Hollywood Prayer and Support - Season 3: The Story Behind the Laughter
From Near-Death to Divine Comedy
It's 2025, and the HPAS gang is having a hard time – but that's exactly when we need laughter the most.
The story of Hollywood Prayer and Support begins in 2022, when I had literally almost died from lack of potassium. After getting out of the hospital, I was struggling to get my strength back when something extraordinary happened. I heard from God. (Oh Lord, I sound like Patsy Shout in the Porch Dwellers – see my Porch Dwellers story and post!)
But I swear to God, I heard Him say, "MeMe, you need to laugh and stop taking life so seriously."
So I started writing Hollywood Prayer and Support, and my laughter bounced off my bedroom walls, into the hallway, and down the stairs. I kid you not!
The Magic of "Yes"
Then I called up a bunch of artists I know and asked them, "Would you meet me in the Zoom and film this virtual comedy?"
And they said, "Yes, MeMe!" – especially my buddy LaRita Shelby, who plays Mary, the host of the group. LaRita Shelby is a phenomenal actress. Some people have one name. She deserves two! LOL.
What's Coming Next
On Tuesday, paid subscribers get the next episode with me hosting Hollywood Prayer and Support as M. California Kelly. Mary couldn't make it, but you'll meet Maximillion Bane – a handsome fellow, filmmaker, and STAR who has one name!
Get your subscription and join the Porch Dwellers and the Hollywood Prayer and Support Family.
Perfectly Imperfect Magic
Hollywood Prayer and Support is perfectly imperfect! A ghost showed up in the Zoom and snatched Mary's background, was messing with the lighting, making the sound pop in and out. But still we kept going.
We think it was on account of Mary coming to the Zoom after leaving her friend's Celebration of Life for her 30-year-old son. The loss of a 30-year-old child is a depth of pain that defies words - it goes against the natural order of things and leaves a wound that never fully heals. What makes Mary's dedication even more profound is that she came straight from honoring that devastating loss to bring joy and laughter to others. That takes an extraordinary kind of strength and grace. Now, that's a friend and dedication to your craft. Mary still came and acted her butt off.
Hollywood Prayer and Support isn't just about comedy - it's about people choosing to create light in the darkness, to show up for each other, and to find sacred moments of connection even when life feels overwhelming. Mary's story becomes a perfect example of the show's heart and mission.
The Extraordinary Cast
What a blessing it is to live in Los Angeles and meet artists who will show up for you and share their gift. I'm so grateful for:
MeMe Kelly (or dog gone self, LOL, as M. California Kelly, the substitute host and Mary's writing partner)
LaRita Shelby (our Anointed Host)
Helen Duffy (our Jewish Queen Actress)
Cat Ce (Samiko, our Asian Princess Actress)
Paul Lauden (Dr. Z for Zenobia, Mr. Smarty Pants, Professor, and Researcher)
Yve Evans (Our Glorious Songstress and Actress)
Melanie Williams (Takur, our Spoken Word Artist)
Derrick Muhammad (Maximillion Bane, Filmmaker)
Gentel Sharrie (Our STAR Actress)
Without them, Hollywood Prayer and Support doesn't exist. There are two more from Season 1 and 2. You can meet them by clicking the link to Seasons 1 and 2:
The Heart of It All
Laugh with us. Have fun. Life is messy and we must stay in joy and laugh.
In a world where everything feels heavy, Hollywood Prayer and Support reminds us that sometimes the most sacred thing we can do is gather together – even virtually – and find reasons to smile. When ghosts crash our Zoom calls and sound cuts out and backgrounds disappear, we keep going. Because that's what artists do. That's what friends do. That's what hope looks like.
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