Hey You
I have been terrible with names in the past but no longer. It is such a good marker for showing me when I was not paying attention.
When I was on the TV show “Friends,” playing the part of Tilly (Crazy Eddie’s girlfriend, and Eddie was played by Adam Goldberg), I remember calling Adam Goldberg “Allan,” instead of Adam. I mean…really? Come on, Mary. Pay attention.
Yes it was thrilling to be on the set of Friends, but it is such a good reminder to me now of how I was not really listening. I was not fully in my body. I was not fully present. Lesson learned!
I remember Adam walking across the set one morning and I cheerfully said to him, “Hey, Allan! What time are we rehearsing our scene today?” And he yelled back, “Four o’clock!!”
Oh, geez, I thought…”What’s up with Allan?”
Pay attention
It all begins with an idea.
When I’m onstage I pay more attention now. A few years ago, comedian Jimmy Brogan pointed out that during my set, a guy whistled at me and I did nothing to acknowledge it. I just kept on talking! When I did that, the audience wondered, is she with us or just up there “doing” a routine? It may only be a moment, but comedy and life only exist in the moment. So now, I Zen it, and try to be fully present in every moment. It’s not about being clever, it’s just about showing up with my whole self and paying attention. I learn a lot from Jimmy every time we talk.