Episode Overview

This episode of Holmberg's Morning Sickness features classic call-ins from two major guests: legendary comedian/actor Eugene Levy (April 2012, promoting "American Reunion") and director James Cameron (August 2009, discussing "Avatar"). Host John Holmberg and his team (Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, and Dick Toledo) dive into deep-cut comedy, behind-the-scenes movie anecdotes, and playful banter. The mood is irreverent, rapid-fire, and packed with pop culture references only true fans (and the guests themselves) would fully catch.

Key Segments & Timestamps

• [01:07] Eugene Levy Joins the Show
• [10:36] James Cameron Call-in
• [16:44] Post-Guest Banter & Reflections

Eugene Levy on SCTV, Comedy, and “American Reunion” ([01:07]–[09:19])

Deep-Dive into SCTV Memories and Characters

• Holmberg launches straight into fandom, asking Levy about his obscure SCTV character, the under-energetic salesman:

  • "You did a character I can never find on YouTube...His arms never matched his excitement." ([01:36])
  • Levy confirms: "Yes. Phil's Nails... It was one of the oddest, toughest things I think I've ever done." ([01:52])
  • Memorable quote: "Doing an entire pitch and having your body language not remotely match what you're actually saying." (Eugene Levy, [02:16])

• They reminisce about other SCTV characters and Andrea Martin’s iconic Edith Prickley.

  • “We only have seven or eight minutes with Eugene, and it’s like the hot girl in the closet in junior high—you have so many questions.” (Holmberg, [03:21])

Tales from the Set: “Splash” and Daryl Hannah

• Holmberg needles Levy about his famous water-throwing scene with Daryl Hannah:
  • “I was always mad about is you didn't aim the bucket higher at Daryl Hannah when you threw the water on her in Splash. We needed the hair to be moved.” ([03:39])
  • Levy: “Wow. I had a big crush on Daryl Hannah... Yeah, but you weren’t standing as close to her as I was." ([03:47]–[03:56])
  • “She spent an entire day in that tank... and it’s not like she could get out and go to the bathroom, right?” ([04:19])

Levy’s Favorites and the Christopher Guest Process

• Levy names his favorite films: “A Mighty Wind,” “Waiting for Guffman,” and the first “American Pie”. ([04:44])

• Discusses the writing style on Guest’s films:

  • “We wrote a very detailed outline...We just didn’t tell people how to say them...They were improvised movies with a lot of [material] provided in the script.” ([05:06])

• The origin of his two-left-feet character in "Best in Show":

  • “I said...this guy’s kind of clumsy. He’s got two left feet. And we both…looked up at each other.” ([05:42])
  • Debated if it was too ridiculous, but agreed, "It was such a funny concept." ([06:16])

On “American Pie” and Hollywood Craziness

• On the return for "American Reunion" and past cast troubles:

  • "There were a couple of cast members who...were having, you know, I guess, a little bit of a problem. When kids...taste success...if they have nobody to kind of keep them in line, it's very easy to kind of...fall by the wayside." ([06:43])
  • “But the good news is everybody is back...in absolutely tip top form.” ([07:17])

• Jokes about his own ability to avoid tabloids:

  • “I've gone off the deep end...in a way that even the tabloids can’t write about...This is too much. Nobody will believe it.” ([07:34])

Plot and Appeal of “American Reunion”

• “It is really...the funniest of them all. The premise is simple, but it’s brilliant. It’s a high school reunion…current relationships hooking up with past relationships...all kinds of inherent conflict.” ([08:08])
• Highlight: “Jim’s dad got to hook up with Stifler’s mom…That is really brilliant." ([09:01])

James Cameron on “Avatar” and Titanic ([10:36]–[16:44])

On “Avatar”: Creativity, Technology, and Story

• Cameron describes years of effort: "I’ve been in a bunker...for, in my case, the last four years" ([11:20])

• Holmberg shares skepticism of fantasy genres, but finds the "Avatar" trailer appealing even for non-gamers ([11:37])

• Cameron details what makes "Avatar" different:

  • “They’re not really dragons. They’re called banshees...It’s like the Swiss Family IMAX 3D.” ([12:05])

• Explains the Avatar program's core concept:

  • "It's not like a Matrix kind of thing...Jake...gets to run and live and breathe as an avatar...eventually even falls in love and integrates into the indigenous culture." ([12:39])

• Details the massive worldbuilding required:

  • “We had to create the land, a whole kind of human society of the future...and then the entire Na’Vi culture: their language, dress code, ceremonies.” ([13:57])

Pop-Culture & Irreverent Questions

• Holmberg cheekily asks about “Avatar sex”:

  • “Is there Avatar sex?” ([13:25])
  • Cameron: “We dissolve very demurely at the appropriate moment.”
  • “Well, there might be the occasional Avatar nipple.” ([13:39])

• Pokes fun at stoner stereotypes:

  • “Are you addicted to pot? Is it a problem in your life?” ([13:51])
  • Cameron: “I don’t have time for addictions other than my moviemaking addiction.” ([13:54])

“Titanic” Redux Suggestions

• Holmberg suggests a special “Titanic” cut, “just the boat crash” for guys:

  • “Release man Titanic, where it’s just the boat crash...maybe put the part in that you’re actually doing the sketching.” ([15:13])

• Cameron banters back: “Okay, and then I’ll talk to Fox about that…It’ll just be an hour long and just the highlights.”

• Jokes about calling it “Gytanic”—the male ‘greatest hits’ version ([15:33]–[15:36])

• “And some naked outtakes of Kate [Winslet].” (James Cameron, [15:36])

• Holmberg: “Because there’s a lot of pressure you put on...I want you to come clean and admit that you did cry when you saw the film.” ([16:00])

• “I got misty. The only time I did get kind of choked up in Titanic was when you killed all those Irish.” ([16:04])

Release Details & Closing

• Avatar opening announced: “It comes out December 18th, but you can see 16 minutes today if you’re quick—IMAX 3D.” ([16:20])
• Cameron ends with friendly banter: “It’s been awesome.” ([16:44])

Post-Interview Banter & Standout Moments ([16:44]–[18:38])

• The team joke about how short the interviews are, wishing they had more time with each guest ([16:46]–[17:42])
• Quips about “Gytanic,” Kate Winslet outtakes, and the “Eiffel Tower” scene, pushing the episode’s irreverent tone to the edge ([18:01]–[18:39])

Notable Quotes

• Eugene Levy ([02:16]):
  “Doing an entire pitch and having your body language not remotely match what you're actually saying.”

• James Cameron ([12:39]):
  “You, as an avatar, your…enters an actual body, a biological body…our guy Jake, who’s confined to a wheelchair, thinks this is a pretty good deal because he gets to run and live and breathe as an avatar…”

• John Holmberg ([15:36]):
  “It’s Titanic SportsCenter!”
  (On producing a ‘guys-only’ version of Titanic with just the shipwreck and ‘highlights’)

• James Cameron ([13:54]):
  “I don’t have time for addictions other than my movie making addiction.”

Episode Summary

Throughout the episode, the HMS team use irreverent humor and rapid, pop-culture-laden questions to bring out playful sides of Hollywood icons. Levy shares deep-cut SCTV lore, explains the Christopher Guest improv process, and relishes the awkward brilliance of his characters. His stories from “Splash” and excitement for “American Reunion” mix nostalgia with laughs. Transitioning to James Cameron, the hosts poke fun at the high concepts of "Avatar" and stir up hilarious hypotheticals about “Titanic”—with Cameron rolling right along.

If you appreciate offbeat, unscripted radio banter and behind-the-scenes movie stories, this episode is a fast, funny ride.