HERE'S SOME BITS AND PIECES ABOUT THE PEOPLE NEXT DOOR WHO MAKE THIS WORK
When I first started this project the thing I was most amazed about was that no one (but me) questioned my ability to pull a show like this together. This page has thoughts about, and by, my friends that jump in head first - doing things that I might never have expected. They all contribute and share their talents.
Dave Binkley
While in high school my brother, Tim, and I created the Weirdness Radio Show which ran weekly for four and a half years. Always a fan of Big Chuck Schodowski, a Cleveland TV legend, I never had the courage to send Chuck sketch ideas I had for him. Now with Big Chuck gone form the airwaves, I miss the bad movies and his great comedy sketches so I drafted my friends to help me out. Since everyone wanted to be my Lil' John I try to let as many of them shine as often as possible.
Also on camera is Dan, and not on camera is James. Debbie Starcher
Debbie was right there in my very first sketch and I've drug her along to almost every filming after that. She's the one behind the camera for 98% of the shooting. I gave up giving her the scripts ahead of time because she never followed the directions anyway - but that's OK because her shots were usually better than the ones I wrote down on paper.
Debbie's Reply Why should I follow his scripts when he can't even remember the lines he wrote? And drug me is correct. I don't know what he put in the water to talk me into this. All in all, we all have a great time doing these and Dave even listens to our input. This is a fun show and I am glad to be part of it. Here's one of the sketches where she steps out from behind the camera. Also on camera here is Diana her husband, Ray, and Holly Kathleen Walder
Kathleen came to us through Juli. Kat is an accomplished writer / performer / producer who started two Improv Groups. Very talented I plan to use and abuse her writing and performing talents as long as she decides to hang around us.
Kathleen's Reply Yes, Juli's channeling skills are superb. She and I worked together on a community theater production a while ago and became good friends. That's where she learned to actually project my image into real life. Thank goodness, because that apparition thing was getting very boring! I guess it was only fitting that Dave found a blind friend to be the announcer for this bit. I had fun writing my first batch of sketches. The braille typewriter was rather expensive and took a bit of getting used to, but I think I can sell it on eBay. Here's one of the bits that Kathleen wrote and appears in. The announcer is a blind friend of mine from Columbus, Chuck Adkins Susan Antal
When I started figuring our how to put this show together I immediately wanted Sue involved. First - she was much more experienced in television (with two appearances on the Milton the Milkman when I was 14.) Second - I knew that she would be a perfect foil for me. I was right twice for once.
Here Sue helps me decide where to take my vacation. Mike Novak
I've known Mike for around fifteen years and we have worked on numerous radio projects together. He's funny, has a great delivery, and is a natural in front of the microphone and camera. He is also a bit of a ham - like me, which is probably why we get along so well.
Mike's Reply: I have known Dave and worked with him professionally for about 15 years now, and yet I still agreed to work with him on this project. I enjoy his writing style and love acting, because “I’m an Actor!” (Yes, I stole that from some famous guy) Seriously, for someone who’s always wanted to do some acting, working on this project is a blast! I anxiously wait to see what idea Dave comes up with next. He has actually talked me into writing, wait till you see these skits. This is a fun project and I really enjoy working with everyone involved. These are some seriously nutty people. (I mean that in a good way)(That’s why I fit in so well) Here Mike & I redo a classic Abbot & Costello bit. Diana Ray
Diana is a TV host/producer in her own right having produced The Art Of Living Along with her husband, Raymond. I always enjoy watching her work and including the two of them in on skits whenever we can.
David is great to work with! He really throws himself into his work, especially when he falls off his chair and takes part of the set with him while acting in one of his sketches! He's versatile and clever in the way he includes so many folks into his sketches and even manages to include himself! He's a great character actor and believe me he's quite a character in real life too! He's a real trip and when he reads this he'll probably have himself trip over something in his next sketch! Thanks for the kind words, Diana. The check is in the mail - no really - just not to you. Check out More of Diana's work at her The Art Of Living web site. Diana's website is http://www.theartofliving.us/ Here's a Silly Psychiatrist sketch with Diana and Carolyn Alan Cash
What can I say but that I think that Alan Cash has one of the best voices in the business - even though he isn't technically in the business. I use his voice for most of the voice over material that I write - and even occasionally let him do bits on camera as well.
Here's Alan in one of his voice over bits. Carolyn Schlemmer
If you would know Carolyn you might not think that she would join in on our silliness - but Carolyn takes our silliness to a serious level. She really works her character hard, and has tremendous fun doing it. She has brought the Silly Psychiatrist to a great level.
Carolyn's Reply: As the person who plays the Silly Psychiatrist, I want to take this opportunity to say how much working with David Binkley has done for my personal mental health. I used to get so depressed about work. But Dave’s kindness and humor – not to mention his good looks – changed all that, so now I come to work with a song in my heart. In the old days, I confess I was a terrible kleptomaniac. Dave Binkley’s sterling character and honesty have been such an example to me that now I don’t steal anymore. Except for 2 or 3 things a week. From his desk. And – this is the one I’m proudest of: You might not believe it, but I used to weigh over 700 pounds. Dave’s commitment to healthy eating habits has inspired me to become the weight I am now. In fact, there is only one serious problem that working with Dave has not cured. I am still a habitual, compulsive liar. I wasn't going to put a Silly Psychiatrist sketch here but after reading her response I had no choice but to let her explain what she does. Phil Rizzo
Phil is a funny spontaneous guy and fun to work with. I rope him in to do a sketch whenever possible. He is our favorite Godfather - Sorry Marlon.
Phil, Rachel. & Dave Bryan Pixler
Bryan is the perfect example of "If you wand something done give it ti a
Busy person. He has a full time job, a family, heads up Little Hollywood Ohio, Pixler Perfect Productions, and Superhero 101 on WVIM. In his spare time he joins us for some sketches. Bryan, Mel, & Dr. Dave John Evanovich
John is surprisingly sane for a guy who is retired from teaching elementary school kids. It seems that when applying for a job his choice was either to become an elementary school teacher or go participate in the Vietnam War.
I gave John a similar choice. Either be in the show or go to Detroit. When he found that Vietnam was no longer an option he relented and became part of the show. John & Dave Mike Evanovich
Mike is related to John by marriage - He's his son. Mike had never had cream soda before he signed onto working with us. In his first sketch he had to guzzle it down instead of actually drinking beer. Good thing, with as many takes as he had he definitely wouldn't have been able to drive home. We save the beer for after the shoot.
Mike & Amanda |
Mike Mace
Mike came to us when he found us in the Wadsworth Hospital on WCTV, After a few Facebook messages back and forth I realized that he and I have worked with quite a few people over the years, Mike in commercial radio and Dave in non-commercial radio. A really funny guy, Mike brings so much to the table. The sketch below is open that Mike wrote for the show..
Juli Majernik
Juli and I had worked on radio programs for several years together. We have a great performing chemistry - which means that she does a great job at covering up my mistakes. A very funny and artistic person and adds a bit of class to the show. Making me look better is no easy trick.
The following is a sketch that Juli wrote. Holly Schilthelm
Holly is probably the most versatile person I've worked with on the show. to date Even when I don't write her lines she still figures out a way to draw attention to herself. Sometimes I've told her about a line I just thought and she runs with it. And sometimes I've thrown in things we didn't rehearse and I don't throw her off - at least not facing the camera.
Holly handles a pushy customer in another "At The Airport" sketch. Also seen here Scott, Dan, Mike, Barb, & Maureen Shannon Steele
After a 23 years in commercial radio Shannon came to join our little troupe at The Weirdness Really Bad Movie. You can only imagine her disappointment. Actually she fits in quite well and can throw one of the quickest punchlines in the group. We look forward to working with Shannon for time time to come.
Shannon and Kathleen doing some online shopping 'At The Bus Stop' Lisa Pierce
Lisa was suckered in to join us by Holly we need another co-host ... and little did she know what she was getting herself into and the prize we got when we added her to our cast. Lisa had some stand up comedy experience before she joined us. Even though she seems more normal than the rest of us - Lisa still fits in fine.
Lisa and Holly in a "Girlfriends" sketch Dan Tonelli
I've worked with Dan for over five years and he is one of the most spontaneous people that I know.. Fun to talk with and a hoot to work with.
Dan's Reply Hi I’m Dan and you’ll see me pop up from time to time in some of Dave’s Weirdness Really Bad Movie sketches. I’ll let you in on a little secret right up front– It’s not really about the movies! You can catch me along with a host of other normal every day people doing our best to be funny in front of Dave’s camera. People ask me all the time – well I’ve been asked once anyway how in the world did you get involved in this thing called the Weirdness Really Bad Movie. Well that’s simple, Dave asked me. He’s a weird guy and I’m a really bad man – well not anymore. Here’s how it started. One day Dave wanted to jump into a garbage dumpster and have someone tape it, so a couple of us decided to humor him and help out – the rest as they say is history. Dave is a pretty creative guy, but his real talent is convincing people like me to do his bidding. Keep checking back and you’ll probably get to learn more about me and rest of Dave’s disciples along the way. OK, I have to go now, they’re ready for my close up. Here's Dan trying to break my concentration on the golf course. Also On camera Is Melanie. Tom Kantorowski
What can I say about Tom without misspelling his name? Actually I've known Tom for almost thirty years when he was a young cop on the beat and I was ... three ... plus a few. Tom is a really good sport and when I found out that he could still fit into his old police uniform I wrote some special sketches for him.
Tom's Reply: The uniform is still a fit because I don't have to use the protective vest. Reference to the police skits -- old habits are hard to break. And yes, I was a kind cop to traffic offenders. Here's a sketch where Tom pulls me over for speeding. Mike Falb
Worked with Mike for around fifteen years now - and he's still fairly normal - depending on your definition of normal. A really good guy and a really good sport.
Mike's Reply: In my management career, I have encountered some unique employees, and I haven't been able to figure out if Dave is really acting or not. Nevertheless, it is convincing. I suppose that the reason Dave and I get along is that we are both easily amused. I hope that you enjoy our skits, whether they cause you to groan, or if they make you recall a similar experience. Enjoy. Here's Mike in one of our "On The Clock" sketches. Melanie Hart
Little did Mel know what she was getting herself when she joined the show cast. I originally said that I wouldn't do doctor sketches because I thought that people would think that I was just doing Ben Crazy sketches, but two things changed my mind. First, doctor sketches are very easy to write. And second, I wanted to see Mel in a nurses uniform - and so will you when you see this very first Dr. Dave sketch where we introduce Nurse Lovely.
Here's Mel's first of many and many to come Nurse Lovely sketches. Also onscreen is Mike, Dan, Phil, Tom, Dave Crawford Jim Vilk
I'm not saying that Jim has larceny in his heart because he has never worked on Wall Street - but he is a writer and that runs a close second - and I should know. Very quick he leaves me in the dust when we have a battle of wits. Come to think of it that's not the only time that Jim has left me in the dust.
Jim's Reply: Dave's right. I have a little larceny in my heart, because I've always wanted to steal a scene. Thanks to him, I have that chance. Oh, and I wouldn't call our time together a battle of wits - put two half-wits together and it's more like a battle of one wit. We have a great time, though, and I hope you can tell that when you see our skits. Enjoy! Here's Jim at what he does best - working the system. Amanda Casey
We've gotten to work with Amanda on about eight sketches so far. We hope to do a lot with this talented girl in the near future.
Amanda's website Amanda, Tom, with Diana off-screen Cathy "Cat" Givens
When I need someone with unique clothes (yes - more unique than mine) I call upon Cat. The difference is I have to go to Goodwill to find mine - Cat just has to go to her closet. Although not always comfortable in front to the camera she always does a great job. I need to use her more.
Cat, Mike, Tom, Phil (off screen) and Hoover (the owl not the vacuum cleaner) Raymond Flasco
The other half of The Art of Living program along with his wife, Diana. Here Raymond gets to step from behind the camera to order a Shot and a Beer.
Raymond & Amanda |
