News of Rick Perry’s indictment broke on Friday, after the script for that Sunday’s Top Story! Weekly was locked. And we didn’t really have anyone in the cast to play Rick Perry. But when I saw that Perry’s troubles arose out of the drunk driving arrest of a political rival, I realized that was the way to hit the story. I churned this out in about 40 minutes, and Stacy Rumaker did an absolutely awesome job as the drunk D.A. explaining the case. And at the end is our tribute to Robin Williams who had passed away the preceding Monday.
ROSEMARY LEHMBERG EXPLAINS RICK PERRY’S INDICTMENT by Michael Hughes
The news has been so seriously lately that it’s been a challenge to come up with comedy about it. But with the Ebola outbreak, I thought mocking the hysteria among Americans might be the way to go. Plus it’s always fun to write a rant for Bennie Arthur!
A line flub turned into a happy accident that made the scene. When Bennie Arthur accidentally called Tillery Johnson “Henry Fonda” instead of “Henry Ford”, this sketch about the erotic letters Warren G. Harding sent to his mistress could have been derailed. Instead, because the cast was listening and paying attention, it became even more hilarious.
I’m a huge fan of “Mad Men,” so when we did our show for iO West’s 12th Annual Improv Comedy Festival and had as our special guest Stephanie Drake – aka Don Draper’s secretary Meredith – I thought it would be fun to do something about the big kiss she’d had on the midseason finale just a week earlier. Especially since we all know that right now Jon Hamm is the one exception that all straight guys would make…
I did a take on the Donald Sterling/Clippers matter by using the old “slice of life” approach. The pace is too slow in this scene, but I think you’ll get what I’m going for.
This show was the first time in almost two years I had two sketches in “Top Story! Weekly!” This one was a look at the Lindsay Lohan fuck list, and an excuse for me to write for great impressions like James Warfield’s James Franco, Mark Gagliardi’s Colin Farrell (both of whom were on the list) and Tammie Smalls’ Wanda Sykes (who wasn’t, but could have been…)
The concept of a Johnny Carson sex tape was so rich for comedy that we did two sketches in one show on it. The first – by Sean Tierney – probably played a little better, but mine was fun too.
Hey! It’s been a while! But when our show’s most loyal fan, Herb Koss, celebrated his 80th birthday a few days before our March 9th show I knew we had to do something to address it. Brian Vestal does an absolutely amazing characterization of Herb here – even if you don’t know him, you’ll really enjoy it!!
Mike Hughes' blog 
Watch “Rosemary Lehmberg Explains Rick Perry’s Indictment” From Top Story! Weekly Episode 262: “Perry Deep Trouble”
August 22, 2014News of Rick Perry’s indictment broke on Friday, after the script for that Sunday’s Top Story! Weekly was locked. And we didn’t really have anyone in the cast to play Rick Perry. But when I saw that Perry’s troubles arose out of the drunk driving arrest of a political rival, I realized that was the way to hit the story. I churned this out in about 40 minutes, and Stacy Rumaker did an absolutely awesome job as the drunk D.A. explaining the case. And at the end is our tribute to Robin Williams who had passed away the preceding Monday.
ROSEMARY LEHMBERG EXPLAINS RICK PERRY’S INDICTMENT by Michael Hughes
Starring Stacy Rumaker (Rosemary Lehmberg), Matthew Harris (Matt) and Brent Pope (Brent)
Directed by Kristina Adelmeyer
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Tags:Adrian Cronauer, Aladdin, Ashleigh Hairston, Austin Texas, Bennie Arthur, Brent Pope, Dead Poets Society, district attorney, drunk driving, Genie, Good Morning Vietnam, Good Will Hunting, Hook, John Keating, Matthew Harris, Michael Hughes, Mike Hughes, Mitchel Baldwin, Mork, Mork and Mindy, Mrs. Doubtfire, Oh Captain My Captain, Peter Banning, Peter Pan, Rick Perry, Robin Williams, Rosemary Lehmberg, Sean Maguire, Stacy Rumaker, Texas Public Integrity Unit, Top Story! Weekly, Zach Zucker
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