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Q&A with Sam Seder

I created this site with a couple goals in mind. Not only did I want to get I'm with Busey officially released, but I also wanted to collect as much information as I possibly could about the show and those involved. While our battle to get the show released still continues, I have some great news regarding information about the show. Today, I'm very excited to share our very first official Q&A with I'm with Busey director Sam Seder. Enjoy!

  • Still with Busey Avatar

    Thank you so much for taking some time to talk with us! Can you give us a little history about I’m with Busey? How was it conceived? What was the process in contacting everyone and selling the idea?

  • Sam Seder Avatar

    I actually came in after the pilot was shot. I directed all the shows following the pilot so didn't really see the development process. From what I gather, Adam pitched the show based on his obsession with Gary. I think he may have met him for the first time on the Man Show or a darkened back street in Venice CA.

  • Still with Busey Avatar

    Why hasn't I'm with Busey been released on DVD?

  • Sam Seder Avatar

    Absolutely no idea.

  • Still with Busey Avatar

    How much of the show was scripted?

  • Sam Seder Avatar

    Only the plot points were scripted. We knew where we had to enter a scene and where we had to exit.

  • Still with Busey Avatar

    What is the craziest behind the scenes story from the set?

  • Sam Seder Avatar

    I am honestly convinced that if I told you even the seventh craziest story from behind the scenes that someone (Gary, probably) would attempt to sue me for defamation. I'd win the case but at great expense.

  • Still with Busey Avatar

    Producer Jim Biederman had a cameo on the show as a “replica”. Were there any other noteworthy cameos?

  • Sam Seder Avatar

    My old friend, David Waterman, played the "deep throat" UFO guy - I think in that same replica episode (it was the one with the sasquatch 'expert'). Gary was under the impression that David was an actual UFO guy - I may have had some responsibility for that misapprehension.

  • Still with Busey Avatar

    Was the ending (I’m with Dick) planned or did the show get cancelled earlier than expected?

  • Sam Seder Avatar

    We weren't sure of the show's fate when we shot and edited the final episode, so it was supposed to cover either outcome.

  • Still with Busey Avatar

    Why was I'm with Busey cancelled?

  • Sam Seder Avatar

    I'm not sure why it was cancelled. I don't think the ratings were blockbuster but they also weren't bad. I get the sense that there was some friction between Gary and the Execs, between Adam and the Execs, between Adam and Gary, between Gary and the Production Staff, between Adam and the Production Staff and between Gary, Adam and the Production Staff. Everybody loved the craft services truck though.

  • Still with Busey Avatar

    What is your favorite episode of I’m with Busey?

  • Sam Seder Avatar

    I don't have a favorite as a viewer of the show - only as a director. That said, the one we shot in Taos was one of my favorites. I loved shooting in that location and because it was the first episode I was involved with, I still had the ability to enjoy how insane the whole process was. I also liked that Sasquatch/UFO episode in particular. In general, Adam was often placed in situations which were a little too real for him. For instance, Adam doesn't drive and in the early episodes when you see him look terrified while driving with Gary, he was genuinely terrified (not without good reason). In Sasquatch/UFO, Gary genuinely believed the UFO and Sasquatch guys and that their conflict was legit. I enjoyed how that affected Gary.

  • Still with Busey Avatar

    Do you think there will ever be a second season or a sequel to I’m with Busey?

  • Sam Seder Avatar

    Extremely unlikely. I don't sense a huge outcry for a sequel.

  • Still with Busey Avatar

    Are there any unused shots, episodes, extended scenes? Were there any episode scripts left over that never made it to production?

  • Sam Seder Avatar

    There were not too many extra scenes but there were tons of extended ones. There were probably a couple of outlines which we had backpocketed.

  • Still with Busey Avatar

    What is it like working with Gary Busey?

  • Sam Seder Avatar

    At times extremely difficult, at other times, horribly difficult. That said, he's exceptionally talented and I learned a lot.

  • Still with Busey Avatar

    What were things like on the first day of the set?

  • Sam Seder Avatar

    Pretty insane to very insane. I think Gary's plan was to train me in some way. I think it worked.

  • Still with Busey Avatar

    Without a doubt, Gary’s acting and mannerisms are unpredictable. Were there any improv moments that stuck out? Were there constant cuts due to laughter on the set, regarding Gary’s antics?

  • Sam Seder Avatar

    We never had to cut for laughter - our camera folks were pros and I'd have a remote monitor out of camera view.

  • Still with Busey Avatar

    Tell us about working with Adam de la Pena. Is he embarrassed of I’m with Busey?

  • Sam Seder Avatar

    I haven't seen Adam since we wrapped. I wouldn't imagine he was...

  • Still with Busey Avatar

    Was Adam really a Gary Busey fan? And is he STILL a Gary Busey fan after doing the show?

  • Sam Seder Avatar

    He definitely was a Busey fan...I don't know if he remains so.

  • Still with Busey Avatar

    You mentioned Adam STILL doesn’t drive a car. So, how real was his reaction to the Demolition Derby scene? It almost felt like a prank planned by Busey and the Crew with Adam being left in the dark by everyone.

  • Sam Seder Avatar

    His reaction was totally real. There was a lot of times when we'd purposely put Gary and Adam into situations where we knew they'd be just outside of their comfort zone. They always liked the results after the fact so they gave us that license.

  • Still with Busey Avatar

    Why is everyone so hush-hush about the show? Did the everyone involved with the show end on good terms?

  • Sam Seder Avatar

    I don't know that everyone is "so hush hush". That said, there were a lot of volatile personalities involved in the show and ..... I should be quiet.

  • Still with Busey Avatar

    What can you tell us about other noteworthy crew members? Vito Viscomi directed a few episodes, right?

  • Sam Seder Avatar

    Vito may have directed the pilot (I'm not sure off hand) but I did the rest. Biederman is certainly noteworthy, he's been involved in some of the most groundbreaking comedy over the past 20+ years. Ivan Victor (Editor), Michael Shea (AD), John Plummer (Producer) were all pretty great. Dave Damashack was pretty notable too.

  • Still with Busey Avatar

    Do you still keep in contact with any members of the crew?

  • Sam Seder Avatar

    I've worked with most of the guys I've mentioned above since...

  • Still with Busey Avatar

    How did you get the job directing I’m with Busey?

  • Sam Seder Avatar

    Jim Biederman wanted to see if he could make me go prematurely grey.

  • Still with Busey Avatar

    Are you satisfied with/proud of I’m with Busey?

  • Sam Seder Avatar

    I'm proud of the work but I'm rarely satisfied with any thing I do.

  • Still with Busey Avatar

    You’re very involved with politics now, but would you ever consider returning to direct more TV shows?

  • Sam Seder Avatar

    If it was a project I liked and felt I could add value to, sure. Is this an offer? What do you got?

  • Still with Busey Avatar

    What other projects (aside from Majority Report) are you currently working on?

  • Sam Seder Avatar

    That's not enough? I co-host Ring Of Fire, a nationally syndicated radio show on the weekends. I do voices occasionally on Fox's Bob's Burgers. I write some comedy pilots and do some tiny acting gigs here and there. I have an 8 year old and a 3 month old. I am tired.

So, there you have it. This is the first time any of the crew members have broken their silence about the show since it was cancelled 10 years ago. We want to send Sam our most heartfelt thanks for taking the time to answer our questions and entertain our curiousity. You can find Sam on twitter @SamSeder and be sure to check out his latest project Majority Report.