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John Holmberg
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James Cameron
Do not listen to this while driving.
John Holmberg
Or when full alertness is needed. The rest of homework's morning sickness. This is the Big Red Radio. Eugene Levy is online. He's Canadian, but we'll allow him on the show anyway. Are you there, sir?
Eugene Levy
Yes, I am there. Good morning to you, wherever there is. Good morning. How are you guys doing?
John Holmberg
We're doing well. You're in Phoenix right now. Just to let you know, it's beautiful. You're having a great time.
Eugene Levy
Fabulous.
John Holmberg
Wonderful.
Eugene Levy
I love. I love being in the desert.
John Holmberg
I have to ask you something right away. As a huge SCTV fan growing up, you did a character I can Never Find on YouTube and I need the name of it. He was the salesman who did the pitches, but his arms never matched his excitement for what he was selling.
Eugene Levy
Yes. Phil's nails.
John Holmberg
Is that right? Or are you just messing with me? You're gonna send me in some sort of weird corn Google search?
Eugene Levy
His name was Phil.
John Holmberg
Okay? Phil Snails.
Eugene Levy
And he. The first commercial I believe he did was for nails. Different kinds of nails. And he. And it's true. It was one of the oddest, toughest things I think I've ever done.
John Holmberg
Yeah.
Eugene Levy
Is doing an entire pitch and having your body language not remotely match what you're actually saying.
John Holmberg
I recognized it as brilliant at an early age because you can't do it. I mean, you can't.
Eugene Levy
Holy cow. Well, let me tell you something. Anybody who can. Who can pick out, you know, Phil's Nails from the batch of stuff we did over seven years.
John Holmberg
Yeah.
Eugene Levy
Is. Is one of the true fans.
John Holmberg
Yeah. Oh, no. And that was. That was the. That show, to me, was brilliantly funny in every direction, but things like Phil's Nails was the stuff that, like, you can't mimic it, you can't copy it. That's unique.
Eugene Levy
Well, what. And what. What about Al Peck? Were you an Al Peck?
John Holmberg
I remember Al Peck. And who was the. The lady that was with Al Peck a lot? Was Alpec the one that had that. No, that was the other one, John Candy.
Eugene Levy
No, Alpec is the guy who sold used fruit.
John Holmberg
That's right. That's the guy who was the one that. Andrea. I can't remember her name now, but she did the.
Eugene Levy
Well, Andrea Martin, she played what, Edith Prickley.
John Holmberg
Edith Prickley was the station owner. But then you had the. The character she did in the leopard skin. Was that Edith Prickly? That was Edith Prickly. That's right. You guys are getting deep. I have no idea what you're talking about. We only have seven or eight minutes with Eugene, and it's like moments in the. When you get the hot girl in the closet in junior high and you have so many questions for her, but it's like seven minutes with Eugene Levy. But. Yeah, I've been following your career, and the one thing I was always mad about is you didn't aim the bucket higher at Daryl Hannah when you threw the water on her and splashed. Because we needed the hair to be moved.
Eugene Levy
Wow. I had a big crush on Daryl Hannah.
John Holmberg
Who didn't? And then you had the rights to. How many cuts did it take before you just.
Eugene Levy
Yeah, but you weren't standing as close to her as I was.
John Holmberg
I can imagine. That had to be. Yeah. And she was in her. That was a stunning time. That was a beautiful time to. Of Daryl.
Eugene Levy
She was. Yeah, she was. She was absolutely beautiful. It was. It was. It was kind of fun for me.
John Holmberg
I bet. Yeah. And how often did they come and, like, cut. We have to glue the hair back to her nipples.
Eugene Levy
Well, you know what? That did happen a lot.
John Holmberg
You're lucky.
Eugene Levy
You lucky. She spent an entire day in that tank. In that water tank. And I got. Got to hand it to her. I mean, she's in there a lot, and it's not like she could, you know, kind of, you know, get out and go to the bathroom, right? Oh, yeah.
John Holmberg
She didn't prune too bad.
Eugene Levy
She did no complaining what's your favorite movie you've done?
John Holmberg
Besides, of course, the one you're about to pitch to us?
Eugene Levy
Well, I would have to. I don't know if there's a favorite, but there may be three. I loved. I loved A mighty wind. I loved Waiting for Guffman, another great one. I loved the first American pie.
John Holmberg
Yeah. And is Guffman truly just an outline that you guys kind of ran with, or was there a real script?
Eugene Levy
Well, Guffman, you know, all the films that I. That I did with Chris Guest, we. We. We wrote a very detailed outline. We. We called it kind of a script without dialogue. But we, you know, we laid out every scene. We laid out all the information, all the exposition, and even some jokes that we thought of that we put in. We just didn't tell people how to say them right. So that's. That's really what it was. They were improvised movies with kind of a lot of the material that was provided in the script.
John Holmberg
And what was the. What was the inspiration for your character in Best in show to have two left feet for real?
Eugene Levy
Well, that came out of a. A situation where we were sitting in the office, Chris and I, and. And I said something like, you know, the. Well, this guy's kind of clumsy. He's got two left feet. And we both, at the same time, kind of looked up at each other.
John Holmberg
He really had.
Eugene Levy
And I said to Chris, no, no, no, we can't go there. He's saying, why? Because it doesn't make sense. He wouldn't have two left feet. He said, why? Because it's not funny.
John Holmberg
It's hilarious.
Eugene Levy
Wow. And we both. We both went nuts and fell off a couch. It was such a funny concept.
John Holmberg
Yeah. That you were born. Left feet for real. That was. That was just the subtle brilliance of those kind of things. And then, of course, then you've got the. Right there in your face. American pie. There's a guy having sex with a pie in the kitchen. Also hilarious. Also something you're part of. And now you've got the reunion right on top of it, and everybody's back. Now, this is a little touchy because you had a few of these cast members that went off the deep end for a little while.
Eugene Levy
Well, you know, they had. There were a couple of. A couple of cast members who, you know, were. Were. Were having, you know, I guess, a little bit of a problem over. And you gotta listen, you know, when. When kids kind of at a young age, you know, they kind of taste success and they get a taste of this and get a taste of money and a taste of that. They, if they have nobody to kind of keep them in line, it's very easy to kind of, you know, fall by the wayside a little bit. But the good news is everybody is back. Everybody is in absolutely tip top form. Everybody, they all look great. And it's really, it was really great to see them all back together.
John Holmberg
Keeps you accounting accounted for. Yeah. Why haven't you gone? Yeah.
Eugene Levy
Oh, I've gone off the deep end. You've been reading the tabloids.
John Holmberg
I haven't, no. Are you on?
Eugene Levy
Oh, yeah. I go off in a big way. I, I, I go off in a way that, you know, you know, even the tabloids can't write about it. They're just going, this is too much. And nobody will believe the TV shuffle.
John Holmberg
Yeah, I did. It did. Say, Levy strung out on heroin again. Timetable.
Eugene Levy
Oh, heroin is nothing. I go for the big stuff.
John Holmberg
Yeah. Oh, that's, that's the kid stuff. Now I see how it works. So American Reunion is just basically these kids coming back for what, a ten year reunion?
Eugene Levy
Well, it is a high school, it is a high school reunion, but I've got to say, it is, it is really. I think this could be the funniest of them all. It really is a, a fantastic movie. The premise is simple, but it's brilliant. It's a high school reunion. Right. Which, which kind of implies that people now have a life and they are going back to see a life that they once had. So, you know, it's, it's, you know, current relationships hooking up with past relationships. And there's, there's all kinds of, you know, kind of inherent conflict in that. But they really took every character on a nice little, nice little ride. Particularly me.
John Holmberg
Yeah.
Eugene Levy
Because I've seen that you, they finally let me out of the house.
John Holmberg
Yeah, you get to leave the house and from the previews, and correct me if I'm wr, reason you did this movie outside of the paycheck, you get to do it with Stifler's mom.
Eugene Levy
We got to. Jim's dad got to hook up with Stifler's mom. It was one of those again, when they were pitching the story to me, I thought, holy cow. I opened the door and there's Stifler's mom. And I'm going, that is brilliant. That is really brilliant. That is something that has got to be.
John Holmberg
Especially when you're the guy who gets to play around with it. Merry effing holidays from the big red radio. Hey, it's Brett Vesely. And I'm here with Byron from MMP Guns. Look, Byron, I have a friend wanting to sell some guns he inherited. What's the best way for him to do that? Brett, the last thing you want to do is sell the gun to someone who can't legally own one. Tell him not to put himself at risk and come into MMP Guns where he'll get a fair offer and he can rest easy knowing it's not getting into the wrong hands. Okay, but what if he lives out of state? Easy. Legalgunbuyer.com and he can do it all online. It's really that simple. There you have it. MMP Guns or legalgunbuyer.com the safe and legal way to sell your firearms. It's the holiday, but Hooters is serving up the cheer. Grab a friend and dive into the pick three. Just $10.99 per person, minimum. Two people. You get one appetizer, two entrees and two drinks, all for just one festive price. And while you're there, snag the perfect stocking stuffer. The 2026 Hooters calendar packed with over $150 in coupons. Plus, when you buy $25 in Hooters gift cards, you'll get $5 in bonus bucks this season. Give the gift of wings. Give the gift of Hooters. Holmberg's morning sickness. Oh, my God. We're still on hold for James Cameron. Ten seconds.
James Cameron
Nine.
John Holmberg
Ten seconds. All right. No, we'll just take. Well, I just don't want to get too far behind with him. Just stand up. It's like having a guy waiting in the hallway. Just open the door, for crying out loud. The second I hit that button, I know. I told game on. Game on. There he is. Because I knew the second I'd hit the button, it would be over. James Cameron and the new movies got is called Avatar. We just watched a trailer. Looks pretty cool. The trailer is World of warcrafty, but I'm an anti World of Warcraft guy and it still looks good. Some cool looking battle scenes. He's got some ships and. And it's coming out in December. James Cameron's on the phone. Mr. Cameron, how are you?
James Cameron
Hey, I'm doing well. Who am I talking to?
John Holmberg
This. My name is John. We've got Brady and Eric and we're all ready to go. And a pleasure. First of all, you're the third person I've said this to this week. You're way too big a star to be on the show. Thank you.
James Cameron
I'm happy to be on your show. It's good to give a shout out to Phoenix.
John Holmberg
And you're the third person that's answered that question that way. Quentin Tarantino, John Malkovich. And you all said, oh, no, we're happy to be here. Which I know can't possibly be true.
James Cameron
Well, it is, because it's good to get to talk about your stuff after having, you know, been in a bunker, basically making it for, in my case, the last four years.
John Holmberg
You've been hiding this Avatar thing. I want to get to that first, because I'm most curious about that. And then if we have time, we'll do the other stuff. But Avatar is a movie. Now, here's what I'm going to say as a skeptic, because I know you've been in a. You've been in a hole for four years making this world, World of Warcraft, all these video games where it's fantasy life, dragons and all that stuff. There's guys like me who are scared to death of that kind of life. I fear it, and I think it's crazy. But this movie, the trailer we watched this morning, I'm like, all right, now this is the kind of dragony stuff I can get into.
James Cameron
Yeah, yeah, absolutely. Well, they're not really dragons. They're called banshees. And when you get a good look at them, you see that they're. They're pretty different. But. But, yeah, basically you got big flying creatures and you got. You got people that like to ride on them, and it's like the Swiss family IMAX 3D. I mean, am I missing something?
John Holmberg
Exactly. Where's the lack of fun there now? But is it about people? Because what I'm getting from the trailer, what I. What I looked at was it's people who want in this. They can become avatars and fight a battle somewhere in some mysterious place.
James Cameron
Sort of what it is, is the avatar program is taking place on this planet called Pandora. And you, as an avatar, you kind of your. Enters an actual body, a biological body. It's not like a Matrix kind of thing. And you're really in this world. And so 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 and eventually even falls in love and integrates into the indigenous culture of this planet. Because humans can't survive. They can't breathe the air on Pandora. So to be kind of a native of Pandora, you have to do it this way through The Avatar plan.
John Holmberg
Okay. Is there Avatar sex? Cameron wouldn't disappoint us.
James Cameron
We dissolve very demurely at the appropriate moment.
Eugene Levy
Oh, so there's no Avatar with your imagination?
John Holmberg
Avatar nipple?
James Cameron
Well, there might be the occasional Avatar nipple.
John Holmberg
Sweet. Now I have to ask you this because after hearing that description, I have to ask you, you know, are you addicted to pot? Is it a problem in your life?
James Cameron
I don't have time for addictions other than my movie making addiction.
John Holmberg
Yeah. Four years. Why four years? What, what's the deal with that?
James Cameron
The first year and a half, it was really two and a half years to production. First year and a half was design, creating all these creatures and plants and landscapes and floating mountains and spacecraft and aircraft and, you know, we had to create the land, whole kind of human society of the future. And then we had to create the whole world of Pandora and then we had to create the entire Na' Vi culture. They're the indigenous people of Pandora with their language and their dress code and their ceremonies.
John Holmberg
This is your Star Wars. Yeah.
James Cameron
Yeah. Well, you know, if you think about the kind of cool, immersive, persistent worlds that we've enjoyed over the last 30, 40 years, you've got Star Trek, you got Star wars, maybe Harry Potter, that sort of thing, but there hasn't been anything recently that's new and fresh and that you can plunge into deeply.
John Holmberg
Did you get that? It's okay. We're fine. We're a very loose show. James Cameron, I have to ask you a question real quick and it may be. Take me back to Titanic. Yeah, here's what we're gonna. Here's what I want to suggest to you, and I think this is a brilliant idea and you can have all the money and just pat me on the back if you ever meet me. Release man. Titanic, where it's just the boat crash. Well, there is. Put it on DVD as just that.
Eugene Levy
Yeah.
James Cameron
Okay, and then, and then I'll talk to Fox about that.
John Holmberg
The naked scene with Kate Winslet, the part about them getting on the boat, some of the cool stuff. And then the boat crashes. Maybe put the part in that you're actually doing the sketching. Yeah, exactly right. It'll.
James Cameron
It'll just be. It'll be an hour long and it'll be just the highlights.
John Holmberg
Yeah, that's it.
James Cameron
And I want to call it 3D.
John Holmberg
It's Titanic sports Center.
James Cameron
And some, some naked outtakes of Kate.
John Holmberg
Perfect. I want it to be Gaitanic and I want this thing out just on dvd, so when, when a Girl says, let's watch Titanic. I've got a. I've got a better idea. Yeah. Because it's, you know, it's a monumental film. And I'm not trying to take away your work there, but let's face it, the chicks eat that up and they've kind of made it. So it's like guys are like, oh, boy, here we go. Because there's a lot of pressure you put on.
James Cameron
I want you to come clean right now and admit that you did cry when you saw the film.
John Holmberg
No, you know what? I got misty. Did you get misty? I didn't cry. The only time I did get kind of choked up in Titanic was when you killed all those Irish. All right. They're making us rap so fast with everybody today. James Cameron. I have one other. When does Avatar come out, by the way?
James Cameron
It comes out December 18th, but you can see 16 minutes today if you're quick.
John Holmberg
16.
James Cameron
That's the extended 16 minutes and IMAX 3D.
Eugene Levy
Yeah.
James Cameron
We're not messing around.
John Holmberg
Holy cow. All right, all right. And I just have to contact imax. How do I do this?
James Cameron
Well, it's playing. It's playing in Phoenix at whatever your big IMAX theater is.
John Holmberg
Holy cow. Oh, wow. Okay, so it's not. We'll do it. All right, Mr. Cameron, they're cutting you off too. I guess. We'll talk to you later. Gitanic. Keep it in mind.
James Cameron
It's been awesome.
John Holmberg
We'll talk to you later. I can't get a pause and toss in these people hanging up on me after three minutes. Toledo, you got to talk to somebody about this. I need to know his. I'm gonna get it back. Pnt. That's right. They're big stars, John. We can't they hook us before and say goodbye with the paws and talk? Maybe that's. But then you could get off on the wrong foot with everybody. That's not a good. It's a great closer because they love to talk about themselves. And then you're like, all right, here. What do you think? And you could have some. You know, we found out a gem yesterday. Tarantino had the best one. Pretty Little Maids in a Row. What was the one we got yesterday? What did Jericho have? Oh, no. Andy Goss had the one bailout or whatever it was called. The Jane Fonda. It's all. You know, that movie's all about finance. The guy doesn't do anything but talk about money. I needed Cameron's paws and talks. I need to know about these five minute interviews. Are Over Toledo. You tell them book me for 10 or 15 minutes from here so they know who we are. Who gets the eight minutes when we get five?
Commercial Announcer
Because they're supposed to be for eight minutes.
John Holmberg
That was quick. Yeah. That was eight. It was eight.
Eugene Levy
They hated us.
John Holmberg
I'm looking. That was eight. You know, I already know what it's pause and toss is T2 when she's working out. And are they still married? No.
Eugene Levy
I don't know.
John Holmberg
Yeah, probably not. They're not.
James Cameron
She lives.
John Holmberg
He seemed really cool. She lives in a sewer. Pineapple.
James Cameron
She lives in a sewer.
John Holmberg
She lives a sewer with a beast. Yeah. Oh, that's right. She married the beast. I forgot. I'm very disappointed because that was going so well and they got that jacket. Gotta talk to jock strap. And Y's up there. Exactly. They made us wait for like four minutes. Yep. Got her aprop, guys. Got her jock strap. And the kids are coming up here in Portland. We gotta get to them. Wrap it up. Suck it. His phone was ringing the whole time. He was distracted. Well, you went on and on about your Guy Gytanic. Has to happen, though. Let's face it, you buy Gigantic. He loves Guy Tanner. Watch Gycanic can happen at home.
James Cameron
You skip.
John Holmberg
I don't want to do the work. Boom. Gytanic's right. Plus, did you hear? What? Did you hear what he said he would add to Gytanic?
Eugene Levy
What?
John Holmberg
The outtakes of Kate Winslet naked. Okay, that. Yeah, suck it, Eric gytanic. It's 8. 44 in the morning. Exactly. There you go. Her walking around. Walking around for the scene. Yeah. Getting the camera, lighting right and everything else. Gaitanic going down on Leo. Maybe she did that. I don't remember that part. I do like to imagine that that was outtakes in Gytanic. That might happen.
James Cameron
Or Billy Zane.
John Holmberg
I don't care. Eiffel Tower if she's pulling chocolate and vanilla out of the machine at the same time. All right, I'm calling Shenanigans because apparently they hooked him with us to put.
Commercial Announcer
Him on with John Gay and Bitch.
John Holmberg
Oh, for crying out loud. Oh, they tape all their stuff. None of that's right. They're really there. They're avatars. They're avatar people. It's 98 KUPD avatards. Unbelievable. Well, now you're gonna find out what he likes about the Jonas Brothers. It's 98 KUPD. Unreal. Arizona's most powerful, powerful rock radio station. Hey, it's John Holmerg here from the morning sickness for lifechangealoan.com having good credit is a sign you're probably good with your finances. What if I told you you can control your home equity and do your banking inside of that? That sounds confusing, but your equity is your savings. You have earned that. If I want to completely remodel my house, I don't need a new loan. I have access to my money. The word you're looking for is freeing. Life change alone is the way the system should be. Go to the website and check the numbers for yourself. Then you'll realize it's not magic, it's just math. Lifechangerloan.com It's John Holmberg here from the Morning Sickness. And it's talk about TVs Doug Hopkins of my home group and Doug hopkins.com have you ever thought to yourself, I'm going to sell my house? Of course you have. And one reason or another, you just didn't do it. Probably because it's a hassle when you try to make a real estate deal. What if I could say you can sell that house the day after you say the words, I want to sell my house. Doug's been at this for over 25 years, and that's why he's still on top of the Hill. TVs Doug Hopkins can handle everything. Won't move the price or you get $5,000. What do you do? Start the process right now@doug hopkins.com or grab the phone and sing.
Eugene Levy
Call Doug Hopkins.
John Holmberg
1-800-Sale Now.
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.
Holmberg launches straight into fandom, asking Levy about his obscure SCTV character, the under-energetic salesman:
They reminisce about other SCTV characters and Andrea Martin’s iconic Edith Prickley.
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:
The origin of his two-left-feet character in "Best in Show":
On the return for "American Reunion" and past cast troubles:
Jokes about his own ability to avoid tabloids:
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:
Explains the Avatar program's core concept:
Details the massive worldbuilding required:
Holmberg cheekily asks about “Avatar sex”:
Pokes fun at stoner stereotypes:
Holmberg suggests a special “Titanic” cut, “just the boat crash” for guys:
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])
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.”
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.