”) and animator (“Vision”). Although the awards could have been given to separate entrants, NYTVF gave both awards to Mike Salva for his “Pound Dogs” cartoon.

“Pound Dogs” was a 100% Nashville-based production, with Nashville standup comedians Ryan Williams and Sean Parrott in the lead roles. Williams and Parrott play comedic cartoon dogs that live in an animal shelter. The cast also includes Andy Merrill (Brak from Adult Swim’s “Space Ghost Coast to Coast”; “Aqua Teen Hunger Force”), Samantha Newark (best known as Jem & Jerrica on the 80s animated series “Jem”) and Nashville filmmaker/singer/producer Steve Taylor.

More information about the New York Television Festival can be found at www.nytvf.com. More information about Salva’s animation work can be found at www.projectmeatball.com. Find Ryan Williams online at MyBlisteringHell.com and Sean Parrott can be reached on Facebook.