Brendan Smith is one of the writers on 'My Boys.' He is a graduate of Northwestern University in Evanston, IL and lives in Silver Lake, CA with his dog Ozzy. He likes Iron Maiden, green chili cheeseburgers, and The Big Lebowski.

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Notes from the Writers' Room

Hello, boys and girls. Welcome to the first installment of the semi-official “My Boys” blog, written by yours truly, Brendan Smith. AKA, the other Brando. AKA, a lowly writer on what I hope is your favorite televised entertainment program. For the next nine weeks, I’ll be posting all sorts of “My Boys” related stuff -- inside bits of information, production stories, and tidbits from the writers’ room -– right after each episode. You know, behind-the-scenes-kinda stuff. By doing so, I hope to shed some light on some of the most pressing issues out there in fan-land. Like...

“Where did P.J. get that necklace?” (Probably Zoe Chicco.)

Or, “What’s Michael Bunin really like?” (Kinda like Kenny, but more Vegas-y.)

Or...“Who’s on the plane?”

Ha, ha. Now that’s the five hundred dollar question, isn’t it? The one that’s been driving you mental since… I don’t know… last summer? When the screen went blank -- then to credits -- and slammed into an old episode of “Friends” without a hint or clue or a care for you. Right? Leaving you all alone in your apartment, screaming over your kung-pow chicken, “Who’s on the plane?!”

It’s the same question that a Los Angeles City barista coolly asked Jordana Spiro a few days after the season one finale aired last year. The dude said nothing else as he slid her specialty coffee beverage across the counter. Just, “Who’s on the plane?” But she… being a total professional… smiled and said nothing. Because she did not know the answer. (More on that piece of info this Friday.)

Well, dear reader, after months and months and months of waiting… we’re finally here. Answer time.

I gotta tell you, though, the clues were right in front of you. All along. I mean, come on. If you’re a careful watcher of television… you already knew the answer.

Who’s on the plane? Easy. Jack, Kate, Hurley, Sayid, Sun and Claire’s baby. They had to be on the plane… ‘coz they showed up in all of the flashforwards. The flashforwards that showed ‘em living off the island.

(Sadly, life off the island is driving Jack crazy, but that’s a whole ‘nuther story. One they better “pay off” next fall. Or else… I’m gonna be frustrated, too.)

Sorry. I slipped into a little “Lost” thing there, didn’t I? I gotta tell you, though, that little detour was a pretty good trip through the “My Boys” writers’ room. Most of us are massive “Lost” fans, so we spend a lot of, uh, “free time” talking about that show. About Jack, Sawyer and Kate. About Locke, Ben, and Jacob. About Mr. Eko and the smoke-monster. Yada yada. It’s a great way to blow off steam, especially if we’re all bogged down in the process of making Jamie Kaler “funny”.

Jin is alive, by the way.

Back to our show.

Look, I can’t answer the five hundred dollar question. You have to tune in on Thursday night to find out. That’s how it works. We make the show, you tune in, the advertisers push some soap or some sort of food product during the commercial breaks, and we all go to bed happy.

No? How about this, then? I can tell you one person it definitely “is not”.

Here we go:

Sorry, Trouty fans, but it ain’t Trouty. I know, I know, the smart money was on that loveable but slightly douchey goofball, because the chemistry between Trouty and our beloved P.J. was off the hizzook. (In the parlance of our times, of course.) Unfortunately, Trouty wasn’t in the cards, because Trouty was not available for work. But you, being a careful watcher of television, already knew that our good friend and old compadre Johnny Galecki is the star of "Big Bang Theory".

And thus… not available for work.

Still, we wish Johnny the best of luck in his new endeavor, because Johnny is a great guy and deserves everything that the universe throws his way. (His house is always stocked with good booze, too.) Hopefully, he’ll find time in his now busy schedule to squeeze in another Trouty appearance. ‘Til then, you’ll have to watch Our Kid on the above-mentioned program.

So who’s it gonna be? Thorn? The Cute Cub? Evan, the plant & flower guy? Hank? Maybe… TV Brando? Robert Newman? One of the other dudes?!

“How about the nerdy guy from Northwestern?”

Uh, no. (There’s another freebie for ya.)

Tune in this Thursday, June 12th at 9:30/8:30c to find out. I know I will, because I’ve already forgotten the real answer.

On that note, your mission -- should you choose to accept it -- is to recruit at least one more person to the “My Boys” cause. Work the phones, send some emails, bug your friends… ‘coz we need the numbers!

And check back with me on Friday.

TTFN,
Brendan Smith

If you like this, you'll love Betsy Thomas' (My Boys creator and writer) video blog. Click here and check it out.




The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer/speaker and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Turner Entertainment Networks, Inc.”