I’m a Celebrity

“I’m officially a celebrity.” That was my first thought when they asked me to come on Celebrity Apprentice. I got the call while at a press event for Team Ninja Warrior, living in VR and looking super cool.

Even better, the new Boss has been on the walls of my childhood bedroom since high school. This is that room in 2016. It is a time capsule of 80s awesomeness.

In fact, my very first foray in performing was at my high school graduation doing Hans and Franz… Dana Carvey & Kevin Nealon’s Arnold tribute. Yes, the muscles were REAL. That’s me not the right. The guy on the left also became a doctor. And quit to tell jokes. I am not kidding.

I am indescribably excited to go on Celebrity Apprentice with Arnold as the Boss and to meet the other celebs. I’m also a bit concerned. Just before I left for the show, my boss at American Ninja Warrior told me, “People like you. Don’t screw that up.” Good pep talk, boss.

And so it begins…

This year, they brought the show to California to make it all Arnold. So, they put us up at the Ritz-Carlton and I’m feeling very “celebrity.”
We checked in on a Wednesday and, worst case scenario, you check out the following Wednesday. Best Case, you’re there over a month.
When I entered my room, I found a gift basket. I LOVE free swag. LOVE IT. Seriously, for the first time in my career, I’m feeling like a celebrity. I mean, technically, being on the show makes it official. And I’m in the Ritz getting swag.

But the best part was the card welcoming me to the show with THAT name on the top. It’s really getting real!

Then we got to shoot this promo video that was pretty much a full on Schwarzenegger action movie. Check it out!

So very cool to get to be on the lot at Universal Studios with dozens of extras, smoke machines, fires and full chaos. It was war and I’m in the middle of it. With a true Warrior. Boy George.

In case you haven’t figured it out, I am a huge fan boy. There is no shame in my game. When I see someone that I’m a fan of, I cannot contain myself. So I’m going crazy getting pics and asking for stories with these people, many of whom I’ve been fans of for decades. This really is a blast just hanging out and becoming friends with these folks.

I cannot begin to count the number of times I’d break into “Hold On” when I was around Carnie Wilson. And she smiles every time. This woman is one of the warmest humans on the planet… like, when she looks at you, it’s like the springtime sun shining on your face. And Carrie Keagan just kept dropping F-bombs to break the tension.

It was clear who came to fight.

I definitely did not act like I belonged. I took photos with everyone and asked questions and had them tell me stories. I loved this time.

The calm before the storm.