Tonight I make my television series debut as Billy the Cop in the episode Training Day on the show Blue Mountain State. The last time I was on television in a movie of the week, I didn’t even bother watching as I played a security guard and I had no lines. At least this time I have some interaction.
This show was a great experience. Ed Marinaro came up and introduced himself to me. I grew up watching Hill Street Blues and Officer Joe Coffey. He said “Hi my name is Ed.†And I said “Yeah I know, Ed Marinaro.†He was taken aback. But not as much as he was when I told him I was a huge Hill Street Blues fan. At this point I met one of the stars of the show Darin Brooks who plays Alex and Romanski who plays his best friend Sammy but is also one of the show’s producers, writers and co-creator. These are very friendly, down to earth people who enjoy what they do. They were very polite and fun to work with. Later that day I met the beautiful Denise Richards and the show’s other star Alan Ritchson who plays the hilarious Thad Castle. Once again, great people to talk too.
Here is a very funny story about Denise Richards. Once I was on set I sent a text to one of my close friends telling him I just saw Denise. He had asked me to let him know. I would only know later why. About 10 minutes later my friend replies telling me he Tweeted Ms. Richards telling her she was on set with his friend Weston who was playing the cop and could she please sign an autograph for his two daughters. Not sure how many of you know this, but Denise Richards has over 2 million followers on Twitter. Yet she still took the time to reply to my friend that it would be her pleasure. At this point I was pretty annoyed. I actually responded to my friend saying “Hey James. Can you get me your secretary’s autograph or your bosses?â€. I guess it made me feel uncomfortable because I just wanted to feel like I was at work with a coworker and not with someone famous who brings up images of Wild Things and Starship Troopers.
Needless to say I stepped outside in full costume and out comes Ms. Richards from her trailer. She asked me if I was Weston. I said I was and she said “Your friend..†and I said “I know. I’m so sorry. I feel so embarrassed.†She asked me why and said it was her pleasure. This is a great woman. She always had a smile on her face and was extremely polite and cordial regardless of what was going on. She even took it a step further and asked for 8×10 headshots to sign. I do not think she knows how much hassle they went through to get those pictures. Eventually 911’ing them to a print shop in town. But a pure pleasure to talk to as was everyone on set.
The day of filming was long and sometimes tedious but the cast took it in stride and kept the mood light. Upon wrapping everyone present took the time to say thank you and take care. Romanski actually took the time to ask me how my day was and thank me for my time. Denise also stopped me to remind me that she had the autographs in her trailer.
That was just day 1. Day 2 was just as good and I will tell you more about that day later.
So tune in to Blue Mountain State on Spike at 11pm for the episode Training Day. If you miss you can always watch it online at www.spike.com.
If only all my days on a set could be this pleasant, I would live a simply charmed and blessed life.
