E.G.F.

Blue Mountain State “Behind the Scenes” - This was...

Sat, 05 Jan 2013 13:35:48 -0500

Blue Mountain State “Behind the Scenes” - This was something we filmed near the end of Season 3, during the making of “The Corn Field” two-part episode. It was intended to be used as promotion for Season 4 and/or a DVD extra on the Season 3 DVD. But since we don’t have a Season 4 or a Season 3 DVD, we’re releasing it online as a parting gift for ourselves and our fans.

Special thanks to Ryan Haffey and Carlos Haynes who poured so much work into the making of this doc. Also a special thanks to our BMS cast and crew both in LA and Montreal. Ten seasons of this show would not have felt like enough time with you guys. Okay, maybe I’m stretching that a little bit, but my point is I love and miss you all.

-Eric

Posthumous Blue Mountain State Blog #1

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 21:28:57 -0400

Recently I’ve been contacted by a lot of people, via Facebook and Twitter, asking if there’s anything they can do to help get Blue Mountain State back on the air. My short answer is “No, there’s nothing you can do.” But here’s a long answer I sent a guy who wrote saying that he and a group of petitioners were preparing to pool their money and put up billboards urging Spike to pick up a 4th season. I thought I’d share it for all who have asked.

“First of all, thank you for caring this much about BMS. It means a lot to me and to all of the writers, actors, and crew who worked on the show. We loved making the show and it’s nice to hear from people who loved watching it.

The show was not canceled because of lack of support from our fans. Our fans are amazing and our ratings were solid. It was canceled for economic reasons. Also because it was on a network that has decided not to support scripted shows anymore.

Spike knows how much the fans care, which is why, I’m sad to say, I don’t think a petition or billboard is going to sway them at this point. Your money and efforts would be better spent buying some beer and toasting the three seasons we’re lucky enough to have. That’s what I did.

Feel free to share this with your friends and fellow petitioners. And thank you again for caring. It honestly means a lot. - Eric”

Why did I buy Ducati inspired Puma’s? So I can run...

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 01:33:37 -0400

Why did I buy Ducati inspired Puma’s? So I can run faster.

This is a song I wrote about Buddy Holly.

Sun, 20 May 2012 22:34:15 -0400

This is a song I wrote about Buddy Holly.

Black Sabbath - It’s Alright : In honor of the Black...

Wed, 16 May 2012 14:42:54 -0400

Black Sabbath - It’s Alright : In honor of the Black Sabbath reunion that’s collapsing before our eyes.

Sometimes you don’t realize the full effect an artist has...

Fri, 04 May 2012 19:34:31 -0400

Sometimes you don’t realize the full effect an artist has had on your life until that artist is gone. Licensed To Ill was the first cassette tape I ever bought with my own money. I bought the T-shirt to match. My friends and I would listen to it at recess. That was 26 years ago. During my teens and 20’s, Ill Communication, was a staple in my car. And just two weeks ago, by daughter and I were dancing in our kitchen to Check Your Head.

People say Nirvana was the band of my generation. I think it was The Beastie Boys. They’ve been with us the whole way. Their evolution and growth mirrored ours. Also, they taught me who Rod Carew was. The early passing of MCA is an enormous loss. RIP.

My First Experience with Disappointment at the Hands of a TV Network

Sat, 31 Mar 2012 23:33:01 -0400

When I was 5, my favorite show was Mighty Mouse. I loved it. I dressed as Mighty Mouse for Halloween, brushed my teeth with a Mighty Mouse electric toothbrush, wore Mighty Mouse Underoos, and watched the cartoon religiously. It was on channel 56 at 2:30 every weekday. And every weekday, after school, my best friend, Michael, and I would watch it together.

Until one day it wasn’t on anymore. I came home at 2:30, turned the TV to channel 56, and something else was on. I don’t remember what. At first I was confused. I checked all of the other stations. Couldn’t find it. Then I tried to make sense of it. Maybe I was too early. Maybe it’s on after this shitty show that I don’t want to watch right now. But it wasn’t. There was just another shitty show. And then another.

Eventually, I brought my Mother into the room and explained the situation. I wanted her to figure it out, since I couldn’t. But what she figured out was that Mighty Mouse was no longer on TV. She explained that the network, must have decided not to show it anymore. Why? She couldn’t tell me. Would it ever be on again? She didn’t know. What could I do to change this? Nothing. It was over. I would not be watching Mighty Mouse anymore.

It was a helpless feeling, and a feeling I didn’t experience again until 30 years later when my own TV show was canceled, just as abruptly. I went through the same emotions. I was confused. We had verbally been told by Spike TV that we were picked up for 13 episodes only 5 days earlier. And this was after months of improved ratings and nothing but positive feedback. I tried to make sense of it. Maybe Spike was just posturing, trying to get the studio to drop the 5% increase they wanted in the licensing fee for the show. They weren’t.

I looked to my Agents for an explanation. They didn’t have one. They explained that the network had just decided not to renew the show. They weren’t giving reasons. At least not believable ones. Why? They couldn’t tell me. Was it over for good? Lionsgate was working on bringing it to another network, but the chances of that were very slim. What could I do to change this? Nothing. It was over. I wouldn’t be making Blue Mountain State anymore.

I randomly ran into an executive from Spike last week. It was the first time we had seen or talked to each other since the show had been canceled. It was the first time, because after three years of working together, He hadn’t bothered to call, or email, or text, to personally tell me that he was canceling the show. To thank me for the work I put in. To thank me for giving his network their first ever successful scripted comedy. I had heard about the canceling second, and third hand, and didn’t even know for sure if it was true until I read about it online.

It was awkward seeing him. I could tell it was just as awkward for him. He said, “I’m sorry thing didn’t work out with the show. They should have.” What I wanted to say was “No shit they should have. What else do you have?” But instead I shrugged and said “I understand these things happen.” I understand because I learned it when I was 5. And nothing has changed since then. And nothing will. I love TV. I love working in TV. Shows are paper in the wind. And I accept that because I have no choice.

I’m sharing this so that we can all be bummed out that Jim...

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 23:55:16 -0400

I’m sharing this so that we can all be bummed out that Jim Henson is gone, together.

Guns N Roses: Hollywood Palladium 3/9/12

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 20:03:24 -0500

“My youth is gone. I’m never getting it back. All of those things that made me happy once have since died or become obsolete. I’m closer to 50 than I am to 20. What have I done with my life? At what age am I going to die? My grandfather was diagnosed with cancer at 49 and died at 57. I’m only 22 years away from that. My stomach hurts. I wish this night never happened.”

Not exactly what you want running through your head during a rock show. The purpose of a rock shows is to evoke joy, fun, anarchy, or at the very least a little slice of entertainment. This show evoked a mid-life crisis.

Expectations: I have to admit, my expectations for this show were high. Higher than they should have been. Nostalgia made me an optimist. GNR will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame next month. There have been rumors swirling since the announcement that the original members, Axl, Slash, Duff, Izzy, and Steven Adler, could reunite for the one time only induction concert. So when I heard about this show; relatively small venue in LA, announced only a week ago, I thought maybe, just maybe, this could be a warm up for the HOF reunion. That maybe, even if it’s just for one song, the original members would take the stage and play together. Like I said, higher than they should have been.

At the very least I thought I was in for a balls out, rock and roll concert. I was one of the few people who actually liked, and still like, the Chinese Democracy album. I thought, if that’s what I get, then it’ll be worth the $100 price of admission. What I got instead was closer to a shitty Vegas Review. Axl, with his hired band, playing the songs, old and new, note for note, like they learned them out of a book. And with so much faked emotion that it became insulting. I honestly felt insulted by them. Jumping around on stage. Trying to drum up unearned passion from the crowd. It felt personal. They’ve been my favorite band since I was twelve years old. Even when Axl went off the deep end, I always defended him. But last night was so bad that at one point I contemplated making my way up to the front row, just so I could dump my beer on Axl’s boots. I wanted him to know how disappointing it was for me. I wanted him to at least hear that.

Instead, I left. I knew what was coming next anyway. More of the same. Heartbrake on top of heartbrake on top of heartbreak. Even if the reunion did happen, I wouldn’t want to see it. Axl of old is gone. So are the rest of them. Seeing them together would only solidify what I’d already learned that night. That nothing can ever be what it was again.

I miss Phil Hartman. snuh: Phil Hartman as Keyrock, Unfrozen...

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 23:17:49 -0500

I miss Phil Hartman.

snuh:

Phil Hartman as Keyrock, Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer (1990 - SNL)

One hundred thousand years ago, a caveman was out hunting on the frozen wastes when he slipped and fell into a crevasse. In 1988, he was discovered by some scientists and thawed out. He then went to law school and became… Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer.

A Klondike commercial I did years ago with Romanski, The Lonely...

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 18:21:45 -0500

A Klondike commercial I did years ago with Romanski, The Lonely Island, and Chester.

Jason Varitek is retiring. Here he is on the day and the moment...

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 17:53:11 -0500

Jason Varitek is retiring. Here he is on the day and the moment that changed the Red Sox season in 2004. He was a guy I loved rooting for. He will be missed.

Sinead O’Connor covered this song Monday night and I...

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 04:13:12 -0500

Sinead O’Connor covered this song Monday night and I haven’t been able to get it out of my head since. This guy’s pretty brilliant.

I Finished Reading Moby Dick: A Review

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 16:06:00 -0500

135 Chapters….

75 are boring and tedious and make you wish you were doing anything else but reading them.
40 are interesting.
20 are so mind-blowingly good that they make the entire read worth while.

Yes that equals 135, I checked the math.

This is a picture I took a few years ago of my good friend John....

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 12:04:30 -0500

This is a picture I took a few years ago of my good friend John. It was 3AM on a Wednesday night at his apartment in LA. It’s tough to make out, but he’s pouring Budweiser in his mouth while lying down in front of a TV playing the video for Motley Crue’s “Home Sweet Home”.

One of the things Johnny and I have in common is our love of music. Particularly, 80’s rock. That’s why, that night, when we got back to his place after the bars had closed, he immediately turned his TV to the VH1 Classics show “Metal Mania”. With every old metal video they played, Johnny turned up the TV and we drank another beer. The reason I’m telling you this, is because it lead to one of the greatest exchanges between two people I’ve ever been lucky enough to witness.

After about 45 minutes of metal and Beer, I heard a knock at the door.

ME: ” Johnny, I think there’s someone at your door.”

JOHN: “Ignore it. It’s probably just my neighbors.”

This is when I realize that it’s 3AM on a Wednesday night, Johnny lives in an apartment building, the glass doors that lead to the courtyard are wide open, and the TV is at full volume, blaring Iron Maiden’s “Run to the Hills”. The knocks get louder.

ME: “I think you should get it.”

John: “Fine.”

Johnny answers the door wearing only a pair of jeans. No shirt. No shoes. And carrying a can of Bud. He finds his neighbor standing there, in his pajamas, pissed off. But before the neighbor can speak, Johnny does…

John: “What’s the matter? Too much metal for ya?”

Neighbor: “Uh… Yes actually.”

John: “I’ll tell you what. We’re not gonna stop rocking out in here. But we’ll try to do it a little quieter.”

Johnny slams the door. And for that moment, is the best person on the planet.

Some good news and some frustrating news for Blue Mountain State...

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 17:20:53 -0500

Some good news and some frustrating news for Blue Mountain State fans. The good news is that BMS Season 3 is now available on Netflix Instant. The frustrating news is that the episodes are listed out of order.

This is not Netflix’s fault. It’s Lionsgates fault. And this is the second year in a row they’ve screwed this up.

Some trivia for those who care; the episode order currently listed is the order the episodes were shot in, rather than the order they were aired. The correct airing order is as follows…

301 The Captain

302 Dic Pics

303 Thad’s Back

304 The Peak

305 Training Day

306 Blackout

307 Superstition

308 Fun Facts

309 The C-Word

310 One Week

311 Death Penalty

312 & 313 The Corn Field 1&2

Also, The Corn Field episodes listed are the rerun cuts at 21 minutes each part. The original 1 hour cut that aired on 11/30 is not available. I don’t know why.

I’d like to tell you how much this all bothers me and why, but I don’t have time to get into it right now. Instead, I will leave you with some advice. If you’re a writer who hopes to work in television, the worst thing you can do to yourself, is to go into it expecting to be appreciated for your work. You will constantly feel let down.

Congrats to Sevan for the Channel 101 Lifetime Achievement...

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 19:42:11 -0500

Congrats to Sevan for the Channel 101 Lifetime Achievement award. Well deserved recognition.

channel101tumblr:

SEVAN NAJARIAN - CHANNEL 101 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

Is bms filmed in LA?

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 11:04:03 -0500

BMS is filmed in Montreal, QC. A great city despite their shitty hockey team.

This guy is my new hero. And this video is my rebuttal to...

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 11:52:35 -0500

This guy is my new hero. And this video is my rebuttal to anyone who thinks America is not the greatest country in the world.

If I could travel back to any point in time, I would not choose...

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 16:13:00 -0500

If I could travel back to any point in time, I would not choose to be present for Jesus’s birth, or Ben Franklin’s kite flying, or the debut of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony. I would choose to be in New York City on Feb. 2nd, 1988 for this Guns N Roses concert at The Ritz.

This was the band at their very short-lived prime. Before they imploded. When they were still having fun and about to take over the world.

Some things that I love about this clip…

1. Axl’s Thin Lizzy T-shirt, leather pants, and snake skin belt. (His 5th or 6th costume change of the show. Previous outfit was leather pants, no shirt, and Harley Davidson suspenders.)

2. Axl’s reaction after stage diving, getting mauled, and losing his Thin Lizzy shirt. He doesn’t give a fuck. He rocks out hard.

3. Drummer Steven Adler’s constant acknowledgment of the camera with classic 80’s moves.

4. Dudes rushing the stage.

5. The one black guy in the audience who seems to be having the time of his life.

6. Axl’s exit from the stage after the song is over. Like he just won a fight.

The rest of the this concert is available on you tube. I highly suggest checking it out. One of the best rock shows ever captured on video tape.