Cartoon scripts, spec scripts and serials ...
Except for fragments, I am also missing the following spec scripts. Most of these were written and posted in serial format on various websites.These websites have all been scrubbed off the face of the !@#$ earth.
Clinton, Clinton, I’ve been Thinking (1995-1999)
No story arc. Pretty much a bunch of surreal sketches about 1996 Presidential campaign, and the endless investigation that continued before, during and after. Ken Starr, Clinton, Monica Lewinski … it pretty much wrote itself. [fragments recovered]
The following three scripts had a loose story continuity. I wrote them in serial form, then attempted to edit them down to something episodic and producible. Saw it as an animated cartoon, but could also have worked as live action.
THE BIG DAMN MEDIA SATIRE TRILOGY
Revenge of the Son of the Glass Teat (1995)
The world is disappearing up its own self-absorbed asshole. There’s a simple explanation: aliens are stealing our media. Their spaceship resembles an enormous glass teat. But Elvis and Bigfoot overcome the aliens, take control, return from space and set humanity free. At least for now.
Koreshan (1996)
Jack Getz is a single parent who lives with his two sons in the dilapidated family hotel he inherited in Florida. A cartoonist, his once promising career is on the skids. A few years back, Walt Disney Studios fired him for putting suggestive images in Alladin -- yeah, he's that guy. After that stunt, Jack's career took a downward slide to progressively crappier ad agencies, print shops and huckster promotion firms. Salvation comes: a golden cash cow. Jack is hired by an emerging global media empire. The CEO is Mr. Haack -- a South African composite of Rupert Murdock and other media tycoons. Unknown to Jack, the aliens are using Haack's corporation as a front to launch their new product. Agents from the Okinawan independence movement tell him about the alien plot. They inform him that, instead of writing whiz-bang cartoons about cosmic battles, he actually has to fight one for a change. Jack thinks it's bullcrap -- until he discovers a vast underground network of tunnels left over from the last human civilization 20,000 years ago. The aliens have used us before. Jack stands up and fights. Or he doesn't. There's some kinda resolution, but I forget. Once again, Jack gets fired.
Me, Robomonkey (1997)
Haack releases the test version of the alien product -- User Generated Media -- a black box that the aliens plan to install in every human home. (An all-purpose, home entertainment center/replicator) Robomoney is the cute, helpful intelligent agent designed to make it easy for the humans to use the product -- just tell him what you want, and he grabs it for you! But Robomonkey escapes the virtual world and wreaks havoc in the real world, thereby derailing the aliens’ plans.
CHARACTERS
Ethan Haack -- the South African CEO of Haackworks Media. He resembles Sydney Greenstreet.
Jack Getz -- cartoonist, writer, loser. Basically, Jack is to me what Kilgore Trout is to Kurt Vonnegut.
Supermodel -- a model with superpowers. She's bitter about the loss of her native Hong Kong to the PRC.
Robomonkey -- an intelligent agent who escapes the alien's virtual world in a parody of "Altered States."
Highway Woman -- a mild-mannered woman who transforms into a Fury of Vengeance at the sight of a lack of courtesy.
Friday, March 22, 2002
Tuesday, March 19, 2002
Missing Posts
What follows is a partial list of missing comedy sketches, dates approximate. These were originally posted on various AOL message board and, later, in the free speech zone of ACLU's web site. Both entities cleaned house and deleted these files. The sketches still existed as word documents on my HP. Then, naturally, I had a hard drive crash. I backed the sketches up on a Zip disc, of course, but have now misplaced the !@#$ disc. **
2002
I want my NKVD [Rewritten]
2001
Tales of the FBI
The FBI ignores evidence of an Al Qaeda terrorist plot in its zeal to fight video piracy. [Found]
Johnson Jones, Private Dick
1930s slang and lots of bad puns. [Rewritten]
Crap-n-Poop
A massive store (a la Safeway) has a massively annoying jingle containing every possible marketing cliche. "There's so much more of what there's so much more of -- at your friendly neighborhood Crap-n-Poop!" [Partially rewritten]
2000
Travel Advisory
A parody of a State Department travel advisory. The message: Most of the planet wants to kill us: stay home. [Found.]
Gorilla Suit Jesus
Jesus, as a test of faith, returns a second time, not as a gorilla, but as a man in a gorilla suit. The Fundamentalist Christians, not expecting this, reject him. [Found]
A kingpin of crime rises from the gutter. Ultimately, he dies of old age. [Found]
What Really Happened to the Taco Bell Chihuahua
The Taco Bell Chihuahua (in an obvious homage to John K's Ren) eats genetically engineered StarLink corn, grows to enormous size (What ... ees .. happening to me?) and goes on a rampage. [Rewritten]
Bugger Off! -- by the makers of Piss Off!
[Not found]
1999
About a Doughboy
The Pillsbury Doughboy sees a shrink. He wants to be a Doughman. He’s sick of people poking him in the belly and expecting him to make that cute laugh. The shrink pokes him in the belly. He goes on a shooting rampage. [Found]
Monster on Trial
Perry Mason defends Godzilla for the crime of stomping Tokyo. There are 10 million witnesses. Godzilla is declared innocent. [Found, partially rewritten.]
The Yogi Bear Sutra
Capacious indeed is the intelligence of Yogi Bear, far surpassing the mental abilities of ordinary bears. [Rewritten]
Conspiracy Fact
The secret rulers of the global financial system meet in their underground lair: Richie Rich, Rich Uncle Pennybags (aka the Monopoly Man), Daddy Warbucks, C. Montgomery Burns and the Monopoly Octopus. They agree to speed up the timetable for the destruction of the American Middle Class. [Rewritten]
TiVo is DEVO
A machine that lets people watch TV all the time turns America into a nation of morons. [Not found.]
1998
War of the Worlds [Oct 30 1998]
A rant in honor of the 60th anniversary of the War of the World’s Broadcast. Complaint #1: The future is a cheat: no flying cars. Complaint #2: HG and Orson probably had it right. If there are aliens out there, they probably want to eat us. Why are we broadcasting our presence? [Earlier draft found]
Teddy Bear's Picnic
The Teddy Bears turn out to be badass, Hells Angel biker-types. They don't appreciate their fucking picnic being disturbed. [Found]
Clown College Reunion
Ronald McDonald appears at his Clown College reunion. The other clowns mock him for being a "corporate clown" and deride his fake magic. [Rewritten]
Tomorrow is a Piece of Shit
James Bond's latest assignment takes him to various redneck junkyards, gas stations and shitty trailers in Atlanta. The latest Bond villain is a snuff-dipping fatass. The latest Bond woman is, too. [Rewritten -- not as full sketch but quick movie pitch.]
1997
Necromarketing
Dirt Devil had the digitally reanimated corpse of Fred Astair dancing around with a vacuum cleaner. As long as we're going to turn the dead into corporate shills, who else could we dig up? [Found]
Titanic -- the God-proof boat!
In 1912, the White Star Line makes "God Himself couldn't sink her!" the tagline of their advertising campaign for the Titanic. It's God-proof, or your money back. [Rewritten]
The Bob Marley Trial
Bob Marley is tried for shooting the Sheriff. He’s stoned out of his mind and his testimony makes no sense. “I did not shoot the Deputy.” What Deputy? Who said anything about a Deputy? [Earlier draft found]
An Immigrant's Story
A man comes to America from the old country in the early 1900s. He has a dream: selling hot, steaming turds from a pushcart. Anything is possible in America! [Found]
1996
Quentin Tarantino's Knife Before Christmas
Santa and henchman stage an ultraviolent home invasion. (Written in collaboration with Kevin Dean)[Found]
Woody Allen's "Crash"Woody Allen directs "Crash." Basically, his nebbish character takes over for Steven Spader. (Oct. 29 1996) [Found]
English as a Second Language Theater
Miss Oleo
Miss Oleo (a real psychic, as opposed to Miss Cleo) warns a woman that her murderous, ex-boyfriend stalker is in her apartment. She tells her where to stand and exactly when to bash the skillet over his head. [Found]
1995
A Clockwork Gallery Walk
Alex and his droogs engage in art criticism. [Found]
Alex's Clockwork Oranges
Son of Religion Incorporated
Sex is Fun for Kids on Drugs
A lampoon of conservative perceptions of the evil, liberal media. Various hypothetical TV shows designed to destroy belief in God and sexual morality. [Fragment found]
1994
Beanie Babies
A Peter Lorre-like figure lives in terror of the Beanie Babies. Their little bellies are filled with beans. They're always following me! He meets a bad end. [Found. Ending expanded. Backstory added.]
Wo Fat Diet
Wo Fat of Hawaii Five-0 captures Detective McGarrett. He informs his old enemy that the People's Republic of China has, at last, defeated the decadent United States. Then he buries him beneath a mountain of cheap, crappy consumer products. [Rewritten]
1993
Rage against the Schween
The head of Schween Marketing reveals the giant machine at the heart of his factory spitting out Rage Against the Machine t-shirts, CDs and bumper stickers. [Rewritten]
The Flamemaster 3000
Kids love fire! Now, just in time for Christmas--a flame-thrower for kids! Use only as directed. (South Park did something pretty freaking similar. Not that I'm saying anything.) [Rewritten, which makes it hard to prove I thought of it first.]
An Ugly Day in the Neighborhood
Mr. Rogers is insane. In our continuing Mr. Rogers saga, a cameraman witnesses him declaring himself the God of the Neighborhood of Makebelieve. Mr. Rogers captures the snooping cameraman, ties him up. The puppets hold a trial, verdict: death. The cameraman is rescued by Barney, who shoves Mr. Rogers down the toilet. [Rewritten]
You Can Never Go Down the Drain
Mr. Rogers, graphically, reassures children that you can never get sucked into the toilet, kicking and screaming helplessly as the filthy waters choke you and the darkness closes in. Your parents didn't lie to you. No, of course not. [Rewritten, incorporated in sketch]
Fight Stubborn Grunge with New! Instant Prozac
A drug company tests its new, fast-acting anti-depression medication on Nirvana and Pearl Jam. It works and ruins their music careers. [rewritten]
1992
Nazi Track
A parody of the Nordic Track -- an exercise machine involving goose-stepping and seig-heiling. [rewritten]
It's a Horrible Life
A corrupt businessman is ultimately responsible for destroying the hopes of the 1960s. The world would be a better place if he'd killed himself. Clarence the Angel points this out to him. (SNL did a similar skit featuring Newt Gingrich. Mine was first, damnit.)[Found]
Oh, Say, Could You Just Shut Up a Second?
Francis Scott Key rushes into Ft. McHenry where his friends have all been shot up after a night's long seige. Is the flag OK? All he can think about is the freaking flag. His friends are pissed. [Rewritten]
1991
The Ballad of Slade Killgun
A serial killer's killing spree brings publicity and prosperity to a dirtbag town in the Old West. When he dies by accident, the townsfolk cover it up, stage copycat murders and keep the legend alive. [Rewritten]
Believe in the Beans
The Magic Bean salesman sells Jack a new religion. [Rewritten]
ASAP's Fairy Tales
A series of ridiculously telegraphic fairy tales for busy parents with no patience. [Found]
Satan Claus
Santa is an evil figure who dominates the world and uses children’s greed to turn them against their parents. [Found]
Mold Injected Plastic
The American Mold Injected Plastic Association throws away millions of dollars on an idiotic, nationwide "mold-injected plastic awareness" campaign. The advertising agency can't convince the President of the AMIPA that no one gives a crap about mold-injected plastic. It is, after all, his life. [Fragment found]
1990
American Chainsaw Association
When chainsaws are outlawed, only outlaws will have chainsaws. [Found]
** As of now, 14 skits remain missing, indicated in red. These are just the ones I recall, of course -- and not counting long-form comedy like "Me, Robomonkey."
2002
I want my NKVD [Rewritten]
2001
Tales of the FBI
The FBI ignores evidence of an Al Qaeda terrorist plot in its zeal to fight video piracy. [Found]
Johnson Jones, Private Dick
1930s slang and lots of bad puns. [Rewritten]
Crap-n-Poop
A massive store (a la Safeway) has a massively annoying jingle containing every possible marketing cliche. "There's so much more of what there's so much more of -- at your friendly neighborhood Crap-n-Poop!" [Partially rewritten]
2000
Travel Advisory
A parody of a State Department travel advisory. The message: Most of the planet wants to kill us: stay home. [Found.]
Gorilla Suit Jesus
Jesus, as a test of faith, returns a second time, not as a gorilla, but as a man in a gorilla suit. The Fundamentalist Christians, not expecting this, reject him. [Found]
The Legacy
The Skull and Bones Society (which resembles Animal House) conspire to make George W. Bush the President of the United States. He may be incompetent, but, like Flounder, he’s a legacy. [Not found]
The Death Interview
Mr. LargeThe Death Interview
The Grim Reaper promotes his new book on Late Night with David Letterman. [Rewritten.]
A kingpin of crime rises from the gutter. Ultimately, he dies of old age. [Found]
What Really Happened to the Taco Bell Chihuahua
The Taco Bell Chihuahua (in an obvious homage to John K's Ren) eats genetically engineered StarLink corn, grows to enormous size (What ... ees .. happening to me?) and goes on a rampage. [Rewritten]
Bugger Off! -- by the makers of Piss Off!
[Not found]
1999
About a Doughboy
The Pillsbury Doughboy sees a shrink. He wants to be a Doughman. He’s sick of people poking him in the belly and expecting him to make that cute laugh. The shrink pokes him in the belly. He goes on a shooting rampage. [Found]
Monster on Trial
Perry Mason defends Godzilla for the crime of stomping Tokyo. There are 10 million witnesses. Godzilla is declared innocent. [Found, partially rewritten.]
The Yogi Bear Sutra
Capacious indeed is the intelligence of Yogi Bear, far surpassing the mental abilities of ordinary bears. [Rewritten]
Conspiracy Fact
The secret rulers of the global financial system meet in their underground lair: Richie Rich, Rich Uncle Pennybags (aka the Monopoly Man), Daddy Warbucks, C. Montgomery Burns and the Monopoly Octopus. They agree to speed up the timetable for the destruction of the American Middle Class. [Rewritten]
TiVo is DEVO
A machine that lets people watch TV all the time turns America into a nation of morons. [Not found.]
1998
Acid Casualty Insurance
Acidheads running an insurance company grok the deep connections between life and death and math and stuff. [Found]
MTV's Robe Rules. If Jesus and pals had taken a road trip in an RV stuffed with cameras in the days of hip, self-referential media. [Found]War of the Worlds [Oct 30 1998]
A rant in honor of the 60th anniversary of the War of the World’s Broadcast. Complaint #1: The future is a cheat: no flying cars. Complaint #2: HG and Orson probably had it right. If there are aliens out there, they probably want to eat us. Why are we broadcasting our presence? [Earlier draft found]
Teddy Bear's Picnic
The Teddy Bears turn out to be badass, Hells Angel biker-types. They don't appreciate their fucking picnic being disturbed. [Found]
When Irish Eyes Aren't Smiling
An American-Irish family visits a charming Irish pub in Dublin filled with colorful characters. They leave with snapshots and memories. They return two hours later. It turns out the charming characters were all paid character actors. Now we see the bar's actual patrons: bitter, IRA thugs. Who beat the Americans savagely. [Lost but performance exists on tape -- somewhere.]
Clown College Reunion
Ronald McDonald appears at his Clown College reunion. The other clowns mock him for being a "corporate clown" and deride his fake magic. [Rewritten]
Tomorrow is a Piece of Shit
James Bond's latest assignment takes him to various redneck junkyards, gas stations and shitty trailers in Atlanta. The latest Bond villain is a snuff-dipping fatass. The latest Bond woman is, too. [Rewritten -- not as full sketch but quick movie pitch.]
1997
Necromarketing
Dirt Devil had the digitally reanimated corpse of Fred Astair dancing around with a vacuum cleaner. As long as we're going to turn the dead into corporate shills, who else could we dig up? [Found]
Titanic -- the God-proof boat!
In 1912, the White Star Line makes "God Himself couldn't sink her!" the tagline of their advertising campaign for the Titanic. It's God-proof, or your money back. [Rewritten]
The Bob Marley Trial
Bob Marley is tried for shooting the Sheriff. He’s stoned out of his mind and his testimony makes no sense. “I did not shoot the Deputy.” What Deputy? Who said anything about a Deputy? [Earlier draft found]
An Immigrant's Story
A man comes to America from the old country in the early 1900s. He has a dream: selling hot, steaming turds from a pushcart. Anything is possible in America! [Found]
1996
Quentin Tarantino's Knife Before Christmas
Santa and henchman stage an ultraviolent home invasion. (Written in collaboration with Kevin Dean)[Found]
Woody Allen's "Crash"Woody Allen directs "Crash." Basically, his nebbish character takes over for Steven Spader. (Oct. 29 1996) [Found]
English as a Second Language Theater
A beginning English speaker writes sketch comedy in which the punchline is always “Turds!” [Rewritten]
Slingbladerunner
Carl chases replicants with his slingblade. Some folks call it a Kaiser blade. [Found]
Side Effects May Include
A new wonder drug has a long list of symptoms including Lycanthropy and "Scanners" syndrome. [Found]
Miss Oleo
Miss Oleo (a real psychic, as opposed to Miss Cleo) warns a woman that her murderous, ex-boyfriend stalker is in her apartment. She tells her where to stand and exactly when to bash the skillet over his head. [Found]
The Real Psychic Network
Real psychics tell you your real future, which turns out to be horrible and depressing. For an extra fee, they tell you what you did in a past life, which is also horrible and depressing. [Not found]
The Mega-Mega-Mega-Mansion
Tourettes Syndrome Telethon
The Jerry Lewis-style announcer asks for help and cusses you out. [Found]The Mega-Mega-Mega-Mansion
1995
Star Trek: Generation X
Twentysomething yuppie scum in space. [Not found]
Republichrist
The New Republican Bible reimagines Jesus as a glad-handing, asshole businessman. [Rewritten]
A Clockwork Gallery Walk
Alex and his droogs engage in art criticism. [Found]
Alex's Clockwork Oranges
Alex introduces his new breakfast cereal. [Not found]
Son of Religion Incorporated
A grab-bag of jive religions: Jehovah's Prosecuting Attorneys, Seinfeldology, Harry Kirshners, Christian Mad Scientists and more. [Not found]
Sex is Fun for Kids on Drugs
A lampoon of conservative perceptions of the evil, liberal media. Various hypothetical TV shows designed to destroy belief in God and sexual morality. [Fragment found]
Sometimes Murder Can Be Murder
Sketch about irritating detective who keeps using the "But, sometimes, ___________ can be murder!" trope. [Not found]
1994
Homerman
Homer Simpson attends a company picnic with his family. Suddenly, nobody knows who he is and Homer is on the run in a parody of Nowhere Man, the Prisoner, the Manchurian Candidate, and every other paranoid fantasy. A spec script for The Simpsons Halloween special. [Not found. Probably lost forever]
Beanie Babies
A Peter Lorre-like figure lives in terror of the Beanie Babies. Their little bellies are filled with beans. They're always following me! He meets a bad end. [Found. Ending expanded. Backstory added.]
Wo Fat Diet
Wo Fat of Hawaii Five-0 captures Detective McGarrett. He informs his old enemy that the People's Republic of China has, at last, defeated the decadent United States. Then he buries him beneath a mountain of cheap, crappy consumer products. [Rewritten]
The Clastic Fantastic Constructions of Pseudo DiGiolinio
A parody of a bloated, pretentious, jargon-ridden art review. [Found]
1993
Rage against the Schween
The head of Schween Marketing reveals the giant machine at the heart of his factory spitting out Rage Against the Machine t-shirts, CDs and bumper stickers. [Rewritten]
The Flamemaster 3000
Kids love fire! Now, just in time for Christmas--a flame-thrower for kids! Use only as directed. (South Park did something pretty freaking similar. Not that I'm saying anything.) [Rewritten, which makes it hard to prove I thought of it first.]
Mr. Mercenary's Neighborhood
Mr. Rogers' replacement is a survivalist gun nut. [Not found]
An Ugly Day in the Neighborhood
Mr. Rogers is insane. In our continuing Mr. Rogers saga, a cameraman witnesses him declaring himself the God of the Neighborhood of Makebelieve. Mr. Rogers captures the snooping cameraman, ties him up. The puppets hold a trial, verdict: death. The cameraman is rescued by Barney, who shoves Mr. Rogers down the toilet. [Rewritten]
You Can Never Go Down the Drain
Mr. Rogers, graphically, reassures children that you can never get sucked into the toilet, kicking and screaming helplessly as the filthy waters choke you and the darkness closes in. Your parents didn't lie to you. No, of course not. [Rewritten, incorporated in sketch]
Fight Stubborn Grunge with New! Instant Prozac
A drug company tests its new, fast-acting anti-depression medication on Nirvana and Pearl Jam. It works and ruins their music careers. [rewritten]
1992
Nazi Track
A parody of the Nordic Track -- an exercise machine involving goose-stepping and seig-heiling. [rewritten]
It's a Horrible Life
A corrupt businessman is ultimately responsible for destroying the hopes of the 1960s. The world would be a better place if he'd killed himself. Clarence the Angel points this out to him. (SNL did a similar skit featuring Newt Gingrich. Mine was first, damnit.)[Found]
Oh, Say, Could You Just Shut Up a Second?
Francis Scott Key rushes into Ft. McHenry where his friends have all been shot up after a night's long seige. Is the flag OK? All he can think about is the freaking flag. His friends are pissed. [Rewritten]
Royal Shakespeare Dinner Theatre
A serious actor stuck in a travesty of Shakespeare at a crass dinner theater where ancient, rude patrons interrupt "Richard III" to ask about the Apple Betty. [Rewritten]
Moonwalker: the Director's Cut
A re-edited version of Moonwalker in which the Joe Pesci character saves the children from pedophilic attentions of Michael Jackson. [Not found.]
1991
The Ballad of Slade Killgun
A serial killer's killing spree brings publicity and prosperity to a dirtbag town in the Old West. When he dies by accident, the townsfolk cover it up, stage copycat murders and keep the legend alive. [Rewritten]
Believe in the Beans
The Magic Bean salesman sells Jack a new religion. [Rewritten]
ASAP's Fairy Tales
A series of ridiculously telegraphic fairy tales for busy parents with no patience. [Found]
Satan Claus
Santa is an evil figure who dominates the world and uses children’s greed to turn them against their parents. [Found]
Mold Injected Plastic
The American Mold Injected Plastic Association throws away millions of dollars on an idiotic, nationwide "mold-injected plastic awareness" campaign. The advertising agency can't convince the President of the AMIPA that no one gives a crap about mold-injected plastic. It is, after all, his life. [Fragment found]
1990
The Old Prospector
This character is truly a shit. He has a knack for predicting disasters. Everyone always ignores him. Then he dances around like a loon when the disaster happens saying "I told you so." [Not found]
American Chainsaw Association
When chainsaws are outlawed, only outlaws will have chainsaws. [Found]
** As of now, 14 skits remain missing, indicated in red. These are just the ones I recall, of course -- and not counting long-form comedy like "Me, Robomonkey."
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