laugh all you want but if you call too soon you might scare off a nice baby who's ready to party

Mike: So how long do I wait to call?
Trent: A day.
Mike: Tomorrow.
Sue: Tomorrow, then a day.
Trent: Yeah.
Mike: So two days?
Trent: Yeah, I guess you could call it that, two days.
Sue: Definitely, two days is like industry standard.
Trent: You know I used to wait two days to call anybody, but now it's like everyone in town waits two days. So I think three days is kind of money. What do you think?
Sue: Yeah, but two's enough not to look anxious.

-Swingers

The audtion yesterday was fantastic. I thought I'd be there for thirty minutes or so, but I ended up working with them for almost three hours (and making it home too late for my Tuesday night poker game.) I read with six different women who are all in the running to co-host the show, and I was shocked at how much fun I had. If I book the job, I'd be the geek, she'd be the babe, and everyone in the audience would have something to enjoy.

In fact, when I got home, I told Ryan, "Dude. I had the best afternoon: I got to sit with beautiful women and talk about Sci-Fi! Three of them were former Miss USA contestants, and one of them was Playmate of the Year for 2005."

"Dude." He said. "You are my hero."

I have this post-audition ritual: after I leave, I find the first trashcan and dump my sides in it. It's how I let go of the whole thing, because I've already done everything I can do, you know? I've pushed my chips into the pot with the best of it, and now I have to wait for five cards to come out and hope that I win when it's all over.

This time, I did dump the sides and my note cards (I have the notes on my Powerbook for easy re-printing, should I get called back) and I've tried to get on with my life . . . but holy shit is it hard. I had so much fun while I was there, and the prospect of getting a weekly gig where I get to geek out about Sci-Fi stuff -- and get paid to do it! -- is just too much. I've already called my manager twice today to see if we'd gotten any feedback.

"I haven't heard anything, yet," he said, the second time I called. "Normally, I'll call the next day, but if they don't call . . ."

"It's like you just met a girl in a bar, and you don't want to screw it up by calling too soon, isn't it?" I said.

He laughed. "Yeah, it's exactly like that."

"So . . . are we calling today?"

"I think it's best to wait until tomorrow, because they have to take your tapes to executives, get approvals, and all sorts of things."

"So, what, two days?" I said.

"Yeah, there's a lot of things that have to happen before they give us any feedback, so we'll just have to wait until we hear from them." He said. "Then there's the whole negotiation thing, too."

"You'll call me, right?"

"I'll call you right away." He said.

I hung up the phone and looked at the calendar. I thought about drawing a circle around the 17th. I may have done it.

I'm sure I'm going to feel like a real jerk if this doesn't happen, but I love this feeling of excitement and optimism that I have right now. It's much nicer than the usual alternative.

Comments

[Nicole]

Oh jeez, I hope you get the gig. I /know/ you'll get it, but I have to say I hope or I'll jinx it. You know? Yeah...

And the audition (however lengthy) sounds like it was rockin'. If I were a geeky guy, then you'd be my hero, too. Aw, forget gender - you're my hero anyway. All hot girls aside *is jealous*, I'm backing you all the way to thr 17th.

[Nicole]

Oh jeez, I hope you get the gig. I /know/ you'll get it, but I have to say I hope or I'll jinx it. You know? Yeah...

And the audition (however lengthy) sounds like it was rockin'. If I were a geeky guy, then you'd be my hero, too. Aw, forget gender - you're my hero anyway. All hot girls aside *is jealous*, I'm backing you all the way to the 17th.

[jhankins]

Sounds like an awesome interview, and just the kind of battery recharge you've beeen needing! The "goat" is a definitely plus in my book, it shows a new side of you other than the clean cut Crusher everyone remembers. Not to mention it makes you look like hawtness yourself!

I can't wait to hear the good news!

[barbq1]

Wil,

I hope you get the job! I know what it's like. This waiting is torture! I'm waiting to hear back on a job I went out on last week!
Let's keep our fingers, toes and anything else that might help crossed.
BTW, I'm another chick that likes the goat on you.

[KeithD]

Honestly, if you can land a weekly show with a former Playmate, it would be fantastic. "What the hell are you watching?!?" My wife would shout. "It's just a Wil Wheaton show, about Sci-Fi and stuff. I never even noticed that woman or whatever wearing the tube top..."

[Jessika]

I would SO watch you every week.

I've seen Swingers so many times, I knew that was it after reading just the first two lines (not even paying attention to the Trent name...that's an easy give away).

Add even one more chick that likes the goatee.

[jadezuki]

I'm a recent reader (stumbled across the LJ feed) and I must say I'm completely hooked. My other recent addiction has been Battlestar: Galactica, so you can imagine I've gotten quite a smile in the past few days. At any rate, I'm thrilled with the idea for this show, and I can't think of a better host. Best of luck, and keep us posted!

[rob]

And here I was thinking you were ascared of me busting you yet again in the WWdN tourney.

Fear the McDonK.

(If you weren't there to get busted I would think the next one should still be named after me. 'Cause it's kind of like the 94 baseball strike. The 93 Blue Jays were still defending champs during the 95 season.)

[Kathleen]

you would be perfect for the job Wil. sending you lots of good luck!

[csarakas]

You know that feeling you get in the pit of your stomach when you're really excited and nervous about something? That feeling of simultaneously wanting to cheer and shout and dance about and throw up?

I am totally having that feeling on your behalf. What gods does one sacrifice to for this kind of gig?

[favor_the_bold]

Good on you Wil! I'm feeling your nerves/excitement all the way here in Saint Louis. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you.

[Christina]

Hey, the 17th sounds good. Hopefully you'll have 2 reasons to celebrate with a Guinness on St. Paddy's Day. Fingers crossed...

[optimistic lyricist]

Will,

Sending love your way man - hope you get this:)

[jessiker]

Woot! I'm sending the good vibes your way....

[claire]

That's great, Wil. I hope you get it. And if you don't, there's no reason to feel like a jerk. It's like buying a lottery ticket: if you can't revel in the possibility of winning while you wait for the numbers, you're missing the fun, and you'll be less likely to keep playing. The cool thing is that your odds of booking this gig are fantastic in comparison to winning the lottery. Enjoy your wait and good luck!

[Sean C]

Wil Good Luck, I look forward to your return to TV... Count me in on a regular viewer.

[magdala]

Add my good thoughts and positive vibes to the mix. Looking forward to the 17th.

[Steph]

Good luck, Wil & whatever happens you know you're money. You're so money that you don't even know it. You're the big winner at the casino tonight. Baby, I'm tellin' you -you're a winner in more ways than one.

[bjimba]

I really hope you get this, Wil. But, um, haven't you already blown the "wait two days" bit by blogging about it? These guys are producing a geek show -- they've *got* to know to check WWdN for your reaction. It's going to be tough for your agent to negotiate now that you've shown your hand...

That said, I still hope you get it.

[Mike]

Wil, man, don't blog about this anymore! You don't want to blow it -- I can't remember fully, but I'm fairly sure, didn't you lose an opportunity you auditioned for because you blogged about it?

[fitzwillie]

Ahh, but remember ye faint of heart, if the producers truly be of the geek-kind, then they would already know of the glory of WWDN! And as such, the audition was merely a formality, more to test the 'co-hosts' than the person destined to be in the spotlight!

[FABIAN]

Wil,
I know this comment isn't original. The waiting part about if you got, the gig, is the hardest part. I know you will live. I know you auditioned great.

FG

[Wil]

I'm not concerned about the producers reading my blog and seeing how enthusiastic I am about the show. They already know that, because I made it clear before I left the offices yesterday afternoon.

As far as how it affects negotiations? It shouldn't matter, and that's all I can say about that.

Thanks for everyone's kind words and support. I'll update when I have any new information.

[SlaminPam]

Sweet! Good luck...May the sci fi gods shine down on u ;) haha!

[DrToasty]

Whens the next time You'll be on Attack of the show?