Well I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and survived the holiday no matter how or who you spent it with. In my case, I did what I always do – have family and my "orphan" friends over (You know, any of us that are not attached at the moment or family is out of reach.)

Permalink | Comments (43)

As you know already my career has taken me down many paths in the entertainment field. One field that I haven't really pursued but have been lucky enough to be involved in is films.

Over the years I've done several films: some major motion pictures where I have done extra work, and many Independent films, and I am happy to say 95% have won awards.

Permalink | Comments (20)

Recently, I was contacted by ABC to audition as a contestant for their new game show called, "Show Me the Money." At first I turned it down but the producer was very friendly and persistent. She said my personality was great for a show like this.

Since I don't live in LA, they asked me to do a taped audition, with consisted of me taping myself on camera as I answered their questions via speakerphone from their producer. Since we had three false starts, in the final version, which I fed exed to them, I was sitting down relaxed, cat on my lap, in my office, joking and answering questions. Unfortunately, I was also talking to the speakerphone while holding the receiver to my ear…you know one of those real dork moments in life.

Anyway, they loved the content of the interview but asked me to redo it standing up, not so casual, and of course not holding the phone. At this point I wasn't even sure if I should redo it because they already told me the contest questions had to do with "Pop culture". For someone who is still listening to the Eagles and Jim Croch, wasn't sure this was going to be a great match. But I redid the tape and it is off in the mail as I write this. (Okay, in all honesty I do listen to some pop culture, I just don't like being tested on it.)

You see it's not like I don't like the chance of winning lots of money, it's just that I'm not good at all that trivia stuff (except, of course, the stuff I write about for my books or talk about on my tours. However put me on "What's my Line" improv show and I'm good to go.)

With that being said, I actually have done three game shows in my career thus far; To Tell the Truth, The Weakest Link and Dog Eat Dog. Each story is unique onto itself.

Permalink | Comments (7)

My whole career seems to be filled with unconventional gigs and quick frankly… I love it.

My latest gig came through an email, which was sent through an agent friend of mine, Lorraine. She said that this casting company was looking for a fast talker for an upcoming event. The email read, "Basically, they are looking to 'plant' someone at a corporate meeting. The purpose being, once the CEO finishes his speech, he wants to call on one of the employees and ask if she got everything he said. She will be their plant who will stand up and repeat the entire speech in fast talker high speed." You interested?

Permalink | Comments (8)

It all started with an email from my good friend, Catherine Wright. "Hi Fran, I thought you might have some awesome auction item to contribute to Island Harvest, Long Island’s source authority on food rescue. They are holding their 13th Annual Taste of the Harvest Gourmet Tasting & Silent Auction on Tuesday, October 24, 2006 (my birthday) at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury, Long Island. Monsignor Thomas Hartman, well known to thousands of Long Islanders as Father Tom, along with actor, writer, producer, director, Brian Dennehy are being honored. This event is to raise much needed funds to help feed tens of thousands of people who are hungry throughout Long Island.

In addition to its mission to end hunger and reduce food waste on Long Island, Island Harvest is actively involved in informing the public about the often unrecognized problem of hunger right here in our community.

Tickets to a comedy show, an item from your Titanic dive or the Kilimanjaro climb would be awesome if you have any such things. If you can help, please call Dee Doherty, Development Manager at Island Harvest. And let me know if you do!"

Jeez, if I didn't know better I would have thought Catherine was one of the fundraisers. How could I refuse? Even though I was in the middle of a bunch of writing projects with tons of deadlines, was waiting to hear if I was doing a last minute gig on Norwegian Cruise and didn't live on Long Island, it sounded like a great cause. Besides, I had done many comedy shows and corporate talks as well as my first podcast in Long Island, so in a way it felt like a second home. Not to mention that it's always nice to help those in need, near or far.

Permalink | Comments (2)