The comedy troupe "Asperger's Are Us" is a group of four performers on the autism spectrum. They met at a summer camp for kids with Asperger's Syndrome and discovered a shared love of comedy. Now they tour the country, performing live shows and releasing videos online.
The group's performances are often unconventional, with skits that involve absurdist humor and unexpected twists. They also incorporate their unique perspectives on life and their experiences with Asperger's into their comedy. Their goal is to challenge the idea that people with autism are not capable of being funny or entertaining.
Touring can be challenging for the group due to the sensory overload of new environments and the need for routine. But they have found ways to cope, such as sticking to a strict schedule and practicing mindfulness. Their success as comedians with Asperger's has helped to break down barriers and promote understanding of neurodiversity in the entertainment industry.
Councilwoman Melissa Burke known as "Mel" used to be quite the party girl and rebelled against society before growing up and getting serious about her community. Now a dedicated councilwoman, Melissa (played by Melissa Joan Hart from Sabrina the Teenage Witch & My Fake Fiancee) finds she must provide a home for her nephew and niece (her sister's children). Seems that their mom is in jail for money laundering while their dad is on the run after being accused of running a Ponzi scheme. Melissa soon discovers she needs help with her new instant family and hires a babysitter to help out. Joey Lawrence (My Fake Fiancee & Gimme a Break!) plays Joe Longo, a commodities trader, is currently out of work due to the same Ponzi scheme and hires on as the new nanny or "manny". Taking on two youngsters, Ryder and Lennox, is no easy task as both Joe and Mel soon find out. This heart warming family sit-com is full of hope and day to day situations that mirror real life.
Wilfred is a dog. Wilfred is a man in a dog suit. Either or both may be true but one thing for certain is the story idea and the concept just seems to work for this dark comedy. The Aussie actor Jason Gann (Rats and Cats, Kenny) is Wilfred the eponymous dog whose owner Sarah (played by Cindy Waddingham from I Love You Too and Lowdown) along with her boyfriend Adam (award winner Adam Zwar from Lowdown, The Wedding Party), who looks at Wilfred and sees him as a man who just happens to wear a dog suit. The idea came from an original and award winning short film written by Jason Gann and Adam Zwar. A very popular and AFI award winning television program in Australia which aired there in 2007 and again in 2010, Wilfred is now airing in the U.S. Editor Debbie Lee told them "Go as far as you want with it, the more bent the better" and so they did. This TV program based upon a short film has its silly moments but overall is funny and entertaining due to good acting and writing from its young stars.
Lifetime television has found themselves a hit show with Drop Dead Diva. Brooke Elliott (Broadway musicals Wicked, The Pirate Queen) is Debbie Dobkins a shallow gal who was deemed to be a "zero" when she died in a car accident and then entered Heaven. Apparently she had done nothing worthwhile, either good or bad while on Earth. Hating her useless life she wants to return and do something of value. Pressing the key on a computer keyboard she is transported back to life but with what some may consider handicaps. She is now overweight Jane Bingum, a brilliant and hard working lawyer. Aghast with her appearance initially, Debbie learns to appreciate inner beauty and, through her inherited body, goes after the retribution she needs. Interesting twist on a semi-reality show where we find the heroine is scorned because of her appearance but learns more about how to treat people than she ever could in her previous life. Might be nice if we could each have a second chance in life. Margaret Cho (The Cho Show, Ghost Whisperer) is Teri Lee, Debbie's assistant and friend.
Called an American documentary, the TV program is hosted by comedians/magicians Penn & Teller, best known for their show in Las Vegas. Not quite a program about politics and almost akin to the exploitation of paranormal events and pseudoscientific ideas, the "BS" show has captured a large audience since first airing in 2003. The application of some critical thought into various misconceptions, in other words "critical thinking" added into the concept of "BS" which is all around us constantly, attempts to clarify some of the confusion. Such subject matter as animal rights, environmentalism, gun control, organic food, and even the war on drugs are explored and debunked by (self proclaimed) experts on a wide variety of subjects in each episode. Penn & Teller: Bullshit is popular around the globe and viewed in Ireland, New Zealand, Mexico, Denmark, Iceland, Columbia, Canada, Brazil, and Australian each week. The hosts bring up subjects not merely to "expose the truth" but show some to be misleading, overemphasized, or even unnecessary interruptions in life.
Following a group of teenage high school students from the fictional Greenbelt high is what this reality type program is all about. The usual and typical types are depicted by a The Beauty Queen Jackie Vachs (played by Jaime King) who aspires to be an actress and even though she has appeared in the TV show The Bachelor, her acting career is going no where fast so she marries Anders the token "rich kid" on the block. The Rich Kid Anders Holt is played by Julian Morris and he has mixed emotions over several girls he has had relationships with throughout high school. The Over Achiever and class valedictorian is Steven Foster (played by Michael Stahl-David) is the son of an Enron executive who was put away (in prison) and all family assets were subsequently frozen. Foster then moves to Hawaii and becomes a bartender. The Brain in the group is Brenda Serrano (played by Daniella Alonso) who planned on being a scientist and was also secretly in love with Anders. She instead decides to become a pre law student in Washington, DC where she also becomes involved in politics. We can all relate to one or more of these fictional characters.
Yet another reality show for television? Now that's seems to be getting to be a pretty old concept until you figure in the producer of this hot television industry based program who just happens to be Kim Kardashian herself! The show is centered around Hollywood and the ins and outs of getting on the A list or being invited to red carpet events. It's all about knowing who to befriend and who to simply ignore. The Spin Crowd is paparazzi at its low down dirtiest and often that's what it takes to make it in tinsel town. Ms Kardashian herself has been sometimes victim and often target of much hype and deception brought her way by those who make their living off "celebrityism" and even though she is behind the cameras for this show, she knows who to ask for help when it comes to getting that head shot seen by the important people in Hollywood. The Spin Crowd shows the viewers how difficult it is to get ahead in the celebrity industry, and talent often has little to do with winning.
Virginia Madsen is Cheryl West, a loyal wife and mother who happens to be married to a career criminal called Wolf West (actor David James Elliott). This puts a crimp in their social life and their four kids futures may even be in jeopardy if they can't spring dad from prison soon. A New Zealand television series titled Outrageous Fortune is the origin for this fun and fast moving American TV comedy drama. Cheryl West has four children, a set of twins named Cal and Logan plus two younger daughters Heather and Hope. They have each participated in some "shady behavior" until Wolf land in prison for a five year sentence. Mom, Cheryl, decides they must all become honest citizens in spite of good old dad's interference from inside jail. What will that do to their image? Virginia Madsen (as Cheryl West) has been in Sideways & The Astronaut Farmer is sister to actor Michael Madsen. David James Elliott starred in Jag for 10 years before joining CSI: NY in 2010 and in between he played Wolfgang "Wolf" West. The children were played by Patrick Flueger (playing both twin boys), Leven Rambin as Heather West, and Vanessa Marano as Hope West.
