Kickin' It High With Eric Thomas

 

We caught up with Eric Thomas at a Perkins outside Parsippany, NJ.  Stretched out across a table in the back were papers, notebooks, a laptop and three or four newspapers.

 

Eric Thomas: Somewhere under this stuff is a Grand Slam breakfast.

 

LTG:  What is all this stuff?

 

Eric Thomas:  I have a spot at the Comedy Castle tonight, I'm just trying to prepare. He shook my hand and sat down quickly.  He instructed me to order anything I wanted, not on the menu.  Against my will, he ordered two over easy eggs and raisin bread.

 

LTG:  So, Eric, first tell me about your recently released hit movie, Kickin It High.

 

Eric Thomas:  Well, (Thoughtful pause, though I really don't think he was thinking much), we shot "Kickin' It High" in two months.  It was one heck of an experience!  My first film.  Shuttling between Harlem and Yonkers living off of Crown Fried Chicken, linear notes and naps between scenes.

 

LTG:  Fried chicken?

 

Eric Thomas:  I became a vegetarian shortly after.

 

LTG:  So, I take it you got along with cast?

 

Eric Thomas:  Oh of course, we're like a family, we hung out together.  Had a lot of laughs on the set, we're still close to this day.

 

Eric was interrupted by a 2 way page from Robert Humphrey who played boxer/friend Kaisean in the flick.  Shortly after, Denny Lopez who co-starred as troubled Carlos Fernandez 2 way paged him as well.  Popular guy, that Eric Thomas is.

 

LTG:  What was it like working with Ruff Ryders' Sean Cross?

 

Eric Thomas:  He's actually hilarious.  One of the funniest people I know.

 

LTG:  One word to describe Director/Writer Juney Smith.

 

Eric Thomas:  Visionary.

 

LTG:  One word to describe Crown Fried Chicken.

 

Eric Thomas:  Socially Awkward.

 

LTG:  That's two words.

 

Eric Thomas:  Socially or awkward.

 

LTG:  What?

 

Eric Thomas:  Nevermind. 

 

LTG:  How did you prepare for the role of Jamal Monroe?

 

Eric Thomas:  We'll to start off the two of us are a lot alike.  Him being a comedian and all.  I happen to live in Harlem and I took walks around the area Jamal grew up.  I grew up in the Philadelphia suburbs, so I understand the struggle with identity that he had.

 

LTG:  A lot of young kids go through it.

 

Eric Thomas:  He's a senior in high school, trying to be down with the boys while trying to keep in mind his future goal of becoming a comedy writer.  He's affected like everybody, but doesn't know how to deal exactly.

 

LTG:  There were many touching moments in your performance, even through the wisecracking.

 

Eric Thomas:  Thanks.

 

LTG:  Did you show up for class when you were in high school.

 

Eric:  Maybe a few times.

 

Eric flashes his trademark smile.

 

LTG:  So all in all you had a good time doing this movie?

 

Eric Thomas:  Oh, it was great.  I can't wait to do another.  And you'll see Eric Thomas for sure in the Hollywood circuit.  He's a tremendous talent and Kickin' It High is definitely a flick you don't want to miss!  You can rent Kickin' It High now at any Blockbuster and Hollywood Video or buy it at your local video store. 

 

My eggs and toast came.  "Eat Up."  Eric said.