Michael James Bell's announcement feed

These are the breaks. I just got word from the casting director at “American Horror Story” that they cut my scene from next week’s episode. I’ll still get paid, I just won’t get credit (or be on TV). So it goes. I had a blast working on the show, and now that my scene won’t air, it means I could be on it again as someone else!

Onward and upward. Thanks everyone for your support.

Also, Happy Thanksgiving!

Michael

Look out! I’m going to be a co-star* on “American Horror Story,” one of the best new TV shows this season. I couldn’t be happier.

American Horror Story
Episode 9: “Spooky Little Girl”
Wednesday, November 30th, 2011
10pm on FX

Be warned, this is a scary frickin’ show.

*”co-star” = “very small part”

I’m gonna be on the TV this week.

Wednesday, June 22, 10:30pm
Comedy Central
Jon Benjamin Has a Van
Episode 104 “Star Door”: Jon, Leo and Nathan have to stand alien trial in outerspace after the the van gets into an intergalactic wreck through a “star door” into another dimension.

I’m the alien prosecutor.

It’ll be my first time on the Groundlings stage this Thursday. I’m performing in an upper-level Student Showcase alongside some amazing improvisers. I can’t wait to see it myself.

Groundlings Student Showcase
Thursday, May 12, 2011
10pm
7307 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90046

For tickets, go to groundlings.com. Tickets are $6.50.

I’ve got a new reel. Sweet.

So things are starting to pick up here in sunny Los Angeles.

• I’ll be appearing on the new Comedy Central series “Jon Benjamin Has a Van” this summer, playing an Alien Prosecutor on Episode 4.
• The film “Trigger Finger”, in which I play one of the two leads, will finish post-production soon, hopefully appearing in a festival or two and on Netflix by the end of the year.
• Also, check out “First Time Therapy”, a comedy short starring myself and fellow Groundlings classmate Katie Elsaesser.

Some highlights of my first year in LA:

• I booked 36% of my auditions.
• I shot six student projects (mostly USC).
• I signed with a theatrical agent.
• I advanced to “Writing Lab” at the Groundlings.
• I joined SAG.

Not too shabby.

Sun, surf, parking tickets. I now live in Los Angeles. To find: swimsuit, agent, improv group to play with.

This month and next I’ll be performing long-form improv at the Magnet with my team Tater Tantrum.  Shows are Tuesday nights at 7pm:  Dec 2, 9, 16; Jan 6, 13, 20, 27; Feb 3.  The Magnet Theater is at 254 W 29th Street (between 7th and 8th).  Tickets are $5; beers are $2. Calendar. Reservations.

You might know that Equity is re-evaluating the Showcase Code.  I’m on the subcommittee, so if you’re an actor (Equity or not) who works regularly under the Showcase Code and you’d like your voice heard, here’s one way:  Drop me an email at showcase@michaelbell.net.  What about the Code works for you?  What doesn’t?  How could it serve the needs of Off-Off-Broadway actors better?

(Of course, the best way to be heard is to participate in your union. Call Equity and say you want to be on the Off-Off-Broadway committee. Easy as that.)