Day 2 -- Wednesday January 26

Well, I'm glad I wrote down my feelings yesterday because today they have completely changed. Day 2 began with a table read of the updated script. I finally got to see the cast and writers as more of a cohesive group. That was encouraging just from a "state of the world" point of view. I don't understand how people on a new show couldn't feel lucky and blessed and today I did see evidence of that after all. So that was good.

Also, for the table read, I did not have to wear my Hawk outfit. Yesterday during the run-through it didn't feel like I was bringing anything to the role. I was just some day-player idiot actor running around in a funny-looking Hawk suit. I started to get a little "Johnny Bravo Syndrome" -- the only reason I got the job was because I fit in the suit. At the table read, I think people saw that I was actually creating something slightly interesting besides the suit. That gave me a little more self-respect. So that was good.

And speaking of creating something. The Hawk's lines had been tweaked a little overnight and he ended up with a couple of jokes. That also made me feel like I was accomplishing something worthwhile. I was frustrated yesterday because the only comedy was that I looked funny. I never actually said anything funny. Today I had jokes, actual jokes, god bless 'em. So that was good.

And that marked the end of the rehearsal process. For the next three days it's block and shoot. They don't tape in front of an audience. It's still a sitcom but the laughter you will hear will be completely artificial. (Some may argue our laughs on Oh Grow Up were, too.) So today, Thursday, and Friday work like a movie or hour-long schedule. I had one scene today -- the interrogation scene -- and I will have two more on Friday. Today's scene went well. It was fun. I felt good. People were nice. And they seemed to genuinely think I was doing a good job. Me. Not just the suit, but me.

So that was good.

Go on to Day 3

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