Mark Sam Rosenthal: writer. performer. producer.

Sometimes the only retreat from celebrity is up on a roof. Fame...

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 12:55:13 -0400

Sometimes the only retreat from celebrity is up on a roof. Fame is very Katrina-esque that way. In not-so-sunny Van Nuys after directing the Workaholics guys in a couple of Comedy Central promos.

This one’s a thrill, I must say - not least of all because...

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 14:36:59 -0400

This one’s a thrill, I must say - not least of all because (this time) no sexual favors were exchanged for this Time Out New York Critic’s Pick recommendation. In fact, they asked me not to! Also, the Skittles banner ad at left is a delight - hoping one day soon the world (or at least the 45 people who can fit in the Stage Left Studio) will “taste my rainbow!”

The paparazzi literally seem to be everywhere in the run-up to...

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 16:32:26 -0400

The paparazzi literally seem to be everywhere in the run-up to this Saturday’s reprise of I LIGHT UP MY LIFE: The Mark Sam Celebrity Autobiography. They’re not necessarily looking for me, but nonetheless they’re everywhere! And luckily they’re not half as good at hounding me as I am at hounding them!!!

One knows one’s arrived when one is cast in a cameo at...

Sun, 07 Apr 2013 21:45:06 -0400

One knows one’s arrived when one is cast in a cameo at minute 3:20 of a Greg Scarnici picture! “Children of the Dune” was perhaps not quite the box office success that had been hoped for, but neither was it an artistic one!

When you’re in the public eye as I am, that means even a...

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 09:53:36 -0400

When you’re in the public eye as I am, that means even a routine visit to the Black Party Expo - a visit that perhaps you’d rather not have broadcast - becomes fodder for the global celebrisphere. Ah well, as I once read on a memorial plaque somewhere, “the world must know!” I remember thinking, “that’s a catchy little phrase I’m going to use someday!”

I’m sure I was the only performer at the Black Party Expo who’s performed with his clothes on, and I was touched that the folks at Mister remembered my stellar work on their behalf and saw fit to repost one of my proudest moments of gay self-exploitation, this charming little internet ad!

I know I always say there’s no such thing as bad press,...

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 11:42:17 -0400

I know I always say there’s no such thing as bad press, but these mentions keep getting more and more questionable! See the 4th stanza from the bottom in this article on closing night at Rawhide - ah me, such is life in the public eye!

A brief interview about April’s upcoming reprise of I...

Sun, 24 Mar 2013 21:23:40 -0400

A brief interview about April’s upcoming reprise of I Light Up My Life: The Mark Sam Celebrity Autobiography on nytheatre.com. Although apparently they couldn’t spare an actual reporter to interview me: through an Orwellian computer program possibly designed by Mitt Romney, I “self-reported.” Frowny emoticon.

This interview with me from 14 years ago almost proves the old...

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 12:48:53 -0400

This interview with me from 14 years ago almost proves the old adage “people don’t change” - except I am no longer wigged out by the sound of people shitting! And the period photographs of me are very nearly priceless. Thank you, dear old friend Tom Griffin, for seeing my newsworthy potential even way back then.

Down on the farm right here in the Big Apple! Country comes back...

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 14:43:10 -0500

Down on the farm right here in the Big Apple!

Country comes back to NYC with Nash FM 94.7, and if you click on Tim “I wish he did gay porn” McGraw you can get a little listen.

You like me! You really like me!!! I finally won something -...

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 16:46:00 -0500

You like me! You really like me!!!

I finally won something - even if it was [just] a story slam on Broome Street.

Click the photo or HERE to read the post.

Hurricane Sandy in song from Times Square! She’s really...

Mon, 29 Oct 2012 18:21:49 -0400

Hurricane Sandy in song from Times Square! She’s really just a Dumb Dog - so what’s all the fuss?

A promo I shot backstage at Night of Too Many Stars - for once,...

Sun, 21 Oct 2012 17:44:00 -0400

A promo I shot backstage at Night of Too Many Stars - for once, I wasn’t one of them! Show airs tonight!

Great to meet some of these fine folks backstage at last...

Sun, 21 Oct 2012 17:37:00 -0400

Great to meet some of these fine folks backstage at last week’s taping of Night of Too Many Stars - there really were just too many damn stars. Really happy with these promos I directed and produced!

Which one is Paul Ryan and which one is 90s porn sensation and...

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 16:10:42 -0400

Which one is Paul Ryan and which one is 90s porn sensation and personal fave Eric Manchester? Answer: I’ve only slept with one of them.

To quote myself on myself, “It seemed as if I’d...

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 16:10:05 -0400

To quote myself on myself, “It seemed as if I’d found my niche: I would earn my keep as a parody of myself and of my people.” (I Light Up My Life: The Mark Sam Celebrity Autobiography - Chapter 27) The tradition continues with this web ad for Mister, the new homo “dating” app, featuring yours truly. Ironically, due to a certain compulsivity in my nature, I am self-advised against using the very app I’m promoting!

People in this country are really struggling with those tough...

Fri, 05 Oct 2012 16:47:31 -0400

People in this country are really struggling with those tough sandwich issues - especially the bread. Oh, the bread! I should know - I wrote, directed, and produced this.

The original ROTFL video: Uncle Bubs, nephew Kirby, and Wonder...

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 15:00:35 -0400

The original ROTFL video: Uncle Bubs, nephew Kirby, and Wonder Nanny. #ObnoxiouslyCute

Gale Garnett sings “We’ll Sing in the...

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 11:43:24 -0400

Gale Garnett sings “We’ll Sing in the Sunshine.” - click to LISTEN!

If this song had not been one of my favorites on the jukebox in our garage when I was 8, I might have modeled my love life on something more optimistic. But then again, I can’t blame Gale Garnett; she clearly had her own demons too!

I’m pretty sure I’ve wanted to burn down a KFC too....

Fri, 14 Sep 2012 16:25:55 -0400

I’m pretty sure I’ve wanted to burn down a KFC too. Because once you’ve had Popeye’s, everything else is just plain nasty.

…and you are what kind of doctor, exactly? I have a nicer...

Sat, 11 Aug 2012 13:48:07 -0400

…and you are what kind of doctor, exactly? I have a nicer ride, and I don’t even have a car.