The new show. She is ready to start.

All righty, I can finally say with confidence that I have a second show in the bag. Or at least, the first draft of the script for the second show, which I am going to need to rehearse and revise the fuck out of between now and July 11th, when I will premiere THE HEFNER MONOLOGUES: HOW HEFNERIAN at DC Fringe.

This is worth noting, because up until last night, I really, really wasn't sure I'd have a second show. Oh, I knew one way or another I'd be up on that stage doing *something* new, but I had no way of knowing if I'd actually have a *show*.

Now can I start going back to the Harvey Dent novel ple--*SMACK!* EYES ON THE PRIZE, BITCHCAKES!

rock 'n roll 'n brew, they don't mean a thing when I compare 'em next to you

In totally unrelated news that will likely somehow someday actually BE related to the Monologues in a gloriously mad way, my iPod library has rekindled my love of Meat Loaf. Particularly the three new tracks on his "Best Of" album, written by the unholy union of Jim Steinman (of course) and... wait for it... Andrew Lloyd Webber. WEEP, HUMANITY.

But I'm also rediscovering some of Meat Loaf's older, more obscure stuff. Currently, I'm particularly fond of "Objects In The Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer Than They Are," which is kinda like his "November Rain" power ballad. Plus, the music video has young Robert Patrick, what's not to love?

But more than that, I'm currently deeply in love with the song--and especially the video--for the 1981 epic, "Dead Ringer for Love." This is glorious cheese on par with Journey's "Separate Ways," (careful, Heffie, watch out for hyperbole!).

What makes this video so special? Is it the 70's-porn production values? Meat Loaf's coked-out intensity? Cher guilt? Honestly, I think the video had me the moment Meat flash-changed into his trademark frilly shirt. I hate frilly shirts--especially on vampires--but somehow, Meat just makes it work.

I apologize for nothing, America.