Top Story Weekly

CORPORATIONS ARE PEOPLE TOO! by Michael Hughes

Starring Christopher Biewer (Mitt Romney), Brian O’Connell (Sammy), Matt Moore (Petey), Rebecca Stevens (Katie) and Artemis Pebdani (Announcer)

Directed by Michael Hughes

BLAME, PART 3 by Kristina Adelmeyer

Starring Kipleigh Brown (Rachel Maddow), Brian O’Connell (Rush Limbaugh), Christopher Biewer (Robert) and Artemis Pebdani (Sarah)

Directed by Michael Hughes

BLAME, PART 2 by Kristina Adelmeyer

Starring Kipleigh Brown (Rachel Maddow), Brian O’Connell (Rush Limbaugh), Christopher Biewer (Harry) and Rebecca Stevens (Jen)

Directed by Michael Hughes

BLAME, PART 1 by Kristina Adelmeyer

Starring Kipleigh Brown (Rachel Maddow), Brian O’Connell (Rush Limbaugh), Phillip Wilburn (Mr. Miller) and Sean Cowhig (Stan)

Directed by Michael Hughes

A VERY PROPER RIOT by Andrew Payne

Starring Artemis Pebdani (Nancy), Phillip Wilburn (Gordon), Matt Moore (George), Christopher Biewer (Nigel), Rebecca Stevens (Pippa) and Brian O’Connell (Officer Blevens)

Directed by Michael Hughes

PHOTO FINISH by Michael Hughes

Starring Kipleigh Brown (Michele Bachmann), Sean Cowhig (Marcus Bachmann) and Brian O’Connell (Chris Buck)

Directed by Michael Hughes

THE TOP STORY! WEEKLY REPORT FOR SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2011

Starring Kipleigh Brown (Anchor), Artemis Pebdani (Anchor), Christopher Biewer (Mark Strudel, the Biggest Fan of the “Final Destination” Movies), Brian O’Connell (Iowa Police Officer), Rebecca Stevens (Rebecca Black) and Sean Cowhig (Count von Count)

Directed by Michael Hughes

Last year Top Story! Weekly was fortunate enough to be selected as the Best Scripted Show in iO West’s Del Close Awards for the second year in a row. The 2011 nominations were announced last week, and Top Story! Weekly was thrilled to once again receive a nomination as Best Scripted Show!

We also picked up a second nomination when our cast member Matt Moore got a nod for Best Portrayal of an Object for his amazing work in two scenes in our February 20 show as Watson, the Jeopardy Playing Computer!

Here he is in “What Is Robotic Domination?” by Phil Ranta, also starring Christopher Biewer (Ken Jennings), Sean Cowhig (Brad Rutter), Jimmy Guidish (Gary) and Kipleigh Brown (Ellen):

And here Matt reprises his role in in “Oscar Computer” by Andrew Payne, also starring Phillip Wilburn and Artemis Pebdani:

If you’d like to vote, and you’re a student or alumnus/a of iO West, just head over to the Del Close Awards website and cast your ballot!

We’re very excited that so many of our cast members, writers, guest stars and colleagues received votes in other categories! Here’s our cast member Damien Fahey announcing the awards with Grasie Mercedes:

Congratulations to everyone affiliated with our show who got recognized:

The Jon Crowley Excellence in Bartending Award: Our cast members Brian O’Connell and Tommy Bechtold, and our Sunday night bartender Molly Prather

Best Waitstaff: Our Sunday night server Vanessa Ramos (who did an awesome set in our show last year, posted right below) and also Rebecca Stevens, who’s guested with us.:

Hardest Working Intern: Our amazing house manager Filup Molina

The Herb Koss Most Supportive Audience Member Award: Our writer Faryl Saliman Reingold

Best Del Close Theater Show: Triggerfinger, with our cast member Damien Fahey and our writer Stacy Rumaker, and Danger Snack, also with Stacy

The Dasariski Best Improvised Non-Harold Show: Dr. God, with our cast members Sean Cowhig, Neil Garguilo and Brian O’Connell

The Nick Armstrong Sexiest Player Award: Sean Cowhig and last year’s winner Tommy Bechtold! If you’d like to check out the sexiness, watch this sexy, sexy video, “Sean Cowhig: Man’s Man”:

Coach of the Year: Cast member Brian O’Connell

Best Harold Team: Trophy Wife, featuring cast members Rachael Drummond and John Abbott

And check out some photos of us at 2009’s ceremony here and here!

WORKCATION by Meg Favreau

Starring Brian O’Connell (Glen) and Phillip Wilburn (Robert)

Directed by Michael Hughes

IT WAS UP TO YOU, NEW YORK by Michael Hughes

Starring Jen Cain (Hillary Clinton), Phillip Wilburn (Donald Trump), Shannon Ayers (Jennifer Aniston), Brian O’Connell (Woody Allen) and Derek Reid (Tracy Morgan)

Directed by Michael Hughes