Several months ago, we attended a comedy show in the City with Chelsea Handler of the TV show named after her, called Chelsea Lately. She is on “E!” at 11:00pm weekdays. She is really offbeat, takes no prisoners, and has written a couple of best selling books. I finally bagged a ticket for Wednesday, Sept 24 for a taping of the show.
This is what her web site says about her: E!’s late-night half-hour sensation Chelsea Lately features quick-witted commentary and a refreshing pop-culture perspective from comedian, TV personality and author Chelsea Handler. Her book is Number 1 on the New York Times Best Seller List. It is called, “Are You There Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea”. She is going to perform at Carnegie Hall in NYC on Jan 23. Now I am impressed.
Born in Livingston, New Jersey, to a Jewish father and a Mormon mother, Chelsea is the youngest of six children.
She is one of the nation’s fastest-rising female stand-ups, blending fearless honesty, ironic riffs and self-deprecation. Chelsea has performed before sold-out audiences at venues and festivals around the world, including the Montreal Comedy Festival and HBO’s U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen. I think she would be a good candidate to replace one of the late night guys when they retire. I would have voted for her to take Jay’s place instead of Conan the Barbarian.
Chelsea was the star of Oxygen’s Girls Behaving Badly—now syndicated in more than 90 markets—for all of its four seasons, and stars in The Chelsea Handler Show on E!. She has costarred in several independent films, including Steamroom and National Lampoon’s Cattle Call, and has made guest appearances on Comedy Central’s Reno 911!, ABC’s My Wife and Kids, Fox’s The Bernie Mac Show and David E. Kelley’s The Practice.
Sheri is not crazy about her humor when we saw her, as it was rather R or X rated. So, I am going myself, flying down today on Southwest to LAX, and driving to her studio about 8 miles away. It reminds me of my business travelling days, by myself, and always in a hurry. Now Chuy, her Little Nugget, is another story.
Born Jesus Melgoza, Chuy’s first exposure to Hollywood was as a young man when the production of “The Three Amigos” rolled into his tiny Mexican village. A chance meeting with his idol, Martin Short, during the production led to a temporary job arranging nightly hookers for Mr. Short. Bitten by the “Hollywood bug” (and a poisonous tarantula, but that’s another story…), Chuy was determined to make it to Los Angeles and pursue his dream of big screen stardom (though he has now, more appropriately, settled for the ‘little screen’).
Armed with nothing more than a condom full of cocaine in his stomach that a local drug lord paid him to swallow and smuggle, Chuy hopped aboard a “little horsey” (pony) and proceeded on an 8-month trail ride to the United States.
After years of odd jobs that, most notably, included stints as the stunt-double for ‘Fantasy Island’ star, Herve Villechaize, and ‘The Hulk’s’ Lou Ferrigno, Chuy has settled into what he hopes is a life long position as the assistant to one of cable TV’s fastest rising stars. He still moonlights as an actor and can be seen in “The Rundown”, “The Rock” and “Pirates of the Carribean 3”.
I called my friend George Esquivel to see if he wanted to go with me, but he is in Shanghai right now. He just opened an exclusive custom store called B. Spoke on W. 3rd Street, in LA. They will not only have his custom shoes, but also sell custom suits, shirts, umbrellas, and furniture. I guess I will rob a bank before stopping by. His assistant, Albert has arranged for me to get a tour, and maybe a fitting. For those of you with deep pockets, you can Google the web site, B. Spoke.
I will also drive by Washington Blvd to the site of the old Black Whale. Years ago, it was THE place to eat near LAX. The specialty was king crab legs in combination with steak, prime rib, or lobster. The orders awere so big they must be split between two people. It was the premier artery clogger this side of Hollywood. I hear that it is a Mexican restaurant now. So sad.
But Chelsea is the main attraction. She is as witty as any comedian or talk show host I have ever seen or heard. She is not afraid to make fun of herself as well. But she does pick on whomever celebrity is in the news today. She has run the gamut from Brit, to J Lo, to Lindsay, Angelina, T Cruise, nobody is off limits. That is what I like about her. Some of the greats, like Carson and Letterman were/are afraid of certain stars or celebrities. Not Chelsea.
The daily production of “Chelsea Lately” is loose, controlled chaos. The writers and producers plan each day’s show in the morning, writing material for the panel discussion and shooting comedy bits, either on location or in the hallways and cramped office spaces in West Los Angeles. The show tapes around 3:30 p.m. in front of a live audience and wraps in about an hour. Hopefully, that gives me enough time to get to the airport for my flight home.
I will bet you are asking yourself. why is he doing this? Well, tune in to s show some night when you can’t sleep. It is hilariously funny, and takes no prisoners. Almost over the top. But she is funny, interesting, and bright. I guarantee you will be hooked too, after you see her show on E!
