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, Week Seven (The Return of John)

Hello, boys and girls.

We’re cranking along, aren’t we? Hard to believe, but we’ve only got three episodes to go. And this episode… really set some wheels in motion. Don’t you think?

I’m kinda talking to those of you who are playing along at home and trying to figure out where we’re going. I know I do that with my favorite shows, so I’m guessing that you do, too. (I’m thinkin’ that the next season of LOST has to start with Jack getting Kate to go back to the island. Somehow. With Ben’s help, probably. Actually, my ultimate call is that… Jack will come to realize that he has to stop flight 815 from ever taking off… in the first place. Time travel, making things right again, yada yada.)

In a lot of ways, the bachelor party episode was inspired by Betsy Thomas and Adrian “John” Wenner’s wedding in Chicago… oh so many years ago. (Yes, they’re married: Do the math.) Their wedding was basically a three-night party, starting on with the “bachelor” and “bachelorette” parties happened on “night one.” They weren’t really traditional bachelor and bachelorette parties, though. They were more like, “You go hang with your old friends for a bit, I’ll go hang with my old friends for a bit, and we’ll all hook up later.” The parties were then combined to make one giant party - at the Double Door in Wicker Park - before the end of the evening. Which was such an awesome call.

We, the members Team Betsy, started out with dinner at Kamehachi in Old Town, followed by a few hours of old school hanging at (the now defunct) O’Rourke’s across the street from Steppenwolf. Then… the Double Door. Don’t know what Team Wenner did. I think they nerded out and played paintball, but… I could be wrong.

A good time was had by all, I can tell you.

Which brings us back to Wenner, aka Bobby’s rich friend John. Yes, Adrian Wenner is the same Adrian Wenner that wrote “Douchebag in the City” and “Spit Take.” (With his heterosexual life-partner, Ethan Sandler. Of course.) You hardcore fans might remember Adrian’s first MY BOYS appearance during last year’s “Dirty Little Secrets” episode. Or… you might not, because the mighty Adrian did not have much to do in that episode … save for hitting a few golf balls out of Bobby’s apartment. Which was a set-piece on Stage 16 at Paramount Studios.

But he’s back, and we couldn’t be happier. Because we love making fun of Bobby’s friend John. Who the hell is he?! What’s his back-story?! Where the %#&! Did he come from?!!

Our pitches for John… when Adrian was out of the room… might make it on the Showtime version of My Boys… but not this one.

J Puppies and kittens, Adrian!

RANDOM NOTES:

A. This episode was written by the incredibly talented Corey Nickerson, our resident Red Sox fan and the latest addition to the MY BOYS staff. Corey rules… despite her love for the Bad Sox.

B. Adrian and his writing partner Ethan Sandler have four really cool shorts on YouTube right now. Go to YouTube, type in “Debate in 08,” hit return and check ‘em out. “My Boys” alum Neil Flynn and Jack McBrayer make an appearance in the second episode, and Ethan’s wife, the great Kathryn Hahn, is the moderator.

C. Kathryn is whooping it up on Broadway right now, in the hit play “Boeing - Boeing.” FYI.

D. Suzi Quatro was a minor pop/rock star during the 70’s. She appeared in Tiger Beat magazine - a bunch of times - and played Leather Tuscadero on “Happy Days.” Kaler made up that line in the show.

E. I think you can tell that we have some issues with the “bro-ham culture” that seems to be sweeping the nation right now. Thus, the hi-five and “gimme chili” jokes. Check out the blog “HotchickswithDouchebags” for more info.

F. I’ve mentioned that Jim is on tour. Jamie “Mike” Kaler is out there performing, too. Check out his website, Jamiekaler.com, for more info. Or… his MySpace page. Looks like he’ll be appearing at the Medina County Fair (Medina, OH) on July 31st.

G. Hint: Bobby’s “mother” was not a character at the shower. We’ll see her soon enough…

H. Ah, the stress of splitting a massive dinner bill evenly… even if/when you’ve only had a salad. Good times, huh?

I. I have a bunch of Law & Orders on the ol’ DVR. Just watched one this morning, and I swear to God… there’s Billy Burke, aka Bobby’s brother Jack. Playing a defense attorney for Jennifer Beals. Cool.

J. Is there anything better than a full pancake breakfast at 2:30 in the am?

K. Here are some great lines from episode 206.

“Oh, come one. I hate lady-parties.”

“Rich douche.”

P.J. - “They’re applauding a pan.”

STEPH - “It’s got a copper core! It’s just… !”

“Is that what you’re doing with the cowboy boots? Dressing up?”

L. As always… your mission - should you choose to accept it - is to recruit one new person to the MY BOYS cause.

Up next… one of my favorite guest-stars ever. So don’t miss next week’s episode!

Peaches,
Brendan Smith