After we produced "Furious Furniture" our next project was a half-hour the sketch comedy shot called "What's On?". The concept was someone sitting down to watch television, simply switching channels, trying to see what's on (duh) and as they switched from station to station, the sketches were various "programs in progress" they landed on.
This group of photos was taken while shooting our signature Wheezer Productions ("Yup, this one's a Wheezer") opening sequence, at Oaks Park in Portland, Oregon. How we ever got the owners of the park to agree to let us use the Mad Mouse and shoot this for free is beyond me. I know we put a credit at the end of the show, but as I remember it, no money changed hands.
The time, 1985. The place, Merkins Restaurant, somewhere between here and there. Big Jim. The Waitress. The Cook. And some really pissed off furniture.
"Furious Furniture" is a 20 minute video that is a take off of the old horror B movie. These photos were taken during shooting. It took about ten nights of shooting over five weeks. The restaurant we shot at (Coco's at Sylvan in Portland, Oregon) let us start at 11:00pm and we had to be done and out by 6:00am the next morning. Originally produced for Portland Cable Access, we entered the video into several film/video festivals around the country. We get reports that it is still aired on Portland Cable Access from time to time.
Plans are underway to digitize and convert for viewing via web and DVD. We will post when it's avaiable.
Back in late 1979, Scott Leverenz approached Jay Amicarella about writing a comic strip, based on their experiences of working at several restaurants. Scott did the artwork and Jay did the writing.
This particular stip Leftovers was a redesign of an earlier strip called Scott and Jay did called Bentley's, which involved many of the same characters, in the same restaurant setting. Submitted to many and accepted by none, here lies testament of two guys attempt to succeed in the challenging world of comic strip syndication. Enjoy!
In 1983, recently single after eight years of marriage, I spent some evenings at Hall Street Bar & Grille. At the time "Hill Street Blues" was popular on television, so I did several hundred cartoons as my "Hall Street Blues" series. Mostly done on 3 x 5 cards, I sat in the bar and slowly sipped my beer. These selections represent the essence of the lot. - Scott Leverenz
This Album contains random comix, cartoons, illustrations and photos from the twisted minds of Scott Leverenz, Steve Lindestedt, Neil Sterett, Jay Amicarella, Mike Murnin, Doug Byers, Tom O'Brien and Greg Phillips.
Heed this warning - if you are easily offened, please do not continue into this gallery. You need a twisted sense of humor and a very thick skin. We don't want to hear about it later.
You've been warned.
- The Wheezer Society
A masterpiece of satire from the twisted mind of Neil Sterett. This video is a parody of the incessant late night television commercials, featuring The Bludgeonaire, The Skull Whiz & The Pocket Party-O-Matic.
Rock Talk with Grid Spazmoid. A parody of some MTV show on at the time (1986-ish). This bit features Steve Lindstedt as Grid, Neil Sterett as Michael Jackson, Karen Pinder at Cindy Lauper, Kathy Corona as Boy George and Doug Byers as The Stage Manager. We are The Wheezers!
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.... this animation was done by Mark Anctil & Rick Anctil, with assistance from Ryan Leverenz back in 1979-ish. Ryan was around 3 years old and Mark and Rick were still in high school. Filming was done in the barn at The Farm in West Union. It was shot in stop motion with an 8mm movie camera. Years later it was transferred to VHS. We only recently digitized the footage and added the music. It was featured back in the late 80's in our 'What's On? Show #2'
The parody of PSA's (public service announcements), written and narrated by Neil Sterett, features Steve Lindstedt, Kathy Corona and her two daughters, Joan and Karen Ann Corona. Directed by Michael J Murnin. "Please Help Me. I'm So Stupid I Can't Read" is The Wheezer's at their best in parody.
Starring the late Neil Sterett as Tor Bjorn, Master of the Poo Poo Cushion. Tor Bjorn sold more records than Elvis and The Beatles combined! Sterett is hilarious in this parody.
Back in the mide-80's, when Wheezer Productions (precursor to The Wheezer Society) produced 'Furious Furniture' and 'What's On?' one of the later videos was this one by the late Neil Sterett and Steve Lindstedt, featuring Julie Osborn and Laura Brown. While most of the video from those shoots has not survived, we do have a few gems to share. LINK TO YOUTUBE
Man with Knife (played by Roman Polanski): "You're a very nosy fellow, kitty cat. Huh? You know what happens to nosy fellows? Huh? No? Wanna guess? Huh? No? Okay. They lose their noses."
"A cheap and evil girl sets a hopped-up killer against a city - Marihuana" Note that this edition is "complete and unabridged"
Wow, what a find! There's a website called Movie Goods (moviegoods.com) that has some awesome movie posters and related memorabilia for sale. Lots of new items and tons of older stuff. Does Mary wanna? Sure looks like it to me....