There's no business like show business... at least in terms of it kicking the people who make the stuff when they're down. But comedian Ashley Ray and seasoned creator Alex Keledjian still manage to get back up again, even as the corporate overlords reach for a pair of steel-toed boots.
Ashley Ray is the most famous bisexual solo polyamorous black queer comedian, actor, and writer currently based in Los Angeles. In 2021, she was featured in Bust for her “whip smart TV criticism.” And yes, she’s also famous for smoking pot. In 2022, Ashley wrote on Adult Swim’s, ALABAMA JACKSON created by Donald Faison. Ashley was selected as one of HBO Max’s Queer Comics to Watch for 2021 and filmed a digital special for the platform. That same year she did a sold out hour at Union Hall in NY and debuted a new hour at The Yard Theater in Los Angeles. She hosts High Gear Comedy, a monthly live show with Barbara Gray at The Airliner in LA. Ashley is the host of the popular podcast ‘TV I Say with Ashley Ray’ which was featured in the New York Times as a 2021 Podcast Worth Checking Out.” She’s also been a guest on NPR’s Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me and Seth Rogen’s Storytime.
Alex Keledjian is the creator of Project Greenlight, a documentary television series where executive producers Matt Damon and Ben Affleck gave first-time filmmakers a chance to direct their first feature film. In 2018, Alex wrote and directed the film High Voltage starring David Arquette and Luke Wilson. MAX launched the latest season of the Emmy-nominated TV series Project Greenlight from executive producer Issa Rae and Miramax Television in July 2023. Listen to his podcast How I Got Greenlit on all platforms!
Follow the comedians who pitched those incredible movie ideas:
Erica Cantor @erica.cantor
Josh Alba @itsjoshalba
Radu Bondar @radubondar
Cody Skinner @codyskinnerfan
Seth Kelly @sethkellygram
Camille Waters @whiskeymomcomedy
Here's some homework for you nerds who love to read:
https://deadline.com/2024/04/film-tv-production-los-angeles-q1-1235889407/
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/writers-actors-strikes-end-hollywood-crises/
https://www.latimes.com/california/newsletter/2024-05-13/hollywood-writers-still-struggle-after-strike-essential-california
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/employment-hollywood-rebounds-post-strikes-still-down-from-2022-1235728161/
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2024-04-21/the-strikes-are-over-but-hollywood-isn-t-back-to-normal
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20240311-oscars-race-problem-oscarssowhite-2024
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-64883399
https://www.npr.org/2023/11/08/1203789537/hollywood-strike-ends
https://luzmedia.co/writers-strike
https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2024-01-02/hollywood-diversity-study-usc-hiring-directors-performative
https://apnews.com/article/harvey-weinstein-sexual-misconduct-retrial-metoo-3d7151343d25ee65c3cb7849100e4fa0
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/kevin-spacey-standing-ovationoxford-university-cancel-culture-lecture-1235620260/
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ai-could-kill-creative-jobs-191831144.html
https://www.screendaily.com/news/disney-ceo-bob-iger-talks-marvel-studios-strategy-shift/5193131.article#:~:text=Iger%20told%20an%20analyst%20later,bit%20to%20lean%20on%20sequels.%E2%80%9D
"Indecent with Kiki Andersen" is a production of Next Chapter Podcasts.
Hosted by Kiki Andersen
Produced by Pete Musto & Max Wolfson
Executive produced by Jeremiah Tittle
Follow the show at @indecentkiki on Instagram and follow Kiki at @itskikiandersen
Email us at indecentthepod@gmail.com