1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:04,162 WWW.MY-SUBS.CO 1 00:00:00,499 --> 00:00:02,498 - My name is Nathan Fielder, 2 00:00:02,499 --> 00:00:04,499 and I graduated from one of Canada's top business schools 3 00:00:04,700 --> 00:00:07,498 with really good grades. 4 00:00:07,499 --> 00:00:08,498 Now I'm using my knowledge 5 00:00:08,499 --> 00:00:11,498 to help struggling small business owners make it 6 00:00:11,499 --> 00:00:14,498 in this competitive world. 7 00:00:14,499 --> 00:00:17,499 This is "Nathan for You." 8 00:00:18,499 --> 00:00:20,498 Life isn't easy for smokers these days 9 00:00:20,499 --> 00:00:23,498 as smoking bans throughout America have made 10 00:00:23,499 --> 00:00:26,498 the outdoors the only option for lighting up. 11 00:00:26,499 --> 00:00:28,498 But hit worst of all has been the bars. 12 00:00:28,499 --> 00:00:31,498 And proprietors like Ellen Sancer 13 00:00:31,499 --> 00:00:33,498 of the 1881 Club in Pasadena, California, 14 00:00:33,499 --> 00:00:35,498 claim that smoking restrictions 15 00:00:35,499 --> 00:00:37,498 have caused her profits to plummet. 16 00:00:37,499 --> 00:00:38,498 - We lost a lot of our customers. 17 00:00:38,499 --> 00:00:41,498 Our business went down by half. 18 00:00:41,499 --> 00:00:44,498 - As a smoker herself, she's not happy. 19 00:00:44,499 --> 00:00:46,498 So I paid Ellen a visit with a way 20 00:00:46,499 --> 00:00:49,499 she might be able to return to those profitable glory days. 21 00:00:50,180 --> 00:00:51,498 In my opinion, 22 00:00:51,499 --> 00:00:53,498 smokers shouldn't be treated like second-class citizens. 23 00:00:53,499 --> 00:00:54,498 - Absolutely. 24 00:00:54,499 --> 00:00:56,498 - If anything, they should be treated better 25 00:00:56,499 --> 00:00:59,499 than the rest of us because they're gonna die so young. 26 00:01:01,499 --> 00:01:03,498 - Or at least as well as the rest of them. 27 00:01:03,499 --> 00:01:05,498 - Right, so you think people should be allowed 28 00:01:05,499 --> 00:01:06,499 to smoke in here? - Yeah. 29 00:01:07,499 --> 00:01:10,498 - Well, I might have a way to make that happen. 30 00:01:10,499 --> 00:01:11,498 - Okay. 31 00:01:11,499 --> 00:01:13,498 - Right now, California state law 32 00:01:13,499 --> 00:01:16,498 prohibits smoking in a business unless it happens to be 33 00:01:16,499 --> 00:01:18,498 part of a theatrical production 34 00:01:18,499 --> 00:01:20,499 where smoking is integral to the plot. 35 00:01:21,060 --> 00:01:23,499 So if Ellen added a small audience section to her bar 36 00:01:24,499 --> 00:01:25,498 and then classified every patron 37 00:01:25,499 --> 00:01:27,499 as an actor in a free-form play, 38 00:01:28,340 --> 00:01:31,498 the 1881 Club would become the only drinking hole in town 39 00:01:31,499 --> 00:01:33,498 where people could legally smoke. 40 00:01:33,499 --> 00:01:35,498 - That could be possible. 41 00:01:35,499 --> 00:01:39,499 I never thought about turning it around that way. 42 00:01:39,500 --> 00:01:41,498 - Well, most theater is terrible. 43 00:01:41,499 --> 00:01:43,498 - [laughs] I have seen a few bad ones, yeah. 44 00:01:43,499 --> 00:01:46,498 - Yeah, so who's to say a bar filled with smokers 45 00:01:46,499 --> 00:01:49,498 can't be a boundary-pushing theatrical experience? 46 00:01:49,499 --> 00:01:52,498 - Right. - In the eyes of the law. 47 00:01:52,499 --> 00:01:53,498 - It's an idea. 48 00:01:53,499 --> 00:01:55,498 It's definitely an idea. 49 00:01:55,499 --> 00:01:57,498 - Ellen was thrilled at the prospect 50 00:01:57,499 --> 00:02:00,498 of bringing smokers back to her bar, so the next day, 51 00:02:00,499 --> 00:02:02,499 I had my team bring in a couple of theater seats 52 00:02:03,499 --> 00:02:05,498 to create a small audience section 53 00:02:05,499 --> 00:02:06,498 and then threw up a curtain to complete 54 00:02:06,499 --> 00:02:08,498 the theater experience. 55 00:02:08,499 --> 00:02:10,498 I also chose a title for the play, 56 00:02:10,499 --> 00:02:12,498 "Smokers Allowed" that would conveniently double 57 00:02:12,499 --> 00:02:15,499 to attract clientele, then put up a sign on the door 58 00:02:16,499 --> 00:02:18,498 informing patrons that by entering the bar, 59 00:02:18,499 --> 00:02:20,498 they're legally agreeing to be actors 60 00:02:20,499 --> 00:02:21,498 in a theatrical production. 61 00:02:21,499 --> 00:02:23,498 So when nighttime came, 62 00:02:23,499 --> 00:02:26,498 I headed to some other bars in the area to get word spreading 63 00:02:26,499 --> 00:02:29,498 about L.A.'s hottest new smoking destination. 64 00:02:29,499 --> 00:02:32,498 You got to smoke outside here, huh? 65 00:02:32,499 --> 00:02:35,499 Yeah, have you been to 1881 Club? 66 00:02:37,499 --> 00:02:39,499 - They allow you to smoke there. 67 00:02:43,499 --> 00:02:47,498 - Yeah, a loophole. 68 00:02:47,499 --> 00:02:48,498 Theater law. 69 00:02:48,499 --> 00:02:50,498 Yeah. 70 00:02:50,499 --> 00:02:52,498 - My promotional efforts seemed to be working... 71 00:02:52,499 --> 00:02:54,498 All right, smokers unite. 72 00:02:54,499 --> 00:02:57,498 Because, within minutes, customers began arriving 73 00:02:57,499 --> 00:03:01,498 at the 1881 Club for a night of legal indoor smoking. 74 00:03:01,499 --> 00:03:02,499 As a final precaution, 75 00:03:03,499 --> 00:03:05,498 I had two women recruited from the theater district 76 00:03:05,499 --> 00:03:07,499 who were interested in seeing an exciting new play. 77 00:03:08,499 --> 00:03:09,499 So for two? - For two. 78 00:03:10,499 --> 00:03:11,498 - Okay, you're in luck. 79 00:03:11,499 --> 00:03:13,498 We have two front-row seats still available. 80 00:03:13,499 --> 00:03:14,498 - Very cool. 81 00:03:14,499 --> 00:03:16,498 - I knew an audience would be the final piece 82 00:03:16,499 --> 00:03:19,498 to legitimize my production in the eyes of the law. 83 00:03:19,499 --> 00:03:20,498 So with the women in their seats, 84 00:03:20,499 --> 00:03:22,498 it was time to begin the show. 85 00:03:22,499 --> 00:03:24,498 All right, welcome. 86 00:03:24,499 --> 00:03:25,499 Thank you so much for coming. 87 00:03:26,499 --> 00:03:29,498 So it took a lot of work to get this play off the ground. 88 00:03:29,499 --> 00:03:31,498 I don't want to say too much 89 00:03:31,499 --> 00:03:34,498 'cause I don't want to spoil anything, but all I'll say is, 90 00:03:34,499 --> 00:03:38,498 I hope you enjoy this as much as we enjoyed making it. 91 00:03:38,499 --> 00:03:42,499 So without further ado, "Smokers Allowed." 92 00:03:44,499 --> 00:03:46,499 [indistinct chatter] 93 00:04:01,499 --> 00:04:03,498 My plan was working great. 94 00:04:03,499 --> 00:04:05,498 People could now smoke freely without the bar 95 00:04:05,499 --> 00:04:08,499 having to worry about any legal repercussions. 96 00:04:09,499 --> 00:04:11,498 And with the audience shoved away in the corner, 97 00:04:11,499 --> 00:04:14,498 hardly any customers seemed to notice they were there. 98 00:04:14,499 --> 00:04:18,498 Best of all, I had never seen Ellen look happier. 99 00:04:18,499 --> 00:04:19,498 So after an hour and 20 minutes 100 00:04:19,499 --> 00:04:21,498 when the bar crowd started to dwindle, 101 00:04:21,499 --> 00:04:24,498 I decided to close the curtain and say the play was over. 102 00:04:24,499 --> 00:04:26,500 All right, so that's it. 103 00:04:27,499 --> 00:04:28,498 Thank you so much for coming. 104 00:04:28,499 --> 00:04:30,660 I hope you enjoyed "Smokers Allowed." 105 00:04:31,499 --> 00:04:32,499 [applause] 106 00:04:32,740 --> 00:04:34,498 It was a successful evening, 107 00:04:34,499 --> 00:04:37,498 but then something happened that I never expected. 108 00:04:37,499 --> 00:04:40,498 The audience actually seemed to enjoy the play. 109 00:04:40,499 --> 00:04:41,498 - Oh, man, they were awesome. 110 00:04:41,499 --> 00:04:43,498 - Yeah, yeah, they were. - They were awesome. 111 00:04:43,499 --> 00:04:45,498 - It's so funny 'cause it's, like, 112 00:04:45,499 --> 00:04:49,498 so nothing in a way but incredibly profound. 113 00:04:49,499 --> 00:04:52,498 It reminded me of Sam Shepard. 114 00:04:52,499 --> 00:04:54,498 - I didn't really know what to make of this. 115 00:04:54,499 --> 00:04:57,498 After all, these ladies could be total kooks. 116 00:04:57,499 --> 00:04:58,499 But if what happened in there somehow 117 00:04:59,499 --> 00:05:01,498 had genuine theatrical value, 118 00:05:01,499 --> 00:05:04,498 it could be a whole new source of revenue for the 1881 Club. 119 00:05:04,499 --> 00:05:07,498 So later that week, I arranged a meeting with the chair 120 00:05:07,499 --> 00:05:10,498 of the theater department at Glendale Community College 121 00:05:10,499 --> 00:05:11,499 to find out if I was actually onto something 122 00:05:12,499 --> 00:05:15,498 with my play, "Smokers Allowed." 123 00:05:15,499 --> 00:05:19,498 - The guy by himself stands out to me 124 00:05:19,499 --> 00:05:21,498 because he looks lonely. 125 00:05:21,499 --> 00:05:25,498 The couple stands out to me because it tells a story 126 00:05:25,499 --> 00:05:26,498 that maybe they're in a new relationship... 127 00:05:26,499 --> 00:05:27,498 - Uh-huh. 128 00:05:27,499 --> 00:05:29,498 - And I think that curiosity 129 00:05:29,499 --> 00:05:32,498 is what makes me want to continue to watch. 130 00:05:32,499 --> 00:05:35,499 - Do you think this has theatrical merit? 131 00:05:35,620 --> 00:05:40,498 - Yeah, you know, this is "slice of life" theater, 132 00:05:40,499 --> 00:05:43,498 and for that aspect, I think it's important. 133 00:05:43,499 --> 00:05:44,499 - Wow. 134 00:05:45,499 --> 00:05:47,498 I was amazed that Jeanette saw value in my play... 135 00:05:47,499 --> 00:05:50,498 - It's reminiscent of playwrights 136 00:05:50,499 --> 00:05:51,498 like John Patrick Shanley. 137 00:05:51,499 --> 00:05:54,498 - And even compared it to the work of who I assumed 138 00:05:54,499 --> 00:05:55,498 were famous playwrights. 139 00:05:55,499 --> 00:05:58,498 It was clear something happened that night 140 00:05:58,499 --> 00:05:59,498 that I couldn't ignore. 141 00:05:59,499 --> 00:06:02,498 So the next day, I returned to the 1881 Club 142 00:06:02,499 --> 00:06:05,499 to see if Ellen was interested in adjusting our approach. 143 00:06:06,499 --> 00:06:07,498 I don't know what it was, 144 00:06:07,499 --> 00:06:09,498 but people really responded to this thing. 145 00:06:09,499 --> 00:06:10,660 - I didn't get to pay much attention. 146 00:06:11,499 --> 00:06:12,498 I was busy. [laughs] 147 00:06:12,499 --> 00:06:13,498 - I mean, you can make good money 148 00:06:13,499 --> 00:06:14,499 having people smoke in here. 149 00:06:14,820 --> 00:06:16,498 - Right. 150 00:06:16,499 --> 00:06:19,498 - But you could make millions with a hit play. 151 00:06:19,499 --> 00:06:20,498 - That's possible, yeah. 152 00:06:20,499 --> 00:06:22,498 - I mean, at this point, 153 00:06:22,499 --> 00:06:24,498 it's hard to know if the play would actually be a success, 154 00:06:24,499 --> 00:06:27,499 but I think we'd be idiots not to give it a shot. 155 00:06:29,499 --> 00:06:31,460 - Yeah, we should. 156 00:06:31,499 --> 00:06:33,498 - I was happy to have Ellen on board with my new plan, 157 00:06:33,499 --> 00:06:34,498 but as I spent the next day 158 00:06:34,499 --> 00:06:36,498 going over the footage from that night, 159 00:06:36,499 --> 00:06:39,498 I was no closer to figuring out what made this play 160 00:06:39,499 --> 00:06:40,498 so interesting. 161 00:06:40,499 --> 00:06:42,499 That was until I noticed a few exciting moments 162 00:06:43,499 --> 00:06:44,498 that may have gripped the audience. 163 00:06:44,499 --> 00:06:47,498 At one table, there was a couple that shared a kiss, 164 00:06:47,499 --> 00:06:50,498 so I knew there was a romantic story line. 165 00:06:50,499 --> 00:06:51,498 There was also a moment 166 00:06:51,499 --> 00:06:53,498 where a man showed off his skateboard deck 167 00:06:53,499 --> 00:06:56,498 while, at the same time, a three-person selfie 168 00:06:56,499 --> 00:06:57,498 was happening at the bar, 169 00:06:57,499 --> 00:07:00,498 the perfect climactic action scene. 170 00:07:00,499 --> 00:07:01,498 I didn't see it before, 171 00:07:01,499 --> 00:07:04,498 but this night had all the ingredients of a hit play. 172 00:07:04,499 --> 00:07:07,498 So I figured the surest way to guarantee success would be 173 00:07:07,499 --> 00:07:11,498 to re-create every moment exactly as it happened. 174 00:07:11,499 --> 00:07:13,498 So I spent the afternoon compiling all the audio 175 00:07:13,499 --> 00:07:16,498 and video footage we had from that night 176 00:07:16,499 --> 00:07:18,498 and then hired a team of professional transcribers 177 00:07:18,499 --> 00:07:21,498 to write down every word that was spoken. 178 00:07:21,499 --> 00:07:23,498 It was a lengthy, multi-day process, 179 00:07:23,499 --> 00:07:25,499 so I tried to make sure their working environment 180 00:07:26,499 --> 00:07:27,498 was as comfortable as possible. 181 00:07:27,499 --> 00:07:29,498 Want some apple juice? 182 00:07:29,499 --> 00:07:30,499 - No. 183 00:07:31,499 --> 00:07:32,499 - Do you want some apple juice? 184 00:07:33,300 --> 00:07:34,498 - I'm fine, thank you. - Okay, sure. 185 00:07:34,499 --> 00:07:36,498 When the transcription was finally done, 186 00:07:36,499 --> 00:07:39,498 I had the dialogue compiled and converted into a script 187 00:07:39,499 --> 00:07:41,498 and then blew up images from our footage, 188 00:07:41,499 --> 00:07:45,498 so I could cast professional actors to play each role. 189 00:07:45,499 --> 00:07:46,498 But since it was crucial 190 00:07:46,499 --> 00:07:49,498 that they were able to embody the exact essence 191 00:07:49,499 --> 00:07:50,498 of the original person, 192 00:07:50,499 --> 00:07:54,498 I set up auditions with my top picks for later that week. 193 00:07:54,499 --> 00:07:55,498 But for Ellen's role, 194 00:07:55,499 --> 00:07:58,498 I thought it would be simplest if she could just play herself, 195 00:07:58,499 --> 00:08:01,060 so I paid her a visit to see if she was right for the part. 196 00:08:01,499 --> 00:08:04,498 So you're reading for the role of female bar owner. 197 00:08:04,499 --> 00:08:06,260 - Okay. - All right. 198 00:08:06,499 --> 00:08:08,499 Do you want to just slate with your name first? 199 00:08:10,499 --> 00:08:11,498 - My name's Ellen. 200 00:08:11,499 --> 00:08:13,499 - Okay, whenever you're ready. 201 00:08:15,499 --> 00:08:17,498 - You did not just say that. 202 00:08:17,499 --> 00:08:19,498 - Yes, he did. 203 00:08:19,499 --> 00:08:21,498 - All right, here you go. 204 00:08:21,499 --> 00:08:23,498 - Thank you. 205 00:08:23,499 --> 00:08:26,498 - Excuse me, sweetheart. 206 00:08:26,499 --> 00:08:28,498 - All right, great. Well, we'll be in touch. 207 00:08:28,499 --> 00:08:30,498 - Okay, great. - Okay. 208 00:08:30,499 --> 00:08:31,498 - Thank you. - Thanks. 209 00:08:31,499 --> 00:08:33,498 I thought Ellen did a pretty good job, 210 00:08:33,499 --> 00:08:36,140 but it was only fair to hold off on my decision 211 00:08:36,499 --> 00:08:38,499 until the rest of the auditions I had scheduled were done. 212 00:08:39,260 --> 00:08:41,498 So you're reading for the part of bar patron number six. 213 00:08:41,499 --> 00:08:42,498 - Mm-hmm. 214 00:08:42,499 --> 00:08:45,498 - All right, so whenever you're ready. 215 00:08:45,499 --> 00:08:46,499 - Bud Light, please. 216 00:08:50,499 --> 00:08:51,498 - All right. - Cool. 217 00:08:51,499 --> 00:08:53,498 - That's great. You got the part. 218 00:08:53,499 --> 00:08:54,498 - Awesome. 219 00:08:54,499 --> 00:08:55,498 - As more and more actors came in, 220 00:08:55,499 --> 00:08:57,498 the roles were filling up nicely, 221 00:08:57,499 --> 00:08:59,498 and I was especially blown away 222 00:08:59,499 --> 00:09:01,498 by an actress who nailed the part of Ellen. 223 00:09:01,499 --> 00:09:03,498 - You did not just say that. 224 00:09:03,499 --> 00:09:05,498 - Yes, he did. 225 00:09:05,499 --> 00:09:07,498 - All right, here you go. 226 00:09:07,499 --> 00:09:08,499 - Thank you. 227 00:09:09,499 --> 00:09:10,498 - Excuse me, sweetheart. 228 00:09:10,499 --> 00:09:13,498 - Wow, that was really good. 229 00:09:13,499 --> 00:09:16,499 With every role now cast, I gave all my actors a week 230 00:09:17,460 --> 00:09:19,498 to familiarize themselves with the script 231 00:09:19,499 --> 00:09:21,498 and then brought them to a church I rented 232 00:09:21,499 --> 00:09:23,498 for three days of intense group rehearsal 233 00:09:23,499 --> 00:09:25,498 over a holiday weekend. 234 00:09:25,499 --> 00:09:29,498 So ready and action. 235 00:09:29,499 --> 00:09:32,499 [indistinct chatter] 236 00:09:41,505 --> 00:09:43,205 - It seemed like most of my actors 237 00:09:43,326 --> 00:09:45,204 had a pretty good handle on their lines, 238 00:09:45,205 --> 00:09:46,446 and with a little bit of practice, 239 00:09:47,205 --> 00:09:49,204 they were getting closer to nailing the blocking 240 00:09:49,205 --> 00:09:53,204 of key action sequences that happened on the original night. 241 00:09:53,205 --> 00:09:55,205 But as the rehearsal went on, I became concerned 242 00:09:56,205 --> 00:09:58,204 about the performances of my romantic leads. 243 00:09:58,205 --> 00:10:01,205 Their chemistry was the glue holding this play together, 244 00:10:02,205 --> 00:10:04,204 but so far, I wasn't buying it. 245 00:10:04,205 --> 00:10:06,204 So after the rest of the group left that day, 246 00:10:06,205 --> 00:10:10,204 I kept the pair behind to work with them one on one. 247 00:10:10,205 --> 00:10:11,204 - I'd wanna, like, 248 00:10:11,205 --> 00:10:14,204 personally give your daughter a sibling. 249 00:10:14,205 --> 00:10:17,204 Now, I know she'd be like, "Dad." 250 00:10:17,205 --> 00:10:18,205 - I would love to do that for her. 251 00:10:21,205 --> 00:10:22,204 - I love you. 252 00:10:22,205 --> 00:10:23,606 - I love you too. 253 00:10:24,205 --> 00:10:26,204 - All right, stop. 254 00:10:26,205 --> 00:10:29,205 I really want this to feel like a real connection, 255 00:10:30,205 --> 00:10:32,204 a real love story between you guys, 256 00:10:32,205 --> 00:10:35,204 but I'm not getting that sense right now. 257 00:10:35,205 --> 00:10:37,204 How about we try an exercise, okay? 258 00:10:37,205 --> 00:10:38,204 - Okay. 259 00:10:38,205 --> 00:10:39,204 - Is that okay? - Yeah, yeah, yeah. 260 00:10:39,205 --> 00:10:41,205 - So, Gabriel, you stand up here. 261 00:10:44,205 --> 00:10:45,205 So let's try this. 262 00:10:47,205 --> 00:10:51,204 Look into my eyes and say, "I love you." 263 00:10:51,205 --> 00:10:52,205 - Okay. 264 00:10:56,205 --> 00:10:58,204 I love you. 265 00:10:58,205 --> 00:11:01,204 - Okay, now I'm not believing that at this point, 266 00:11:01,205 --> 00:11:03,204 so say it again. - Okay. 267 00:11:03,205 --> 00:11:05,205 I love you. 268 00:11:07,205 --> 00:11:09,204 - Again. 269 00:11:09,205 --> 00:11:10,205 - I love you. 270 00:11:13,205 --> 00:11:14,204 - Again. 271 00:11:14,205 --> 00:11:16,205 - I love you. 272 00:11:18,205 --> 00:11:20,204 - Again. 273 00:11:20,205 --> 00:11:22,205 - I love you. 274 00:11:23,205 --> 00:11:25,205 - Again. 275 00:11:26,205 --> 00:11:28,205 - I love you. 276 00:11:29,566 --> 00:11:30,606 - Again. 277 00:11:31,205 --> 00:11:32,205 - I love you. 278 00:11:35,205 --> 00:11:37,205 - Again. - I love you. 279 00:11:41,205 --> 00:11:42,205 - Again. 280 00:11:43,205 --> 00:11:45,205 - I love you. 281 00:11:49,205 --> 00:11:51,205 - Again. 282 00:11:52,205 --> 00:11:53,205 - I love you. 283 00:11:57,205 --> 00:11:59,204 - Again. 284 00:11:59,205 --> 00:12:01,205 - I love you. 285 00:12:04,646 --> 00:12:06,204 - Again. 286 00:12:06,205 --> 00:12:07,204 - You have tears in your eyes, so... 287 00:12:07,205 --> 00:12:09,204 - Oh, really? 288 00:12:09,205 --> 00:12:10,204 - Yeah. 289 00:12:10,205 --> 00:12:13,204 - Oh, my God. Sorry. 290 00:12:13,205 --> 00:12:16,204 Um, okay. 291 00:12:16,205 --> 00:12:17,205 See, that-- that felt real to me. 292 00:12:18,205 --> 00:12:19,204 - Good. 293 00:12:19,205 --> 00:12:22,204 - Did it feel more real when you did it with me 294 00:12:22,205 --> 00:12:23,204 than when you did it with him? 295 00:12:23,205 --> 00:12:26,204 - Um, well, I did it more times with you. 296 00:12:26,205 --> 00:12:28,204 - Right, but it did? 297 00:12:28,205 --> 00:12:30,204 - Well, so yes, yes. 298 00:12:30,205 --> 00:12:32,204 - Okay, so it did, more than with him. 299 00:12:32,205 --> 00:12:36,204 Okay, so... 300 00:12:36,205 --> 00:12:38,204 You understand? 301 00:12:38,205 --> 00:12:39,204 - Yeah. 302 00:12:39,205 --> 00:12:41,205 - And what did you learn by watching that? 303 00:12:42,205 --> 00:12:44,204 - That she loves you. 304 00:12:44,205 --> 00:12:48,205 - Well, I mean, she's-- she's acting. 305 00:12:49,046 --> 00:12:50,204 Yeah. 306 00:12:50,205 --> 00:12:52,204 So that's good. - Yeah. 307 00:12:52,205 --> 00:12:55,204 - So that's what we want from the scene. 308 00:12:55,205 --> 00:12:58,204 We want that type of connection. - Okay. 309 00:12:58,205 --> 00:13:00,204 - I mean, does that make sense? - Yeah. 310 00:13:00,205 --> 00:13:03,204 - Great. So let's, uh, let's try that. 311 00:13:03,205 --> 00:13:05,204 With my expert guidance 312 00:13:05,205 --> 00:13:06,204 and a few more hours of rehearsal, 313 00:13:06,205 --> 00:13:09,205 the chemistry between them was now all too real. 314 00:13:10,205 --> 00:13:11,205 - I love you. 315 00:13:13,205 --> 00:13:15,204 - I love you too. 316 00:13:15,205 --> 00:13:16,204 - With the actors in good shape, 317 00:13:16,205 --> 00:13:19,204 my crew and I returned to the 1881 Club 318 00:13:19,205 --> 00:13:21,204 to prepare for the big premiere. 319 00:13:21,205 --> 00:13:23,204 Along with expanding the audience section 320 00:13:23,205 --> 00:13:24,204 to seven seats, 321 00:13:24,205 --> 00:13:26,204 I added a selection of branded merchandise 322 00:13:26,205 --> 00:13:28,204 to maximize our revenue 323 00:13:28,205 --> 00:13:30,204 and increased the cost of drinks 324 00:13:30,205 --> 00:13:32,204 to reflect theater prices. 325 00:13:32,205 --> 00:13:34,204 And after a bit of promotion... 326 00:13:34,205 --> 00:13:36,204 It's a new play called "Smokers Allowed." 327 00:13:36,205 --> 00:13:39,205 It's kind of a slice of life. 328 00:13:40,205 --> 00:13:41,204 - Okay. - Okay, hope to see you there. 329 00:13:41,205 --> 00:13:42,566 - Maybe, I don't know. - Okay. 330 00:13:42,705 --> 00:13:44,705 It was finally time for opening night. 331 00:13:46,699 --> 00:13:48,698 - I had no idea if we'd get an audience, 332 00:13:48,699 --> 00:13:50,698 but as show time neared, it looked like 333 00:13:50,699 --> 00:13:51,698 we might have a sellout on our hands, 334 00:13:51,699 --> 00:13:53,698 as a line comprised mostly 335 00:13:53,699 --> 00:13:55,698 of family and friends of the actors 336 00:13:55,699 --> 00:13:57,698 began filling up the seats. 337 00:13:57,699 --> 00:14:00,699 Meanwhile, backstage was abuzz with my cast running lines 338 00:14:01,699 --> 00:14:03,698 and getting some final touch-ups. 339 00:14:03,699 --> 00:14:06,698 But before we could begin, I still had the tough task 340 00:14:06,699 --> 00:14:08,698 that I'd been putting off of breaking the news to Ellen 341 00:14:08,699 --> 00:14:10,698 that she didn't get the part. 342 00:14:10,699 --> 00:14:12,698 So opening night. - Yeah. 343 00:14:12,699 --> 00:14:14,698 - Are you excited? - Yeah, I am. 344 00:14:14,699 --> 00:14:15,698 I'm looking forward to it. 345 00:14:15,699 --> 00:14:19,698 - Before we begin, I just want to say your audition was great. 346 00:14:19,699 --> 00:14:20,698 - Thank you. 347 00:14:20,699 --> 00:14:23,698 - Unfortunately, it wasn't quite what I was looking for, 348 00:14:23,699 --> 00:14:25,699 for the role of female bar owner. 349 00:14:26,020 --> 00:14:27,699 - Right, no problem. I understand. 350 00:14:28,699 --> 00:14:30,698 - Okay, so that being said, 351 00:14:30,699 --> 00:14:33,698 I'd like to introduce you to Amy. 352 00:14:33,699 --> 00:14:35,698 She's the actress that will be playing you. 353 00:14:35,699 --> 00:14:36,698 - All right. 354 00:14:36,699 --> 00:14:40,698 - And I think you'll find she really honors the character. 355 00:14:40,699 --> 00:14:43,699 Amy, do you want to show her a bit of your Ellen? 356 00:14:45,699 --> 00:14:48,698 - Nice to see you. Can I get you a drink? 357 00:14:48,699 --> 00:14:49,698 - Yeah, that sounds good. 358 00:14:49,699 --> 00:14:51,698 - All right, so you guys want to switch out? 359 00:14:51,699 --> 00:14:53,698 - Okay. 360 00:14:53,699 --> 00:14:54,698 - Even though Ellen wouldn't be in the play, 361 00:14:54,699 --> 00:14:57,698 I still wanted her to enjoy the show, 362 00:14:57,699 --> 00:14:58,980 which is why I had a front-row seat 363 00:14:59,699 --> 00:15:01,698 in the audience reserved especially for her. 364 00:15:01,699 --> 00:15:03,699 With just a few minutes until show time, 365 00:15:04,699 --> 00:15:06,698 I had a final look-over to ensure that every prop 366 00:15:06,699 --> 00:15:09,698 and every actor was in the exact right position, 367 00:15:09,699 --> 00:15:12,698 and once the scene was set, we were ready to begin. 368 00:15:12,699 --> 00:15:14,699 Hello, everyone. - Hello. 369 00:15:15,620 --> 00:15:17,698 - Thank you-- thank you so much for coming. 370 00:15:17,699 --> 00:15:18,699 We're very excited. 371 00:15:19,699 --> 00:15:20,698 I'm always hesitant to say too much 372 00:15:20,699 --> 00:15:22,698 'cause I don't want to spoil anything, 373 00:15:22,699 --> 00:15:25,698 but I'll just say I hope you enjoy this play 374 00:15:25,699 --> 00:15:27,699 as much as we enjoyed making it. 375 00:15:29,699 --> 00:15:33,698 So, without further ado, "Smokers Allowed." 376 00:15:33,699 --> 00:15:37,698 [applause] 377 00:15:37,699 --> 00:15:40,699 [indistinct chatter] 378 00:16:03,699 --> 00:16:05,698 - It was such an amazing feeling 379 00:16:05,699 --> 00:16:08,698 to see my play finally launch, and 20 minutes in, 380 00:16:08,699 --> 00:16:11,698 it was clear our rehearsals had paid off, 381 00:16:11,699 --> 00:16:14,698 as my actors were able to stay faithful to the original night, 382 00:16:14,699 --> 00:16:16,698 matching the dialogue and actions 383 00:16:16,699 --> 00:16:18,698 as closely as possible. 384 00:16:18,699 --> 00:16:19,698 - But instead I stay at home, 385 00:16:19,699 --> 00:16:22,698 and I watch "The Real Housewives of New York City." 386 00:16:22,699 --> 00:16:23,698 Have you ever seen that? 387 00:16:23,699 --> 00:16:24,699 - And I could sense that the audience 388 00:16:25,699 --> 00:16:27,698 was really connecting with their performance. 389 00:16:27,699 --> 00:16:30,698 My romantic leads had finally found a chemistry 390 00:16:30,699 --> 00:16:32,698 that felt as genuine as the love 391 00:16:32,699 --> 00:16:35,699 that real-life couple they were playing shared. 392 00:16:36,699 --> 00:16:38,698 But all this would mean nothing 393 00:16:38,699 --> 00:16:40,698 if the play's climax didn't land, 394 00:16:40,699 --> 00:16:42,698 the guy showing off his skateboard deck 395 00:16:42,699 --> 00:16:46,698 while a three-person selfie happened at the same time. 396 00:16:46,699 --> 00:16:48,698 The audience was on the edge of their seats, 397 00:16:48,699 --> 00:16:51,698 craving something to put this over the top, 398 00:16:51,699 --> 00:16:55,698 and I'm happy to say we delivered. 399 00:16:55,699 --> 00:16:58,698 It was a strong first showing for the entire cast, 400 00:16:58,699 --> 00:17:01,698 and I was hopeful this would be a real money-maker 401 00:17:01,699 --> 00:17:03,698 for the 1881 Club. 402 00:17:03,699 --> 00:17:06,698 So once the play was done and the cast took their bows, 403 00:17:06,699 --> 00:17:09,698 I felt compelled to express my gratitude 404 00:17:09,699 --> 00:17:10,698 for everyone's support. 405 00:17:10,699 --> 00:17:13,699 [applause] 406 00:17:15,699 --> 00:17:16,698 Ah. 407 00:17:16,699 --> 00:17:18,698 Thank you so much for coming out. 408 00:17:18,699 --> 00:17:21,698 On behalf of the cast and myself, 409 00:17:21,699 --> 00:17:25,500 we're so amazed at this turnout. 410 00:17:25,699 --> 00:17:26,699 Now even though a lot of the characters 411 00:17:27,699 --> 00:17:29,698 you saw in the play tonight were smoking, 412 00:17:29,699 --> 00:17:31,698 it's important to remember that smoking 413 00:17:31,699 --> 00:17:34,698 does kill over 400,000 Americans per year. 414 00:17:34,699 --> 00:17:37,699 Another 8.6 million live with a serious illness 415 00:17:38,699 --> 00:17:40,698 that was caused by smoking or secondhand smoke. 416 00:17:40,699 --> 00:17:42,698 So think before you light up. 417 00:17:42,699 --> 00:17:45,698 Thank you so much for coming out, and good night. 418 00:17:45,699 --> 00:17:48,699 [cheers and applause] 419 00:17:51,699 --> 00:17:53,698 My play was a bona fide success, 420 00:17:53,699 --> 00:17:55,698 and I was so proud of my cast 421 00:17:55,699 --> 00:17:57,698 for giving such a memorable performance 422 00:17:57,699 --> 00:17:59,698 the audience would never forget. 423 00:17:59,699 --> 00:18:01,699 - I would probably not recommend it to anybody 424 00:18:02,699 --> 00:18:04,699 as far as saying it's a really good show. 425 00:18:07,699 --> 00:18:09,698 - The response was overwhelming, 426 00:18:09,699 --> 00:18:12,698 but the only opinion that really mattered was Ellen's. 427 00:18:12,699 --> 00:18:13,698 So once the bar cleared out, 428 00:18:13,699 --> 00:18:16,698 I nervously checked in with her to get her thoughts. 429 00:18:16,699 --> 00:18:19,698 So, um... 430 00:18:19,699 --> 00:18:22,698 what did you think of the play? 431 00:18:22,699 --> 00:18:23,698 - It was okay. 432 00:18:23,699 --> 00:18:26,698 It was a little boring as far as I was concerned, but... 433 00:18:26,699 --> 00:18:28,698 - So you didn't like it? 434 00:18:28,699 --> 00:18:29,698 - Not particularly. 435 00:18:29,699 --> 00:18:32,698 It wasn't--it just wasn't-- 436 00:18:32,699 --> 00:18:33,698 they were just sitting there. 437 00:18:33,699 --> 00:18:36,698 Nobody was really doing anything. 438 00:18:36,699 --> 00:18:38,698 - So does that mean you're not going to keep doing it here? 439 00:18:38,699 --> 00:18:39,698 - I doubt it. 440 00:18:39,699 --> 00:18:41,698 Seriously doubt it. 441 00:18:41,699 --> 00:18:44,699 Our customers come in here to watch sports, watch TV, 442 00:18:44,700 --> 00:18:48,699 not just to sit and watch somebody sit there smoking. 443 00:18:50,699 --> 00:18:51,698 - All right, well... 444 00:18:51,699 --> 00:18:53,698 I appreciate your honesty. 445 00:18:53,699 --> 00:18:55,698 - I appreciate you trying. 446 00:18:55,699 --> 00:18:58,220 - Ellen saying she didn't want to do my play anymore 447 00:18:58,699 --> 00:18:59,698 was the ultimate blow. 448 00:18:59,699 --> 00:19:03,698 After all my hard work, I felt sad and rejected. 449 00:19:03,699 --> 00:19:06,698 But I realized that maybe there was still a way 450 00:19:06,699 --> 00:19:08,698 to get the feeling I was hoping for. 451 00:19:08,699 --> 00:19:10,698 So...what'd you think of the play? 452 00:19:10,699 --> 00:19:13,699 - I thought it was brilliant. - Really? 453 00:19:14,699 --> 00:19:15,699 - Yeah, I really did. 454 00:19:16,699 --> 00:19:17,698 - And you're gonna keep doing it here? 455 00:19:17,699 --> 00:19:18,698 - Without a doubt. 456 00:19:18,699 --> 00:19:21,698 - So you really liked it? 457 00:19:21,699 --> 00:19:22,699 - I loved it. 458 00:19:24,699 --> 00:19:26,698 - Say that again. 459 00:19:26,699 --> 00:19:27,699 - I loved it. 460 00:19:29,699 --> 00:19:31,698 - Again. 461 00:19:31,699 --> 00:19:32,698 - I loved it. 462 00:19:32,699 --> 00:19:35,698 [somber music] 463 00:19:35,699 --> 00:19:38,699 ♪ 464 00:19:39,699 --> 00:19:40,699 - Say it again. 465 00:19:41,699 --> 00:19:42,699 I knew this wasn't real, but her looking at me 466 00:19:43,699 --> 00:19:44,698 in the eyes... - I loved it. 467 00:19:44,699 --> 00:19:48,698 - And saying these words was strangely satisfying. 468 00:19:48,699 --> 00:19:50,698 Like, I know it's fake, 469 00:19:50,699 --> 00:19:54,698 but it feels really good to--to hear. 470 00:19:54,699 --> 00:19:57,698 - It's not fake. 471 00:19:57,699 --> 00:19:59,698 I loved it. 472 00:19:59,699 --> 00:20:02,698 - They say reality is what you make of it, 473 00:20:02,699 --> 00:20:04,699 so in a world that's cruel and hurtful, 474 00:20:05,220 --> 00:20:09,380 who's to say mine can't be nice? 475 00:20:09,699 --> 00:20:11,698 Okay, thanks. 476 00:20:11,699 --> 00:20:14,699 [indistinct chatter] 477 00:20:19,699 --> 00:20:22,698 - Well, congratulations and good luck. 478 00:20:22,699 --> 00:20:26,698 [laughter] 479 00:20:26,699 --> 00:20:28,698 - Hit me--hit me in the back with it, dude. 480 00:20:28,699 --> 00:20:30,698 Seriously, come on. - I just want to be home. 481 00:20:30,699 --> 00:20:33,699 [indistinct chatter] 482 00:20:38,699 --> 00:20:40,698 - Neither were we. 483 00:20:40,699 --> 00:20:43,699 - We actually saw some guy with a PBR grip tape. 484 00:20:44,460 --> 00:20:45,698 - Really? - Yeah. 485 00:20:45,699 --> 00:20:48,699 [indistinct chatter] 486 00:20:51,699 --> 00:20:52,699 - Awesome. 487 00:20:53,699 --> 00:20:54,698 He was just talking about that too. 488 00:20:54,699 --> 00:20:56,699 - Hanging out with a mail-order bride? 489 00:20:58,699 --> 00:20:59,199 - [blows] 490 00:21:00,195 --> 00:21:04,095 [indistinct chatter] 491 00:21:09,095 --> 00:21:13,094 - Oh, look, this one's doing them too. 492 00:21:13,095 --> 00:21:14,095 - At least you know you have a place.