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!
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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?
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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.
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Why hasn't I'm with Busey been released on DVD?
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Absolutely no idea.
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How much of the show was scripted?
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Only the plot points were scripted. We knew where we had to enter a scene and where we had to exit.
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What is the craziest behind the scenes story from the set?
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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.
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Producer Jim Biederman had a cameo on the show as a “replica”. Were there any other noteworthy cameos?
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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.
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Was the ending (I’m with Dick) planned or did the show get cancelled earlier than expected?
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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.
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Why was I'm with Busey cancelled?
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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.
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What is your favorite episode of I’m with Busey?
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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.
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Do you think there will ever be a second season or a sequel to I’m with Busey?
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Extremely unlikely. I don't sense a huge outcry for a sequel.
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Are there any unused shots, episodes, extended scenes? Were there any episode scripts left over that never made it to production?
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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.
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What is it like working with Gary Busey?
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At times extremely difficult, at other times, horribly difficult. That said, he's exceptionally talented and I learned a lot.
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What were things like on the first day of the set?
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Pretty insane to very insane. I think Gary's plan was to train me in some way. I think it worked.
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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?
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We never had to cut for laughter - our camera folks were pros and I'd have a remote monitor out of camera view.
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Tell us about working with Adam de la Pena. Is he embarrassed of I’m with Busey?
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I haven't seen Adam since we wrapped. I wouldn't imagine he was...
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Was Adam really a Gary Busey fan? And is he STILL a Gary Busey fan after doing the show?
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He definitely was a Busey fan...I don't know if he remains so.
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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.
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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.
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Why is everyone so hush-hush about the show? Did the everyone involved with the show end on good terms?
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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.
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What can you tell us about other noteworthy crew members? Vito Viscomi directed a few episodes, right?
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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.
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Do you still keep in contact with any members of the crew?
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I've worked with most of the guys I've mentioned above since...
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How did you get the job directing I’m with Busey?
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Jim Biederman wanted to see if he could make me go prematurely grey.
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Are you satisfied with/proud of I’m with Busey?
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I'm proud of the work but I'm rarely satisfied with any thing I do.
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You’re very involved with politics now, but would you ever consider returning to direct more TV shows?
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If it was a project I liked and felt I could add value to, sure. Is this an offer? What do you got?
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What other projects (aside from Majority Report) are you currently working on?
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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.