Where Are They Now?

Tinseltown is a tough place to be a robot. So many of our mechanical stars have their one huge role, and then never catch the eye of another casting director. October's Book of the Month asks the question "Where Are They Now?"

Where Are They Now? R2D2 and C3PO

One of the few robots to continue to find work in the theater, R2D2 is currently performing as Vladimir in an Off-Off-Broadway production of Waiting for Godot.



C3PO performs as Paul in "Meet The Re-Peatles", a Beatles tribute band.

Here's a clip from "Star Wars", the film that introduced us to these consummate performers:

Where Are They Now? Computer

Computer was really the robot's robot. Highly respected amongst her peers, but receiving little recognition from the broader public for her groundbreaking work in the original "Star Trek" series. She can be found these days doing voiceover work for several GPS companies.

Computer in a moment of hair-raising drama from "Star Trek":

Where Are They Now? Gort

Gort currently is filling in for the vacationing "Big Tex" at the State Fair of Texas, a nice break from his regular gig of holding a giant muffler in front of an auto parts shop.

The world was first introduced to this stellar talent in "The Day The Earth Stood Still".

Where Are They Now? Hal 9000

Sadly, Hal 9000 has abandoned his career as a performer. Despite his astonishing and moving performance in 2001, he was unable to find more work in Hollywood, and has returned to his hometown of Urbana, Illinois. He is currently working as a red light camera. He refuses all interview requests.

Here's a clip from 2001:

Where Are They Now? Robot

Unable to cope with life after "Lost in Space", Robot has had a rough time, having been in and out of rehab many times over the years, battling his inner demons. These days he is working as a grocery bagger, just trying to stay clean and sober, taking it one day at a time.

Here's Robot in better days:

Ketchup spoon

This Just In!

Why did they bury a story like this on page 12?

Shark on Driveway

See the finished drawing at Rachel Draws A Lot.

Crane on Couch

Mr. Anteater Does Not Suffer Fools Gladly.

Art Lesson

I'm sitting on the couch, drawing with my daughter Rachel. I'm drawing the couch we're sitting on, and the bookshelves next to it - just a little perspective drawing. She's watching, and guessing what I'm going to draw next. I draw one of her drawings in a large frame hanging above the couch. She turns around and looks at the bare wall and says "Where is it?!".

More soon. . .

The suspense is just killing you, isn't it?