I've got some more alumni who are blowing up in the world of entertainment that you should know about!

After the jump, learn about alumni who are appearing on, writing for and creating some great new TV shows.

...Plus one alum who is writing about his experience producing one very newsworthy Broadway show.

Happy new year everyone!

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DT Favorite Tom Christensen (W'2003, Mask and Wig) appears as a guy in a trenchcoat holding up the diner on tonight's "2 Broke Girls".

After the jump watch the preview and tune in tonight at 9/8c on CBS!

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A couple of weeks ago, we covered the brilliant musical mind of Tom Christensen (W'03, Mask and Wig) as he competed in a national musical improv competition.

After a total of 216 improvisors entered into the Improv tournament, Tom, on behalf of "North Dakota" (the only one-man team) won four heated battles and then the championship!

After the jump, watch his fantastic opening number, "Voting is Easy," from the winning show.

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Over the past 4+ years, I've covered lots of alumni performing improv.

There is one particular style of improv that has really caught my eye, or I should say ear: the musical improv.

After the jump, watch how Tom Christensen's (W'03, Mask and Wig) mind works as he spins the suggested phrase "You go get her boy" into a one-man musical about: a boy who crushes on a girl, a dorky chemistry teacher, jealous friends ruling the school, a frank conversation between a mother and son, and "popular girls".

And don't blame if you find yourself humming the tune to his featured "I'm not a date rapist" song all day.

Seriously, watch how his mind works.

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Lots of Penn news happening this week on-campus and off!...

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Catch This Alum's Film on DVD!

Jon Hurwtitz's (W'00) Harold and Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay now on DVD

My past posts about Jon here

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He's On a New Show and He's Looking for an Agent

Tom Christensen (W'03, Mask and Wig) just landed a co-starring role on the new series, Leverage, an Ocean's-11-Meets-A-Team series set to air on TNT in the next 6 months. Tom will play a "sweet, corn fed" guy from the Midwest" He is marrying a mob-boss's daughter, and that wedding is the setting for the episode. 

When Tom arrived in LA five years ago, fellow Mask & Wig member Brian Appel (C '01) introduced him to the show's casting director. After cutting his teeth with M&W, Tom still performs sketch and improv several improv groups around LA. You can see his upcoming shows on his website, http://www.tom-christensen.com

He is currently looking for an agent. Any alumni agents out there who will take a meeting? Contact Tom via his website!

Tom's Headshot
More Penn Actor Headshots!

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Another Reality Show Debuts for This Alum

Mark Cronin's (Eng'86) next VH1 reality show, New York Goes to Hollywood premieres on Monday, 8/4.

More here
My past posts about Mark here

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This Alum Counterchecks Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus, star of the Disney Channel mega-hit, said in an interview the other day that the upcoming season of “Hannah Montana” could be the last one. “We’re thinking this is our last season,” she told E! Online.

Rich Ross (C'83), president of Disney Channels Worldwide, told the New York Post, “I fully expect we will continue production (beyond this season)—and I can stand by that.” Ross said Disney has a option for a fourth season of the show.

More here

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Wish They Had This When I Was an Undergrad!

The Kelly Writers House and the Fine Arts Department of the School of Design (at the University of Pennsylvania) are pleased to announce ArtsEdge, a new collaborative residency project to encourage the careers of emergent writers and artists.

Through ArtsEdge, the Kelly Writers House and the Fine Arts Department will subsidize the rent of a shared live/work space near Penn’s campus for an emergent writer and artist.

More here and here

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It's not often I pick up my personal pen about Penn. After the most surprising first year as editor/creator of DuelingTampons.com, I must thank you before hopping a flight to London to celebrate not just my birthday and the new year.. but the biggest gift of the year - DT turning 1 year old. As I sip a glass of champagne at 35,000 feet, I will be toasting you.

DuelingTampons' popularity caught the attention of the DP. Both Alumni Weekend and Homecoming Weekend came alive as DT had cameras rolling and brought you exclusive video coverage.

You might think Wharton's Donald Trump (W'68) got all of this year's glory as I tracked the who's who of Penn. Turns out alum Elizabeth Banks (C'96) ranks at the top of the DT's most famous Penn clicks. That came as a little surprise to the Hollywood actress/Penn superstar when I sat down to dinner answering questions about DT to friends.

Famous and infamous words flew out of the mouths of undergrads like Jessica Gold Haralson (C'08) when Playboy picked her out of the Penn crowd having come across her controversial smart-sex magazine. Jessica was quoted in Playboy's September issue talking all about how in her own words "porn is awesome".

DuelingTampons has become a habitual networking source for all things Penn. Over the course of this year, DT posted 400+ stories unique to the Penn community, 600+ videos, 300+ photos, and 400+ message board posts. The number of undergrads and alumni checking out the site on a daily basis has grown into the thousands from what originally started as a hobby and now has become a love of mine. I'm committed to DT's momentum continuing as the ongoing source to keep the Penn community connected.

In the new year, expect to feel more networked to Penn than ever. More emerging talent in film and music are on the radar. More business success stories are emerging from Wharton. More videos and photos from the past and present keep hitting the DT mailbox. It's proof that it really does matter who you know - especially when you share the Penn experience.

If you haven't done so already, please click here to add the DuelingTampons widget to your facebook profile. This will help to increase awareness of our creative community to other Quakers.

Make your hopes and dreams walk the walk in 2008. And know that I am very grateful for you being a big part of DT's success.

Best,




Matt Rosler (C'96)
editor/creator
DuelingTampons.com

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Some 2007 Highlights:

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POSTS:

+ This was the year for the Penn documentary filmmakers!

+ Alumni working all over TV!

+ Penn musicians making news

+ Talented undergrads in the 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 classes.
Puneet Singh's (W'08) appears on the Colbert Report
Filmmaker Brian Canavan's (C'10) jawdropping Light Graffiti video
Musician Andrew Dudum's (C'11) signed to a record label

+ Some Rising alumni stars:
Musician Gabriel Mann (C’95) on Oscars, music on TV shows, launches new album
Actor Roy Vongtama (C'96) appears in major TV and film
Actress Elizabeth Banks (C’96) in a a media storm this year!
Singer Ananda Sen (C'98) debuts one new song a week for 52 weeks
Stand-up Aaron Karo (W'01) debuts his comedy via video on the web!
Mask and Wig alumni form new troupe producing hysterical videos

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VIDEOS:

+ Reunion Weekend 2007 (45+ videos) and Homecoming Weekend 2007

+ Mask and Wig performs in Los Angeles (15+ videos)

+ Pennfest 2007 features Broadway and KROQ stars

+ Alumni featured in Film, TV, Stage, and Literary

+ Penn Musicians: live performances

+ Acapella Madness

+ Very creative class Projects

+ Compelling freshmen election videos

+ Vicarious walk down Locust Walk and into the Quad

OTHER VIDEO CATEGORIES: Recently Uploaded, Los Angeles Penn Events, Performing Arts, Around Campus, Spring Flings, Hey Day, Graduation, Sports, Pennfest: Emerging Penn Talent, Penn Relays, Misc: Humorous/Tips

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PHOTOS:

+ 5 years of Pennfest programs and photos

+ On campus construction through the years (oh how things have changed!)

+ Penn actors: Headshot Hotties

+ Freshmen dorm rooms!

+ Penn musician photo gallery

+ Penn Memoribilia from years past

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MESSAGE BOARDS:

+ Stories about how alumni got their starts after college
(great for those thinking of a career in entertainment)

+ Los Angeles job posts

+ New York job posts

+ Alumni Quotes

+ Alumni promoting their businesses

+ Upcoming Los Angeles, New York and Philadelphia events

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So what happens when you graduate from a performing arts group like Mask and Wig and group members want to continue writing and performing together?



Through the years out here in Los Angeles, there's been a small contingency of Mask and Wiggers that have continued performing sketch comedy. Some, like myself, Todd Lieberman, Norm Golightly and Brian Yanish tried to resurrect working together again in a group called Minus Ten. That lasted for one show and that was that. It was a good try though...



Others have been more persistent and successful with performing sketch comedy.



Take Mask and Wig alumni Gary Lundy (C'05), Spencer Crawford (C'05), Ryan Baber (C'02), Tom Christensen (W'03), Joel Rubin (C'03), and Gabe Laskin (C'05). They have started a group called Danish Rhythm and in addition to a stage show over a year ago, they are now devoted to making original comedic short films. And let me say they've got some smart, irreverent comedy, with some unique Mask and Wig flavor (as you'll see in the Fosse video below).



Click below to check out these great videos:

-Hotel del Monico (NOT safe for work!)

-Glen



Check out what other Mask and Wig alumni are doing



Have you taken a peek at the 500+ Penn related videos we've got (divided neatly into categories? :)



Sign up for daily emails to get notified about alumni and undergraduate updates! (click here to see a newsletter)



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