Who's the Caboose?

A coworker let me borrow a tape of this unreleased gem. I'm not even a big fan of "mockumentary". But this really works. The performances are just right, not overplayed. The writing or the improvisation is very nicely done, it feels real without being too campy. David Cross has two riotous cameos. It even works dramatically.

It seems like an obvious subject -- actors flying out to L.A. for pilot season -- but I've seen a lot of actor friends make that pilgrimage and I haven't seen too many shows that really deal with it. (Well, except "The It Factor".)

If you can find this somewhere, watch it.

I caught this feature film mockumentary about a female comedian (Sarah Silverman) moving to New York from LA for pilot season on TRIO, along with its TV series. David Cross, Kathy Griffin, and Andy Dick all make appearances, and it is pretty funny. Not as funny, however, as "Pilot Season", a spin-off of WHO'S THE CABOOSE?, with most of the same people, and guest appearances by Matt Besser of the Upright Citizens Brigade, and Isla Fisher of WEDDING CRASHERS. I am loathe to say that the most fascinating part of the film was being reminded of what Kathy Griffin looked like pre-plastic surgery, but it was. After that, though, I was impressed by the knowledge that Sarah Silverman would have a great movie career if only everyone stopped casting her as the bitch (her character name in WAY OF THE GUN is actually "Raving Bitch"), a fact that is a joke on "Pilot Season".

This is a wonderful comedy loaded with known television actors. Why this wonderful film never made it to the big screen or video stores is completely beyond me. Much more entertaining than anything I've seen in a theater in a long time

I first heard of this movie by writer/director/co-star Seder when he endlessly plugged it on the radio show on Air America that he did with Janeane Garofalo for something like four years. Eventually I saw it somehow, somewhere. Online? On cable? I don't remember.

Anyhow, this is a very low budget film in the mockumentary style. As I love mockumentaries I had to give it a shot. Isn't everyone in the know by now about the "inside baseball" stuff in show business by this point? Entertainment Tonight and Access Hollywood have been on TV forever by now. So, there's plenty show business jokes here, but, still, I think most people outside of the entertainment field would find this funny.

The other great thing is the appearance of so many now familiar faces. Of course on the poster now Silverman is given top billing with Seder at the bottom, whereas in the actual credits of the movie that is reversed.

Now I will have to track down the four episode "Pilot Season" if I can. Well worth seeking out.

Killer film. Great script. A must see.

Way to go Sam!