Photo By Herb Woerpel
Actor and model Dan Salas walks the red
carpet to attend the premiere of "You Got to be Kidding Me America" at Monelli's
Italian Grill.
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Locally produced sketch comedy show debuts
in Wyoming, hopes to sell nationally
By Herb Woerpel
Tuesday June 16, 2009, 1:55 PM
Actor and model Dan Salas walks the red carpet to attend the premiere of "You Got to be Kidding Me America" at Monelli's Italian Grill. A new, locally produced sketch comedy show is sure to leave viewers saying, "You Got to be kidding me." The aptly titled, "You Got to be Kidding Me America," was recently unveiled to the community, red carpets and all, on the big screens at Monelli's Italian Grill, 5675 Byron Center Ave.
The show, which features more than a dozen producers, actors and writers from the West Michigan area, was created and designed by Five and Dime Productions and was filmed at the Wyoming Kentwood Television (WKTV) studios.
Each show opens with an adult chat, similar to "The View" or "Regis and Kelly," and is followed by a variety of adult-themed sketches, mock commercials and spoofs.
"The show parodies the dumb myths and absurdities that exist in our society," said Carrie Bradstreet, associate producer and actress. "It is unique because it rides the line on topics that so many other shows hide behind, such as sex and race. It is new, exciting and offers a brand of humor that can go from cute, to funny, to pee in your pants hilarious in a split second."
Owner and Creator Larry Swanson, who plays the character Larry Barry on the show, owns New Faces Global Modeling. He said it was a natural impulse to mix modeling and entertainment on the silver screen.
"Entertainment works very closely with modeling. We put it all together and it has worked very well," said Swanson, who resides in Byron Center. "The show is really, really funny and nowadays, who doesn't need a good laugh."
By Herb Woerpel
Tuesday June 16, 2009, 1:55 PM
Actor and model Dan Salas walks the red carpet to attend the premiere of "You Got to be Kidding Me America" at Monelli's Italian Grill. A new, locally produced sketch comedy show is sure to leave viewers saying, "You Got to be kidding me." The aptly titled, "You Got to be Kidding Me America," was recently unveiled to the community, red carpets and all, on the big screens at Monelli's Italian Grill, 5675 Byron Center Ave.
The show, which features more than a dozen producers, actors and writers from the West Michigan area, was created and designed by Five and Dime Productions and was filmed at the Wyoming Kentwood Television (WKTV) studios.
Each show opens with an adult chat, similar to "The View" or "Regis and Kelly," and is followed by a variety of adult-themed sketches, mock commercials and spoofs.
"The show parodies the dumb myths and absurdities that exist in our society," said Carrie Bradstreet, associate producer and actress. "It is unique because it rides the line on topics that so many other shows hide behind, such as sex and race. It is new, exciting and offers a brand of humor that can go from cute, to funny, to pee in your pants hilarious in a split second."
Owner and Creator Larry Swanson, who plays the character Larry Barry on the show, owns New Faces Global Modeling. He said it was a natural impulse to mix modeling and entertainment on the silver screen.
"Entertainment works very closely with modeling. We put it all together and it has worked very well," said Swanson, who resides in Byron Center. "The show is really, really funny and nowadays, who doesn't need a good laugh."
"The show parodies the dumb myths and absurdities
that exist in our society," said Carrie
Bradstreet, associate producer and actress.
"It is unique because it rides the line on
topics that so many other shows hide behind,
such as sex and race. It is new, exciting
and offers a brand of humor that can go from
cute, to funny, to pee in your pants
hilarious in a split second."
Owner and Creator Larry Swanson, who plays the character Larry Barry on the show, owns New Faces Global Modeling. He said it was a natural impulse to mix modeling and entertainment on the silver screen.
"Entertainment works very closely with modeling. We put it all together and it has worked very well," said Swanson, who resides in Byron Center. "The show is really, really funny and nowadays, who doesn't need a good laugh."
Swanson contacted Gov. Jennifer Granholm and the Michigan Film Office to inform them of the project and hopes the governor will consider offering incentives similar to those currently offered to Michigan's adding film industry.
Over the last 18 months, six episodes have been put together, with hopes of completing 13 shows total. Swanson said he has begun marketing the program to national networks and believes the show is destined for success.
"I believe 100 percent this show will sell nationally," he said. "It is a great show in the mold of 'Saturday Night Live' and 'In Living Color' and we've got a handful of national organizations looking at it right now."
Local actors include Lauren Russo, of Hudsonville, L.C. Clark, from Kentwood, and Jeff Adams, of Wyoming.
"It is not a big budget production, so we have to depend on our wits and think on our feet. It is not exactly Saturday Night Live, but slightly better," said Adams. "Audiences can expect a modicum of laughter."
"You Got to be Kidding Me America," is currently being screened on WKTV channel 25.
Owner and Creator Larry Swanson, who plays the character Larry Barry on the show, owns New Faces Global Modeling. He said it was a natural impulse to mix modeling and entertainment on the silver screen.
"Entertainment works very closely with modeling. We put it all together and it has worked very well," said Swanson, who resides in Byron Center. "The show is really, really funny and nowadays, who doesn't need a good laugh."
Swanson contacted Gov. Jennifer Granholm and the Michigan Film Office to inform them of the project and hopes the governor will consider offering incentives similar to those currently offered to Michigan's adding film industry.
Over the last 18 months, six episodes have been put together, with hopes of completing 13 shows total. Swanson said he has begun marketing the program to national networks and believes the show is destined for success.
"I believe 100 percent this show will sell nationally," he said. "It is a great show in the mold of 'Saturday Night Live' and 'In Living Color' and we've got a handful of national organizations looking at it right now."
Local actors include Lauren Russo, of Hudsonville, L.C. Clark, from Kentwood, and Jeff Adams, of Wyoming.
"It is not a big budget production, so we have to depend on our wits and think on our feet. It is not exactly Saturday Night Live, but slightly better," said Adams. "Audiences can expect a modicum of laughter."
"You Got to be Kidding Me America," is currently being screened on WKTV channel 25.
