I share so many of these feelings about nostalgia and specifically The State. But, as has so often been the case over the years, you have the ability to crystallize and express them in words that I could not.
Thank you for this! Weeping reading it. It hit me very hard as a struggling 40 year old comedian with Bipolar. Looking back can feel like a death sentence. This put such a perfect wording to things that have been swirling around in my mind, so thank you. And I really thought the Matthew Perry part was not 'unrelated', you really understood as a fellow artist, how it relates and how much of being a comedian is riding that line between making beauty in the world and holding pain for others. Thank you for this 💘
Even though you want to focus on measuring your progress over nostalgia, just reading that made want to yet again rewatch my dvd of Stella since it was pure magic and one of my favourite shows of all time. So your treatise backfired, I'm sad to say...
Thank you for this piece. I will certainly keep it in mind when me and my 2 friends from grade school travel to Chicago, reliving our middle school days of watching State episodes I taped off MTV. 💚
Despite out best efforts we all end up aging far faster than we think we will. Except for Ken Marino. I think he ages around one half the speed as the rest of us.
One of the comments I kept seeing from people after they saw the show was how the whole thing felt like a warm embrace.
I think you all have an incredible ability, whether it's conscious or not, to make everyone feel welcome - like we're all a big group of friends watching our cooler, funnier friends. I'd imagine a significant part of the audience was involved in their own groups - whether it was a comedy troupe, or just a really intense little friend circle - and seeing you all absolutely reminds us of our own connections.
I'm delighted by the fact that you're all such kind people, and the fact that you all seem to genuinely like each other still makes for such a wholesome, reflective experience. The audience is a lot older and softer too, and in a world where we've been forced to be cynical and jaded, seeing you all relish the moment and each other is a true joy.
The laughs are great. Watching you beautiful people exude said beauty in real time is, well, a beautiful thing. Thanks as always for inviting us all to be a part of it.
I fully appreciate this post. I am also not one for nostalgia just for notalgia's sake. Dwelling in the past without learning something from it feels like wasted time I could spend appreciating and taking in the present stuff around me. I see pictures of myself doing standup just 10 years ago, or pictures of me from my 1st marriage 2 decades ago and they all feel like strangers to me.
Michael - this this stunning. I remember those days at MTV well - Doug, Eileen, the whole team. Similarly they feel like home. This piece gave me all the feels. Thanks so much for sharing.
I grew up on The State and as someone who now creates content for a living online (and who often receives comments similar to what you guys received in the early days on MTV) I just don't have words for what it's going to mean to see my heroes do some of this stuff live. I got to see you and Sho do some standup once, but I missed Stella and I never thought I'd have a chance to see anything like this. At 41 years old, I can't remember the last time I looked forward to something so much.
I know there are aspects of this tour that couldn't be a bowl of cherries for any of you. Thank you SO much for doing it anyway.
I share so many of these feelings about nostalgia and specifically The State. But, as has so often been the case over the years, you have the ability to crystallize and express them in words that I could not.
Sorry I said you fart a lot.
I love this! Thank you for writing it and sharing it with us.
Thank you for this! Weeping reading it. It hit me very hard as a struggling 40 year old comedian with Bipolar. Looking back can feel like a death sentence. This put such a perfect wording to things that have been swirling around in my mind, so thank you. And I really thought the Matthew Perry part was not 'unrelated', you really understood as a fellow artist, how it relates and how much of being a comedian is riding that line between making beauty in the world and holding pain for others. Thank you for this 💘
Thanks for the lovely response.
Even though you want to focus on measuring your progress over nostalgia, just reading that made want to yet again rewatch my dvd of Stella since it was pure magic and one of my favourite shows of all time. So your treatise backfired, I'm sad to say...
Thank you for this piece. I will certainly keep it in mind when me and my 2 friends from grade school travel to Chicago, reliving our middle school days of watching State episodes I taped off MTV. 💚
That second to last paragraph in particular was beautiful
Despite out best efforts we all end up aging far faster than we think we will. Except for Ken Marino. I think he ages around one half the speed as the rest of us.
Nah, Ken's old too.
Beautifully said, Michael. Sending love to you and all
We really were so beautiful and didn’t know it. Even in our awkward phases. Just young and fresh and ready to take on the world.
One of the comments I kept seeing from people after they saw the show was how the whole thing felt like a warm embrace.
I think you all have an incredible ability, whether it's conscious or not, to make everyone feel welcome - like we're all a big group of friends watching our cooler, funnier friends. I'd imagine a significant part of the audience was involved in their own groups - whether it was a comedy troupe, or just a really intense little friend circle - and seeing you all absolutely reminds us of our own connections.
I'm delighted by the fact that you're all such kind people, and the fact that you all seem to genuinely like each other still makes for such a wholesome, reflective experience. The audience is a lot older and softer too, and in a world where we've been forced to be cynical and jaded, seeing you all relish the moment and each other is a true joy.
The laughs are great. Watching you beautiful people exude said beauty in real time is, well, a beautiful thing. Thanks as always for inviting us all to be a part of it.
Thank you - that was lovely.
I fully appreciate this post. I am also not one for nostalgia just for notalgia's sake. Dwelling in the past without learning something from it feels like wasted time I could spend appreciating and taking in the present stuff around me. I see pictures of myself doing standup just 10 years ago, or pictures of me from my 1st marriage 2 decades ago and they all feel like strangers to me.
Writer to writer, this is just beautiful writing.
Aw, thanks. Ultimately, I kind of care about that more than anything.
Michael - this this stunning. I remember those days at MTV well - Doug, Eileen, the whole team. Similarly they feel like home. This piece gave me all the feels. Thanks so much for sharing.
My pleasure. Just saw Doug and Jim Sharp the other night in LA. Was awesome to hang with them for a little bit. Hope you're well!
Beautiful, Michael. And I think we have the title for our next tour--Death By Hammer❤️
"Death by Hammer" - I like it!
Thank you all so, so much, for this tour.
I grew up on The State and as someone who now creates content for a living online (and who often receives comments similar to what you guys received in the early days on MTV) I just don't have words for what it's going to mean to see my heroes do some of this stuff live. I got to see you and Sho do some standup once, but I missed Stella and I never thought I'd have a chance to see anything like this. At 41 years old, I can't remember the last time I looked forward to something so much.
I know there are aspects of this tour that couldn't be a bowl of cherries for any of you. Thank you SO much for doing it anyway.
So glad you enjoyed! Thank you for attending this and other shows.
Well, I teared up