I MAY NOT BE A MEDICAL EXAMINER IN THE MORGUE IN REAL LIFE, BUT RECENTLY I GOT THE CHANCE TO PLAY ONE OF TV…  

Here I am on Blue Bloods, I actually made the final cut again, yeah me!

When I was a kid my parents took me to a specialist, honestly can't remember why, but I did have a terrible case of dyslexia, kind of still do. One of the hazards of being left-handed, so it might have been about that. We used to joke in my family that I went to college before I went school, because the specialist I saw was in a college in Manhattan, sorry can't remember where. The only thing I do recall was near the end they were discussing my handwriting. I'm not too proud to admit that sometimes I can't even read my own notes, that's how bad it can be. Well, the doctor said something like, 'Lady, your son's either gonna be a doctor or an artist cause his handwriting is that bad.' My mom's loving response was, 'I guess he's gonna be an artist, because my genius ain't smart enough to be a doctor.' Well, I may not be smart enough to be a doctor, but sometimes I get to pretend I'm one on film, television or even stage. Sometimes that pretending, makes the final cut and happily when you tell people that you actually worked on something you can say, see, yes I did and here it is. 

Which means, that I'm happy to announce that yes I made an appearance on a television series on major television network on Friday evening. I mean how cool is that? Me a kid from Brooklyn, living his childhood dreams. Showcased in the screen caps included in this post are scenes from the CBS series Blue Bloods in the episode, Whistleblowers, and yours truly is in the middle of the action, or at least near by and in focus. As I performed the role of medical examiner in the city morgue. And yes thats Donnie Wahlberg, one of the stars of the series trying to solve yet another crime in the streets of New York. As mentioned in previous posts, sometimes all your hard days work never makes it on air, as in my recent nonappearance in an episode of Mr. Robot where I also played a medical professional, with lab coat. So its always nice to find out that yes, indeed there I am.

If you watched the episode, which aired on Friday, October 28, 2016, I make a brief appearance at approximately the eight minute mark. Of note, the clothes are mine, except for the lab coat, that was wardrobe's. Luckily when they were casting this part, a lab coat wasn't one of the requirements to land the role. Imagine getting offered a role and then when they query if you own a brief case and you say no, they go sorry. Yes, sadly it just happened to me last week for the new Netflix series, Friends from college, luckily they called back for a different role, and I booked the gig… yeah.

One of the most annoying things about working as an extra, featured special ability performer, or just your normal blur in the background is unlike the named players, stars or under five's, those of us whose names aren't showcased in the credits, more often then not wear our own clothes. That is unless its a period piece or a part that requires a specific wardrobe or costume. Normally they suggest what options to bring, and you go in search of what matches their needs. When you arrive at the gig, sometimes with a suitcase filled with options, the wardrobe people, looks your stuff over and hopefully see something that works for them. Its actually quite fun watching them mix and match, and then pull a tie out of thin air, and somehow it all works out perfectly on screen. 

So, once you get the great news, yes I'm booked. Maybe this could be my big break, maybe this time somebody on set will see something in me that matches what they are looking for. Or at least lets hope the job won't make me want to just finally give up. Its too cold, or too wet, or they want you to run up and down steps or you have to deal with people that make you seriously ponder how much of a glutton for punishment can a person take before just chucking it all. Happily its never gotten that bad and the opportunities I've had so far has made all the struggles worth it. 

Once you get booked, you have to wait for the information on where the gig is gonna be shot. If they will be picking up people up with a mini-van or bus, or are you getting there on your own. Then you have to wait to discover what time you need to report to the job in the first place, which could be really really early the next day. Then figure out what you have in your closet, if it fits to what they need, and then pack up everything so that you can actually carry it without breaking your back. Then, figure out your directions, set the alarm and hope it wakes you up if you actually get to sleep. Then hope your transportation gets you there on time and you don't have to deal with being late, which is the worst possible crime that you have on a set. And finally, fingers crossed hope that by the end of the day you're still smiling and happy you accepted the job in the first place.

Happily my call time wasn't too early, my wardrobe was correct, the lab coat fit just fine and the day turned out better then expected on the set of Blue Bloods. Everyone in front and behind the camera was cool and hopefully they liked what I did and perhaps I'll get another chance one of these days to make another appearance on the series.  

In closing, one small thing, how cool is it, not that I was a huge fan of his former band, but how many people can say they spent a few hours in the company of Donnie Wahlberg, one of the members of New Kids on the Block, well I can and it was way cool. If you missed this episode of Blue Bloods when it aired, and/or can't get on demand on your cable and/or would to like to watch this episode again online, here's the link to it, please go there, sit back and enjoy:

http://www.cbs.com/shows/blue_bloods/video/FCF4A8CF-4B3B-3B6F-8C62-07F95D418A64/blue-bloods-whistleblowers/

Until next time, 

Neil