For Eric André, getting injured is a duty.
During the six seasons of The Eric Andre Show, the now 41-year-old comedian had his share of bad luck. One of the most embarrassing moments viewers can remember from season five is when John Cena threw Andre through a shelf. Andre managed to make it over the shelf, but the metal frame holding the shelf collapsed and fell on him, causing a concussion and hospitalization.
“It happens quite a lot,” Andre tells PEOPLE in this week’s issue, recalling a Season 5 episode in which John Cena threw him through a shelf. “I got through the shelf fine, but we forgot to sandbag the shelf – the frame of the shelf – and the metal frame fell over and hit me in the head. I got a concussion and had to go to the hospital.”
In another episode, he actually hurt his hand on a window during a prank at a movie in Brooklyn. It’s questionable whether he’s serious or joking when he says, “I tried to bang on the window, but my whole hand went through,” he says. “I got cut and had to get stitches. I had to go to the hospital for that.”
Eric Andres Show: The chaos comedy in which no guest is ever really ready
Most people would perhaps consider the pranks to be the wild form of comedy expressed on The Eric Andre Show.
This show is a comedy version of a more traditional adult talk show and has invited a variety of guest stars such as Jon Hamm, Jimmy Kimmel, Natasha Lyonne and Tinashe. Of course, it’s not uncommon to hear some of the brothers’ jokes borderline okay, but even the most uptight guests can’t handle some of the stunts.
“Even if they’ve done their research, watched every episode, are super fans, once you’re sitting in that chair and explosives are being detonated and flying African hissing cockroaches are coming out of my coffee cup? It doesn’t matter How “How well prepared are you?” he says.
“We’ve taken it to a point where it doesn’t matter how prepared you are,” the comedian continues. “Once the torture starts, everyone will react genuinely. We don’t want people to ever play along.”
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Eric Andrés Emmy nominations: Overjoyed and full of underwater fun
Eric André’s unique style of comedy has earned him two Emmy nominations this year: one for Outstanding Actor in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series and the other for Short Form Comedy, Drama or Variety Series. When he heard about it one day from a colleague at Comedy Central, he was “over the moon.”
“We’ve been doing the show for over 10 years, so it’s incredible that we’re even being recognized for the nomination,” he says. “But I’m a little superstitious about it. I’ll celebrate when I get my hands on one of those trophies.”
Even if he doesn’t win at the Emmy Awards, which are set to take place on September 15, 2024, André has high hopes for the future of the show. He has even planned to invite Ghislaine Maxwell, as he believes she would have a lot to say as well. “She’s got stories to tell, man,” he explains.
In addition, André plans to shoot the entire episode underwater. He describes it as follows: “I think it would be majestic and surreal.”
From stage chaos to cleanliness fanatic, mental health advocate and fighter against discrimination
Away from the show and stand-up comedy, Eric André leads a normal lifestyle that is the complete opposite of what people see on stage or on screen.
First, the author draws the readers’ attention to the fact that André takes care of his mental health. Among other things, he keeps a diary, exercises daily, sleeps 6 to 8 hours every night and goes to therapy several times a week. Interior design is also one of his favorite subjects.
“I think people think I’m crazy,” he admits, adding, “When they come to my house, they expect a lot of junk, but I’m a total cleanliness freak.”
His work also involves communicating specific messages or issues. On August 20, he recorded a video on his Instagram page in which he recounted how he was racially discriminated against at Melbourne Airport in Australia. As André mentioned in his post, he had to ask for a security escort at the airport and also wanted to know his followers’ suggestions on discrimination lawyers.
“I don’t want to cut my hair and wear a three-piece suit so I can be treated like a first-class citizen,” he said in the video. “I shouldn’t feel like I’m not accepted when I enter a country.”
Seasons one to six of The Eric Andre Show are available to stream on Hulu. The 2024 Emmys will air on Sunday, September 15 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
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