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.
Notes from the Writers' Room, Week Three
Hello, boys and girls.
Well, Italy is barely a week behind us… and here comes Sweden. Yes, folks, Bobby has fallen for the hot Swedish nanny.
And she’s a real Swede, too! Played by mega-model, Mini Anden. Just Google (images) Mini Anden and you’ll see: She has a massive, massive career as a model. Trust me, people, Mini was basically slumming when she appeared on the show, because she makes a small fortune out there in fashion-land. The first “My Boys” character to appear on the cover of VOGUE, too. (Well, she appeared on the cover before she was on the show, but you catch my drift, right?) Having said that… Mini was awesome and professional and perfect as Elsa.
The other side of the “hot nanny” story involves “Meredith.” In case you didn’t know, Meredith is actually played by Jim Gaffigan’s wife-in-real-life, the wonderful Jeannie Noth-Gaffigan. This is Jeannie’s third (but definitely not last) appearance on “My Boys,” and it’s always great to have her around. Jim and Jeannie have two insanely cute kids, too, so it’s always fun to see the full Gaffigan family in the production office.
On that note… Jim will be on tour this summer. If you’ve never seen him live, you absolutely must. He rocks the freakin’ mic. Period. My three favorite SoCal concerts in the last year or so? Iron Maiden at the Forum, Morrissey at the Paladium, and Jim Gaffigan at the Wiltern. Check out Jim’s website - Jimgaffigan.com – for more info.
This episode was written by the great Sebastian Jones. Sebastian was also responsible for last year’s “Ferris Bueller” type finale and the “Dirty Little Secrets” episode.
Good times.
RANDOM NOTES:
A. One of the coolest things about “My Boys” is… wait for it… we get to work with good friends all the time. Pre-My Boys kinda friends. In fact, a whole bunch of the guest stars during the first season were super-close pals of ours… in real life. Including Johnny “Trouty” Galecki (“Roseanne”), Laurie Metcalf (“Roseanne”), Neil Flynn (“Scrubs”), Nicole Sullivan (“Mad TV”), and the mighty Jack McBrayer (“30 Rock”).
This year is no different, and the fun kicks off with episode 202. “Beth” and “Margot” were played by Jean Villepique and Kit Pongetti, and both are old friends. Let me tell ya, Jean and Kit are super-talented and super-awesome. You might recognize Jean from her appearance on “30 Rock” – she basically helped Alec Baldwin win his Emmy with the “therapy” scene – and Kit has more national commercials than god. Another weird fact? Kit’s husband (my main man, Mark Stegemann) wrote on the show last year and penned the “Estates of Hoffman” episode.
Good times.
Jean and Kit also have a band here in Angeles City. I’ll post some info on the TBS Fan Forum when their next gig comes up. (There’s one this week in NYC, but this blog will post after that show.)
B. God, this blog has been painfully lovey-dovey towards “My Boys” and the people on it, hasn’t it? The truth is… everyone on this show can suck it.
C. Billy Ocean is still touring, by the way. Who knew?
D. Yeah, they’re playing “Mousetrap” at the beginning of the episode. Definitely an homage to one of our favorite Chicago spots… Guthrie’s Tavern. (1300 W. Addison, not far from Wrigley Field.) A spot famous for its wall of board games. Nothing better than spending a rainy Saturday afternoon in Guthrie’s, drinking good beer and playing Mousetrap or Risk or Operation or what-have-you.
E. Seriously. Just Google (images) Mini Anden and you’ll see. She has a massive, massive career as a model.
F. In our minds, “Andy and Meredith” are basically living in Lincoln Park. Within walking distance from the Athenian Room, I’d say.
G. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I hope the Lakers lose the series tonight (Tuesday). I’m a Laker fan, but I can’t deal with a “Game 7” stealing potential viewers on Thursday. (I’m turning this piece in beforehand, so I’m flying blind here.) I know this: If the NBA Finals go to a Game 7, not one person in New England will see our show this week.
H. While I’m thinking about it, here are some other great lines from episode 202:
BRANDO – “I just brought by some chocolate and an army knife.”
BOBBY – “Hmm. No. Sweden.”
“Tomorrow night, eight o’clock, don’t be drunk.”
“You guys are the perfect level of attractive. I mean… you’re good looking, but not so much where I feel uncomfortable around you.”
“I’m like a Honda: Not too flashy, but dependable.”
“She’s a crazy zombie. Good luck.”
“My god. I just want to break him in half and suck out the middle.”
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