I'M TRYING TO BE LESS PHOBIC
AND I'M AFRAID
IT'S NOT GOING WELL.
(Henry McNeely, Stark Raving Mad)
I'm a big chicken. I'm afraid of a lot of things - some are pretty common, pretty "normal." Others are kind of weird. And a few keep me in the running for Princess Phobia of Crazy Town.
But over the years, I've seen how those fears have held me back - from doing something I wanted to try. From saying something I wanted to say. From saying something I needed to say. From taking more chances. From being me. From being free.
It's an awful feeling - knowing you're not living up to your potential, knowing you're not being your best because of fear, because of worry.
I've managed to conquer some of those fears. And although new ones rush in to take their places, they're not as strong as they think. We're stronger than our fears. We're stronger than we think we are.
Let's do our best to remember that this week . . . and always.
*****
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If one of your fears is heights or germs or reading horror novels, meet Henry McNeely, (played by Neil Patrick Harris,) from one of the most underrated TV shows I've ever watched - Stark Raving Mad. Starring Tony Shaloub as horror writer Ian Stark, and Harris as his new editor, it was smart and clever and often laugh-out-loud funny. And it was created by Steven Levitan of Modern Family fame. I still can't believe it only aired for one season, 1999-2000.
Here's the first five minutes of the pilot....
And in case you now have to see what happens, here's the whole first episode....
Sept-Oct is a big con month for me. It hasn't been as good as I'd hoped so far, but I'm going to press on through.
ReplyDeleteI NEVER got to see that show. Looks like Harris and Shaloub did find pretty great shows to move onto later!
You can do it, Jay. Don't give up!
ReplyDeleteThe funny thing is, both Harris and Shaloub later end up playing characters opposite in personalities to the ones they play in this show. :)
What a great premise for a show. Sorry I missed this one.
ReplyDeleteIt was a great premise! I really don't know why it didn't do better/last longer....
DeleteI haven't seen that show either. Wow! I'm adding more and more to my lust now.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely add it!
DeleteI've never heard of Stark Raving Mad, but it sounds like a great show!
ReplyDeleteIt really was!
DeleteYour motivational stuff is really resonating with me again. I may reread it a few times today.
ReplyDeleteI never even heard of this show! Sounds pretty awesome.
So glad to hear the motivational part of this post speaks to you, Sarah. Reread it all you want! :)
DeleteLOL. I watched that first clip and it cracked me up! Definitely a show I'm going to check out. Great humor.
ReplyDeleteI laughed out loud, too, watching those clips again. :)
DeleteI never saw SRM. Sounds cool. I think NPH's Dr. Horrible web series was exceptional and perhaps underrated too. :)
ReplyDeleteI've heard of that Dr. Horrible web series but never saw it. Another item to add to the growing list of "underrated treasures" I much check out! :)
DeleteI like watching Tony Shaloub, but never saw that show.
ReplyDeleteHere's to you kicking some of those fears to the kerb.
I loved Tony Shaloub in Monk! But in Stark Raving Mad, he's the opposite of Monk.
DeleteAnd thanks! :)
I've heard of Stark Raving Mad, but I've never watched it. Thanks for sharing the videos!
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoyed the clips. :)
DeleteThanks for posting the episode. I love Neil Patrick Harris. I look forward to seeing him in Gone Girl, coming to theaters in a few weeks!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! And I'm excited about "Gone Girl," too. :)
DeleteDoesn't surprise me - seems all the best shows only make it one season. Like Firefly.
ReplyDeleteThanks for participating in my blogfest!
Why is that? Ugh.
DeleteAnd thank you for hosting the blogfest. :)
I love Neil Patrick Harris, so I'd definitely watch that one!
ReplyDeleteHe's great in it!
DeleteHmm. Interesting! Thanks for the recommendation. :)
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome!
DeleteHow come I've never heard of this show? I love Neil Patrick Harris. And only one season? Sob.
ReplyDeleteFears. Yes. They stop me on a daily basis. I must listen to your advice and conquer them.
If I can't conquer the fear, I try to work with it, around it, through it. :)
DeleteI don't remember the show both both those actors went on to greater fame.
ReplyDeleteSo maybe it was a good thing the show didn't last too long....
DeleteHow true! Fear is such a wasted emotion when it keeps one from living.
ReplyDeleteIt really is. Definitely something I continue to work on.
DeleteFear is a terrible waster of life - it's a struggle we all face in one way or another. I've had those "vertigo" moments - nothing like standing about five feet back from the railing by the Grand Canyon while my family jokes about climbing out to the edge ... I ran to the parking lot and hyperventilated at that thought. Then, I crept back and made myself stand there, clutching the rail. It takes determined effort to face our fears, but I know we all can.
ReplyDeleteSuch a great comment, Tyrean. And good for you! :)
DeleteWow, I don't remember this series at all! What a shame it didn't run longer. Hysterical. Plus it's about writers & editors. :)
ReplyDeleteVR Barkowski
I thought that was what made it particularly appropriate for this blog hop. :)
DeleteOh, this is fabulous! I've not heard of this show but the premise---come one, what writer wouldn't love it? And I'm just loving Harris to bits as I catch up on How I Met Your Mother, so double bonus.
ReplyDeleteI know! :)
DeleteI never saw this, but I was in the midst of raising two rambunctious kids at the time and TV was not much on the menu. What a combination, Neil Patrick Harris and Tony Shaloub. Shaloub is just fabulous - I was so sorry when Monk ended. His work in Men in Black I was nothing short of a star turn. He'll clearly tackle anything and I hope he comes back to TV soon!
ReplyDeleteThere are lines from old episodes of Monk that my husband and I still quote. :) And I totally forgot he was in MiB!
DeleteI don't remember hearing about that show. Probably because it only lasted one season. Occasionally I don't start watching something until the second season. Then I have to try and get caught up. Thanks for sharing about it for the Underrated Treasures Blogfest.
ReplyDeleteI did that with Game of Thrones - waited until I heard so many wonderful things about it, then started watching it. Of course, then I HAD to binge watch all the seasons until I was caught up.... :)
DeleteLOVE Tony Shaloub!! I must order the DVD set and check out this show.
ReplyDeleteIf you love him then I'm pretty sure you'll love this. :)
DeleteThat sounds like a good show. Why is it the good ones are always cancelled?
ReplyDeleteIt does seem like that happens a lot....
DeleteSuper choice!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteI love Neil Patrick Harris, but never heard of this. Interesting.
DeleteI would definitely check it out. :)
DeleteI can't say that I've seen this gem before. Thank you!
ReplyDelete:)
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