Trent: Yeah, man just kinda… you know, you got these claws and you’re staring at these claws and your thinking to yourself, and with these claws you’re thinking, "How am I supposed to kill this bunny, how am I supposed to kill this bunny?"
Sue: And you’re poking at it, you’re poking at it…
Trent: Yeah, you’re not hurting it. You’re just kinda gently batting the bunny around, you know what I mean? And the bunny’s scared Mike, the bunny’s scared of you, shivering.
-Swingers
I should really be freaking out now that three days have passed (eight, if you count exactly on the calendar and include the weekend — which I don’t, but I didn’t want any of you weekend-counters to feel left out) and I still haven’t heard anything about the super teriffic Sci-Fi hosting gig that isn’t on the Sci-Fi Channel.
But I’m a level 27 Bard, with a billion ranks in Sense Motive (plus Epic Skill Focus) and Regie’s Ruby Ring of Really Reliable Scrying. In other words, I usually know when I’ve gotten or lost a gig with laser-like precision. I can feel it in my soul when a decision has been made, even if that decision is made on the other side of the world. I know that’s totally ooga-booga, but it’s true. I’ve been making sense motive checks all day long, and they’re either hiding behind a wall of lead and Kryptonite, or they haven’t made a decision, yet.
Oh! They just made a decision and — oh, wait. That’s just gas. My bad.
I will admit to leaping up and racing to the phone whenever it rings,
and saying, "aw, nuts," when the caller ID doesn’t tell me that it’s my
manager giving me a ring up on the dictaphone, but other than that, and
the constant rolling of the d20, I haven’t really been obsessing about
it that much.
Anyway, I talked with Shane about it at length today, because he’s been involved in programming like this from both sides of the table. I didn’t tell him about the R³R²S, but we still came to the conclusion that it’s still too early to panic. The most likely option right now is that a decision simply hasn’t been made. Does that mean they’re looking at other guys? Probably. Does that mean I should freak out? I don’t think so. All I can do is give my best audition, which I did, and hope that the other things I bring to the table outweigh however good looking the other guys are. I’m also pretty sure I’ll have to dodge a Kimmel on the Turn and River.
I think I’ll make a call tomorrow, so I at least know if I’m buying a case of Guinness to celebrate or drown my sorrows. Hey, either way, I get to drink a ton of Guinness.
To make the continued waiting as cute as possible, please enjoy this kitten:
(Thanks, W!)
HAHAHAHA, well then lets hope that you don’t have to wait too long, I’m assuming the longer the wait the more kittens get smited. The poor kittens. And poor you too, may the phone ring with happy news yesterday (would twere that were).
I know it’s rough and time seems to drag, but since your psychic sense is telling you no decision has been made, I’m betting you’re probably right. We’re all still pulling for you. Personally, I think you’d be outstanding for this gig. Now if I only had the power….
Ten to one they read your blog, and they’re just messing with you. 🙂
I’m sure it’ll work out.
Hmm… So you’re psychic now? Well, in all your hawesomeness, I wouldn’t put it past you. =) And you’ve been in the biz long enough know when to go with your gut, I’m sure. I just hope that gut isn’t grumbling too much when you douse it in Guiness… Drink one for me Wil (’cause I’m too young yet *pouts*), and don’t forget to think of the kittens. I, for one, have not given up on you just yet.
P.S. Ooh…Lost is on in 20 minutes and it’s new. Thank God!
I know *exactly* how you feel! Every time *my* phone rings, I jump up, run over, pick it up, take a look, and realize no, it’s not Wil’s agent.
So, how does that work, then? Is your manager/agent also just waiting for a call? Then when they hear something they call you?
OMG the kitten is hilarious!!
Ok, in all seriousness this kind of torture is exactly why I could never be an actor. That and the fact that I have no acting talent whatsoever.
Though I’m no big time Hollywood filmmaker I have been on the other side of the table many times. I always make a concerted effort to come to a decision as quickly as possible, then promptly notify everyone.
You’d be surprised at just how many times I hear a thank you just for making a phone call or sending an email letting actors know that they did not get the part. I guess in the oftentimes dubious world of independent film, actors often hear nothing at all. That’s such a shame. Although, now that I think about it, as a screenwriter, no answer is in fact the standard rather than the exception. Hmm.
I always thank everyone who is kind enough to bring their time and talent to my audition room despite the fact that they will most certainly not be getting paid anything. I also let each of them know that if they have any questions, feel free to ask. And they have.
Many times I have been asked by actors why we did not cast them. I’m not sure telling the truth is always the best thing, but I try to do so as gingerly as possible. Mostly, it’s as simple as, you did a great job and are obviously talented, but someone else nailed it. On rarer occassions I will agonize for days, watch the audition tapes a dozen times, ask other people’s opinions, and end up choosing on instinct.
But, what I know for certain is that every single actor who shows range and directability in an audition is someone I will call back again and again until we find a part that’s right for them.
I am sure that if, God forbid, you don’t get this gig, they will call again. Having said that, I still feel like this one may pull through. My psychic instinct is telling me that some people are fighting really hard for you right now, Wil.
Thanks for keeping us posted. Good luck.
Liked 40k huh?
Check this out:
WARHAMMER 40,000 ROLEPLAY
http://www.blackindustries.com/default.asp?template=dh-press
What I don’t get is why the suspense is killing ME. Sheesh. Major luck Qi your way, Wil.
Eric in Portland, OR
I’m glad to see you’re keeping as sane as possible. Maybe I’ll type up this past weekend’s drunken D&D escapades and email to you so you have something to laugh about in the meantime. And as usual a girl tried to make out with me but, my boyfriend and savior kept me from being molested by the Firefly obsessed redhead. :X
I’ve recently started writing my fan fiction again so I’m a little skittish as to the prospective readers.
Chin up, Wil. 🙂 Oh and kill a Guiness for me. I am out of Killian’s;Sadface;till I make it to the liquor store.
I dunno man, I’ve been listing, but I don’t hear any fat lady singing dude. 🙂
NOOOOOO!!!! Not cliché kitty! My eyes are melting!!!!
I just consulted my magic eight ball…. It says “yes” you got the job. Let us hope the oracle of all oracles is right.
Hey … maybe they’ve already decided you’re the man, and they are just trying to figure out which of the fabulous babes they want to surround you with.
Could be … could be …
Am I the only one that noticed that the title is a Godfather reference? Is it also a line in Swingers (which I haven’t seen in ages)?
Either way, Wil, your title refers to finding two waitresses to bang.
This is hilarious simply in its innocuousness: its obvious that you’re not looking for two waitresses to bang (you gots the hot wife, after all); and also because the title and the post are not at all similar.
Hooray for blog title obscurity!
Sending “give him the flippin’ gig already” karma your way, Wil.
http://flickr.com/photos/slackferno/79085216/
You know, after suffering through all of this waiting with you for all of these auditions over the years (well, suffering in blog form) waiting with you to hear if your agent called with any news…and then it hit me…you should become an agent. They seem to always have work, calling actors and telling them a) they loved you and b) they went in another direction. You could do that.
I followed towers16’s lead and consulted my Magic 8 Ball. I shook it firmly while saying in my most serious voice, “Will Wil Wheaton get this gig?”
The answer is YES.
So don’t worry; I’m sure they are just retooling the show to see if it can even better suit you. Still, for the kittens’ sake, I wish you good news and SOON.
Good luck, dude. Hope you get it.
pretzeling for you.
Wow, this really reminds me of going through fertility treatment and trying to prepare yourself to be disappointed again and never publically admitting that you’re not OK with that.
Hope you see two pink lines soon, Wil!
Do you think it would help if we each send an e-mail to SciFi channel demanding your face on their network?
Sympathy … I went through something very similar while waiting for a publisher to make a decision about my goblin books earlier this year. Two months of, “What could be taking them so long?” and “Ooh, I should check e-mail to see if there’s any word from my agent!”
Fingers crossed for quick, happy news for ya!
We use to have that kitten picture up at work. Except ours said “Everytime you masturbate, god kills a kitten” . You should have left it like that.
Wil, I am keeping positive MOJO headed your way. I have had some good stuff happen recently…as have some other bloggers you have inspired…so I will keep my fingers crossed while you wait for HAWESOME news.
Eh, you’ll get it.
They always post that in the guy hallways at the dorms before every semester.
Way to be dramatic, Wil! Like a kid waiting anxiously for Christmas morning, man! lol
Hope the wait isn’t much longer…. (I hate waiting for news too. I feel your pain. I really do!)
WON’T SOMEONE PLEASE THINK OF THE KITTENS??????
…mmmmm….Guinness……
Much Mojo to you Wil… I’ll be thinking of you at my desk of doom today!
Dear those of you in charge of making this decision:
No one wants to be associated with killing sweet, innocent, helpless, fluffy kittens. Give Wil a call today with your decision. Please, think of the kittens.
(I’m sending all sorts of positive vibes and mojo your way!)
Fark it all! I declare, as Lord Omnipotent Supreme of this Reality that WIL WHEATON shall have his gig and eat it too!
Not really too concerned with the Kittens. However, I do hope you hear about the gig soon.
Casting Director Lisa: Hey, this guy has great potential, a loyal following, and is compatible with the program’s premise.
Network Executive Bob: Thank you Lisa, good work.
Bob’s thoughts: If the program cost is 4mil per 1pt of mrk share, it may be worthwhile. However, there are a bunch of canned foods we can serve up for a similar draw and half the price… Moderately priced original content vs blandness w/cost savings…
Hopefully, original content has won this round.
This sounds like one of those entries where in Just a Geek where in retrospect Wil goes “Sheesh, who was I fooling? I was totally bummed about not hearing back, but I put on my best front.”
I’m rooting for you though, just because good things should happen to good people at least once in a while! Also, remember you’ve made some big fans through your fantastic writing. Personally, I’m totally stoked about “Do you want kids with that?”
Best of luck, Wil! We are all pulling for you!!
Emily
BTW..LOVE the Swingers references lately!! One of the best movies ever.
No!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Don’t let innocent kittens die. SAVE THE KITTENS!!!!!!!!
That picture could be titled – ‘Lunchtime in Thailand’
I have to admit Joe’s alt title made me laugh and my eye stop melting…. for a second….lol
I can’t think of anyone better to host this gig. You are Mr Sci Fi Geek!!!
So what will you do for the kittens if you do get the job???
I have seen this kitten poster before, except normally it reads everytime you masterbate god kills a kitten!
Man, that would be awful. The lives of countless litters could weigh very heavily on my conscience.
Hey, I’ve got this pile of dead kittens, and its getting gross, will someone call Wil already, its starting to smell and attract more kittens and rats. And since the rats are bigger than the kittens, even more kittens are dying. Its an exponential kitty killing spree… Make up your minds and call the guy…
This may help take your mind off of the waiting. I read it and squealed like only a gamer geek girl could.
This was cut & pasted from Gamespot.com (http://www.gamespot.com/news/6146528.html)
SAN JOSE, Calif.
At its GDC keynote this morning, Nintendo unveiled plans to flesh out the Revolution’s classic-game lineup even beyond its own storied library. Today during his keynote speech at the 2006 Game Developers Conference, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata announced that two former hardware rivals–Sega and Hudson–will make sizable chunks of their own back catalog available for download on the Revolution.
According to Nintendo, over 1,000 games for Sega’s Genesis console, released in 1989, will be added to the Revolution’s library. Joining them will be an undisclosed number of titles from the Hudson’s TurboGrafx console, also released in 1989 and codeveloped by electronics giant NEC. Though no specific titles were mentioned, Nintendo said it is taking a “best of” approach in selecting which games will come to the Revolution.
__________________________
Viva la Revolucion!!
(Have they called you yet?!)
I was unemployed last summer, and was *this* close to getting at least 4 jobs that all crashed for no good reason. In once case, I interviewed all the way up to the Vice President of the division, who flat out asked me “if we offer you this job, will you take it?” I heard nothing from them again.
Another guy said “I really want you, but I probably can’t afford you.” I told him to make me an offer anyway (geez–I was unemployed and desperate). Over the next month he expressed the same sentiment two more times, and I gave the same response, and I never got an offer.
In other words, I know how you feel, and we both know it’s not us–it’s THEM!
Wil,
What happen to the Thurday game at Pokerstars, are you still doing that?
Thanks,
Lolita
PS “Waiting IS the hardest part” Break a Leg.
Oh No! Save the kitties!!!
*crosses fingers* Good luck. i’m rooting for you
I hope this lack of update is a sign that you are out celebrating!
I Still have hope!
What news from tinseltown? We wait with baited breath…
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Don’t kill the kitties!!!!!
And St-Pat’s day was last week, silly 😉
Keeping the fingers crossed for the hosting gig.
I’m with Lolita though – Are you stopping the thursday night games? I like them as its a time I can actually make.
Um, am I the only person who realizes that the word “wait” has a T at the end, and not an L? (As in “Every day Wil has to WAIL, God kills a kitten.”)
Again, Wil.. I truly hope they pick you, I really cannot think of anyone better to host a sci-fi show than you, the very least would that could even compare to you would be Mr. Jonathan Frakes, tho I loved him when he hosted “Beyong Belief : Fact or Fiction”, Yes I liked that show. Don’t sweat it, Just know people all over the country, the world even are rooting for you. We always will be.