The Origins and Future of McCracken Live!

You can trace the origins of cooking and DIY television programs back to 1963 with “The French Chef” starring Julia Child.  Not long after came Graham Kerr as the hysterical “Galloping Gourmet” in 1969. Filmed in front of a live audience, Graham’s series was filled with crazy antics, anecdotes, and of course, lots and lots of wine.  While not “live”, Julia Child’s program was unique as it was filmed in an actual kitchen at her home in Cambridge, which had been designed specially by her husband into a fully functioning television stage.

Julia Child’s Television/Personal Home Kitchen  – Cambridge

Julia Child filming “The French Chef”                                     Graham Kerr “The Galloping Gourmet” Live!

From 1979-1989 Bob Vila was the host of a home improvement show called “This Old House”, appearing with master carpenter Norm Abram as they, and others, renovated houses.  In September of 1991, new comedian Tim Allen launched one of America’s biggest sitcom hits, “Home Improvement” which was inspired by his stand-up material and his affinity for “This Old House” and all things D.I.Y.

Bob Vila of “This Old House”

Today, the world of cooking and D.I.Y. is bigger than ever with the growing interest in shows like “Trading Spaces”, “Curb Appeal”, “Yard Crashers”; cooking and decorating shows like “30 Minutes or Less”, “Semi-Homemade” and the continuing success of stars like Paula Dean, Emeril Lagasse, and of course Martha Stewart.

Paula Dean                                               Emeril Lagasse                                                    Martha Stewart

But it isn’t just cooks and handymen that have a need for D.I.Y nowadays.  Actors looking for, and not getting their “big break” have grabbed their “creative” and “producer” tools and are making some of today’s most entertaining media, bringing the names and faces of Hollywood’s newest stars to the forefront.  Prior to the emergence of alternative television networks like KoldCastTV, and Blip.TV, the market of New Media Entertainment had been driven solely by stalwart producers, writers and talent with a “take no prisoners” work ethic and a “do-it-yourself” attitude. So what could be a better fit for this varied landscape than a show about the madcap antics surrounding a D.I.Y television show?  Created and Produced by Brian Beacock and John Yelvingon, McCracken Live! is an original comedy series that is quickly on it’s way to becoming (as Carol Ann McCracken would put it) An Interweb Darling!  It’s “Tootsie” meets “Home Improvement” with a little bit of “30 Rock” thrown in for good measure.

McCracken Live! is outrageous!                                          McCracken Live! is explosive!

McCracken Live! has an outstanding and insane ensemble!

Brian Beacock as Carol Ann McCracken

The show centers around Tyler Hanson, a skilled handyman and cook with a crumbling family life, and his larger than life alter-ego, Carol Ann McCracken. What starts off as a joke at a drunken Halloween party quickly snowballs out of control, and the crafty DIY goddess that Tyler plays on television begins pushing him out of the most fabulously decorated proverbial closet and begrudgingly into the national spotlight. As tempers blow up and audiences explode, Carol Ann keeps a cool head with a sharp tongue. But Tyler is finding out the hard way that renovating his life can be a real drag.

WATCH THE PILOT THAT STARTED IT ALL 

“This colorful web series mixes familiar sitcom elements – mouthy motherly melodrama, domestic doldrums, randy romantic relationships – expertly blended into a richly potent comedic cocktail, its flavor enhanced with a dash of show biz soap and garnished with a “Sex and the City”-ish sensibility replete with retro-lounge theme music and retro-centric set and site designs, all perfectly balanced on six inch high heels.”

-Will Viharo, Placeview Studios

The Cast of McCracken Live! on the first day of shooting “The Pilot Lit”

Director Andrew Moorman and Brian Beacock (Carol Ann McCracken)

WATCH SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF “McCRACKEN LIVE!” 

With over a dozen episodes, a rapidly growing social media fan-base and the beginnings of a Film Festival pedigree under their belt, the McCracken Live! creators are a testament to the hectic pace and persistence it takes to make a successful show in this new market.

Brian and John recently sat down with the hosts of the popular web series review show “Those Video Guys” for an exclusive interview, and from the sound of things this plucky and hilarious show is only getting started with their pushing of the comedy envelope as it readies itself for a new season of material.

Left to Right (Brian Beacock (Creator/writer/Actor – Carol Ann McCracken/Tyler Hansen) Director Andrew Moorman and John Yelvington (Creator/Writer/Actor – Jack Pierce)

WATCH IT HERE

But perhaps some of the most exciting news for McCracken Live! is their recent trip to France for the Marseille Webfest 2011. One of only twenty-two shows hand-picked from around the globe to participate in this esteemed international event, the shows stars and creators have prepared an exclusive new trailer in honor of Europe’s first ever webseries festival.

WATCH IT HERE

“La Vie en Ruse” starring  Carol Ann McCracken

Shooting “La Vie en Ruse”                                             Carol Ann McCracken and the magic of greenscreen

Newsflash! The team of Brian Beacock and John Yelvington (Creators and Producers of McCracken Live!) have recently inked a deal with Tony Award winning producers, Heather Provost and Aldo Scrofani – Theatre Management Associates.  The revered Broadway producers will be joining the McCracken Live! family as Executive Producers with a goal of pushing Carol Ann McCracken into as many homes, theaters, book stores and computers as possible. Here’s hoping her hair fits through the door!

–Brian Beacock and John Yelvington – Creators, Writer and Producers of “McCracken Live!”