Brandon Gilberstadt Chat

MODERATOR: Send us your questions for Brandon Gilberstadt—Justin Taylor from "100 Deeds for Eddie McDowd"!! Just type your question in the text box and hit Send!

MODERATOR: I can't wait! I just love "100 Deeds for Eddie McDowd"! Send in your questions right away so we're ready to lay them on him as soon as he arrives!

MODERATOR: OK, here he comes...

MODERATOR: Hi! We're really lucky to have Justin Taylor of "100 Deeds for Eddie McDowd"—Brandon Gilberstadt—here to chat with us and answer all your questions!

MODERATOR: Brandon, welcome and say hello to our guests here in nick.com's Blab-a-torium!!

nickyapper: Here he is!!

nickyapper: Say hi to Brandon, everyone!!

Brandon_G: Thanks for having me!

MODERATOR: Brandon we're so happy you're here!! Our first question of the night comes from tomboy1103...

MODMSG tomboy1103: How is it working with a dog and are you an only child???

Brandon_G: Hey tomboy! It's very interesting working with a dog.

Brandon_G: You don't get the acting motivation you get with other actors, because he's slobbering...

Brandon_G: But I love Rowdy and he's really fascinating to watch because he's a very smart dog.

nickyapper: I love dogs!!

Brandon_G: And, no, I'm not an only child—I have three older brothers—not younger, just older!

MODERATOR: hypergrl is always embarrassed when she asks this but she's trying to get over her own embarrassment...

MODMSG hypergrl20: Have you ever had a funny or embarrassing moment?

Brandon_G: Hypergirl, I have had an embarrassing moment...

Brandon_G: I was working on another set, and I went to the bathroom and I forgot to lock the door!

Brandon_G: Use your imagination! Luckily it was my last day there.

nickyapper: OOOh—this is a good one!!!

Brandon_G: A guy opened the door and there were a bunch of people around the bathroom...

Brandon_G: so I gave them a little wave!

MODERATOR: kittykrazy lost count on this one!

MODMSG kittykrazy: How many deeds has Eddie done?

Brandon_G: So far Eddie has done 21 good deeds...

Brandon_G: and they can see the new deeds up to 21 in January. He's done 21, but that includes the new season.

Brandon_G: I think the new ones begin in January.

MODERATOR: nut case loves dogs but is wondering...

MODMSG nut case: Eddie's eyes look kind of strange. Are they really that light blue?

Brandon_G: Hey, nut case, great screen name--I like it!

Brandon_G: His eyes are really that blue. He's an Australian shepherd/husky...

Brandon_G: and they have really light blue eyes. They're real.

MODERATOR: madtown is a huge Nick fan and also a fan of "Eddie McDowd"!!!

MODMSG madtown: What is your favorite Nickelodeon show besides "100 Deeds for Eddie McDowd"?

Brandon_G: Well, madtown, thank you for watching the show and being a Nick fan.

nickyapper: Yeah, We love Nick fans!!

Brandon_G: My two favorite shows, both of them starring a good buddy of mine named Danny Tamberelli, are "The Adventures of Pete and Pete" and "All That."

Brandon_G: They're great comedy shows. "Pete and Pete" I grew up with and "All That" is a great sketch show!

MODERATOR: nut case said thanks, Brandon! And truwolfe would like to ask you...

MODMSG truwolfe: What is it like filming a show with a dog since Eddie can't really talk?

Brandon_G: Well, truwolfe, basically, the night before I shoot, I have to think about my lines.

Brandon_G: I get into the character, because you don't have the feedback from other actors, so I just really have to get my own feedback...

Brandon_G: And basically, it's tough because they've got the trainers yelling. Sometimes I'll say a line and the trainers will yell over it and I'll do it again.

Brandon_G: So it's a challenge, but I'm used to it now.

MODERATOR: We received a lot of mail at nick.com this week and we're always happy when fans send their mail when they know they can't make it here. This is one from the

mailbag...

MODMSG nickza: How do you get Eddie to move his mouth to make it look like he's talking?

Brandon_G: They do it by computer animation.

Brandon_G: For close-ups, they put a red stick in his mouth so his mouth is closed and they can put the animation over it.

MODERATOR: soccer98 is a huge fan and never misses an episode!

MODMSG soccer98: What's your favorite episode?

nickyapper: I just love them all!!!

Brandon_G: Thank you, soccer98, for being a great fan.

Brandon_G: My favorite episode is "Slam Punk" because I got to play basketball all the time and usually I don't get to.

MODERATOR: Brandon hope ya don't mind answering a question from a birdbrain like me, but I was wondering who was your inspiration growing up?

Brandon_G: As for everything it was my parents and God and Wayne Gretzky. I'm a big ice hockey player and Wayne's the best no doubt.

Brandon_G: They are all important, obviously in different ways. Gretzky is my sports icon...

Brandon_G: And anyone who likes ice hockey in this chat, you rule!!

Brandon_G: And if you don't you still rule!!

MODERATOR: gabola2000 is our animal lover and would like to know...

MODMSG gabola2000: What's your favorite animal?

nickyapper: Dogs?

nickyapper: Birds?

Brandon_G: Well, gabola2000, my favorite animal is a polar bear because they're white, they're furry, and they live in ice.

nickyapper: Okay, polar bear.

Brandon_G: And dogs, of course!

MODERATOR: kid34 has an interesting question!

MODMSG kid34: Who do you look up to most in acting work?

Brandon_G: Before I was in acting, it was Adam Sandler, with his comedic influence.

Brandon_G: When Danny was on the set, it was Danny because he's been around the block a few times.

MODERATOR: darkmoon loves the background info!

MODMSG darkmoon99: When did you get your first break?

Brandon_G: Darkmoon, I used to do plays growing up. I was doing a play and radio show called "Adventures in Odyssey"...

Brandon_G: And that made me comfortable with my acting.

Brandon_G: Last year I had to leave the show for "Eddie." I was sad but it was something I had to do.

MODERATOR: YAY!! We have our traditional Chat-a-thon question about food!! It wouldn't be the Blab without food of course...

MODMSG tkpatamon: If you could eat only one food for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

Brandon_G: Pepperoni pizza, because it rocks!!

Brandon_G: And you know, it's good, it has lots of food groups.

nickyapper: Ooh, good! Thinking about nutrition!!

Brandon_G: The bread, the tomato, in the fruit/vegetable group, the cheese in the dairy group, the pepperoni in the meat group.

MODERATOR: chipeater is munching this question to you...

MODMSG chipeater: What is your favorite thing to do when you are not on the

show?

Brandon_G: Chipeater, my favorite thing is playing ice hockey, of course.

nickyapper: Gretzky Jr.!!

Brandon_G: I play on an older team now with a couple of 17-year-olds and it's fun...

Brandon_G: So that's pretty much what I do, even when I'm working.

MODERATOR: Another question from the mailbag at nick.com for you...

MODMSG nickmyst: Do you go to regular school? What grade are you in?

Brandon_G: I will go to regular school this year, I'm not sure which school yet.

Brandon_G: And I'm in 8th grade.

Brandon_G: Last year I was home schooled because of the show. Before that it was half home/half regular.

Brandon_G: From pre-school to 5th grade I was in regular schools, different schools.

MODERATOR: cherrygurl didn't change her mind with this question...

MODMSG cherrygurl: If you could change one thing in the show, what would it be?

Brandon_G: Thanks for the question, cherrygurl.

Brandon_G: If I could change one thing, it would be I would work more hours...

Brandon_G: When you're a minor, you have to be under a 9 and a half limit...

Brandon_G: And you get time disputes and people getting uptight, so basically, work longer.

MODERATOR: blabberjaw is such a regular in the Blab that it's showing in the jaw I think...

MODMSG blabberjaw: What's your favorite cartoon?

Brandon_G: Hey, blabberjaw. No question, it's "The Simpsons."

Brandon_G: Sorry, Nickelodeon, but everybody knows "The Simpsons" rocks!

nickyapper: We forgive you, Brandon!!

nickyapper: Hey there Blabbers!! If you're just joining us, welcome to the Blab-a-torium!!

MODERATOR: sheltiegirl has one for ya!

MODMSG sheltiegal: Does it seem like everywhere you go, you have fans?

Brandon_G: Hey, sheltiegal. If I go somewhere where there are younger kids, it does.

Brandon_G: But if I go somewhere like the movies, late at night, then it doesn't feel like I have fans everywhere.

MODERATOR: dark26 has headphones on listening to music and reading your answers...

MODMSG dark26: What music do you listen to?

Brandon_G: Well, dark26, I listen to rap and hard rock like Limp Bizkit, rap like Eminem.

Brandon_G: My mom just made a sigh, she doesn't like any of them.

nickyapper: We're chatting with Brandon Gilberstadt, also known as Justin Taylor from "100 Deeds for Eddie McDowd"!

MODERATOR: m4u was a little frightened to ask this...

MODMSG m4u: When you first got on the show, was it scary with all the cameras right in front of you?

Brandon_G: No, I'm not camera shy at all, I love being around people...

Brandon_G: After a while they become like family. You're not nervous around them.

Brandon_G: That's how you know whether you're an actor or not.

nickyapper: Send us your questions for Brandon NOW!! Type your question in the text box below and hit SEND!

MODERATOR: greymon has a double question for you...

MODMSG greymon999: Where did you grow up and how old are you?

Brandon_G: Well, greymon, I'm 14 and I grew up in southern Orange County, California.

Brandon_G: I've always lived there, still do. It's a great place. It gets me away from the hustle and bustle.

Brandon_G: It's great to go home and only have your friends around you. It's good, I like living there.

MODERATOR: Ayyyyyy—(said in deep voice)—thefonz has a question for you:

MODMSG thefonz311: What's your favorite Nickelodeon cartoon?

Brandon_G: No doubt it's "Hey Arnold!" I love that show.

Brandon_G: It's a funny show.

MODERATOR: Wow, check out THIS great name! And great question, too:

MODMSG 100deeds89: What breed or kind of dog is Eddie McDowd?

Brandon_G: It's an Australian shepherd and husky mix, 100deeds89.

Brandon_G: Your screen name rocks, man—or woman...person!

MODERATOR: As a follow up...

MODMSG joe1990: How do they do everything like when Eddie's mouth moves and Eddie talks? Does the dog do all the moves?

Brandon_G: He does move from place to place but he doesn't move his mouth...

Brandon_G: But he does everything else. Everything else is pure him!

Brandon_G: In some shots, there are fake paws.

nickyapper: Cool—paw on a stick!

Brandon_G: Like I said before, there's computer animation for his mouth moving.

MODERATOR: cattgirl needs some ideas now that school has started...

MODMSG cattgirl: Do you do pranks during the show?

nickyapper: OOOH—I would love to hear the answer to this one!!

Brandon_G: Yes, I do. Actually I love...if I hear someone coming, I'll hide behind a door and jump out and scare them!

Brandon_G: Especially the girls...they jump and scream..."Aaaaahhh!"

Brandon_G: Once there was a girl carrying a cup of coffee! And one of the assistant directors has a fart machine...

Brandon_G: we'll put it under someone...under the seat.

Brandon_G: When they sit back down, it goes off.

Brandon_G: It's remote controlled!

nickyapper: Cool!

MODERATOR: dudette would like to know...

MODMSG dudette45: Have you ever wanted to just go back and be a regular kid?

Brandon_G: Yes, I do, I want to hang out with my friends.

Brandon_G: When you get home, all your friends tell you gossip stories and I'm like "Man, I wish I was there..."

Brandon_G: But I'm happy with what I'm doing right now.

MODERATOR: marble54 has a SUPER question!

MODMSG marble54: What is your all time favorite super hero?

nickyapper: Other than Gretzky, of course : )

Brandon_G: I guess Wayne Gretzky doesn't count so...

nickyapper: Haha!

Brandon_G: I like Teenage Ninja Mutant Turtles. I had those green tights and wore them for Halloween, marble.

nickyapper: COOL.

MODERATOR: wes405 sleepily asks...

MODMSG wes405: I need to get to bed now! Do you have any brothers or sisters?

Brandon_G: I have three older brothers and a sister-in-law.

Brandon_G: Mike, 18, Joshua, 25, and number 3, Jason, 30. And there's my sister-in-law Heidi, age unknown!

nickyapper: Aww, and you're the baby!!

nickyapper: I'm the baby too!!

MODERATOR: This one is from willowchic...

MODMSG willowchic: In any of your episodes, have you ever had any of your real friends or family in the show?

nickyapper: Good question!!

Brandon_G: Well, willowchic, I had my friend Devon on, and she was in the background.

Brandon_G: It was good hanging out with her for the day. Good times, good times.

Brandon_G: But, no, my family has never been on the show.

MODMSG hypergrl20: Who's your best friend from Nick?

Brandon_G: Hypergrl, my best friends from Nick are probably Danny Tamberelli and Amanda Bynes.

MODERATOR: rmk2085 dares you to answer this one!

MODMSG rmk2085: How did you like going on "Double Dare 2000"?

Brandon_G: rmk2085, I loved "Double Dare" because I made friends with Amanda and Raquel and Drake.

Brandon_G: And before I had seen Amanda on SNICK House and then on "Double Dare," we hung out.

Brandon_G: We were in the same hotel and we played volleyball, ping pong, and basketball.

Brandon_G: And I also became friends with the "Snow Day" cast.

Brandon_G: Josh Peck and I became friends, also Jade Yorker. We hung out...

Brandon_G: He had his own room so we hung out. He was really cool. The whole cast got to go to the amusement park.

Brandon_G: And I got slimed on "Double Dare," which is always cold and fun!

MODERATOR: Oh I'm a big fan of Amanda!! kentucky27 has a great behind-the-scenes question!

nickyapper: We're chatting with Brandon Gilberstadt—also known as Justin Taylor from "100 Deeds for Eddie McDowd"!

MODMSG kentucky27: I wanted to know in the first episode, how'd they make the heart-shaped birthmark?

Brandon_G: Hey kentucky27...

Brandon_G: It was just done with makeup...an outline on both Eddie the dog and Eddie when he was a person.

MODERATOR: Another question from the mailbag at nick.com for you, Brandon!

MODMSG nickza: All together, how long does it take to do a show?

Brandon_G: About five days.

Brandon_G: It takes five days to tape the show, but with animation, it takes a long time!

Brandon_G: We start in June and they don't air until the second week in October.

Nickyapper: Send us your questions now, cause Brandon will only be with us for less than 15 more minutes!!

MODERATOR: lizonarda always has fun questions too!

MODMSG lizonarda: Would you like to be a dog for a day?

nickyapper: Neat question!!! Thanks Lizonarda!

Brandon_G: Hey, lizonarda...yeah, I think it would be fun for a day, if I had the brain of a human.

Brandon_G: But only for a day, I don't think I'd pull a weekend for that one.

MODERATOR: 125 is our numerical Blab reader tonight...

MODMSG 125: What's your favorite book?

Brandon_G: Hey, 125. My favorite book is "Penalty Shot," a hockey book by Matt Christopher.

Brandon_G: Matt Christopher rocks!

MODERATOR: youngactor will dream about your answer to this!

MODMSG youngactor: What advice do you have for young actors who want to be in movies and TV shows?

nickyapper: Yeah, like me!!

Brandon_G: Hey, youngactor, my advice to you is to never give up, because it might take you a long long time to get your break.

Brandon_G: I was fortunate, I was lucky. Sometimes, you feel like giving up...

Brandon_G: But another big thing is the look, it's not always acting, what they are looking for basically.

Brandon_G: So don't give up and do it while you love it. If you don't, there's no point.

MODERATOR: Lots of kids post on our message boards about you Brandon, and bwiliams51 is wondering...

MODMSG bwiliams51: Do you get lots a fan mail?

Brandon_G: Yes, I get lots of fan mail, and I appreciate all that I get.

nickyapper: Yeah, Brandon you should come visit the message boards!

MODMSG nickmyst: Are you at all like Justin, your character?

Brandon_G: First season, no, I'm not a geeky kid! And I'm not shy, I'm not afraid of many people.

nickyapper: If you do say so yourself!!

Brandon_G: This year they're putting a different spin on the show. I don't take a lot of stuff from Eddie.

nickyapper: Oooh—sneak peek info!!

nickyapper: Cool!

Brandon_G: I don't dress in those clothes anymore, thank God!

MODERATOR: You don't HAVE to answer this, but shadow would like to know...

MODMSG shadow11: If you could vote, who would you pick for president?

Brandon_G: Hey, shadow, my dog 's name is the same as your screen name!

Brandon_G: If I could pick anyone, it would be simple, it would be Wayne Gretzky.

Brandon_G: Who else?

nickyapper: Wayne Gretzky for Prez!

MODERATOR: Ohhhhh this is a terrific question from sissyangel!

MODMSG sissyangel: Who would you love to meet if you could meet anyone dead or alive??

MODERATOR: Other than Wayne of course hehehe : )

Brandon_G: I wonder who...

Brandon_G: Wayne Gretzky and Adam Sandler, Mike Myers, Dana Carvey.

nickyapper: Less than 10 minutes left! Send your question for Brandon Gilberstadt NOW!!

MODMSG tomboy1103: Does Eddie still have a trainer??? Who trained him????

Brandon_G: Hey tomboy! Yes, Eddie does have a trainer—he has two actually.

Brandon_G: Kristy and Tom.

Brandon_G: They're very nice people. Tom and I are paintballing buddies!

MODERATOR: katiemate might be a muggle but would like to know...

MODMSG katiemate: I gotta go. Will you please answer this? Do you like Harry Potter books?

Brandon_G: Hey, katiemate. Yes, I do like Harry Potter books.

Brandon_G: I just read one and I'm starting on another one.

nickyapper: Just five minutes left folks!!

MODERATOR: Brandon, you cannot avoid this question tonight. Too many girls are asking...

MODMSG chica1987: Do you have a girlfriend??

MODERATOR: Although you could avoid specifics : )

Brandon_G: I'm flattered, but as of this moment, no, I do not have a girlfriend.

Nickyapper: Raising my hand to volunteer!

Brandon_G: No, I just had a girlfriend and now I do not. I'm always looking!

MODMSG ajain90: Will Eddie ever become a kid again?

Brandon_G: Hey, ajain90, I'm not allowed to give out that information at this time!

Brandon_G: I don't know honestly. If you watch the show...

MODERATOR: Brandon, what are your future plans? Want to share them with us?

Brandon_G: My future plan is to play hockey in Canada, go to regular school, have a regular girlfriend...

MODERATOR: Wow that's quite a schedule! All at once?

Brandon_G: And, you know, just basically have a regular life for the time being. And maybe play some lacrosse because that seems interesting.

MODERATOR: Thanks so much for visiting with us tonight, Brandon!!

MODERATOR: We would love to have you back again!

Brandon_G: I think season two premieres in January. Watch the show, there's a couple new faces!

MODERATOR: In the meantime, hope you get to come to the message boards and chat with your fans there!

Brandon_G: Oh, definitely!

nickyapper: Thanks so much for chatting with us Brandon!!

MODERATOR: Handing Brandon a pretty feather to take on the ice : )

Brandon_G: Thank you very much for having me!

MODERATOR: Thanks again Brandon!! You ROCK!!

MODERATOR: We're going to be chatting every Monday through Thursday at 8:30 PM (ET) for the entire month of September!! It's the "September Chat-a-thon on nick.com!"

So keep clicking back to BLAB!!

nickyapper: 'Night everyone!!

MODERATOR: 'Night Yapper, I brought you a bucket of flowers instead of slime tonight!

nickyapper: Aw thanks!!

MODERATOR: See ya tommorrow night everyone!!