Steven released this Spotlight in December, 1999

Okay, everyone--after the momentous and rather tragic events from this week concerning the Lawndale Commons situation, I thought I needed to do *my* part in adding a little *levity* (Diane Long and some others have done so this week--bless their hearts) to this board, so I've decided to do a light-hearted "Spotlight" on the one and only Crazy Nutso.

First off, let me apologize to John Berry for saying he is the "wacky" one in the 'Daria' fanfiction universe (though his fanfic art still is). I was wrong--*Crazy Nutso* (CN from here on out) is *the* "Supreme Wackyman" in the 'Daria' fanfiction universe--somebody get the *straight jacket*! If you don't believe me, check out his stories--in every one of them, I LOL ("laughed out loud" for those of you from another planet)--*every* one--and I do mean LOL. Let's look at some...

In "Daria...Where Are You?" we see when OH ("Our Heroine" for those of you--oh, you know) met Scooby Doo. The interaction was deliriously hilarious--especially the chases with the "monster villain"--gags a'plenty.

With "Through The Rainbow", CN takes a "real" 'Daria' universe, situation, and turns it into a play into a crossover with the "Wizard Of Oz"--with a Lawndale twist. More lunacy (hence his email name and website name--"'Daria's Rubber Room") and gags.

On "Daria: The Hunter", CN takes OH and crosses her with the anime "Devil Hunter Yohko" and Halloween--we get the ghost of Aunt Amy, horror, and destroying monsters, while laughing the night away--oh yes, and more lunacy, and more gags.

He takes (Make that *still* taking)us on "The Magical Mystik Spiral Tour", in which this could be the very first time in which we see most of the major 'Daria' cast on the road *as a series*. (Somebody check me on this--I want to draw a distinction here)

In "Who Framed Janet Barch?", we see CN's version of Ms. Barch's past, a whodunit, and an appearance by (snicker) INSPECTOR CLOUSEAU? What in the *world* is "The Pink Panther" doing in western Canada?! When I first read that, and *thought* on it, it was *ludicrous*--and flat-out-funny. Oh, and don't forget CN's "Public Service Announcements" within the "Tour"--these "fill-ins" are comedies within themselves.

Yeah--In "Desperately Seeking Stacy", we see CN engage in a rare form of *tragedy* (there are *some* moments in more of his other fanfics--find 'em yourself!) --in his take, Andrea *kills* accidently--but CN handles it tastefully in the end--and we end up giggling anyway.

In "Shipper Wars"--a parody fanfic about 'Daria' fanfiction writers done in a parody of "Star Wars"--a twist within a twist within a twist--such is CN's work. Read that fanfic for yourself, and holler out laughing. And don't forget those gags--hit the floor and roll!

In closing, my point about CN is this--his writing to me says that we should never take ourselves too seriously, and that we should laugh and smile everyday, and relax--have *fun*! What do YOU (and the author himself) think? Thanks--and if anyone needs a straight jacket, go to CN--I'm sure he has *plenty* in stock.

Other Comments

Hello Kitty

I agree it's about time Crazy Nutso got a spotlight his work is hilarious I'm especially fond of the Magical Mystik Spiral tour.Who'd ever thought Mystik Spiral would be on tour with Lawndale! the musical. I love the idea how it's all on tour that way it moves around the country. Some of the ideas he comes up with are so outrageous yet believeable like Ms Li and Ms Defoe at a strip club and Upchuck dressing up like a girl to join a girl band. Who'd of ever thought of writing the original Shipper Wars a story about the shippers and anti-shippers.I must say he writes my favourite commercials with those Public Service announcements and I think some of them had appearences by Canadibrit.

Congratulations CN!

Rose*<|:-)

Canadibrit

Well, Mr "I need a REAL rubber room" finally gets the spotlight! Cool! Now let's see if I can say something nice about him...

So congrats, CN! Despite all the vendetta, I really think you deserve this one.

Daniel (not Suni, I presume)

MOONLIGHTING? Um ... I've heard of it vaguely. Are you dating yourself again, Di? ;o)

I've decided to do a light-hearted "Spotlight" on the one and only Crazy Nutso.

Well, well. You pretty much summed it up (as usual), but let's see if I can find something to say too...

I *really* like CN's fics. I have, and I've always had a soft spot for wacky humour. IMHO CN's stories are some of the most entertaining ones out there. His work kind of reminds me of what (I think) a crossing between a Bud Spencer/Terrence Hill movie and a Weird Al Yankovic movie would look like. (HEY! I like Bud Spencer & Terrence Hill.) It would seem that he doesn't care very much about what others will think of his work, he just writes it the way he likes it. The result is... well at least it's funny. :-)

I very seldom laugh out loud when I read something (it's just not me), but it's happened on occasion while reading CN's 'fics.

Kara Wild

First off, let me apologize to John Berry for saying he is the "wacky" one in the 'Daria' fanfiction universe (though his fanfic art still is). I was wrong--*Crazy Nutso* (CN from here on out) is *the* "Supreme Wackyman" in the 'Daria' fanfiction universe--somebody get the *straight jacket*!

Eh, I would say that CN and John are *both* purty darn wacky, in their own separate ways.

I quite enjoy CN's fics, especially "'Shipper Wars." There's a very light-hearted, spontaneous feel to his writing that often causes me to ROTF. Plus I like his website's way of giving a page to every fanfic author -- talk about generous. : > I look forward to the next in his series.

Mona Nobles

And don't forget the hilarious comercials! I nearly fell out of my chair at the 'Buy Stamps or Else'. Kudos, CN and of course my sorta catch phrase by now: Bitchin' Work!

Jon Kilner

I've been enjoying the Magical Mystic Spiral Tour, especially the one that takes place in Pittsburgh, amid locations that I actually know. Congratulations on the spotlight, CN. It's always good to see a local guy do well.

(I believe CN lives in Pittsburgh, where Jon Kilner lives as well--God, I feel *sorry* for Jon--it's possible CN might drive *him* crazy

Oh, I wouldn't worry about that, Steven. It's already too late for me.

Guy Payne

I think the best thing about CN's fics is that he's really not AFRAID of anything. The man has no fear of looking stupid, falling out of canon, plagiarism or insulting anyone.

Sorta like Peter Guerin in that sense, only a *lot* more readable. (I would like to add that IMO, people should be afraid of plagiarism. But hey, CN still cites all his thefts...)

And that's the difference. One of the first things they teach you in journalism classes: if you tell everyone who you stole it from, it's not plagiarism, it's "attribution." ;)

"Don't worry about people stealing an idea. If it's original, you will have to ram it down their throats."

--Howard Aiken, American computer pioneer

What can you say about a dude that makes you laugh so hard, you don't mind losing your head;-) Nutso, yer an inspiration and sensei to all of us who groove on the absurd and hilarious. I still remember ROFLMAOing (is that a word?) when, in Daria the Hunter, OH realizes she's going to have to explain to the parents about Quinn.

One last question, though... when the holiday season ends, and CN is once again to emerge into the sunlight, if he sees his shadow, how many more weeks of winter do we have?

Diane Long

I agree with what has already been said whole heartedly. CN is just plain fun. What a treat for us to have him around. He can lighten the mood by just being present, bless his heart. The harshness that has been blooming around here has been more tolerable because of CN (and others too). This sort of playfulness and joy, mixed in with a hearty dash of mischievousness, permeates his stories too.

Not only can he tell a great story, with good plot design; strong and recognizable characters, but he can make you laugh. Straight from your belly. Big peals of laughter that can make the people you live with curious enough to come see what was so funny. He has told us some wacky stories about the Darians, but has also started creating a mythos for the writers as well. Somehow we all have been transformed into two dimensions and have our own stories now. Some of us have become Pink Rangers against their will (but are coping after therapy), some of us have gleefully embraced the Sith lords inside, and some of us gotten a good back massage. Even more than before we fans are a part of the fabric of the Daria universe. Because of CN's story we found ourselves participating in the tale. Very Homeric really. I think "'Shipper Wars" was a dose of glue that solidified the already healthy relationships between those of us from different canonical camps. In being lampooned, we all saw the silliness inherent on both sides. So healthy!

Then there are CN's spoofy little poems and songs. He has a real knack for word smithing. His "Green Eggs and Ham" spoof of 'Shipperisim was beautiful. The rhyme schemes were clean and unforced and it even scanned perfectly. I was very impressed and even a little jealous when I first read that. And the "Nobody 'Ships it Better" song was just as good...even if it did involve Spice Girl references.

So CN, old (and I do mean OLD) buddy. Congrats! You deserve this honor!

SMMMMMMMMMMMOOOOOOOOOOOOOOCCCCCCCCHHHHHHHH!

Di (Ugh! Mouthwash!)

Respondents Whom I Couldn't Identify, Alas

Hmmm ... what can one say about El Nutso that hasn't already been said? Well, let's see ... from the beginning, he has been a willing and thoughful proofreader. He was the first person to *request* my fics for a site, and that made me feel *speshul*. He has a great sense of humor, and despite his "rep" is a very accomodating person.

As for his fiction, if it goes over the top sometimes it's forgiveable because he's having so much fun ... and it clearly shows. The MMST series is the first series I've ever really gotten into (well, it's the first I've ever had TIME to get into, but still.) Each installment remains a good, quick, satisfying read that works shockingly well as a series. Add a true-to-character feel, and those GOLDEN "Public Service Announcements" and you've got magic. CRAZY magic.

So ... now that all this fuss is taking place, where is the inmate? SHOW yourself, CN! Revel in your glory! :-)

I'll drink to that!! CN's fanfics never fail to make me crack up. It's not just the stories themselves; I'd probably read his 'fics just for the public service announcements and footnotes. Also, he's a really nice guy. He sent me a great e-mail about "Not Quite Beyond the Goblin City," after I submitted it to him. He also helped me with the HTML on that 'fic. The only thing of his I haven't read is Shipper Wars, and that's because I can't find where it's posted. Could someone please help me with that?

Run, don't walk, to Daria's Rubber Room and read SBBED D's new fanfic RIGHT NOW!! Just read the first part, that's all I ask. YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!!!! Truth in advertising!

I enjoyed Shipper Wars, and the Scooby-Doo crossover. Kudos, and well done!

Well, Mr "I need a REAL rubber room" finally gets the spotlight! Cool! Now let's see if I can say something nice about him...

I think the best thing about CN's fics is that he's really not AFRAID of anything. The man has no fear of looking stupid, falling out of canon, plagiarism or insulting anyone.

Sorta like Peter Guerin in that sense, only a *lot* more readable. (I would like to add that IMO, people should be afraid of plagiarism. But hey, CN still cites all his thefts...)

The guy's got a flare for gags, that's for sure, and to read one of his stories is to strap yourself in and prepare for a crazy (hee hee) ride...

I remember cringing a little at the fic writer cameos in his stories, but the truth is, he's good at it, and somehow, I can see that now that Canadibrit has thrown the doors open, everybody's going to be spamming CN for a chance to get a cameo in one of his fics.

*looks around* Well? I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. Nutso... ;)

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