The Eric Andre Show

Development and production

In a 2012 interview, Eric Andre mentioned being a big fan of Space Ghost Coast to Coast, a series that has previously aired on Cartoon Network and later Adult Swim, which was a major influence on him while developing the series. Before shooting Andre would re-watch several episodes of Space Ghost Coast to Coast in a row in order to "absorb as much Space Ghost" as he could. André would also ask executive producer and Adult Swim president Mike Lazzo several questions about the series, as he was an executive during its production run. To André's surprise Lazzo had no interest in Space Ghost Coast to Coast.

Andre, who was also known for his role as Mark Reynolds on the ABC sitcom Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 when the series launched, was warned by ABC network executives not to mention the series on The Eric Andre Show, as they did not want to create an association between the two shows. According to André several cast and crew members on Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 were not even aware of the existence of Adult Swim when explaining to them The Eric Andre Show. Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 was later cancelled in January 2013. In April 2013, it was announced that The Eric Andre Show had been renewed for another season, with a few of his former co-stars from the ABC show making appearances as guests.

During season 1, the principal photography was done in an abandoned bodega in California. The painting of red rectangles in the set decoration also serves as the logo, emulated on the screen titling during shots with the band. The show is shot using old analog cameras, background music often from stock media, and low-budget titling effects to make it feel like a public-access show from the 1980s. All of the opening sequences for the show were filmed at the end of the shoot all at once over two and a half days. After being sick earlier in the week, André commented, "Fuck, it takes so much energy to break the set for that long." The desk at which André sits is constructed of drywall to make it easier to break during skits. A Jazz Band plays on the set during the introduction and transitions. Shots of the band are mostly pre-recorded with a few spoken lines and callbacks during on-stage skits.

With season 2, The Eric Andre Show changed to an HD Camera setup, a new set design and a new announcer. Because of the difficulties with gaining consent under California's regulations, some of the impromptu and hidden camera sketches had to be re-recorded in New York City. André also admitted to using tactics on real celebrities to make them visibly uncomfortable during the taping without informing them, stating that he would "put old, rotten clams under their seat before they come out, or heat ducts in their seats so they’re just sweltering."

Format

Every opening of the show starts with an announcer saying "Ladies and Gentlemen, it's the Eric Andre Show!" as Andre begins to destroy the backdrop, desk, and various furnishings as the opening song is played on by the stage band. Everything is restored to its prior condition immediately by off-camera stagehands when the music stops and the show commences. Another staple of the show is the "We'll Be Right Back" freeze-frame interstitial at the end of every on-stage segment, usually occurring at an inconvenient time. No continuity after the interstitial is maintained at all; Andre always appears in successive segments of the show ignorant of, or unharmed by, any prior events. Besides the studio segments that are the main focus of the show, short sketches, candid camera footage, and non sequiturs, usually focused on Andre's absurd behavior in extemporaneous settings, are featured throughout the program.

Guest stars appear throughout the show, with a number of the guest stars being faked with impersonators or random people (e.g.: Jerry Seinfeld, Russell Brand, George Clooney, The Hulk, Beyonce, Arnold Schwarzenegger [portrayed by Bruce Vilanch], and Jay-Z.) As the seasons have progressed more actual celebrities have appeared, including musicians (Pete Wentz, Devendra Banhart, Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire, Chance the Rapper, Dave Koz, Mac DeMarco), actors (Ryan Phillipe, Krysten Ritter, James Van Der Beek, Dolph Lundgren, Chris Jericho), or 1980's/1990's television stars (Sinbad, Tatyana Ali, Lorenzo Lamas, Jodie Sweetin), although other guests have appeared, including fashion designer Lauren Conrad, actor Seth Rogen, talk show host Jimmy Kimmel, and adult film actress Asa Akira. At the end of the show, a performer of some type plays over the ending credits. Ending performances are usually parodies of amateur acts common to public access television, while other times are musicians playing their music except with heavy twists. For example, powerviolence band Trash Talk once played while wearing volume sensitive shock collars. Mac DeMarco also once played while André initiated a segment styled after Japanese game shows titled "Attack DeMarco!", where numerous samurais entered the stage and began tormenting DeMarco.

Cast

Live tours

The Eric Andre Show Live was a touring production of The Eric Andre Show in live venues that were booked during the airing of the first season of the show in 2012. The tour was extended through September 21, 2012 with four additional east coast venues added to the schedule. A follow-up tour was scheduled for November 2013.

Home release

The entire first, second, and third seasons have been released on iTunes, Amazon Video and Hulu plus.