Well, I’ve started and erased 3 different entries this morning, so this is the last try to not be grouchy and lame.
The thing is, I’m just having a really shitty day. I presented material at ACME last night, and it SUCKED. I just haven’t been able to find my funny for months, and tangible reminders of that, like absoultely BOMBING on stage last night, really sting.
It’s okay, though. It will pass. It has to pass.
Right?
Well, that’s what I keep telling myself anyway.
It’s been so hard for me to be funny recently…I won’t go into it, but my life has been under siege for the last 2 years, and it’s just getting worse and worse, with no sign of improvement.
Between that and this “hyper-nostalgia” that I spoke of over the weekend, I just can’t be funny.
It also doesn’t help that I keep seeing the phrase “Has been” and “washed up” immediately preceeding my name all over the place.
Boy, it’s a great fucking feeling to know that people are calling me washed up at 29.
Oh, and I hear that they’ve cut me out of the Star Trek movie. Perfect.
Incidentally, I’m totally not fishing for encouragement. I’m just saying…well…it hurts. It shouldn’t, but it does. That’s all.
Hm. Failed at the “Try to not be grouchy and lame” thing.
Damn.
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Are you certain you have been cut from the upcoming flick? Christ, I have been anticipating a return to your character for a long damned time, now. You and the Traveler should be teaming up to save humanity or something. Sheesh…
Oh well, maybe you really haven’t been cut, and Will, you made a signifigant contribution to STTNG and will never be forgotten for it, believe me. I’m a 38 year old PC Tech. Live that down! Heh.
I can tell you this right now, you are NOT washed up or a has been to any of us. If you were, do you really think you’d have suck a kick ass community happening here?! Probably not.
Life can be total and utter shit. It blows chunks, but staying strong is the best thing you can do. We’re behind you and love you no matter what! Cheer up Bucko!
They cut you out! Those bastards! I may not watch the movie now! Hope your week gets better
“Keep your chin up, lad! Stiff upper lip and all that. Pip pip!”
OK, you can smack me now. Sentiments like the ones above don’t do a hell of a lot of good, do they? Actually, you’ve already done all the heavy lifting by communicating your feelings (spot the Psych major).
I can empathize directly with some of what you’re going through. Being neither a comedian nor famous, I have to imagine the rest, but reading your website helps with that. You have a gift for communication that gives us, your fans, a real insight into what it must be like to live a life in entertainment.
Anyway, I firmly believe that you WILL pull through these doldrums. And by the way, any journalist that writes you off as a has-been is just being ignorant, lazy, or both.
Wil:
Here’s hoping you find your funny.
It’s easiest to just say “don’t worry about what people think or say” but we all know that’s bull. Most of us take to heart what we read or hear of other people’s opinions.
But you know what? You’re 29 years old, and people around the world know who you are and what you’ve done with your life up to now, career-wise at least. Many more are discovering you daily through WWDN. If people are talking about you, you can’t really be out of the picture, can you?
And remember, there are a hell of a lot of late-20-somethings out there going through oh-shit-what-now crises. We’ll all find our ways eventually.
FDN
It’s OK. Remember to write the 7 things you are grateful for.
“That which does not kill us only serves to make us stronger” Right?
Work hard, love harder, head down. All that stuff is tried and true and you just have to make it fit your particular situation.
You got my mojo today, Wil.
Has-been my sweet ass! You are redefining yourself. Jesus, look at what you built here? You’re becoming a cult phenomenon, Uncle Willy, and that is so very cool.
When all else fails, you know you got the posse love. And that you’re very popular in Canada.
Screw all those who say you are washed up. They wouldn’t know what funny was if it peed on their legs. If you feel like being grouchy for a while then fine by me. Your posse will certainly stick by you.
No worries, even Groucho Marx didn’t hit it every time.
OMG, I’m only 26, and I haven’t accomplished nearly as much as you had at age 15. You’ve got a great wife and kids, and a job you enjoy, and of course your health. 99% of the world would kill for that.
Big deal some people say “washed up”. You know it’s not true. We know it’s not true.
Your muse will come back, your youth never will. Enjoy it.
Wil!
I’m so sorry to hear about you getting cut from the Star Trek Movie! I was really looking forward to seeing Wes Crusher again. I kind of identified with him (and I’m not busting your chops here – I really did).
Anyway, keep your chin up. I know the feelings you’re having – I’ve been there and it will pass. Your funny is still there – maybe it’s just taking a short break.
Aw, Wil, I’m so much in the same boat it’s not funny. People all over the place keep telling me to keep my chin up but somehow that doesn’t seem to help very much, because it’s so much easier to impart happy words than to find a happy feeling.
That said… try to get outside, lay on the ground in a nice patch of grass — get your wife and your boys to join you — and just be outside for a little bit with those things that are the most important.
Hope your funny returns.
Well, it could be worse, you could be eaten by a walrus… CHeck out http://www.davelog.com I always find a few funnies there. Its not my site, damn the luck, mine is much lamer… 😉
well, sir, you cracked my shit up on the jkvs show. and i believe you were the one telling me not to worry about trying to be funny, and it’ll just come naturally on its own. i’ve seen you be funny. i’ve read you being funny. you *are* funny.
that’s it, i’m sending my entire week’s supply of mojo to you. cheer up, wil.
They better not have cut you out of the freaking movie!!! What the hell is wrong with them? First Majel and now you????????? You’d think they’d want to do a better job than that crappy love story they tried to pass off as Insurrection ! They should have let you go to booty town! =D
Life does suck sometimes. My advice to you is spend a lot of time with your kids. Kids have a great way of making life seem simple. It also allows you to sort of recapture your youth. =)
Don’t worry, it’s only temporary and will pass. Might I recommend a funny flick or 2 or 3? In today’s world we have to keep our humor. That why I’m having a MST3K get together this weekend. Hang in there dude!!!
Hang in there, Wil. You never know what’s just around the corner.
Hey I think you have every right to be grouchy! (I won’t say lame as I do not think you’re being lame) This little community here is supportive of you so if you’ve gotta bitch, go for it. 🙂
Fucking sucks they cut you out of the movie man. Now it’s really not worth to watch it. But cheer up dude: there are thousands of people all over the world who think you’re the coolest. I’m one of them. So go out there and kick some critics ass because they don’t know shit about good actors!
I have never posted here before, but I just wanted to say that I have always been a fan of yours (yes I was one of those teenage girls that went crazy for Wesley Crusher 🙂 and I don’t think you are a has been or washed up. Also, I just read yesterday on http://www.jamshowbiz.com/JamStarTrek/apr23_nemesis-can.html that you were still in the movie. I also thought you were fabulous in that episode of The Outer Limits you were in. I agree with Interplanet Janet, you are very popular in Canada (I’m from british columbia, canada). And I am completely addicted to your website, whenever I am on the computer my roommates ask me what is the latest with Wil Wheaton. Good luck with G4 and all of your other projects! I would love to go to the jkvs show if I am ever in L.A.
Taryn
Bluto: My advice to you is to start drinking heavily.
Otter: Better listen to him, Flounder. He’s pre-med.
Uncle Willie-
I’m not trying to imply that what you said isn’t serious. Just a little humour. In five years you’ll look back on this moment and wonder what the big deal was.
-Norm
I agree–YOU KNOW funny, it’s just an artists block, and we all get it every so often. And you sir are the furthest thing from “has-been”. Those assholes just can’t see past your old job, and it has no relevance to now. You’re getting bigger every day, and you’ll rise above all of that shit. And screw Star Trek–I know it may feel like home to you, but you don’t need it. Being in the new movie could perhaps just reaffirm what those hate-mongers think about you…just maybe this is a good thing? Eh? (oh yeah, I’m Canadian. hehe) Don’t get too broken up about it, I have a good feeling about you. We all do.
Have you ever been the center square on Hollywood Squares?
Have you ever done a 10-10-220 commercial?
Currently hosting an ’80s retrospective show on VH1?
Did you get the shit knocked out of you by Willis from “Diff’rent Strokes?”
Is your career limited to desperate, self-referential cameo appearances in mindless, B-grade comedies?
Are you headlining any county fairs?
How’s about performing exclusively at theme parks?
No?
That’s what I thought. ^_^
Bastards! How dare they cut you out of the movie! Clearly they don’t know a good thing when they have it. I’d boycott the movie, but I know you’re good friends with the rest of the cast, and it wouldn’t be fair to them. I’d go and cheer on Johnathan Frakes because he cheered you on.
And as for not being funny, well… A lot of times we don’t know what we’re doing is funny, or we don’t like our funniest lines, but the audience knows what’s good. I took a comedy class and gave it up because I didn’t like the material the teachers were helping me develop. It wasn’t funny to me. But it was hella funny to the rest of the class.
I fully expect this comments page to FILL UP with reassurances.
you’re *totally* not a has been, wil.
and you’ll find your funny. there’s no doubt about that… your wackiness will ensue probably when you least expect it.
sending mucho mojo!!!
Washed up? Washed up my butt.
Most of what I wanted to say has been said, but come on…You RAWK! You have a posse, you have teenage girls (okay okay, 😉 so I’m nearly twenty) still crushin’ on you, and you get to act AND have a family–a real one that loves you for you, and not because “Daddy/Hubby is a celebrity”.
Mojoing to you right now!
Dude, if you’re washed up then you’re entitled to a “washed-up hollywood star” bender. Go out and have a good time, and let yourself hit rock bottom.
Hell, if you run over a kid or get a DWI, maybe you could generate enough press to be asked to pose in Play Girl and REALLY re-invent yourself!
Either that, or go with the “lame and grouchy” thing. Get pissed, and go off on a rant. Don’t hold back any wuss punches either. After that, go off on another one, and keep posting until your finished.
We’ll all stand-by, and keep reading. What the hell else are we going to do?
Get you’re depression and anger working for you again. This is the path back to the funny.
ok so this is going to sound formulaic and cliche cuz i’m a fan but i completely identify with what you’re going through. and even thought you will get hoards of messages from people saying the same thing, i hope that means something: (god am i ever cheesy) tons of people here DON’T think you’re washed up. and you certainly amuse us. when i need a laugh i just read through your antics and then everything seems to be ok.
ok so this is going to sound formulaic and cliche cuz i’m a fan but i completely identify with what you’re going through. and even thought you will get hoards of messages from people saying the same thing, i hope that means something: (god am i ever cheesy) tons of people here DON’T think you’re washed up. and you certainly amuse us. when i need a laugh i just read through your antics and then everything seems to be ok.
Oh man, you are so NOT washed up. Dude, you are about to break, I mean seriously about to break BIG-TIME! Look at all the press Christina Applegate is getting right now for The Sweetest Thing. They all saying ‘where the hell did she come from’ and ‘she’s not Kelly Bundy anymore!’. Well no sheeeeeiiiiit. She’s an actor, and she found a groove that totally rocks for her.
And it’s gonna happen to you. I mean you’ve got IT. That intangible thing that makes people LIKE you. I mean, why the hell would all of us visit this place if there wasn’t something we liked about you?
I wouldn’t worry too much about the “washed up” and “has been” comments, ’cause odds are that you read those over the internet, where people can say whatever they want regardless of any actual reasoning. That being said I’m more of a fan now than I was during your Star Trek tenure, so that’s gotta say something against the “has been” theory.
-Chris
P.S. Don’t feel bad, I also won’t be appearing in the new Star Trek movie.
I smell Berman.
Ok Wil… First.. that “Has Been/Washed up” crap… fagetta’ ’bout it! You are still da’ man.
You’re just in a bad place right now. It’ll pass.. it’s gonna… just ask everyone else in the soapbox. And hey, here’s one radio jock that would work with you any day, any time, any how.
You rock and always will!
So TPTB may have cut you from the next film? What morons! Well I can take that movie off the “to-do” list.
Ditto what everyone else has said. Your natural sense of humor and timing will come back when life gets a little more sane. Don’t force it – it doesn’t help.
If it helps, major mojo headed your way!
Wil?!?
What the F**K are you talking about? I have been reading your site since last fall and you regularly kick my funny bone so hard that it tingles the rest of the day. Just because you are your hardest critic doesn’t mean you have lost it. Your funny, I mean… It’s obvious that you lost your mind long ago. 😉
Speaking from experience, I have done comic theater and amateur stand up, it’s super hard to find yourself funny sometimes. Especially when you have rehearsed the same routine over and over. Even when you do improv, you are still working from your own general, rehearsed schtick most of the time. You need an external review of your ability to inspire laughter. Personally, I know that if I can make my wife dissolve into helpless giggling — until she’s begging me to stop so that she can catch her breath — as long as I can do that once in a while… I’ve still got my funny.
Peace ( and I will send funny vibes your way )
Hey Wil,
I don’t usually write since I figure every one has said it all anyway and you probably do not have time to read everything but I figured I would give it a shot this time.
Try not to get so down on yourself, I honestly know how you feel today. My day ain’t so great either. My cat is really sick, my hockey team got their ass kicked by the Islanders last night and it may not seem like a big deal to some but its a big deal to me, and I too have been reminiscing about the past lately.
Trust me you aren’t washed up or a has been. You are someone to be respected and admired. You are driven and passionate about the things you love in life. You speak your mind and don’t concern yourself with the adversity you face. You open yourself up through your site in a way I only wish I had the guts to do. And for that alone I truly respect you.
Things will turn around, of that I am sure. You will get your funny back. I still think you are funny and a breath of fresh air! Besides who cares what one group of ppl think? Put it all into some perspective. You’ve accomplished something most of us rarely achieve Your stepsons think you are cool. How many of us twenty somethings can be cool in the eyes of adolescents?
Cheer up:)
Fishing or not, here’s the truth.
You make me laugh all the time.
Simple as. You are very funny, just you, or whatever “you” are when you are on the site.
Frank Sinatra was skint and had no record deal at some point in the 50s. He worked as a runner for the mob to make ends meet.
It came good for him.
Chin up. We love you.
I wish you see english TV. “Book Club” rules….
See you
shaun
UK
How can you be washed up if you’ve got a posse? And we got your back. So with that in mind remember your 7 things your grateful for and don’t 2nd guess yourself. The funny will come back.
Hi Wil.
It will pass, that’s for sure…I’ve had some really shitty years, the last four or five years, and I was so scared that it wouldn’t pass. But I’ve started to see the changes now, but of course it changes very slow… Even though you may have had a hard time, I know it will past. And besides: I believe in you, we believe in you. And I think you’re very funny Wil.
Well I don’t think my words will help you, but I just wanted to tell you, that I believe in you! And that it will pass. I know because I’ve tried it myself. And you’re doing your best. That’s the important thing, and just keep the good work. I love this website, it’s very interesting, and you’re so open, and wanna thank you for that. And it’s also, well…FUN! Hope you’ll feel better soon. Take care
Bye, Helene
ok, I am the last person in the worlds that should be giving you advice on how to deal when things get rough (I have a sh**ty record when it comes to dealing with set backs) but I hate it when people feel bad. I have a bunch of people that hate me right now because I tried to give them advice when they needed it but they didn’t know me so they just got mad a said mind your own business (did I mention I talk a lot). OK, the first thing i’ going to say is a quote from a book called Wizard’s First Rule by Terry Goodkind. Wizard’s First Rule is “People are stupid.” They really are. People are calling you a has been because everybody else is. They didn’t take the time to actually look you up and see what you have been up to. I would say forget about it but I think you are as sensitive as I am and it’s hard for me to just ignore something. My advice is this
get revenge
seriously, this is going to be hard but just go to auditions until you get a role in which everbody praises you and your acting abilities and then when you go on your first interview say “I would like to thank all of the losers that said I was a has been for giving me the determination to work my ass of and get to this point, thank you”
Yes, I know this is going to take a very long time to exicute but….it’s worth it.
They cut you out of the Star Trek movie? That bites ass.
Wil,
I relate! I’ve been nostalgic most of the past month.
I just recently retired after 20 years of Naval Service. It was a career full of ups and downs, but nonetheless it was some of the shining moments in my life and career. I rose through the ranks and achieved some notable things. I’m now 39, in the private sector as a contractor. And back on the bottom of the totem pole of life.
I used to lead 100’s of Sailors, manage millions of dollars in equipment, travel extensively…now I’m a civilian…well you get my drift. I feel for you, I sympathize, but mostly I relate. It’s not that I don’t like my civilian job, but the satisfaction level is quite different.
As my wife says, keep your chin up at least you’re not getting shot at.
Stay the course Wil, great things will happen, I’m sure of it.
Cheers and Beers,
Dawg “Barry”
Here you can borrow my funny. It is not very good quality but maybe you could use it in combination with some other ones. Uhh I do need it back as soon as your done with it, it is my only one even if I don’t use it much.
And about the has been part: yes, have been cool and funny and you still are! Anyone who says otherwise is just one of those 98% of people who are stupid. Ok enough of this, you are turning 30, who cares. The eighties are gone but you can still have fun now, an you can always return by playing the music or watching a movie.
And if they cut you from the movie I will kill them. Ok so I won’t, but that IS how I feel. They should not promote something like that and then just pull it, it would be like pulling Guinan(Whoopie)! I have been waiting for years to find out what happened to Wes. Even if it was only for one scene it would still be worth going to see.
Man this is really long! Ok I will stop now. Well one more thing: Does Wil ever read these posts?
Who the hell said you were washed up? Shit I’ll find them and beat them up. No really come on look at your site. You got fans more so than some other actors. I mean come on. You are perhaps the best damn actor I have ever seen on tv. Hell I only enjoy watching Season one and two of TNG cause you are in it. Otherwise PS looked like a fool. OMG those uniforms. lol!! But seriously I think you have done rather well for your age and junk. All stars go through down time. You are known for who you are not like Tom Hanks or Tom Curise who probably wouldn’t put the time into a site like this. YOu are a person and I think thats what the fans like. YOu don’t act as if you are somehow better but you are just a normal guy and people like that and I think you have to think of the cool fans like us here that love you for whatever you do even if its nothing rather than those bastard article writers who will write and say anything to piss the fans off and piss you off. I tend to think writers on the net will write anything that will make the readers mad. Anything to get hits on a site. So screw them. Think of the good stuff. I mean MY God you are young. When did Tom Hanks actually become popular? You have so much time. Don’t give up or let them bring you down. Continue to be yourself cause that’s what the fans enjoy.
Wil,
I’m not going to pat you on the back, I’m not going to tell you everything will be all right. What I will do is try to rationalize what is going on. There are certain times in everyone’s life when things come the hard way. I’m a graduate student. This past January they attempted to throw me out. I fought. I won. I’m still in graduate school. However, it made things even worse. Professors now hate me and grade me more harshly than other students. So it’s now become twice of an uphill battle to get my Master’s Degree. But the point is this. Once I get the degree, everything will have been worth it. So my advice:
Stick in there, keep auditioning, keep working, keep things running smoothly with the family, and all the hard work and rough times of the past two years will pay off.
Good Luck!
Matthew (aka WyattCE)
Hey, you still gots teh funnay! I’ve become a fan simply from what you’ve posted here. I enjoyed watching your movies and TV and stuff, but I’ve become more of a fan of what you have to say on a regular basis then any of that other stuff.
Remember, when seeking “teh funnay” always go back to the basics. Yep, I’m talking about Monkeys and Dead Clowns. Dead Clowns are *always* funny.
Wil,
Perhaps you’re suffering from seasonal affective disorder but being on the cutting edge of just about everything, like you are, your body has decided to become affected to Spring rather than Winter.
There, that should make you feel better. You’re a trendsetter for mental illness.
Hi Wil. You may not be into this, but I’ll share this inspiration with you, maybe it will help:
“Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.”
-Theodore Roosevelt
26th President Of The United States
So, even if you fail (which you haven’t) you’ve accomplished more than the yahoos out there who are calling you a “has been”. You’re not to us!
Tracy
washed up? has been? hah. it’s a well known fact that society as a whole is idiotic.. that’s why we don’t listen to them. so next time you hear that just nod and grin knowing that not only are you smarter than them but everyone here knows it too. if you were so washed up we wouldn’t be here supporting you now would we? exactly -smirks-
****FUNNY MOJO****
It’s powerful stuff and it takes effect with in 24 hours. Enjoy.