Okay, so let's start here. Of ALL the things I've done in my life of showbiz, the one thing which stands above all is my world-wide news-making production of a giant comedy gala for a drug and alcohol charity launched by Princess Diana. "High On Laughter III" (there had been two before at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival) took place and was filmed at The London Palladium. 15 British and American stand-ups. And, a one Jerry Lewis. The late comedy icon. Jerry and I got to know each other the summer before and what happened that night made international news. BBC News I didn't want this to happen. I did not want to be internationally known as "the man who nearly killed Jerry Lewis". And, believe me, when I went back out on that Palladium stage to make the announcement that Jerry was "taken to hospital", it was the defining moment of my life. Palladium announcement
After meeting with lawyers on both sides of the Atlantic, instead of suing Jerry Lewis (not for collapsing, but for reneging on his promises to do the publicity) I met this very creative man. John Dowie is a comic and a poet and very funny. John worked with Neil Innes from The Rutles and indeed The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band. John is very wise and perceptive and John told me this isn't about me and Jerry Lewis; this is in fact about me and my father. My dead father Harold Green. Thus began the very long journey into personal insight to find out why I am who I am.
My first true one-man show, directed by and co-written John Dowie premiered at The Gilded Balloon at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2003, nearly one year after the Palladium show. "I Eat People Like YOU for Breakfast!" is (cause I'm gonna do it again soon) about me and growing up in a very bizarre dysfunctional Hollywood family, becoming a comedian, dealing with my father, moving to London and becoming what seemed like an instant international hit, creating and producing one of the biggest comedy shows ever, and confronting myself via my new found friendship with comedy icon Jerry Lewis, who not only caused all sorts of backstage trouble, but "collapsed" just at the exact perfect time, making international news and leaving me high and dry for my 8-month prep of a 3rd year running show, which I was filming for television.
"I Eat People Like YOU for Breakfast!" played to appreciative audiences at The Gilded Balloon at the 2003 Edinburgh Fringe, The New End Theatre in London, The Attic Theatre in Culver City, The Marsh in San Francisco and there are plans to bring it back soon. In the meantime....
Since Jerry Lewis's recent passing, there is now sudden interest in "Breakfast" as a film. I have a great, really great screenplay, co-written by me and my writing mentor, Oscar winning producer Julian Krainin. Julian's most famous producing is "Quiz Show", directed by Robert Redford, 1994. Julian helped me capture the hidden truth about it all, in terms of what I really understood about Jerry Lewis, his ways, and indeed myself.
"Sag" 8/31/17
Probably my favourite bit of press, brilliantly written by Edinburgh Fringe arts critic Kate Copstick.
One of the nicest humans ever encountered. And, astute. The comedy critic for Time Out London. The great Malcolm Hay.
This was most bizarre. Somehow, I made the front page of a British tabloid, who got wind I was doing my farewell performance (another one) at the Ha Bloody Ha comedy club in Ealing, London. The police actually showed up. And laughed.
Breakfast! actually got rated by The Guardian the #2 comedy show in the entirety of the UK. You can begin to understand my frustration.
The London theatre critic was there that fateful night at the London Palladium. I think he captured the absurd drama.
Time Out did a piece on the biggest scandals in the West End in 100 years. My show represented. I'm so proud.
