Ross Grayson Bell

Producer/Screenwriter. FIGHT CLUB and UNDER SUSPICION. Currently adapting Susan Duncan's top selling memoir, SALVATION CREEK

[𝓥𝓲𝓫𝓮𝓼𝓞𝓷𝓣𝓪𝓹 @VibesOnTap_]

THE SNL SKETCH THAT STARTED WHILE EVERYONE WAS WAITING FOR LORNE MICHAELS

“The Californians” looks like the kind of ridiculous idea that must have taken an entire writers’ room to invent.

It didn't.

The basic joke began much more casually.

During SNL table reads, cast members would sometimes be sitting around waiting for Lorne Michaels to arrive.

Bill Hader, Fred Armisen, Kenan Thompson and others had recently been spending time in Los Angeles.

So they started talking about something completely ordinary:

How they had driven around Los Angeles.

One person would ask where someone had gone.

The answer would become increasingly specific.

“I took Sunset…”

“Then I got on the 405…”

“Then I took La Cienega…”

But the way they said it was the joke.

The cast exaggerated the California accent until ordinary directions sounded like the most important information anyone had ever received.

It was basically an inside joke.

Andy Samberg particularly loved it.

Nobody was sitting there thinking:

“Someday this will become one of SNL's most recognizable recurring sketches.”

At that point, it was simply something funny the cast did around the table.

Then something happened that changed the entire idea.

The joke was about directions.

But someone realized it could be about something much bigger.

And suddenly, those ridiculous freeway conversations had the potential to become a soap opera.

[MOOSE @SL0PPYBUTT]

Every Gen Z gay boy has jerked it to this vid

[Ross Grayson Bell @RossGraysonBell]

@amooh001 15

[Ross Grayson Bell @RossGraysonBell]

@its_The_Dr Huh

[Ross Grayson Bell @RossGraysonBell]

@ShaneWitek Pls

[Ross Grayson Bell @RossGraysonBell]

@unicefchief @ShotAtLife @unicefchief Congratulations on the great work you do. I am a filmmaker and impact storyteller looking to make a film about the impact Abba's royalties from Chiquitita have had on children in Central America. Who would be the best person to talk to about this at UNICEF?

[Ross Grayson Bell @RossGraysonBell]

@CharMcConaghy Brilliant.... Charlotte. That’s amazing news. I came across a Time Magazine with the review of your book and was so excited for you! Onwards and upwards

[Ross Grayson Bell @RossGraysonBell]

@THR Brilliant.... Charlotte. That’s amazing news. I came across a Time Magazine with the review of your book and was so excited for you! Onwards and upwards

[Ross Grayson Bell @RossGraysonBell]

@KathrynHeyman And I’ll be there when you do!! I can’t wait.

[Ross Grayson Bell @RossGraysonBell]

@chuckpalahniuk I am coming to Portland Nov 11-15. Unsure how to contact you after the DO fiasco/betrayal (?). I just spoke to Tom S. (I am forever in your debt for introducing me to him) and look forward to seeing him. Can you message me privately? Ross

[Ross Grayson Bell @RossGraysonBell]

@THR I learnt more from this man, in my 8 months working for him, than any other!

[The Hollywood Reporter @THR]

Roger Corman shares his own thoughts on the Marvel movie debate: "Think of them as a combination of art and business showing a high level of craftsmanship with wonderful special effects and, to a certain extent, today’s version of fairytales" https://t.co/CqnAa0zsYR

[Ross Grayson Bell @RossGraysonBell]

@HarveyNormanAU

[Ross Grayson Bell @RossGraysonBell]

‘Fight Club’ producer Ross Grayson Bell https://t.co/6GPQpsRV1U

[Ross Grayson Bell @RossGraysonBell]

It all makes sense here: looking at a horizon that was before us and will be after us, no matter what #dawnbeachclub

[Ross Grayson Bell @RossGraysonBell]

Another day, another dawn #dawnbeachclub. Little Bay never looked so good. Water still 20°C. Cold when you get out.

[Ross Grayson Bell @RossGraysonBell]

Camaraderie between people at the beach at dawn is extraordinary. It's a secret club anyone can enter #dawnbeachclub

[Ross Grayson Bell @RossGraysonBell]

Illiterate refugees winning Literary Awards has got to stop @PeterDutton_MP. Refugee @OsamahSami wins NSW Premier's Lit Award #SOILLITERATE

[Ross Grayson Bell @RossGraysonBell]

David Williamson gives #PremiersLitAwards prize money to new playwright fund @ensemblesydney - class act! @statelibrarynsw

[Ross Grayson Bell @RossGraysonBell]

Book of the Year winner Don Watson joins panel at #SydneyWritersFestival on importance of literary prizes http://t.co/y0WtfcyA5I via @smh