National Geographic Shoot

A few weeks ago Chris and Holly and I shot an episode of Spoiled Rotten Pets for Nat Geo Wild, part of National Geographic.   Chris and Holly aren't actually spoiled or rotten, a little indulged maybe, but the producers were looking for an interesting parrot story and Chris' career as an animal model and actor was perfect for the show.

We spent seven hours running all over midtown Manhattan shooting footage for the show.  We started by filming an interview with me and then we moved to my apartment to shoot footage of Chris and Holly.  Chris was fascinated by the giant camera and the viewer that allowed him to watch them filming Holly so he sat on the cameraman's shoulder and looked at Holly through the viewer.  That made it impossible for the cameraman to film Chris directly so the guy ended up filming their reflection in the mirror.  It was hilarious and vintage Chris.  

We then went outside and as Chris and I walked around the camera followed us and the production crew followed them with release forms for people on the street to sign.  Whenever someone would stop us, as always happens with Chris, it would get filmed so then the random people would be asked to sign a release.  Chris was surrounded by some schoolgirls from across the street, and a few Japanese tourists with cameras and then a group of seniors hanging out.  Chris entertained them all, but I think he liked the schoolgirls best because they all pet him at once and he had a big smile on his beak.  

We shot some footage in a taxi with a really nice driver from Ghana.  Chris started out the ride on the plexiglass divider between the front and passenger seats as he always does.  He then jumped onto the driver's shoulder and finished out the ride that way.  He has never done that before but there was a cameraman in the front seat and Chris was looking for his close up.  There was another camera in back with me.  Not how I'm used to riding around, but I've gotten used to going with the flow when Chris is working.  

Chris then took a meeting with an attorney to get some tax law advice because he has to file income taxes for this year....okay, I have to file his earnings on my taxes, but we needed some advice about that.  We then took a stroll up Fifth Ave with a friend of mine with the cameras following us, but not before I had to stand in  the traffic in front of the NBC building with Chris so they could get some classic NYC footage.

I'm sure that I'm going to end up looking like a total ass, but whatever advances the birdstar's career....The show is scheduled to air between Jan and March 2013.  We've been told there will be six episodes, moderated by Beth Ostrosky (Howard Stern's wife) and Chris will be on one of the episodes.  I'll post information when I know more.  

Always Working

Chris is such a handsome boy and a very good model, so I enlisted his services to help me with some photos for my accessories blog (www.accessorygeneration.blogspot.com).  I wanted to take photos of some jewelry and his feathers seemed like the perfect backdrop, especially for a duck necklace.  He was extremely cooperative for a few minutes, but then pulled a diva routine and bit the camera.  He then flew into the next room and found his stash of Swedish Fish and threw the container on the floor so I would know he wanted one.  All's well that ends well...Chris got his candy and I got my photos below.

Love ring nestled in my little lovebug cockatoo's feathers

Trying on the duck necklace

So handsome

Profile shot

Showing off the back feathers

Quack, quack...



Handyman, Handybirds

We needed the building handyman to fix a cabinet door in the apartment and, of course, Chris had to oversee everything he did.  Chris is naturally curious and he has a particular fascination with this cabinet and is always trying to see inside of it, so he was thrilled to get a closer look today.

Chris inspecting the work

It's a good thing the man likes birds and isn't afraid, because he had one or the other or both on top of him the entire time.  Chris even tried to remove his glasses and threw a dish towel over his head, which was pretty hilarious.  I think he wanted to play peek-a-boo with him when he did that.  The handyman didn't mind.  He asked me to take photos with his phone.  When Holly got in the act they had him cornered in the kitchen.

Holly making sure the work is done right

Holly even started to groom the man's pants.  I think he might have been looking for an opportunity to bite him, because sweet Holly gets a little defensive at first, but when he decided the guy wasn't hostile he flew on top of the garbage can and gave him some space.

Surrounded by a captive audience...

Finally, Holly lost interest in the maintenance and decided he'd rather have Chris groom his head so he joined Chris on the counter and lucky for him Chris obliged.

Some brotherly love

Memorial Day 2012

Chris and Holly headed north to their Grandma Barbara's for 48 hours of R&R over Memorial Day weekend.  Like every year they got brand new porch swings with a few new toys attached to keep them busy during those long summer days.   Holly got a spiral swing and Chris got a round swing.  They were visibly excited when they laid eyes on their new swings and Holly even made a little noise that sounded like glee!

Holly on his new swing

Chris perched on his new swing

I put their cage top play area on the table and loaded it up with fresh water, nutriberries and some toys.

The first one enjoying the snacks was Holly, of course!

Holly checking out the goodies

Digging in Pionus style

Chris enjoyed his nutriberries on his swing

The weekend wasn't just about relaxing....the boys enjoyed an afternoon at the local Hunter Pace, where Grandma Barbara was a volunteer.  They met a lot of new people, saw some old friends and, naturally Chris was photographed just because he's Chris.  

Chris and Holly with Grandma Barbara selling raffle tickets

A highlight of the Hunter Pace was the adorable tea cup pig that was walking around.  Just like Chris s/he was wearing a harness.  For once Chris was not the most exotic animal at the venue.

Tea cup pig

Chris and Holly ended their mini-break with a trip to the exotics center for boarding this week while we have more painting.  But, they will be back in the country and on their porch swings very soon.

Class Column Cockatoo

Once again Chris was written up in my Cornell alumni news class column!  He doesn't actually have a personal security detail (see below), but that would be nice! 



"Live from New York, it's Saturday Night!"

Chris had a very exciting week last week.  On Wednesday he got a call from his agent about being on Saturday Night Live!  Of course, we agreed and the very next day he was at the SNL studio for his first rehearsal. 

In the SNL studio!

Chris was paired up with a brand new cast member, Kate McKinnon, for a little dance number as part of the recurring Manuel Ortiz skit.  The guest host last week was Sophia Vergara and the musical guest was the hotest boy band on the planet, One Direction.  They were all in the skit with Chris.  Chris did fine during his first rehearsal.  He was very comfortable on the set and quickly made friends with the cast and crew.  His favorite was Louis Tomlinson of One Direction, but all the band members were very sweet and friendly. Every time the band had a break they would gather around Chris and he would sit on Louis.  We were there for work and it all seemed so normal, but I then I would mentally step back and think "my bird is sitting on one of the most popular young men in all the world and we are standing in the middle of the set of one of the most popular tv shows of all time."  Kind of surreal.

Louis Tomlinson of One Direction, Chris, Harry Styles of One Direction

Chris and Alison surrounded by One Direction

Thursday went well so we went back Saturday afternoon for a dress rehearsal.  Even if you are in a skit you never know if you will end up live on the air Saturday night, because more skits are rehearsed than are aired and after every rehearsal the skits are reworked and some parts are cut due to time constraints and many other reasons, but it was a good sign that Chris was called back.  The Saturday afternoon rehearsal went well so Chris was called back to go Saturday night for a final dress rehearsal in front of a live audience.  There are two live audiences every Sat night.  The first one sees the final dress rehearsal around 8 pm and then they are dismissed and the second live audience comes in and sees the live show as it airs on tv starting at 11:30 pm.  If something doesn't go right during any of the live show, they still have the taped dress rehearsal in front of a live audience that can be broadcast.  Chris rocked the dress rehearsal in front of the live audience.  He was a true professional and totally comfortable and calm in front of the audience, the lights, dancing, sets moving around, etc. 

After the final dress rehearsal we waited around for the live show and Chris played around with the crew and posed for tons of photos.  One very nice crew member made him a toy out of untreated pine wood (cockatoo safe) in the SNL wood shop where they build the sets.  Chris also enjoyed an ice cream break with the crew.  He had pistachio gelato!  Lucky bird!

Chris' toy from the SNL wood shop

Chris even found time to pose for a photo with his mom (yours truly) backstage.  The photo is now one of my favorites and is my current Facebook photo.

Chris and Alison backstage



Around 11 pm on Saturday night is when the live show is finalized and the decisions come down as to which skits will air and how they have beed edited.  Sadly, we were told that Chris and Kate's dance had been cut from the skit.  We were very surprised because they had done a fantastic job, but there are time constraints to a live show and they obviously were not going to cut Sophia Vergara or One Direction out of the skit.  And, Chris couldn't really be in the skit without Kate since she was holding him, so Chris never got to go live on the air.  Everyone on the crew was very disappointed because Chris had become a huge hit during his rehearsals.  He had truly charmed everyone. 

Although he didn't get to be in the live show, he got to perform in front of the live audience in the final dress rehearsal and we both had a phenomenal two days on the SNL set.  Being part of SNL is a huge deal and Chris was such a rock star we think they might ask him back again.  It was truly an experience of a lifetime and I was lucky to be along for the ride.

Cuckoo for Cockatoos

The birdbabies are boarding at the exotics vet center this week because of some construction work in our apartment.  I was missing them so I pulled out this pair of earrings that reminded me of Chris.  They look like they're dancing, which is one of Chris' favorite pastimes.

Cockatoo earrings

Holiday Happenings

Chris and Holly had a nice Christmas with tons of toys and special treats.  Christmas is also Chris' hatchday (birthday) so it was an extra special day for him (not that every day isn't special for him!).  The day didn't start out that well, because Holly experienced breathing trouble and had to go to the veterinary emergency room very late on Christmas Eve and we didn't get home until 5:30 am Christmas morning, but after some much needed rest for Holly (and everyone else) the avian celebration began later in the day.  With presents galore and an "egg pie" (quiche) complete with candles for the birthday boy, they ended the day happy & healthy.

Bags of presents:  one for Holly for Christmas, one for Chris for Christmas and one for Chris' hatchday

The loot: wooden & raffia chew toys, new play perches, and treats to eat.

Holly with one of his unwrapped gifts

A star hanging toy present that Holly loves

Chris on his swing with one of his foot toy gifts

Sitting with a little toy Christmas tree

The hatchday cake was an "egg pie"