La Fia waiter, toilets star in 'Golden Thrones' series
It was about two years ago when the communications manager for Longwood Gardens received an odd request: A web series called "Golden Thrones" wanted to shoot an episode all about Longwood's lavatories.
They didn't want to catch the orchids or water lilies in bloom or shoot in the Meadow Garden. It was all about the bathroom.
"It certainly was an unusual request," says Longwood's Patricia Evans. "The idea that there was a web series dedicated to that was certainly unique."
"Golden Thrones," which is available to watch at goldenthron.es, is hosted by Wilmington native Jon DelCollo, a local comedian and server at downtown Wilmington restaurant La Fia.
In each of the six videos produced, DelCollo plays it straight as he riffs on restrooms.
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Dressed in a dapper suit, he never lets on that "Golden Thrones" is anything but serious. He comes at it with a winning, straight-faced approach, complete with breathless descriptions of toilet brands and models as if he were a gearhead talking about the new Ford GT.
The videos are filled with silly one-liners, including this deadpan line from DelCollo while at Longwood: "Neatly burrowed into this lush corridor are a whopping 17 bathrooms. That's enough to fit the whole cast of 'The Muppet Show.' But enough name-dropping, let's check out the inside."
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Later, our host points out the red light that turns on when someone is using a tricked-out Longwood loo, letting "people know when you're recording in the studio."
"Golden Thrones" is the brainchild of Philadelphia-based Vireo Films with director Dan Angelucci and director of photographer Clay Hereth first teaming up with host DelCollo about two years ago after catching one of his sets. (All three have a hand in writing the segments.)
"They had a pretty good idea of what they wanted my character to be – a 'Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous'-type," DelCollo says. "He really loves what he's doing. He's serious – not super serious – but he doesn't find it funny."
So far, "Golden Thrones" has featured public restrooms at Longwood, Barra restaurant (Philadelphia), Coca-Cola Park (Allentown, Pennsylvania), Johnny on the Spot (Old Bridge, New Jersey) and ACME Studio and the Way Station (Brooklyn, New York). While a Delaware bathroom has yet to be featured, DelCollo says he thinks he knows which commode should command his attention in the First State: the bathrooms at the Hotel du Pont's Green Room.
With some episodes racking up 56,000 views on YouTube, they nearly got a sponsorship from a toilet paper company before the deal fell apart.
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DelCollo, 30, a graduate of the University of Delaware and St. Elizabeth High School, got started in comedy six years ago, attempting his first open mic at Philadelphia's Helium Comedy Club. After living in Los Angeles for about a year in 2011 with an eye on snagging a writing job in Hollywood, DelCollo returned, eventually moving from Wilmington to Philadelphia to continue his comedy career.
These days, you can find DelCollo performing at major Philadelphia clubs such as Helium and the newly opened, Live Nation-backed Punch Line Philly. Locally, DelCollo has performed at Wilmington's Extreme Pizza and Spaceboy Clothing, where he will return for a show Friday night. (Spaceboy is hosting shows at both 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. DelCollo's set is during the late show.)
"The thing that appealed to us about Jon is that he is a legitimately stylish person and has taste, but he still has his rougher edges," says director Angelucci. "He doesn't put on airs and try to be a fancy person just because he dresses nice. He still has a sense of humor."
Unlike the '80s and early '90s when there were multiple comedy clubs in Wilmington, DelCollo grew up at a time when there were no proper rooms for stand-up in his hometown. Even so, he caught the bug.
"I really love doing stand-up. If I only do stand-up gigs forever and never see a writing job out of it, that'll be fine," he says.
Once "Golden Thrones" is done and a segment is posted online, the owners of the taped toilets, including Longwood Gardens, have been happy with the end product.
Longwood was already accustomed to getting special attention for their amenities. Just before shooting, Longwood's bathrooms were named the best restrooms in America by Cintas, a business-services company in Ohio, giving "Golden Thrones" the idea to pay a visit.
"They were a lot of fun to work with and had a great sense of humor about it," Longwood's Evans says. "And they actually made an engaging video."
Contact Ryan Cormier of The News Journal at rcormier@delawareonline.com or (302) 324-2863. Follow him on Facebook (@ryancormier), Twitter (@ryancormier) and Instagram (@ryancormier).
IF YOU WATCH
The six available episodes of "Golden Thrones" can be viewed at goldenthron.es or youtube.com/goldenthrones.
IF YOU GO
What: "Spaceboy Presents: Friday Night Comedy" hosted by Brandon Jackson
7 p.m. show: Matt McCusker, Kevin Hufe, Eric Sedlacek, Max Gallo, Belynda Cleare and Adam Montgomery. $5.
9 p.m. show: Keith Purnell, Ty Jamison, Jon DelCollo and Brandon Jackson. $10.
Where: Spaceboy Clothing, 711 N. Market St., Wilmington
Information and tickets: spaceboyclothing.com