by Ian Sorensen

Though the title to this blog entry may seem like a title to an episode of ‘The Big Bang Theory,’ it is nonetheless the best way I could come up with to express my feelings about two actors/comedians/ Saturday Night Live alumni who have had great success in the world of comedy.

Adam Sandler and Will Ferrell are the only actors I can think of that have their own genres attached to their names. What I mean is this: when Adam Sandler is in a movie that features his particular brand of humor, it is forever known as ‘an Adam Sandler movie.” The same goes for the Funny or Die co-founder Will Ferrell. “The Waterboy,” “Billy Madison,” “Happy Gilmore,” “Big Daddy,” and “Mr. Deeds” are all ‘Adam Sandler Movies.’ In the same vein, “Anchorman,” “Blades of Glory,” “Semi-Pro,” and “Talladega Nights,” are all ‘Will Ferrell Movies.’  These are the only two actors for whom this happens; no one ever calls “National Treasure” a ‘Nicolas Cage Movie’ and no one calls “Sophie’s Choice” a ‘Meryl Streep Movie.’  With these two guys being the exception, actors don’t own their movies; directors do, because directors for the most part leave their mark with the project choices they make. For instance, there’s the Christopher Nolan Movie (dark, mind-bending, suspenseful), the Woody Allen Movie (neurotic, awkwardly funny) and the Michael Bay Movie (CGI-riddled, terrible). 

Here’s the kicker: I’ve only liked Adam Sandler and Will Ferrell in the movies that weren’t Adam Sandler Movies or Will Ferrell Movies (with one exception). 

My favorite film that Adam Sandler has starred in is “Punch Drunk Love,” partially because it wasn’t an Adam Sandler Movie. It was a distinct deviation from all of the films he has done before and since (with the exception of “Spanglish”). Similarly, one of my favorite roles that Will Ferrell took was that of Harold Crick in “Stranger Than Fiction.” The other: Ron Burgundy in “Anchorman,” which remains of the funniest, most ridiculous movies ever made, and the exception I mentioned earlier.

I do concede some points: I have not seen “Semi-Pro” or “Blades of Glory,” which fellow Utility Player Judi stresses I must do. The only reason I liked “Big Daddy” was because of Jon Stewart (that one guy who hosts The Daily Show) and the only reason I liked “Billy Madison” was because of Bradley Whitford (Josh Lyman in “The West Wing”).  It occurs to me that nearly all characters Sandler and Ferrell play are loud but loveable dimwits.

And that’s okay. People find that funny. But for me, it’s like a breath of fresh air when these guys do something completely different from the norm.

And to all persons offended by this blog who consider Sandler and Ferrell to be the funniest people on the planet: when you send me your hate mail, please sign it. I want to know what name to give to the police.

Here is our newest episode of the Utility Player podcast. In this episode we finally decided upon a name for the podcast .... the Utility Player Podcast - very creative we know!!! This episode of the podcast features special guest star the fabulous Amanda Alvey. Amanda is an incredible actress who has been in such Reno productions as Romeo & Juliet, Doubt, Almost Maine, and Utility Players: The Musical. Her presence on stage is unquestionable and stands as one of the funniest people that we know.

Check out our newest episode as she talks about her favorite productions, scariest moments on stage, and the inside scoop of being an actress in Reno. Let us know what you think of the podcast and if there is anything that you would like us to talk about or discuss. Here is also the WEBSITE for our all of the episodes of our podcast just in case you have missed any.

Manager of the Utility Players, Miss Ginger Devine, shares her experiences practicing the Utility Player. Although a long time performer, Miss Devine has never performed improv before. Check out her article in our press room as she answers the age old question: Why should a drag queen learn improv?

One of the greatest aspects of improv is that the possibilities, plot lines, and characters are endless. In one scene you are pinball champion at a QuikTrip and within minutes you are salesman trying to sell the idea of a standup car. However for new improvers this can also be the curse of improv.

Director and Principal Player Erin Slimak shares her thoughts about how improv can help any actor or actress be flexible on stage and learn to adapt to any situation presented to them. Check out our Press Room for a copy of her article.

Nothing can better prepare a person to mold into scripted characters than the challenge of creating them out of thin air based on off-the-cuff scenarios and audience suggestions. Nowhere will a performer find them self better equipped to adapt to change than in an atmosphere where everything is constantly changing.