What's that smell???.....It's coming from the ECONOMY!!! : )

The title above was actually taken from a line in the movie "My Favorite Year" with Peter O'Toole.  There's a character much like Sid Caesar who is looking at the newest script for his weekly comedy television show.  He suddenly looks around at his writers and says, "Hey, what's that smell?"...He sniffs the air and gets really close to the papers in his hand. "It's the SCRIPT!! It STINKS!" and he throws it down on the table and walks away. 

Funny line, as is the whole movie.  If you haven't checked it out, you should.  Peter O'Toole as the aging film star who is frozen with fear when he finds out the tv show he's agreed to appear on is only performed LIVE, and in front of a studio audience.  When someone tries to calm his down by telling him it's only acting he replies, "I'm not an actor!...I'm a movie star!!"

But I digress...

While business has been actually very good for entertainment and our shows which are booked all over the U.S. and beyond, I'm noticing the slight dip in ticket sales when it comes to theme parks, stage shows and even movies.   People are saving their money and staying home more and more.  This economy isn't providing much of a backbone when it comes to trust that things will get better and people are either losing hours at work or their jobs completely. 

With everything though, things come in cycles and in a few months or a year or two, things will once again be nice and rosy.  But it's the hard times and the transitions that some people are just not very good at.  Putting money away for a rainy day (or year!) is sometimes not the thing at the front of a person's mind.  Greed in the markets and real estate have pushed many into borrowing heavily, thinking a quick 'flip' or a certain stock will get them back on their feet.

One of the houses in our neighborhood was recently found vacant.  We had known the family living there for the past 2-3 years and they seemed quite nice and pleasant, but kept to themselves.  It was only a few weeks ago that we were told that they had simply packed up and skipped out on their house and all responsibility that came with it.  Don't know if it was a sub-prime loan, or wildly erratic variable rates.  Or a combination of everything.  But it struck close to home to us.  Here was a good neighbor living just a few doors down and the news on the television which can sometimes feel so remote was happening to him directly.

Our own credit rating is quite good - solid, to use a word.  But even with our stellar background, credit card fees and rates have spiked dramatically for us.  We argue on the phone with the banks, but they can only give the 'corporate speak' which is nothing but double-talk.  Our Equity in the house dropped by a huge amount like everyone else.  Now, thankfully we bought at a time when the market was growing so even with the drop we're still ahead of the game, but I wonder just how many people out there who actually PLAYED BY THE RULES are suffering now even though they pay their mortgages and credit cards off each and every month.

Sad times.  Please do a favor to yourself and others around you and try to help out as much as possible.  Believe it or not, we're all in this together.  If someone has to work extra hours, take some time to watch their kids or make them dinner.  It's the little things that pull us all though.   Get back to real neighbors in real neighborhoods.  Know the parents of the kids your kid plays with.  "BE" a part of the life around you.  It will make things better, provide a little hope to those who could use some, and of course make the world a better place than when you first found it.  : )

Until next time!  All the best!!!

Official CHIPPER website:  www.chipper.tv

TOURING SHOW:  BLiNK! - An Incredible Evening of Award-Winning Magic!

EMAIL CHIPPER:  chipper@chipper.tv

Thank you fans for coming out to catch the show!!!

Well, we're now into our 45th show here at Great America. The early summer crowds have been great and each day the numbers continue to grow as more families are able to tear themselves away from work, school, etc., and go on vacation.

For those not in the know, I'm doing a special engagement of "The Chipper Lowell Experience!" at the Showtime Theater at the park, thru Sept. 7th. This is a 'Solo' show, backed up by a great stage crew and awesome light and sound techs, etc. I use these shows to test my original material, re-work some of my classic comedy bits, and polish and structure new, complete routines which I've been developing. With multiple shows per day, it's easy to 'zone in' and quickly decide what works and what doesn't.

And proud to say the new bits and routines are working nicely. Audiences have been really appreciative throughout, even today when the air-conditioning broke down on the 2nd day of a minor 'heatwave'. People were busy fanning themselves even before the show started, but everyone stayed INDOORS anyway, and had a great time. Thank you guys!!

It's also been great to meet some long-time fans and even new fans who not came to catch this show, but had also seen me in our larger stage production: BLiNK! - An Incredible Evening of Award-Winning Magic!... Which plays casino showrooms and performing arts centers each year. True supporters, and we appreciate each and every one of them!

One of the nicest compliments we received this week came from a couple who asked the ushers if our show was "free" or an "added ticket cost". When the usher told them it was free, they exclaimed, "Wow! This is better than Vegas! This guy plays there all the time and we get to see him for free! Now that's a deal!" Very nice comments! (Of course in truth, you still have to pay to enter the theme park and my show is only a 30 minute stint, so it's nothing like what you get to see in a full-evening, 2-hour performance. Still, all is included in the park's ticket price, and you get to ride some VERY cool coasters! Not to mention there are other great shows at the park this year, including an ICE SHOW, and a great X-Treme sports show out in the arena. Check them out!)

The NON-air conditioning (which is being repaired as I write this) caused some funny problems for me during the shows today. I could not stop sweating no matter how much I tried NOT to move and jump around the stage like I usually do. I tend to be VERY physical when performing, but this time around I was a walking, wet, sludge-ball. I even carried a small hand towel around the stage for most of my show, feeling like the singer, Meatloaf, who always carried a hankerchief because he would sweat so much. Towels were placed all over the stage, draped over various props, rolling platforms, tables, and even a few at the soundbooth for when I run around, up and down the aisles during one segment. Pick them up, dry my face off. Pick them again, dry my hands off. Pick them up again, and dry my arms off....And seconds later, I start all over again with my face. Hot, Hot, Hot!!!

For those who would like to keep in touch with me, please drop me a line at FACEBOOK...

I'm now officially listed under CHIPPERLOWELL.... We'd love to hear from you!

Until next time! All the best to you all!! And have a really FANTASTIC SUMMER!!! Spend it with loved ones! You'll never regret it!

www.chipper.tv
www.BlinkShow.com
email: chipper@chipper.tv
www.facebook.com/chipperlowell

Bursting at the Seams! In a good way! : )

Hello friends!

Well, I'm on the road again -- hopped another 400+ miles and we're now teching at the new theater in northern California. Crew is fantastic and the 'look' of the show is coming together. Hours were spent today prepping the stupid amount of props used in the show while the crew diligently hung 'legs', hung lights, gobos, video projectors and more. Whew!

The show has once again GROWN, and we're needing yet another, even larger trailer for everything...Which we'll probably wind up purchasing in about a month or two. Can't wait! (This particular trek was a 'slow & steady' one, as I felt like the trailer tires were cursing at me the entire drive due to the weight. All I could do was apologize continuously out loud, and gently pat the dashboard in a futile effort to spur the car on to the final destination. Trust me, I looked like an idiot. And what exactly would I say to the mechanic who comes to fix the broken axle in the dead of night as I sit stranded on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere?

So, new trailer it is!

We're currently producing two shows right now: my 'solo' show - "The Chipper Lowell Experience!" and our larger stage production - "BLiNK! - An Incredible Evening of Award-Winning Magic!" which also features some of the TOP STARS of magic working today. Both have received some really nice reviews and we couldn't be happier. Especially in this wicked economy. Both shows tour the United States at different times, and the change is a nice one as it affords me the opportunity to change and create new comedy and magic routines all the time.

Also in the 'NEWS' is a possible new TV special which I'll be a guest star on, doing 'my thing' and providing laughs from 'left of center'. Scheduled to tape before a live audience in October - Promise to keep you all posted as the date approaches.

That's it for now - must get sleep, as the gym comes early and I want to make sure my alarm doesn't wake me up in time for it. : )

Take care!

Chipper : )
website: WWW.CHIPPER.TV

Wired and their "poetic license"...

I recently posted a paragraph on my website - www.chipper.tv, and several friends & associates also suggested I post one here as well regarding the recent 'blurb' in Wired magazine.

I consider myself a little savvy when it comes to working with or dealing with the press.  You have to constantly be on guard somewhat whenever you agree to an interview regarding yourself or an upcoming performance.  The road is a two-way street, as the newspaper or magazine gets a fun article/interview out of it with a cool picture or two that is unique enough to pull attention, while the performer gets some publicity out there and brings awareness to his next series of shows or tour dates.

While I'm sure there were probably no real "bad guys" in this case, Wired was the one who approached me and not the other way around.  They were wishing to present a small "How To" section in their magazine and wanted to involve me as the "expert" who was teaching their readers some fun and easy magic tricks.  This "How To" section was a monthly column and this particular issue was going to be all about "Magic".  (As it went to press, the editors changed it into the "Mystery" issue.) 

We get a few calls each month from publications wanting to do a story on me or my shows, especially if I'm touring in their neck of the woods.  This seemed like another innocent request and I agreed.  But by the time the actual piece was run, they had omitted any and all information about me, my entertainment background or details about where I would be performing, etc...  They even nicked the phrase "Comedy magician" and went for straight "Magician" when labeling me in the piece.  Then the words that pretty much made me cringe: "Spills the secrets!..."

What the H-E-double-toothpicks????

I'm assuming that by the time it got to an editor and out of my hands, they decided on their own to change up the tricks being presented and SLANT the piece to give it a little more flavor...."Teaching" was gone and "Spills the secrets" was suddenly IN, to help add injury to insult.

I was pretty upset and immediately wrote to the magazine's writers and staff who I had corresponded with.  Again, I don't think this final slant of the column or changes in it was intentional on their part, as they don't make a living as a comedy magician so I'm sure it was pretty unimportant to them.  But once in print, it's....well, in print.  And for a "Mystery" themed issue, you could at least hope for some disappearing ink on some of those pages.

The Guest editor was J.J. Abbrams who was the creator of the hit series "Lost", and there's also a piece about Teller (of Penn & Teller) using stage tricks to help present the "Neuro-Science Of Magic".   The article comes complete with step by step details of how Teller manipulates a cigarette for appearances and vanishes, etc..., along with diagrams of each "move" to follow along. 

I enjoyed the magazine itself and even Teller's piece.  But sort of found it strange that the words "exposed" or "reveals" or "spills the secrets" were never used.  I'm guessing as long as it's considered "science" of some kind, it gets a pass.  And let me state I'm not blaming Teller at all.  Rather I'm blaming those writers and editors who literally 'throw' together a magazine to get it out the door without really understanding the topics they're supposedly covering.  Newspapers get it wrong all the time, but for a magazine that has months to get it right as they travel along their pipeline to final product -- well, that's kind of sad.

In the end, the magazine people and I had a nice chat and as a first step, they quickly removed a tagged link found on the online version of their magazine that had my name and a direct connection to my website.  I'm not a publicity hound, and I appreciated the initial gesture from them. 

We'll see how the rest of this all turns out.  But I will admit that my guard is way UP nowadays and I'll certainly make future writers and editors jump thru a few hoops before I agree to sign on to anything where my name is mentioned.

Lastly, a GIANT thank you to those who wrote to me and added their support and kind words on the topic.  I've been entertaining for 20+ years and this particular 'bump' on the road has NEVER come up.  I'll probably laugh at it in a few weeks, but for right now....well, there's a bit of cartoon steam coming out of my ears.

Thanks!

Chipper  : )


Check out Chipper on FACEBOOK and "add a friend"!

email:  chipper@chipper.tv

Okay, this post is REALLY about the interview in MAGIC MAGAZINE...

There was so much rambling in the last post that AFTER I published it, I realized nothing written pertained to the MAGIC magazine piece.  Oops!  : )

Anyway, yes fans, it's true....  I'm currently appearing in the May issue of MAGIC Magazine, with a full, 7-page article/interview done on Chipper.  (Yes, I'm speaking in 3rd person just like some ego-drivin, mega-stars do.  See how ridiculous it sounds???  So stop it!)

The piece was done by a wonderful writer, Mark Nelson, and edited by Alan Howard, who did a fantastic job of whittling down my "blah, blah, blah" into a cohesive piece that actually flowed.  Bravo to the two of you!

For those interested in some of my thinking when it comes to performance, writing and creating material, working casinos, handling people from the audience, etc., give it a read.  There's a lot of important things in there that I wished someone had told me when I first started out.  Hope you enjoy it, and please drop me a line and let me know what you thought about it.  Or, if you have ANY questions, please feel free to email me and I'd be more than happy to help you when it comes to comedy writing, routining, etc...

Also a big thanks to the owner and editor of MAGIC, Stan Allen.  His magazine has really elevated the art of magic and he produced issue after issue of quality.  Truly, I don't know how he does it each and every month.

Radio and Television interviews were done today and we had a blast.  Also on the bill is Don McMillan who's a great guy and skews his comedy from his earlier career as an engineer.  Very funny stuff!   We snapped a few photos which I'll post up here or on facebook in a few days.

Meanwhile, please check out the facebook page and join or "add a friend" if you'd like.  Simply look for Chipper Lowell (again with that 3rd person crap!) and you should see my FACEBOOK PAGE.

All the best!

email:  chipper@chipper.tv

INTERVIEW in MAGIC MAGAZINE! - MAY ISSUE, 2009

Hey Peoples!

You know, I keep trying to be diligent with the postings on this blog, but as always, time escapes me faster than a Del Taco emission and here I am once again trying to catch up.

Sorry.  : )

Anyhoooo..... I'm currently on the road once again - touring the western states with perfomances in Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, San Francisco, San Jose and finally home again.  This time around has been a great opportunity to see old friends and hang, chat, grab lunch, you name it.

The day after I ended my week at the IMPROV at Harrah's Casino in Vegas, my friend Chris and I headed over to see Carrot Top's show at the Luxor.  (His real name is Scott, but like my nickname you get stuck with what people call you.)  last time I saw him live was a good 13+ years ago and he rocked the house much in the same manner he did way back then.  The show was roughly an hour and Forty-Five minutes!!!  Multi-media and rapid-fire jokes, one-liners and of course about 10 trunks full of props and gags, clothing and other bits of business.  And the audience ate it up.  Bravo Scotty!  Great job!

Tried to find a way to see Criss Angel's new show as well, but all deals were off.  The reviews to be honest haven't been the best, but I was curious to see the production side of the show especially with what Cirque brought to the table.  (Having grown up on circuses as a kid, I have a special fondness for the Cirque shows when it comes to their unique visual imagery and lighting and music.  Sometimes they hit the mark square on and create something that borders on spontaneous genius, and then other times....Well, they wind up looking like a bad parody of themselves.  With each new show they continue to push the theatrical envelope and unfortunately wind up so far away from any kind of reality to base their flights of fancy on that most audiences just shrug their shoulders and shake their heads.

Ah, but I digress...

I do believe I will make plans to jaunt to Vegas once again with my wife in a few weeks and catch Criss Angel's show, and also a new show that has been getting great word-of-mouth called "Peepshow".  Will let you know what I think of them both.  : )

The shows at Harrah's went fantastic.  Great crowds and I was encouraged that we had larger audiences than expected, what with the economy hitting the skids.  But Vegas surprisingly still had a heartbeat and the shows, restaurants and rows of slot machines and card tables were packed.  Sold quite a few "Chipper Lowell Experience!" T-shirts after each performance and loved the generosity of those contributing to a charity we've worked with throughout the years: Autism Speaks.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Drove to Reno and then finally landed in Tahoe today where we had a show this evening with more to come thru Sunday.  I was told 2 hours before showtime that we needed to change venues due to the 'regular' theater getting flooded by....get this.....the SWIMMING POOL located DIRECTLY ABOVE IT!!!

Carpeting, chairs, walls and the stage were all water-damaged.  Which isn't really a surprise to me....because over 18 years ago I performed on that very stage in a show called "Risque Business" and the VERY SAME THING HAPPENED back then!  It got so bad with the leaky pool and pipes above the theater that I can still remember the dancers in the show trying to perform while running around plastic buckets and trays placed strategically here and there to pick up the water drops!

Our company manager finally closed the show down until the hotel agreed to fix it all.  I'm guessing the old band-aid from 13 years ago must have finally worn away and we're all back to square one.  : )

The lake is still as beautiful as always and armed with a new high resolution still camera, I plan to take some cool photos which I'll display here or on the facebook page.  Stay tuned.