Happy Accidents

A new Writers' Room newsletter from BEING GORDY, A Situation Comedy

Seasons Greetings, Friends!

So … one of my favorite times of the year is the last few weeks of December. For me, my holiday obligations are done and now I'm in “staycation” mode. The idea of a few weeks working in my studio uninterrupted IS the best holiday gift I could receive. Two years ago at this time (Or is it three now? I lose track.) I laid out the pilot issue of BEING GORDY. I’m aggressively working on episode two right now. And that’s what I’ll (happily) be doing through the holidays.

So, the theme of today’s newsletter is something I like to call “the happy accident.” A few months back, I was laying out the story for episode two. Without ruining anything for you, early on in the story there is mention that Gordy had a rock band in high school — Pasty White Jews — and I chose to visualize this with a simple band photo that you’ll only see once in the story and that’s it. So I sat down to sketch out this band photo of a 16 year old Gordy and his band mates, and figure out what that would look like.

I like to keep things real and put easter eggs into BEING GORDY whenever possible. So I made a quick leap. In the BEING GORDY universe, Gordy and Max grew up together, so naturally Max is the second Pasty White Jew. The next PWJ’s would be my old high school friends Rick Schiffman and Doug Geer. Rick and I grew up together … same Hebrew school, same summer camp, etc. Doug and I first met in elementary school. Both of these guys were born with guitars in their hands and had their own bands in high school. Putting Doug in this fictitious band cracked me up because … well … he’s not Jewish.

Doug’s group back then was a punk band called “the Performers” so naturally he’s wearing the t-shirt. I drew Rick as I remember him back then — hair down to his shoulders and sporting a Van Halen t-shirt. Max had to have a “Jew-fro.” My only thought for Gordy is that he has to looks more ridiculous that anyone else in the band. A shirtless Gordy with a mohawk, crucifix chest tattoo, and first attempt at a mustache would take care of that. And to round out the group, let’s put in a 70 year old black man on base guitar — Darnell “Dr. Love” Johnson.

As I’m figuring this out I texted both Rick and Doug about this idea, along with this sketch. Rick was the first to respond. “I can’t wait! I’ll need to buy a big poster of that band from you.” My first reaction to that was “Oh, GREAT … now I actually have to deliver a good piece of art.” (I don’t like to let my friends down.) Within minutes Doug texted me. Doug made it very clear that a one-panel mention of the Pasty White Jews would not be enough. He wanted explanation how or why he’s in the band since he’s, y’know … not Jewish. He wanted to see a band logo. (The band logo is important to him. He didn’t say why.) He wanted dialogue. And he wants explanation of why there is a 70 year old black man playing base with four high school kids.

These text conversations with Rick and Doug were taking place one late Sunday morning. I sat there for the next hour going back and forth with them, “riffing” ideas about all this. Between the sketch and the conversations with Doug and Rick came the happy accident. This was supposed to be a minor, single panel gag. By the end of that day I realized I had a clear vision of an entire new episode of BEING GORDY. So, it’s going to be awhile, but stay tuned for “The Boys In The Band”, slated in season two of BEING GORDY, A Situation Comedy.

The premise: It’s been 25 years since Gordy has seen the other members of his high school rock band. They have an unfortunate reunion at the funeral of their oldest bandmate — “Dr. Love” Johnson. This episode will pay homage to the classic sitcom “Everybody Loves Raymond.”

I think this is the first newsletter I’ve done that really shows why I chose to call it “The Writers’ Room.” I wanted to share my process of creating Being Gordy with you … to see what’s “behind the curtain.”

My holiday gift to you all is to share the cover for the forthcoming episode, entitled “The Call of My Ancestors.” This episode will pay tribute to the old TV classic “F-Troop.” Episode two is aimed for release in 2026.

And behind that will come episode three in 2027, entitled “The Puppet Master.” I’m excited for this episode because it will pay homage to one of my biggest TV influences — The Mary Tyler Moore Show.

I thank you all for your support and indulgence, and look forward to sharing more with you in the new year to come. While I’m continuing to move forward on all things BEING GORDY, I wish you all the happiest of holidays and a VERY bright and shiny new year. See you on the other side, and …

“Stay Tuned.”

Gorde