Hey Peepoh,

I just completed work on a skit featuring Christian Slater and Rosario Dawson. It's for ABC Primetime "Un-Broke: What You Need to Know About Money” ... here is the scoop!

Friday, May 29th at 9/8c

Schools teach us almost everything, but not "Money 101." For the basics on finance, turn to UN-BROKE: What You Need to Know About Money. It's an unconventional look at the fundamentals of everyday finance with all the facts about credit cards, mortgages, stocks and bonds, investing and 401(k)'s, in a fresh new format combining information and humor. The one-hour special airs FRIDAY, MAY 29 (9:00-10:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Hosted by "Good Morning America' contributor and President of Ariel Investments Mellody Hobson, the special features Will Smith, Samuel L. Jackson, the Jonas Brothers, Christian Slater, Cedric the Entertainer, Seth Green, Sesame Workshop's Oscar the Grouch, Rosario Dawson and the E*Trade Babies, among others.

Hobson said: "Financial education is critically important, and 'UN-BROKE' proves that it doesn't have to be boring. The economic crisis was a harsh wake-up call that we can't keep doing the same thing in the same way. To me, that meant taking a fresh look at my own approach to financial education. This will make people laugh while they learn."

The special's take on basic money sense includes:

" Will Smith, who gets down to basics with a boardroom full of corporate finance executives.
" Samuel L. Jackson, who appears as a bestselling author of self-help books and who is "Broke as Hell and Not Going to Take it Anymore!"
" The Jonas Brothers, who teach screaming teenage girls the mysteries of the stock market. " Seth Green, who explains the fundamentals of a smart mortgage from his "crib."
" Cedric the Entertainer, who talks back to credit cards.
" Christian Slater and Rosario Dawson, who visit an office workplace to explain the importance of investing in a 401(k) retirement plan.
" The E*Trade Babies, who meet Mellody for an online chat from their high chairs.

UN-BROKE: What You Need to Know about Money is a co-production of Lincoln Square Productions and Overbrook Entertainment. The executive producers are Mellody Hobson and Rudy Bednar. A TV parental guideline will be posted closer to airdate.


Our Skit is about a lonely, everyday office, similar to hit TV show "The Office". It is full of worker bees who have a 401(K) meeting scheduled today. Obviously, no one wants to go until Christian Slater and Rosario Dawson show up to do the presentation. That's when the meeting room is filled to capacity. I play the "Shlubby Worker" who asks Rosario Dawson "are you single?" should be good for a laugh or two.

Special Thanks go out to Blythe Nailling and Geralyn Flood of Flood/Nailing Casting and Director Adam Feinstein and Crew for a great shoot and wonderful experience.

Tune in to ABC Friday 5/29/09 9-10 PST, 8-9 Hawaiian!

Mahalo, Ai 

here is a taste.... Seth Green from Funnie or Die!
Un-Broke: The Seth Green Cribs Edition - watch more funny videos

Hey My Peeps,

Guess what? Futt, thats what... kidding!

I just completed principle photography for a new Best Buy commercial with Will Smith! Yup, er... well not exactly. It’s to promote his new movie "HANCOCK"! He plays a homeless superhero... oh, never mind just watch this clip:







The Best Buy spot will be a part of this clip:






We are the family on the boat that the whale crashes into. To make a long story, longer... we end up being the ones responsible for filming the whale using a SONY camcorder. Why SONY... because SONY made the movie, silly. It’s a tie-in spot for Hancock-Sony-Best Buy.

Anyway, we filmed the whole thing over at Falls Lake on the Universal Lot. Falls Lake was recently used for a massive tomb set for National Treasure: Book of Secrets with Nicolas Cage. It’s also recently been used for Evan Almighty (Ark sequence) and Pirates of the Caribbean: World’s End. It was pretty sick. We had boat wreckage and water skis, and swimmers in wet suits. The Lake was heated to 75 degrees so being in water for 5 hours was like taking a super long tub bath. The Producer said that we were going to shoot it in the ocean but we wouldn’t have lasted more then an hour being that the California water temperature is about 56 degrees... Thank God!

Although our call-time was 8am, we didn’t actually get into the water until about 1pm. The great thing is that we shot right through until about 6:15 when the sun was setting. Naturally, we were pressed for time but it seemed like we got all the shots in. We were all wearing wet suits under our clothes which kept things nice and warm. It was actually warmer in the water then out of it. The only challenge was that the wet suits did leak so with the extra weight, it made getting out of the water a little more difficult. So for me do to a gazzillion takes climbing out of the water on to the boat wreckage was challenging. I was like a baby monk seal flopping onto a dock... but wearing human clothes.

For more on Falls lake at Universal go here

for more on HANCOCK WAS HERE go here

Special Thanks go to my Agent Hugh Leon and his assistant Dawn at Coast to Coast.
Danielle Eskinazi casting and Doug Traer session director.
The Director Sebastian, Producer Mark, 1st AD Jonathan, 2nd AD Mike, and the great Crew at RSA for a smooth shoot.
My cast mates Sue Tan (Whale Wife), Christian Fan (Whale Son),
Christian’s mom Sunny (for taking pictures while I was in the water), and Francesca (the Best Buy girl).

Anyway, you should see it, Hopefully, in about 6 weeks so keep your eyes peeled and let me know. "Hancock" opens July 4th weekend so you know it’s going to be a big deal.
Now, I’m going to Disney Land!


B Good Y’all, Ai

Hey Scrubs Faithful,


’Scrubs’ back to work, but for whom?
Here is the full story on what is happening with the show care of the fine people at The Hollywood Reporter

It’s looking like Scrubs will have an 8th season on ABC... looking forward to 18 more episodes.

Peace, Ai

Heeeey,

So this has been in the works for some time but we finally pulled it off.
A friend of mine had asked me a while back if I would be one of his interviewees on his video show. So, naturally I said yes and a few months and a couple of cancellations later we met and laid it down.

It’s just me and the host, Michelle Hope, chatting about ’Scrubs’ at the Irish Pub "Casey’s" in downtown LA. Being that it’s St. Paddy’s day, we had to have a green beer. Thank You Franz!

What was really cool was I met this up and coming asian artist by the name of
PAUL DATEH
who plays the violin to some cool tracks like Knarles Barkley and Jay-Z. His sound is very unique... R & B similar to John Legend.
Check him out in my top friends and listen to his tracks. He will blow you away.
Also, hit him up on YOU TUBE.

As soon as the video is finalized, I’ll post it right here... exclusively for you.

That’s It. Don’t forget to kiss your pet today... they love you back no matter what.

Aaron

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Hey all you Foo Fighting maniacs,

So it took me a while to get this out but here it is... The Dave Grohl show comes home to LA... and what a show it was. The opening act was Against Me which were actually quite good and reminded me of Green Day. Just four guys rockin’ it out. I love their song "Thrash Unreal". Then Serj Tankian took the stage in this psuedo, weird top hat and tails outfit. Not just Serj, but the entire band. His sound lacked the power of the heavy System of a Down. I was not impressed at all. A fan of System, not of Serj.

So, Dave and company take the stage and rock it out with all their hits including "The Pretender", "Monkey Wrench", "Best of You", "Learn to Fly", and "DOA" to name a few.
Dave likes to talk to the crowd which was quite enjoyable at times because he was so proud to be home in LA and even went as far as to say it was his homecoming and that he could brag that he sold out the fucking Forum... to which the crowd roared!

The Stage was standard rectangular but it had this 50 yard runway down the center that led to a circle that was covered by a black cover. Sure enough, half way through the concert, the entire band makes their way to this stage that droped from the ceiling. The Foos play an hour of acoustics like "Skin and Bones", and "My Hero". During this time Dave introduces the band and asks each member what was their first concerts at the Forum? Dave said Poison & Quiet Riot, Taylor said Boston and the rest I can’t remember. Dave did make fun of the percussionist saying his first concert was Wham!

After the acoustic set the band made it’s way back to the main stage while Dave played this acoustic guitar. The man is trully gifted. Dave also talked about playing "Big Me" and said he hated the video because every time they toured, the crowd would bean them with Mentos. Dave also asked if anyone saw them play Spaceland to which called everyone a liar except the guy with the grey hair... Classic Dave Grohl. The real surprise came when the Foos drummer Taylor Hawkins invited on to the stage Stuart Copeland from the Police and they ripped into "Next to You" with Taylor singing vocals... that made my night. The Foo Fighters went off stage while the crown cheered for an encore and while off stage, they showed on the big screen the set list and then Dave who jestured to the crowd One? Two? Three? They then came back on and played three more songs ending with "Long Road to Ruin"... a 2 hour and 30 minute Concert!

The sound was great, the energy was electric and the Foo Fighters... amazing. Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Nate Mendel, and Chris Shiflett I honor YOU!

Go see them!

Love and a Kiloton Bomb, Ai

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Hello Scrubs Faithful,

From a story from Daily Variety dated March 11th, 2008 9:49pm PT

"As for the Peacock's other medical series that was slated to retire this June, "Scrubs" is also now expected to make a return next year. Star John C. McGinley was even quoted this week as saying the show's long-rumored move from NBC to ABC is a done deal. But as of Tuesday, ABC Studios had not officially announced the laffer's fate."


Read the full story here: John C. McGinley's Website


Thank you Savannah for the update/scoop!

Keep the faith alive, Ai

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Wussup LiNkIn PaRk Faithful,

I don't know what happened to the first blog I wrote so I'm redoing this one again.

LINKIN PARK come HOME to LA and Plays to a capacity crowd at the Staples Center in Downtown Los Angeles. I could honestly say, one of the greatest shows this year. The Night opened with the Chiodos, who I missed because I was getting free beer and gifts at the Club upstairs. I did manage to see the second act, Coheed & Cambria which totally reminded me of one of those Hair Metal bands from the 80's like Quiet Riot, Twisted Sister, QueensRyche, Poison, Etc. I left after a few songs because they were only so-so.

LINKIN PARK rocks. The sound was tight and the stage set-up was very cool. I initially read on-line that the stage would be circular and centered in the middle of the arena. But, when we arrived, I was surprised to see the stage being your standard, off to one side, rectangular stage. It was kind of cool though. It looked similar to a skate park (See Photos). They also had these four massive screens hanging from the lights that moved up and down and side to side like a UFO. Very Kool!

So LINKIN PARK takes the stage... out of no where, on one side, rises Mr. Hahn and his cool Turn-table-computer set-up; and on the other, Rob Bourdon and his cool Drum set. Then LINKIN PARK comes out with "What I've Done"; which totally threw me. Why? Because I had also read on-line that the show would be similar to the one at Madison Square Garden. So naturally I figured the set list would be the same. Nope... totally different. It was only later that I learned, being an LP underground member, that LP changes each set-list at each venue so not only do you not know what to expect, but it gives each show it's uniqueness.

I was floored! LP played more songs from 'Minute to Midnight' then their other 2 CDs, 'Hybrid Theory' and 'Meteora'. I also learned, being a member of the LP underground, that the title 'Minute to Midnight' came about after lead singer Chester Bennington came up with the idea that there was or still is a Doomsday clock that only has 15 minutes on it and it looks like a regular standard clock but with only the 9 through 12 numbers and the hand counts down the last 15 minutes of existance. This dates back to the 60's during the cold war when the US and Russia were at a nuclear stand off. To think, that civilization, as we know it, could have been over in 15 minutes still scares me to this very day.

So I sound like a fan? Yes, I have been a HUGE fan of LINKIN PARK ever since I saw them back in 2002 with the 'Family Values Tour' at the Pond in Anaheim (Now known as the Honda Center). They were the third act behind Staind and Stone Temple Pilots but they were by far the BEST act to take the stage. They only had one album at the time, 'Hybrid Theory' but that album is a classic. No one had their energy or sound at the time. Unique and ground breaking... that's the kind of music I like.

Getting back to the show, they played all their hits.... Shadow of the Day, Bleed it Out, No more Sorrow, Numb, One Step Closer, Breaking the Habit, Paper Cut, Etc... I wish I had a set-list to share with you. I'm still waiting for my digital copy of the concert. As soon as i get it, I'm NOT sharing it with ANYONE... kidding. A friend of mine once asked me why do I spend money on these songs when I can download them for free. My answer, "because I support good music so that they can create more good music".

Music is Art... in it's purest form, it reaches out to your soul and touches people immediately. If I can help support my favorite groups and individuals, I will. Also, LINKIN PARK supports charities like music for relief and other causes towards solving global warming. Their packaging is environmentally friendly and the art work is absolutely beautiful.

Okay back to the concert. I heard that the show was almost cancelled because Chester Bennington had an acute case of Tracheal Bronchitis and was told to rest his voice under doctors orders. In fact, LP cancelled their two previous shows in Albaquerque and El Paso so they could play in their home town of Los Angeles, California. One of the Security Supervisors at Staples Center said they were 'that' close to a cancelled show. THANK YOU CHESTER! You stuck it out and put on a great show. I also heard that he did look pale and a little ill. Naturally during the concert, he could not sustain his normal screams but he had a lot of help from the crowd.

I was also surprised at Mike Shinoda's talent. He sang vocals, played the piano, played the guitar, did the vocal rap and put on an awesome show. He also said "It was great to be home!" Way to represent Mike. I wish other groups had a more diversified and cosmopolitan look like LINKIN PARK. I read an article that said when LP first started out, that some music executives didn't get LPs sound and wanted to change their look and sound. STUPID! Fucking 'Suits' don't know shit about their own business. Thats why they are having such a tough go of finding new talent. Too many cookie cutter groups with no staying power... just to make a fast buck. Thats one reason I do NOT watch American Idol.

Anyhoo, with the combination of the lights and sound and high energy lyrics, the Staples Center was hopping. I stood the whole show and did not leave my seat... not to piss or buy more beer. Thats how good of show it was. CLASSIC. In 10 or 20 years I will look back at this and say "I told you so"... they will be up there with U2, The Rolling Stones, Led Zepplin, Queen, and The Police.

Mike Shinoda, Chester Bennington, Joseph Hahn, Rob Bourdon, Brad Delson, and Phoenix... In the immortal words of Wayne and Garth... I salute you. It's good to be home!

If you get a chance, go see LINKIN PARK.

Thats it, Aaron Ikeda

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Hey Scrubs Faithful,

There is a feud brewing between NBC & ABC for the rights to air the Scrubs series finally.

Read the full story at:

VARIETY
The Hollywood Reporter

or you can visit my website at:
AaronIkeda.com

Also, did you know that Scrubs has had 17 schedule changes in its 7 season history?

In the immortal words of Dr. Cox "Lets find a cure people!"

Thank You Scrubs Faithful! We now return you to your regularly scheduled programing, whatever that is.

Peace, Aaron

Hey All You Beautiful People,

As some of you know, the writer's strike is now in it's 4th month.

With all Television production coming to a complete stand still, I was getting
a little uneasy about my situation and future as an actor.

I started to doubt my own skills and even question my desire.

Then I received an e-mail for a project that peaked my interest.

Like an angel over my shoulder, this student director asked if I could
audition for her project entitled "Double Happiness". The project is about
a girl who is pushed into double eyelid surgery by her widowed father.

Needless to say, I accepted the offer and landed the part as the Father.

I just completed my first day on Saturday with one more day to come.

The reason I felt compelled to write this blog was because I am a strong
believer in getting the word out into the Universe because you just never
know what may come of it. The last student project I worked on "Joe Lies"
was not only a lot of fun but lead to bigger and better things. I eventually
went on to book a National commercial for Citibank which then lead to me
booking my recurring role on Scrubs.

"Joe Lies" not only helped me but it has helped others that were in the ensemble
cast. In fact, I just saw one of the guys in a commercial for Bud Light during the
Super Bowl.

Even the title "Double Happiness" has meaning. It not only is this filmakers dream,
but it also has become apart of my personal agenda as well. I strive to create something meaningful and fulfilling no matter how big or small the part. It has brought me back with a sense of accomplishment and I look forward to seeing the finished work. In fact, while sitting on set, I had a deja vue type of personal experience...
thats when I knew, this was the path I was chosen to take... the correct path.

Therefore, I now realize that working on something is better then not working
at all... not to take anything away from this project... but sometimes you just have
to get back in the saddle and just ride.

Hopefully, this strike will end tomorrow and I will be so busy that I will have to spend
my days driving all over LA running from audition to audition coming home exhausted
only to have to stay up late rehearsing lines for the same thing the next day.

That would be the life... the pursuit of the part that will make me the actor that I am.

Existentialy yours, Aaron

As I sit here and try to reflect or forget about these past 365 days,
I wonder what may be just around the corner.

So, here are my 2008 Non-Resolutions for the New Year...

Work Harder
Get up earlier
Run More
Meditate
Stay Focused
Remain Confident
Be nicer to my Wife
Stay in touch with loved ones
Think
Tinker
Exercise
Finish what I start
Do more
See more people
Listen
Be in the moment
Appreciate what you have
Make the most of it
Stay Positive
Help Out
Be Smart
Look Sharp
Admire Beauty
Be better
Make it happen NOW
Recycle
Reflect
Get what you want
Have Fun

Happy 2008 Everybody!

Aaron