Jim O’Heir and Stephen Kogon – Groad the Guardian Devil

By: Jamie Steinberg

Q) Please tell us the premise for “Groad the Guardian Devil.”

Stephen: In some ways the show is the opposite of It’s a Wonderful Life as Hell has decided to send one of their low-rung minions, Groad, to earth to ruin someone’s wonderful life.

Q) Where did the concept for this series come from?

Stephen: I just really liked the idea of flipping It’s a Wonderful Life on its head and making it a comedy. But, as we reveal in the pilot table read on YouTube, there may be more to Hell’s ultimate plan than just ruining one person’s life. And part of that plan is to banish Groad to earth. So, in future episodes, we’ll have Groad trying to figure out life on earth and there will be a cosmic tug of war between Heaven and Hell as they try to figure out and stop what the other is up to.

Q) What made you want to be a part of the show?

Jim: I love working with Stephen. We’ve worked together in the past. He sent me the script and I thought it was funny and different – and I love funny and different – so for me it was a no brainer.

Q) What was it like filming over Zoom?

Jim: I’m doing it so much lately it’s become kind of routine – but for me, it’s not how acting is supposed to be done. But until things go back to the way they were, I’m on board to do it. For me, acting is connecting with the other actors and being in the scene, seeing each other’s eyes – I just don’t think you can do the same thing through a computer as you can standing next to the other person.

Q) What made you want to be a part of the show?

Jim: I love working with Stephen, we’ve worked together in the past. He sent me the script and I thought it was funny and different – and I love funny and different – so for me it was a no brainer.

Q) What was it like filming over Zoom?

Jim: I’m doing it so much lately it’s become kind of routine – but for me, it’s not how acting is supposed to be done. But until things go back to the way they were, I’m on board to do it. For me, acting is connecting with the other actors and being in the scene, seeing each other’s eyes – I just don’t think you can do the same thing through a computer as you can standing next to the other person.

Q) The Pilot has gotten over 20,000 views! How does that make you feel?

Jim: That’s awesome! I’m glad people are watching.

Q) What do you think it is about “Groad the Guardian Devil” that has made it a fast fan favorite show?

Jim: I think people are liking it for the same reason I wanted to be a part of it – it’s funny and different – and it stars this really, really good looking actor named Jim O’Heir who I just love – and that’s reason enough… But no, seriously, everyone’s looking for content and streaming things these days because everyone’s trapped at home – and they’ve found this show and we’re thankful.

Q) What was it like recently reuniting with the “Parks and Rec” cast for the pandemic special?

Jim: Oh, that was amazing. The word “reunite” doesn’t totally apply, though, because we’re in constant contact with each other. But we did reunite as far as putting a show together. So, that part was really great… We have this thing called “The Parks Family Text,” so we’re kind of in each other’s lives all the time ever since the show ended… But to get to be our characters again was so exciting and so much fun… But, again, how much would I have loved to do that in person…The best part, though, and the reason we did it was to raise money for the food banks and we raised half a million dollars. So, we were all really happy about that.

Q) What do you think Jerry/Gary/Larry would be up to these days?

Jim: I think he would love a pandemic. He’s staying at home with the wife and the kids and Lord Sheldon, the dog. And he’s still totally involved with the office because Leslie (Amy Poehler) is in constant contact with everyone so he’s not missing out on that. But Gerry does love his family, that’s number one in his world, and so it’d just be more time with them.

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way to stay in touch with your fans?

Jim: To be perfectly honest, I’m fifty-eight years old now and social media is such a younger person’s game, but my reps are always on me about being more involved because it is a great way to stay connected and so I do what I can. But I don’t know how to do certain things like other people can do without blinking, like Retta, who’s like the Queen of all the social media stuff. She’s amazing, but I do what I can… It is fun to hear back from people and I’ve been very lucky – I don’t get blowback (no one says terrible things to me) and so I enjoy it. It’s like when people say, “What’s it like when people come up to you and they want pictures or whatever,” and I’m like, “That’s a lovely thing, people basically telling you they like you.” And social media’s the same thing, people saying they like me, so I enjoy it even though I don’t think I do it well.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who are fans and supporters of you and the work you do?

Jim: Any time someone wants to tune into anything I do, I say a big ol’ thank you… I really do appreciate the support. And, oh my gosh, with the way the world is today, I’d tell them all to be safe and take care of themselves – and wear a mask.