Chasing Wayne

The man can act, sing, dance, do comedy, host a TV show, and have one of the most beautiful smiles in entertainment. No, it is not Jamie Foxx—it's Wayne Brady!

From time to time, Andy watched Whose Line Is It Anyway every Saturday morning from ages eight to eighteen. Sitting cross-legged right up against the box TV, Andy witnessed improvisation at its finest from the works of Colin Mochrie, Ryan Stiles, and, of course, the immensely talented - Wayne Brady. The show was thrown into reruns on ABC Family, also known as FreeForm. 

Whose Line Is It Anyway returned in 2013 when the CW picked up the show and replaced Drew Carey with Aisha Tyler. Yes, CW—the channel you find when someone accidentally sits on your television remote or passes by it when there is nothing left to watch and decides to channel surf. The show has remained on the air and is actually renewed for another season set to premiere in the Fall of 2024. 

However, Andy knows only so much about the show because of his love for Wayne Brady. Brady's humor wasn't the only thing that made Andy a fan; he also loved Brady's clothing style and always imagined Brady smelling like really good cologne. 

Every night before Andy closed his eyes, he imagined what kind of car Wayne Brady drove. He wondered what his music album sounded like because he'd never listened to it and probably never would. Andy imagined the star driving a drop-top purple convertible of some sort, cruising down the 405 and getting stopped constantly for autographs and photos. 

Even when Andy closed his eyes, he couldn't help but wonder what Wayne Brady's next project was and why he wasn't more famous. Was there a specific Scientology group where you're not totally covered but enough to where you'll get put in Daytime Game Show purgatory? Is there an inexpensive group of Scientologists? 

Upon waking up one morning, Andy felt uncomfortable until he flew to LA and watched the live version of Whose Line Is It Anyway. He was determined to find a way to meet Wayne Brady. 

So, Andy called out of work at his forklift driver gig at Home Depot and put in PTO for a week to have time to map out his plan. 

Getting the five hundred bucks from his father for a one-way trip to Los Angeles, California, from Kansas City with a stop in Houston, Andy packed just one bag with a collared shirt, three pairs of underwear, two socks, a pair of shorts, and a pair of tan chinos. 

Arriving in LAX, Andy made it to the hotel that was about 30 minutes away from where they shot Whose Line Is It Anyway? Giving himself a day to settle in and do some sightseeing, Andy took a trip down Hollywood Boulevard to visit the Walk of Fame. Unaware of the dense population of homeless people surrounding the area, Andy was beyond frightened. Determined to find the star he came for, Andy continued his search and finally landed on Wayne Brady's. The young man stood on the NAACP Daytime Emmy Awarding star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Feeling fulfilled, Andy snapped his picture and headed back to the hotel to get rest for tomorrow's big day. 

Turning off his alarm, Andy rose to shower and iron his outfit for the show's taping in case he appeared on camera. With only $40 left, he wasn't sure how to make his way to Studio City, but he was able to find a cheap cab to the taping. 

Andy had made it a point to call out of work for a week but never had enough money to stay in LA full-time. The truth is, Andy had a half-assed plan. He did not have any intention of going back home to Kansas City, but he had every intention of making his way through security backstage after the show and meeting Wayne Brady. He would do anything to make this happen—anything. 

Arriving in Studio City, Andy gave the rest of his money to the cab driver and waited in line to make his way into the taping. 

Getting to his seat, which was pretty good, Andy sat through the gentlemen trying to warm up the crowd and anxiously waited for the announcement of the performers. 

The sound of the other names sounded like White Noise to Andy. The main attraction finally came about, and this is when Andy stood up and screamed his head off for his idol. He couldn't believe it - there Brady was, glistening and so smooth-looking. Andy couldn't believe how beautiful Brady's smile was - unable to understand how one's teeth could be so white. 

The show was great, and Andy's face hurt from smiling so much. Waiting through the ending credits, Andy sat and watched the audience clear out. Acting innocent, Andy made his way down to the last step of the seats to pretend he wanted to get a better picture of the main stage while a security guard watched him carefully, making sure he didn't make his way any further. 

"You wanna meet him?" asked the security guard. 

"Meet who?" said Andy. 

"You know who." 

"Are you joking?" 

"I'm not - I know why you're here." 

"Where is he?" 

"In his dressing room, getting ready for Let's Make A Deal. Once he's done, he usually hangs around to talk to the PAs. Wait here a few more minutes; I'll bring you in."

Andy couldn't believe it. No further effort is required, and no crime is to be committed. This really was the city of dreams. 

The security guard came to Andy and guided them across the stage behind the curtain, and he finally got to see under the hood of his favorite television shows. He thought he would see fewer wooden structures than now but thought it was just part of the gig. Stepping over, one of the performers passed out in the middle of the hallway; the security guard finally led Andy to the door of Wayne Brady's dressing room. 

Andy could not feel his legs, and his palms were so sweaty that before he could wipe them, the security guard knocked twice. Andy heard "Come In" sung in a beautiful melody. The door opened, and he was sitting in front of the mirror, Harry Connick Jr. filling the room with a Bluetooth speaker. 

Wayne Brady stood up from his chair in a burgundy suit and looked as if he stood eight feet tall. He glided towards Andy until he came to a sudden halt, scurrying back to his mirror, tapping his flavor savor under his bottom lip. Andy really did peek behind the curtain. 

Extending his hand, Brady shook Andy's hand firmly and exchanged empty Hollywood acknowledgment, looking through the young fan. Keeping the interaction under twenty seconds, Brady released Andy's hand, giving him enough momentum to walk towards the door, back into reality, and back into the Studio City parking lot. 

Andy was still coming down from meeting his hero in the paid ride back to his hotel. Wayne Brady was everything the kid from Kansas City imagined him to be. 

Andy had to quickly wash up and get ready to attend a free taping of Let's Make A Deal, followed by dinner with the man he loved more than Denzel and Will.