The Evan Ginzburg Show

Wrestling

Evan Ginzburg: Associate Producer of “350 Days”

Hello readers, this is Gregory Black, the editor of the Wrestling News Dept. here on TSJ101Sports.com. And I am here today to bring you wonderful readers an exclusive! That’s right, today, we will be speaking with the Associate Producer of both “The Wrestler” and the upcoming feature film “350 Days”. We will be speaking with Evan Ginzburg.

Now, for those of you who may not have heard of him, here is a little info about him, before we go into the interview:

“Evan Ginzburg is the Associate Producer and appears as himself in Darren Aronofsky’s Academy Award-nominated “The Wrestler”, starring Mickey Rourke. He is the Producer and Host of “The Evan Ginzburg Show”, a Net Radio variety/talk show streamed live on video on multiple platforms. Formerly a 16-year radio host on 50,000 Watt WBAI-FM 99.5 Pacifica Radio’s Light Show, and the Host of Evan Ginzburg’s Legends TV, he is Associate Producer on 350 Days.”

Evan had the chance to speak with me via chat, and we went into many different subjects. But the core of the interview dealt with professional wrestling. His thoughts and opinions on the business yesterday and today are featured here. Some funny, some serious, he was more than happy to share what was on his mind.

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The Interview:

Gregory Black: Alright, let’s start with the first question, Evan, what was it that first got you interested in professional wrestling?

Evan Ginzburg:  I was a kid channel surfing one day and was actually on the old UHF dials; there was this Indian wrestler getting pounded and suddenly he’s doing this herky-jerky “war dance,” makes this superhero comeback. I find out this is WWWF wrestling and it was Chief Jay Strongbow and, I was hooked forever.

GB: Strongbow was definitely someone who knew how to captivate the audience. Was he your only favorite, or were there others who you cheered on?

EG: All the kids loved Bruno (Sammartino), (Gorilla) Monsoon, Bruce Lee and Clint Eastwood. I grew up in East Flatbush Brooklyn in the 60s and 70s. And Pam Grier. The boys just loved Pam Grier.

GB: Well Pam was gorgeous, haha, there was no denying that. Did you and the kids in the neighborhood play around like most kids do, and acted like your favorite movie stars or wrestlers?

EG: The kid across the street had a homemade pair of nunchucks and we were all Bruce Lee. This was long before the backyarders like The Hardys so we didn’t wrestle at all. Couldn’t afford a ring anyway. And as much as we tried to jump to the top of trees and rooftops just by bending our knees like all the guys in the Shaw Brothers Kung-Fu flicks, it didn’t much work.

GB: Ahh, I know that feeling, that was me after watching Five Deadly Venoms. So, would you say that the films of the past kind of inspired your path into the film and entertainment industry?

” there was this Indian wrestler getting pounded and suddenly he’s doing this herky-jerky “war dance,” makes this superhero comeback. I find out this is WWWF wrestling and it was Chief Jay Strongbow and, I was hooked forever.” – Evan Ginzburg

EG: What I’ve found in life is one thing always led to another. In the pre-Internet days, we did wrestling sheet or “dirt sheets.” I published Wrestling-Then & Now, which got me invited by the late Fred Geobold on WBAI-FM 99.5 in NYC; to do a wrestling segment on his Arts program, Light Show.

Which led me to invite wrestlers up to the station at 3 AM, which was a blast. And that led me to become an agent, where I took wrestlers on autograph signings and even to producing the late Johnny Valiant’s one-man comedy show. At one signing with Johnny and Nikolai, a friend of the Executive Producer of The Wrestler started chatting with us; next thing you know, we had a meeting with Darren Aronofsky. I became Associate Producer of The Wrestler and even acted with Mickey in it, which was pure improv. Which has led to several acting and producing roles ever since.

And now, I’m Associate Producer on 350 Days starring Bret Hart and SuperStar Graham. It all kind of happened organically. You say yes to things, instead of slamming the door and saying no. And it’s been quite a ride.

GB: It sounds like it. It sounds like one interesting journey that you’ve been on. Now, you have a talk show that you host on Sundays, could you give us a little insight into it?

“I grew up in East Flatbush Brooklyn in the 60s and 70s. And Pam Grier. The boys just loved Pam Grier.” – Evan Ginzburg

EG: It’s The “Evan Ginzburg Show”, a radio show which is also streamed on video Sundays 11AM-1PM EST at www.villageconnectionradio.com
The link to watch and listen to it is https://www.villageconnectionradio.com/evan-ginzburg-show. So for example, this Sunday is a typical show.

I have 2 singers, a comic book Artist, a TV critic, and a pro wrestling superstar, Mil Muertes, in the studio. I was inspired by Joe Franklin on NY TV when I was a kid. Anyone and everyone sat on his couch. I do the same. My dream show would be to have an Ex-President, Ex-porn star and Jimmy Valiant or Abdullah the Butcher on the same show with me. That would somehow make perfect sense to me.

GB: That would make for a very interesting episode, I can imagine, haha. Who are some of the personalities that you’ve had on your show so far? And who would you like to interview in the future?

EG: Well, I’ve been doing radio and TV for 27 years. But on this particular show, since I started here about a year ago, the bigger names I’ve had have included Nikolai Volkoff, Jimmy Valiant, Brian Blair, and the late Gary DeCarlo, who sang lead on the arena anthem “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye”.

” It all kind of happened organically. You say yes to things, instead of slamming the door and saying no. And it’s been quite a ride.”

GB: Alright, awesome. So, I have to ask, what was it like working on “The Wrestler”? I can say it was probably one of the most in-depth stories I have seen on the big screen in regards to pro wrestling.

EG: It was one of the great experiences of my life. It took us 7 years from initial script to filming off and on, and Mickey’s performance is iconic; it’ll be around and appreciated long after we’re all gone. And you can’t put a price on that.

GB: You certainly can’t. Now, about your new film, “350 Days”, features stories on the likes of Bret “The Hitman” Hart, “Superstar” Billy Graham, Stan Hansen and so forth. How was it working with them?

EG: Everybody really opened up to us. The film is called 350 Days because, at the peak of Hulkamania and the Rock & Wrestling Connection period, some of these guys worked 350 or so days a year. So it’s about the toll it took on their bodies, families, marriages, and psyches.

Our editor, Michael Burlingame is not a “wrestling guy.” He worked with Paul McCartney, Sting (the singer), HBO, and is Emmy nominated. He didn’t know the legends from the prelim guys. But it was his job to edit 80 hours of content down to less than two. And to find the most powerful and moving tales. This isn’t a shoot interview in some dingy hotel talking about the booker in 1972. This is a film that’ll touch people, much like The Wrestler did.

“The kid across the street had a homemade pair of nunchucks and we were all Bruce Lee. This was long before the backyarders like The Hardys so we didn’t wrestle at all. Couldn’t afford a ring anyway.”

I never even thought I’d do another wrestling project after The Wrestler because how can you touch THAT? But we’re so proud of this. People had better bring their hankies. And there’s plenty of rare photos and in-ring footage, too for the hardcore fans. And making it even more special, it’s a Fathom Event, meaning it’s not just the movie.

When you go in to the theater, there will be facts and trivia on screen, then JJ Dillon, leader of the 4 Horsemen, will intro the film; after the film I’m on screen with him for 20 minutes conducting an interview where he too, opens up about his late friends Bruno, Piper and of course he talks about Flair and the Horsemen. He even compares wrestling then and now.

It’ll be a full evening of entertainment and there’s going to be major premieres across the country; including the legendary Mann’s Chinese Theater in LA with Gene LeBell, Ric Drasin and director/Producer Fulvio Cecere on hand, and we’ll be announcing an NY premiere in the next few days.

GB: The interesting thing that I saw about the premiere is that it is a one-night event. Why the decision to have it be a one night release, as opposed to having a short run in theaters?

EG: We wanted to do something special. Too many folks say, “Well, I’ll see it down the road”, but this is a one-night-only special event. The JJ Dillon content will only be in the theaters. The celebs coming out in NY and LA to be part of it will only be at the theaters. When you work on something for five years you want it to be something noteworthy and that’s our rationale.

GB: Ahh, makes sense, then. To give the audience the perfect experience for a showing.

EG: We urge folk to buy their tickets in advance as we’re expecting sell outs.

“I never even thought I’d do another wrestling project after The Wrestler because how can you touch THAT? But we’re so proud of this. People had better bring their hankies. And there’s plenty of rare photos and in-ring footage, too for the hardcore fans.”

GB: Now speaking of your interests in professional wrestling, I’d like to ask you about your thoughts on today’s product. Do you think it’s better? Worse?

EG: Both. A Daniel Bryan is doing moves a Bruno couldn’t have dreamed of. But much of today’s product is cartoonish, the belts mean little, if anything and in a 3-hour RAW, PPV or WWE house show; maybe you’re getting a half hour of quality wrestling that you actually care about.

Maybe.

But it’s a golden age in the sense that in the comfort of your home, you can watch the majestic Okada and New Japan, through ROH Honor Club, you have Bullet Club and there are tons of other worthy streaming services. Plus there’s indie wrestling almost every weekend of varying quality, but always a fun night out. So there’s definitely pluses and minuses.

GB: I have to agree on the belt situation, although, to be fair, it isn’t like it was during the late 90s and early 2000s, where it seemed like every other week, a title was changing hands. You mentioned Indy wrestling, and I kind of wanted to ask you, since you have recently taken part in it in your own way. What was your first experience like being part of “Simply Splendid” Bobby C’s camp?

“Too many folks say, “Well, I’ll see it down the road”, but this is a one-night-only special event. The JJ Dillon content will only be in the theaters.”

EG: Surreal would be the best way to explain it. Suddenly I’m not a fan or media but actually in the ring. I make it very clear I’m not a wrestler, just part of a heel entourage. I enjoy cutting promos and riling the fans up. I’m the limo driver for a Gorgeous George type. He also has a butler and maid so it’s old school and a lot of fun, but when I’m being chased around the ring; I’m REALLY running because I don’t want anyone to have not gotten the message that I’m not a trained wrestler. It’s the kind of thing you put on your bucket list and do.

GB: Could you see yourself transitioning into a managerial role in the wrestling business?

EG: I can see doing it for fun on local indie shows. I have done it on occasion on indies. But I don’t see Vince going back to heel managers any time soon.

GB: Yeah, I think the closest to a heel manager they have now is Zelina Vega in the WWE. Do you think we will ever see another manager in the same light as the likes of Bobby Heenan, or Jim Cornette?

EG: Not in WWE, I can see others giving it a shot though.

GB: Are there any wrestlers, managers or valets that have caught your eye recently?

“when I’m being chased around the ring; I’m REALLY running because I don’t want anyone to have not gotten the message that I’m not a trained wrestler.”

EG: Velveteen Dream is going to be a huge star. Zelina Vega is perfect. Okada may become an all-time great. Okada-Omega series reminds me of Flair-Steamboat, Bryan Danielson-Nigel McGuinness, and Dory Funk Jr.-Jack Brisco.

GB: I can’t lie, Dream has made me a believer in him in the last year. He’s made leaps and bounds when it came to improvements, plus, the gimmick is great.

EG: Will Ospreay is also great if he doesn’t crash and burn with that style.

GB: I know his style is a bit too risky at times, but, I wonder if he will become the next big signing in the states. It would have been interesting to see him perform in the upcoming UK Tournament. Do you have any favorites to win this year’s tourney?

EG: Don’t follow it so no idea.

GB: Ahh, alright. Are there any shows you are looking forward to in the coming months? Music, wrestling or otherwise?

EG: Okada-Omega IV. All-In. NXT Takeovers, they always step it up a notch. The monthly WWE PPV’s really just a glorified TV show at this point.

GB: Yeah, and now with the news that the main roster shows are going to be 4-hours long, it makes you wonder how they are going to fill the time.

“But it’s a golden age in the sense that in the comfort of your home, you can watch the majestic Okada and New Japan, through ROH Honor Club, you have Bullet Club and there are tons of other worthy streaming services. Plus there’s indie wrestling almost every weekend of varying quality, but always a fun night out.”

EG: Endless inane chatter, bad comedy, commercials and screw job finishes I’m betting.

GB: I could see that, too.  Are there any other projects that you happen to be working on currently?

EG: Yes, I’m a Producer on an upcoming wrestling documentary that I’m not at liberty of announcing just yet, also we’ll be starting an indy horror film shortly, I do some acting here and there and am a staff writer for www.prowrestlingstories.com. I keep busy.

GB: Excellent, I’m sure that there are some great stories there. Any personal favorites of yours?

EG: The pieces I did on late friends like Tiger Khan, Johnny Valiant, Nicole Bass, Lou Albano. The one on Nicole was tough. I was at her deathbed. It took me a year to be able to write it.

GB: I could only imagine. It’s rough when it’s someone you’re close with. I remember doing that for a friend here, as one of my editorials. It was difficult, to say the least.

EG: I lost my Mom and a half dozen friends in a year and a half. Thank Heaven for creative outlets to take you away from the grief for a bit.

GB: Agreed, definitely agree.

EG: I mean I talked to Johnny Valiant a few days before he got hit by a truck. You just don’t expect your good friends to go out like THAT.

“I enjoy cutting promos and riling the fans up. I’m the limo driver for a Gorgeous George type. He also has a butler and maid so it’s old school and a lot of fun”

GB: You never do. The good thing is that their memory lives on through those whose lives they affected. Having seen the outpouring of love when he passed meant he made a lot of people’s lives better in some ways.

EG: No Doubt.

GB: So Evan, one last question, and this one is a sports question. Which teams are you paying attention to in baseball, or basketball, or so on?

EG: I’m a big fan of the Washington Generals- I’m hoping they finally beat The Globetrotters this century. Actually, all I watch at this point is Boxing and occasional MMA and pro wrestling- the king of sports as we used to say. And the Super Bowl halftime show (depending on who is singing). The salaries, ticket prices and ineptitude (see NY Knicks) just turned me off a long while back. Sorry.

GB: As a Knicks’ fan, I am cracking up on the ineptitude comment. It always seems like they make moves to lose.

EG: We’re deep into the annual false hope season, when the new coach, potential new draft pick, etc.; get foisted on the beleaguered fans who pay up to 3K a ticket to see them play horribly year after year. No thank you, I’ll pass. Which is something players today should do more of by the way. See Melo.  And yes, I realize he’s finally gone.

GB: Ouch, hahaha.

EG: I was there for the glorious ’69 and ’73 Knicks who emphasized team play. Earl Monroe was my favorite player of all time. How dynamic. My God- how we went from THAT to THIS. And folk wonder why I can’t watch anymore?

Like a knife in my heart. On that happy note, go out and see 350 Days July 12th. You missed the birth of your mother and father, don’t miss this. I stole that line from the great Ernie Ladd, by the way, speaking of great athletes of yore.

“…after the film I’m on screen with him for 20 minutes conducting an interview where he too, opens up about his late friends Bruno, Piper and of course he talks about Flair and the Horsemen.”

GB: Having seen some of his promos, I believe it. Evan, is there anything else you’d like to say to the readers at home?

EG: Sure. Support indy everything. Indy film, indy music, indy wrestling. The billion dollar corporations and greed-monger sports teams don’t need your hard earned cash; the little guys who will give you 110% do.

There’s no better sports value than an indy wrestling show or minor league baseball game. A great product for a fair price and you’re treated as a valued customer rather than a money mark. Simple.

GB: Sound advice, and very true. I thank you, Evan, for doing this interview with us. It was fun.

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And there you have it, folks, a fun and informative interview with the Associate Producer of two major films. A fan of professional wrestling and the arts. I, along with the rest of the TSJ101 staff thank Mr. Ginzburg for speaking with us, and we hope that all of you enjoyed the read.

Until next time, ladies and gentlemen, this is Gregory Black wishing you a good day.

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