BRENTWOOD | Omeleto

A Star Trek actor tries to one-up his co-star.
BRENTWOOD is used with permission from Sharon Everitt. Learn more at sharoneveritt.com.
Brent Spiner made his name as iconic android Data on STAR TREK, but he's retreated from public life in Hollywood. He's been teaching acting at Cal State Fullerton, but when he's up for an award for his work on the show that made him famous, he mulls over a comeback, though he's reluctant to dive back in. It's a whole new Hollywood, complete with TMZ and hashtags, and Spiner isn't sure it's for him.
But when his old nemesis LeVar Burton commits to the awards show, Spiner decides to jump back into Hollywood. As he makes the rounds and re-enters in the industry, he finds himself embroiled in the old feud that plagued him during the height of his fame -- and it's still bitter enough to possibly derail his re-entry into Hollywood.
Directed by Sharon Everitt and written by Karen Anderson, Jeff Cosgrove and Everitt, this spiky short comedy has a scope and ambition rare in a genre where punchline skits and sketches dominate. The storytelling is character-based, driven by its protagonist's drive to prove himself and stake out his terrain in a hostile, competitive environment, against a long-running archenemy. Sounds serious, but when the main character is a petty, egotistical star trying to regain his past glory in an industry always looking for the shiny and new -- and you throw in some musical numbers for good measure, along with Frasier actor Peri Gilpin as Spiner's wife and a cameo by comedian Doug Benson -- the result is hilarious, entertaining and a helluva lot of fun.
The film's strength rests on a great central performance by Brent Spiner, who is playing himself. But it's clearly a heightened portrait of a star who has seen better days and yet still demands the attention of current-day celebrity. Spiner the character is bitter, sarcastic, ego-driven and vainglorious. Spiner the actor is clearly enjoying himself as he sings, dances and preens, with a performance that's both utterly committed to the moment's emotion while winking at the satire of an ego that just won't let go of past glories or grudges.
Spiner traipses from one scene and musical number to the next with a deliciously toxic combination of entitlement and bad attitude, and the rhythms of the storytelling are both amiably laidback yet constantly bubbling with sharply amusing observations. The visual style is also seemingly relaxed and casual as well, in the style of the handheld one-camera comedy that's great at capturing small but telling moments. These moments pile up as Spiner finally confronts his nemesis -- and rethink its long-running effect on his life when it bubbles over into humiliation.
The delight of BRENTWOOD is watching an iconic actor poke fun at himself and the peculiarly enduring level of stardom that being on an iconic, much-beloved show and franchise confers. Though Spiner the character has tried to move on, he's not quite where he wants to be despite all his efforts and is both hampered and seduced by his enduring fame to remain in the past. The great irony, of course, is that by lampooning himself and the grip of stardom, Spiner the actor reveals terrific range, comedic chops, and wily self-awareness -- not to mention a facility as an enjoyable song-and-dance man -- and it would be immense fun to follow this story of a former star finding his way in a new Hollywood. Which, after all, isn't so different from the old Hollywood, except with more hashtags on social media and more ways to get famous than ever.

[@snatchadams69]

LeVar Burton and Brent Spiner honestly need to do a show together..

[@TheZapan99]

The Perceivers.

[@robseau]

...on Broadway

[@rifter0x0000]

They definitely should. They were on The Big Bang Theory a few times and it went well.

[@drdoloresmize5386]

I think they just did!! I love them both and today, students are learning from him at Cal State Fullerton....lucky students!

[@nitehawk86]

Musical number with Robert Picardo

[@amberprophet]

I do not know what I was expecting but I was not expecting this 12 mins of utter joy. This is amazing and just what I needed today.

[@ranbauli]

ME TOO!!!!!

[@ranbauli]

I mean, me also.

[@ralph5450]

@@ranbauli me one

[@ashemgold]

What's not to love?

[@mrspeel7]

@@ranbauli I see what you did there! :D

[@NeverDoneEver]

I'm guessing Brent was doing a parody of himself, but this portrayal is so much more like Lore than Data.

[@Davd35]

Really does just scream Lore to me lol

[@l00k4tstuff]

Saw him at a con. Very personable and funny. He would sign a few autographs and work the line. They couldn't keep him behind the desk, he mingled with the line directly. I was at another star getting an autograph. She said Brent, she, and several others flew up on a commercial flight. Didn't realize they all booked the same flight, it became a party. They were having a grand time, on that flight and at the con, and much of it had to do with Brent's attitude.

[@JoePina0]

Beep bop boop.

[@manofsan]

Come on - any character from Brent would seem more like Lore, compared to the stilted wooden voice of Data. It makes me appreciate how much Brent did with the Data character while being confined to Data's stiff android style.

[@NeverDoneEver]

@@manofsan Realized how great of an actor Brent is- in the first episode where we met Lore, I forget the name of it, Brent made it completely believable that Data and Lore were 2 different people. It didn't matter that they looked identical. In the first episode that featured Dr. Soong I didn't realize that he was played by Brent as well (I was a kid the first time I watched it). Just showed the depth of his talent.

[@KellyF105]

I love the grouchy old man persona Mr. Spiner has created for himself

[@nobodycaresaboutchicken]

It's actually pretty close to his real personality.

[@nytrodioxide]

@@nobodycaresaboutchicken it's good that he's self aware

[@jessicapearson9479]

How do you know that?

[@AndyBerman]

I met him at a convention - and yes, this does seem to be his personality

[@sgshaday]

​@@AndyBerman Nah it isn't. I met him too. He can be a bit more distant at times, but when I told him I didn't do well in conventions, he shook his head said 'Me neither' lol, and then we just started talking about music and his book.

[@chainreaction8977]

spiner was always a fkn ledgend, pure class even when he's being naughty

[@chainreaction8977]

_"...I'm gonna let my wife finish first."_ Fkn lost it...

[@shelliecarlson7015]

Maybe I shouldn't have keyed his car.

[@chainreaction8977]

@Ethan Leonard Aye, I've been drinking a lot, lately...

[@ComicFlick]

“I don’t play DATA anymore!” - ends up flat on his back like Data 😆

[@jeromastheking]

"Not without makeup." 😂

[@madchiller123]

If you have seen Picard - ............... To soon 😥😥😥

[@harrygibus]

His secret switch is unlimited shrimp.

[@BlackPhillip666]

@@jeromastheking ...doesn't need make-up for Doctor Noonian Soong...

[@marinarhettsturgill6085]

And in another "undignified" position with people around him, not knowing what to do!! Still funny as hell and Brent's still my favorite actor! WE LOVE YOU BRENT SPINER!❤

[@TheMulToyVerse]

Holy crap, you landed LeVar Burton to star in this?! He’s a major celebrity!

[@rafetizer]

Grrrr! LeVAR! *shakes fist*

[@LemonToGo]

Don't know why they even have this weird unknown convention guy in there.

[@jovalleau]

More fish for Kunta!

[@billkear6674]

who was the other guy ?

[@upthebracket26]

@@billkear6674 Doug Benson?

[@krpeydm]

Spiner-- such a good sport for this. But the song, "I'm gonna let my wife finish first tonight." I can't!

[@aSignInTheTrees]

This needs to be a series!!!!

[@chainreaction8977]

Hear, hear!

[@3ertin]

I was thinking the same thing. Curb Your Enthusiasm from Outer Space

[@stormywatts5907]

There are a few series like Curb, Rob Schneider has one, I think the writing comes from the experiences and Larry David doesn't have the same life experiences as Brent. This show would also draw in the Big Bang crowd that probably doesn't enjoy Curb.

[@wilhelmhesse1348]

True, and they could use different actors from all the greatest tv shows on each episode, imagine them doing a Richard Dean Anderson from Mcgyver, a Michael Imperioli from Sopranos on another episode, then a Lisa Kudrow from friends.. Beyond cool!

[@BrianWardPlus]

Check out Fresh Hell if you haven’t seen it!

[@kevonicus]

The “flooded with calls” joke is underrated. You think he’s gonna say he shouldn’t say it, but he’s just worried about the way he’s saying it. Lol

[@paulisaacson6044]

I shouldn't say it, but thanx I missed it, can you explain don't do the gesture for me

[@TexasGit]

When they pulled that from him he should have replied, "But, I'm from )(*#@)(Q*@# Houston!"

[@Sharperthanu1]

Brent Spiner lives in Malibu not Brentwood as far as I know.Also he has no wife and I never heard of him teaching acting either.

[@dreadcthulhu5]

@@Sharperthanu1 No, he IS married and they have a son. Her name is Loree McBride and their son is Jackson.

[@themacocko6311]

No clue what the hell any of you are babbling on about.

[@DADVICETV]

Wow - loved this! Certainly not what I expected and a very enjoyable change in the usually KZbin shorts.

[@tyro244]

Oh, Brent does conventions. He makes lots of fun at everybody, including himself, but he does conventions.

[@SuperDuckyWho]

I imagine he's one of those guys that's the nicest damn person out of character but this persona is so popular (and hopefully fun) to not do. :D I also love this character.

[@jblonar]

I met him on the cruise back in March, he was great.

[@M_SC]

Yeah the whole thing is a joke, dude

[@danwat1234]

Yes, and he has been in many virtual comic cons these past months from GalaxyCon.

[@bogotstogoskiing]

I met him at a convention in Santa Rosa in 1993. I was star struck as TNG was and still is my favorite show of all time. He was great!

[@suzannadannaTARDIS]

OMG, Peri Gilpin as Brett's wife? Yes, this SHOULD be a series. She's a fantastic comic foil!

[@wildste]

Thank you for saying this. I kept looking at her thinking "What the hell do I know her from" and you saying that allowed me to look her up and its Roz from Frasier

[@MichaelBradley1967]

I kept hearing her voice and wondering where I'd heard it.....

[@wocket42]

Still hot

[@DebiBrady]

I'm thinking something like "Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23" with James Van Der Beek playing the bitchiest of B's! Have it center around his wife's podiatrists office with every episode featuring someone coming to see her who played along side of Brent over the years. He can have some issue with them and ends up singing and being captured doing something crazy on a KZbinr's viral video.

[@augurseer]

I really would watch that.

[@tuxedo-fish3148]

"These M&Ms have your initials..." I laughed.

[@whitemageserenia]

I don't know how I never ever realized that Brent Spiner's initials are "BS" its amazing that I never noticed that before XD it just never came to mind lmao

[@CrypticCocktails]

Brent was in an episode of Frazier where he makes plans for a “date” with Lilith, now he’s “married” to Roz.. talk about tossed salads and scrambled eggs

[@justinkraynie6435]

Underrated comment

[@paulisaacson6044]

Say it again

[@Aromatic.Bleach]

I had to look and see if they were really married cause his son looked so much like him lmao. I would have died if he was really married to Roz. Good to see her again lmao

[@MichaelDG2023]

“Kerry’s a podiatrist, she doesn’t wear heels.”

Killed me..lol

[@phoule76]

"I don't know anything from the ankles up!"

[@IARRCSim]

I thought she ran a radio show in Seattle.

[@BigHenFor]

This has legs. A series would run for a while.

[@trintenm8551]

Brent had (has?) a web series he was doing called "Fresh Hell" or something similar in name, it holds a similar premise to this.

[@urbanshadow777]

Wow! Why is this not a thing? I would happily watch a few seasons of that.

[@toddfedoruk1998]

Brent Spiner singing was not a surprise to me. Many years ago, I saw him in the role of John Adams, in a revival of the Broadway musical ‘1776’. He was great then, still great now.

[@DBrown-gu4ry]

"Im a doctor, but im a podiatrist - I only know him from the ankles down!!!" 😂😂😂

[@ryatt1]

Man still acts like he's has the charisma of a 40 year old Data with the emotion chip activated

[@J33zeus]

I choked on my laughter when he said he feels bad for keying his car

[@Anna-yx2xf]

This absolutely needs to be a series. Hilarious. And Brent is a legend, as always.

[@KitShannon]

When you don't like musicals, but Spiner.

[@KRAFTWERK2K6]

^THIS! :P

[@CRYOKnox]

Im in love this has it all. Mad respect to Brent Spiner for his singing. Thanks to everyone involved in this it was a great joyfull watch. :D

[@Reyn_Roadstorm]

Worf slowly lifting his head: Irving Berlin... Worf slowly lowers his head again.

[@rondavis5012]

He used to sing all the time as data in the Next Generation.

[@CRYOKnox]

@@rondavis5012 i don't remember him singing all the time. I remember him singing in the movies on Mr and Mrs Troys wedding. As he lost his memory at Baku but about the series i recently started to rewatch i cant remember him singing but i'm only at season 3 by now.

[@FixFilmsLtd]

This was fantastic - love these "honest" versions of actors who played beloved characters on TV. Brett Spiner was fantastically funny and a good sport willing to send himself up. Brilliant!

[@KenFromchicago]

"I'm gonna let my wife finish first tonight." 🎵🎵🎵🤣🤣🤣

[@jeffervine1452]

I watched this and was amazed, thinking he should totally have his own "curb" style show... Well.. He did. Almost 9 years ago... "Fresh Hell" free on youtube, 2 seasons, 10 minute episodes. Its amazing and I feel terrible that we all missed it collectively, otherwise there'd be like 10 seasons by now.

[@GoddessPallasAthena]

Agreed. I JUST found it (from KZbin recommendation) a few days ago.

[@teresanunesgonzalez6644]

This is brilliant, and so much fun! Brent Spiner's singing is perfect: that's how to hold notes, Brent. Bravo!!! And his comedic genius. Loving seeing there Levar Burton and Peri Gilpin as well. This should become a TV show, these people are such great actors.

[@7ten]

The Brent x Peri crossover we never asked for but realise we always wanted

[@suzannadannaTARDIS]

Correction: The crossover we NEED.

[@strangeyoungman]

All hail Rozalinda!

[@signsofbias9640]

This had a real steve Martin vibe.

[@catherinejustcatherine1778]

Smoother & gentler than Steve Martin for me. More like (Martin sheen? In Grace & Frankie). He does a couple show tunes in it. But Spiner is so alive. Maybe Richard Geere in Chicago?

[@JDSquire]

Two things: Hearing Brent Spiner swear is just brilliant ... and ... Peri Gilpin is STILL a smokeshow.

[@rogregg29445]

Yeah when she showed up I was like Damn!!

[@TJMack-]

She was the one reason why I watched 'Frasier'.

[@doncorleon9]

Capt Picard taught Data the arts too well :).

[@brandonbailey3705]

Editing some of these lines into the TNG series would be hilarious

This was hysterical for so many reasons. 1. Brent started as a comedic actor on “Night Court.” 2. He does do Comicon, conferences, podcasts and interviews. 3. He is gracious and funny in real life and was the biggest prankster with Michael Dorn (Worf) on the set of TGN. 4. Levar Burton is one of his closest friends. 5. And Peri was the icing on the cake! BRAVO! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@beauxr.benoit1374]

A regular on Cheers too.

[@im8555]

“Guess who’s not using the bathroom tonight.” Lol

[@turnerwright]

The world needed this, Brent. Thank you.

[@keving2115]

I want this as a Netflix series now....

[@jimhenderson9173]

I'd rather see it elsewhere. Too many reasons to not subscribe to Netflix.

[@Droowtube]

That was friggin' hilarious. I'm cracking up. He's a talented guy. Not many people can play someone who has no emotions but you feel bad for him when he gets insulted. I met Spiner once- he's a real gentleman. A lot of people let their celebrity go to their head. He's as friendly and down-to-earth as you can get. Great guy, funny AF.

[@thejudgmentalcat]

Brent Spiner ranting and swearing like a normie. I needed this. Better than Shatner's SNL skit!

[@Inpreesme]

Shatner’s not even in the same league

[@emeraldsoda4059]

Maaaaaaan forget Shartner

[@emmabuntrock-muller7091]

Brilliant direction, clever writing and the perfect star to play Brent Spiner. This would make a great series.

[@TMHF]

I wasn't going to leave this comment until I saw that LeVar Burton had made one.

[@danielboshears6474]

“Look! These M&M’s have your initials on them”.... It had never occurred to me what Brent Spiner’s initials spelled....nice burn.

[@kianbautista1016]

Seeing Brent Spiner act really emotion is not only uncomfortable, but entertaining.

[@allymog5228]

I completely agree! This is the BEST worst thing I've ever seen

[@KierensWebofChaos]

It’s weird as hell seeing Geordi and Data in a modern day setting 😁

[@tichu7]

It's just like another episode on the holodeck

[@chapablo]

You should check out Fresh Hell. They're hysterical in it.

[@stormywatts5907]

Not a big bang fan? Lol

[@robertholtz]

Ironic use of the term “modern day setting.” 🖖

[@wocket42]

Fresh hell on KZbin. The Levar episode

[@DavidBatson]

This was funny as hell! Thank you for putting it up. I would have regretted missing it.

[@themidwesternflash]

Oh he does conventions, his patrick Stuart impression is the best. 😆

[@estebanperez2557]

"You might wana check the local library" hahaha what a call back, had me pissin myself

[@calvinreeves]

way over most people's heads...

[@Menaceblue3]

🤲🌈📖

[@paulisaacson6044]

Not is it over my head but I was thrilled when Kirk asked the lady who talked with her hands why she did that, finally was going to know why people did that to me

[@jamesbizs]

Lol tf you mean call back. He was pushing reading rainbow just a few years prior.

[@-POISON-]

Wow, Peri Gilpin hasn't aged at all.

[@andytay5507]

no, she hasn't. Almost makes Brent look like a jailbait grabber.

[@allme2547]

I know when she showed up on-screen I was like Brent Spiner must have married a much younger woman. It took a second to realize it was Peri Gilpin. She has aged a little but in a good way. Still very natural looking

[@markiangooley]

About my age but doesn’t look it...

[@edyak6280]

Excellent! This short is hilarious. Congratulations and thanks to all who put this together.

[@marinarhettsturgill6085]

Brent dropping the F-bomb more than once is the funniest thing I've ever seen so far!!

[@LoQ138]

Looks like Data finally got that emotion chip finely tuned.

[@ERNIE555]

😂🤣😂🤣👍🏻

[@foadrightnow5725]

OMG! That was awesome! Brent and LeVar are icons! And this was such an amazing departure from their usual gig! I think a sitcom with these awesome actors would really do well(as long as it had good writers!)! In the words of Yogi Guru Shia LaBeouf...Just DO IT! !

[@chapablo]

There already is one. Check out Fresh Hell.

[@foadrightnow5725]

@@chapablo - I will do that! Thanks!

[@lindaterrell5535]

Make it so!

[@doncorleon9]

Skilfully brushed on so many subjects that are currently touchy. Sneaky!

[@marinarhettsturgill6085]

Three cheers for the hula lamp on Brent's desk! This video is the funniest thing I've ever seen so far!! Brent Spiner is still my favorite actor even to this very day!!😆😁

[@bugone2]

This absolutely needs to be made into a full series.

[@chxrliee428]

So, was this "the incident" that kick-started Fresh Hell?

[@chapablo]

It only makes sense that it was something as petty as a wrong email address.

[@joshuabishop4347]

What a blast! Make this a series please!

[@Stormtrooper53]

My immediate reaction to this was "when did Brent Spiner get married to Peri Gilpin?"

[@BCThunderthud]

Yep, I went straight to IMDB

[@AlyssaNguyen]

The first thing I did was look up CSUF faculty. 😂

[@Rheinguard]

"Gonna let my wife finish first tonight!" That killed me lol 😆

[@tarajoshi99]

Loved this! Who knew a Brent Spiner was what we all needed?!

[@macsvoltage5723]

Holy crap. I would watch the star trek out of this. Whatever that means.

[@jessmyarchiveofeverything4341]

I'm with you 100%

[@catherinejustcatherine1778]

Over & over for oh... almost 50 years, and counting?

[@jack-1955]

Gonna let my wife finish first tonight 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@123RADIOactive]

The icing on top of this would’ve been him in full Data character while singing lol 😂

[@enigma1487]

Oh please, more! That was absolutely magnificent!!!!

[@rayvnn11]

This is the best thing I've ever seen.

[@theobserver2674]

He is saying, in a funny way, HE DON'T WANT TO PLAY DATA ANYMOOORE!

[@peteallyn412]

The subtle humor of this man is like a fine wine.

[@TheLukanda]

Sooo... many... 90's... actors!!!

[@TheElecPlay92]

Ah this must be the third season of Fresh Hell!

[@pavelow235]

7:34 The Reading Rainbow reference, has me in stitches. 😂😂😂😂🤣🤣👏

[@Observer-cp4if]

"Look these M&Ms have your initials on them."

[@nicotopcat7755]

Brent Spiner is very funny. He made me laugh like hell with his songs...

[@bellwitch007]

Loved it!!! Best short on the channel.

[@LibertyLivery]

Is that really his son? The resemblance is remarkable.

[@brassholio]

Nah it's not his real son, I've seen pictures of them at red carpet events. His real son is a bit younger than this actor too.

[@dimensionlordgambitmccoy9727]

He needs a mini-series hopefully on Hulu or Amazon Prime. Now that will be great.

[@johnchedsey1306]

This was the short I never knew I needed so much

[@brunoflorindo7457]

Imagine if Kelsey Grammer showed up to invite them to a radio show

[@matonmongo]

"A Jet Ski.... whaddaya gonna tow it with, your electric car?!" ;-p

[@leegray4999]

Now this reminds me of his performances before Data ! His character on Night Court was epic !

[@thedirepuppy6571]

Heh heh. He said "Screwed with the wrong puppy!"

[@maxschaeffner9005]

Someone needs to share this with mike and rich from RLM

[@unka1723]

Brent is like a fine Whiskey, not for everyone's taste, and a bit unhealthy, but happy-making. LeVar is like a nice fruit juice: Tasty, healthy and everyone loves him.

[@jitterysquirrel76]

This should be a series. I absolutely adored this.

[@MrGeoffHilton]

Absolutely brilliant, Brent is a very talented guy, keep up the singing.

[@scottlomas5509]

To hear him drop the f bomb is hard to take lol 😂

[@iamdacrazydimples]

I almost spat coffee ☕ out and couldn't stop laughing.

[@scottlomas5509]

@@iamdacrazydimples it was fantastic he should definitely do more of that .

[@RCLIFTOFFGuy]

My neighbors are probably calling the cops on me for laughing too loud. "I'll do Broadway"! LOL

She killed his whole vibe. My grandma does that too me when I’m singing.

[@ranbauli]

Keep on singing!!

[@graphix-R21]

ROFL.. That shrimp scene! I haven't laughed this hard in a while. This totally should be a show!

[@ProjectPaladin]

I would watch a whole series just like that. That was great, had a good laugh.

[@frankiect71]

Thank you to all in and behind the making this video. I was having the worst day ever and stumbled onto this which helped bring a smile to my face again

[@ashland75]

"Don't tell me some network was so desperate they bought LeVar's 'Reading With the Stars' bulls---!"

[@KRAFTWERK2K6]

He has a comfy office. Love his little Enterprise model on the table :P

[@dannyr2976]

My goodness, Brent is really Lore!

[@OneManOneCamera]

This was really funny and never expected to hear him swear! lol

[@jeffpace2069]

I literally had to look up Brent Spiner on Wikipedia to see if Peri Gilpin was really his wife! Hahahahaha.

[@Sarriiaa]

Brents f*cking amazing 😂

[@ChefCarter]

This was unexpected & fun! Love the pandering to Broadway. Maybe once COVID19 is behind us he can come do a musical at my town's civic theater. We're small but overflow with amazingly talented people.

[@OZONENORTH1]

This guy needs to be back. He's always been one of my favorite actors. This was 12 minutes and 19 seconds of awesomeness, I enjoyed it keep it up man welcome back.