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  1. It's Trump's Business by Rhonda Hansome

    Thursday, August 25, 2016

     
    I'm good at comedy!
    At business, not so good!

    Since my return to comedy, minus management, I've been in pursuit of stage time. 5 years later I can say, with absolute confidence, that my texts, calls, emails and obsessive social media networking resulted in nationwide indifference from bookers. 

    I’m an actress/comedian. This business demands I bribe, harass and hoodwink friends into being audience where I “showcase” myself for little or no pay. What could be better? 
    PAYING TO MEET "CASTING AGENTS" WHO WILL NEVER HIRE ME 

    So many ways to be humiliated, so little time.

    I'm good at comedy!

    Donald Trump 
    is good at business.

    4 bankruptcies? 
    No problem! 

    Politi Facts (Sep. 21,15) quotes The Donald, "I used the law four times and made a tremendous thing. I'm in business. I did a very good job.*

    Personally, I don't know how to use bankruptcy laws or anything else to make "a tremendous thing" like GOP nominee Donald Trump.

    This The Daily Caller (Aug 23, 16) quote is a great example of Trump's business acumen.

    The Trump campaign’s rent at Trump Tower in New York City had been the same throughout the Republican primary. Since starting his campaign last summer, and ending in March, Trump paid 
    $35,458 
    a month for his campaign headquarters. Trump raised his rent in May to $72,800, and in June, the rent increased to $110,684. The month of the Republican National Convention when Trump officially became the nominee, he charged himself 
    $169,758 
    in rent for the same space, according to a report by S.V. Date of the Huffington Post published Tuesday.

    I'm no accountant, but I know that's a MONTHLY net gain of a whole bunch of money. 

    Donald knows his business. He's using all of his products in his campaign supported by the RNC. Yes his books, water, Trump Cafe, Trump Grill, Trump air craft. 

    (3/1/16) The Daily Beast reported: 

    The name that seems to come up most often on the list of businesses the Trump campaign pays is -Trump. Between June16, when he announced his candidacy through the end of 2015, his campaign spent $2.2 million patronizing Trump businesses. The majority-$2 million was spent on Tag Air Inc., where Trump is CEO.


    Trump leaves independent contractors and vendors short changed or unpaid. He secures his management and licensing fees off the top of projects and never looks back. 

    He 's accomplished at promising big charitable donations. 
    IF his pledge is actually met, it's frequently with other people's money; and Trump gets the tax benefit.

    Speaking of taxes, still not released, (May 13, 16) NY Times reported that when Trump was asked specifics on his tax rate he replied, "none of your business."

    "Ain't nobody's business if I do."
    That may be true, but he has no business in the 
    White House

    I'm on twitter, tumblr, facebook & a comedy stage near you -
    if you call the venue and tell them to book me, Now!










  2. Coughin', Sneezin', and All that Jazz

    Tuesday, August 23, 2016













    I have a miserable cold and fever besides other issues.  That doesn't mean there aren't good things going on too.  But right now, my energy is low.  I have stories to share, as usual, but for now a blast from the past.







  3. Respect For Helen Mirren by Rhonda Hansome

    Thursday, August 18, 2016

    On a lunch break his week. doing stand-in* work on the TV show Madam Secretary, I had a provocative exchange with a background** co-worker we'll call Patricia Patrician.
    She was a petite mature white woman more attractive in person than the selfies she shared*** conveyed.

    I envied the flattering cut of Patricia's thick head of gray hair. Yes, I envy women (of a certain age) who confidently sport thick heads of white, platinum, or graying hair with aplomb. I also envy women who use words like aplomb with aplomb, but I digress.

                This Photo Is Not Patricia

                               The Only Photo After I Searched For Images Of Black Women With Gray Hair

    Patricia was researching roles for a screen scene study class (say that 3 times fast!) and was disappointed those she'd read included semi-nudity, which she felt was demeaning to women.

    We got on the topic of standing-in, which I've done many times including for Whoopi Goldberg on an episode of Absolutely Fabulous shot in NY. I mentioned Patricia could easily stand in for an actress I've admired for decades...

    Helen Mirren

    I not only envy this hair-do I need this photo filter for my life!

    We bonded over our affection for Helen Mirren until I mentioned how frequently she appeared semi- nude in many of her (critically acclaimed!) films. Patricia's face paled as she sighed.

    PP: Now, I've loss all respect for her.
    Me: Why have you lost respect for Helen Mirren?
    PP: I don't think a woman should demean herself by doing that on film.
    Me: Doing what?
    PP: Taking her clothes off on-camera.
    Me: Do you have less respect for Jane Fonda, Sophia Loren, and Susan Sarandon?
    PP: I don't respect any woman who would take her clothes off on-camera. What do you think?
    Me: I think you have every right to your opinion.

    And in my head I continued... "If I were offered the quantity and quality of diverse and challenging roles offered to Helen Mirren, I'd drop clothes in a NY minute. And I'm not going to mention my youthful lead in an indie feature in which I played a stripper!

















    That being said, I recently turned down the opportunity to audition for a nude part just because I considered my naked body of the moment not "camera ready". Now THAT is demeaning! I may have just lost all respect for myself.

    *Stand-in is a (2nd team) actor who stands in position for the principal or featured actor while the director sets blocking and technicians arrange lighting and assorted equipment needed for a particular scene; after which the (1st team) star, feature or day player actor steps into place.

    **Background artists or ambiance is the name I prefer to what some disparagingly call "extras". These are the (non-speaking) actors who walk around or sit near 1st team actors to support the look or ambiance of a scene.

    ***Sharing pictures of our different "looks" is a traditional pastime on set. We compare the "characters" we offer casting directors who hold our incomes in their decisions. For example ...














    Join me in cabaret mode with Ann McCormack, Woody Reagan & Friends 
    Like, Follow & Re-tweet Me on Twitter, Tumblr & IG
    Cause That's The Thing To Do These Days








  4. Yes, I've got a few thoughts on our 
    Presidential Campaign 

                        

                           I made this tape to enter the MoveOn.Org contest 
                                            Love Trumps Hate

    Who Knows What Next Week Will Bring?