Reuniting with the Foxx
Eric Gilliom reunited with Jamie Foxx on stage at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards in January, 2010. Gilliom opened Jamie’s hit song, “Blame It (On The Alcohol)” with fellow award-winning Hawaiian singer, and sister, Amy Hanaialii. The song was introduced in a surprising manner so powerful the audience was silenced when the Gilliom duo appeared on stage belting out an opening act of classic opera, not sure what was to unfold next, the room held its breath until Jamie Foxx turned around and the familiar music pumped his smash-hit track “Blame It (On The Alcohol)” and the whole crowd just goes insanely wild. As the song escalated, a crazy conductor whose back we had seen takes off his huge white wig to reveal T-Pain. The performance also included celebrated rap artist Doug E Fresh, and Rock-N-Roll legend, Slash with a classic guitar solo. A surprising choice of collaborative artists for Jamie’s hit song, all collectively rocked the stage, delivering an epic montage of musical talents and artistic expression for Blame It.
The union was more of a reunion for Foxx and Gilliom….Eric and Jamie have teamed up over the years for various creative projects. Prior to the Grammy’s, last graced the television screen together back in 2001 when Eric guest starred on Jamie’s sitcom, The Jamie Foxx Show (1996-2001). The two have always fueled the other’s comedic imagination, and had a blast creating Eric’s character, Fluffy, the fabulously gay wedding planner hired for Jamie’s wedding to Fancy.
While filming the movie Alii in 2000, Jamie collaborated with Eric on a vision for a new television show reminiscent of the In Living Color sketch comedy style. Both lovers of wacky slapstick humor, and masters of comedic facial manipulation, the pilot was originally titled, These Nutz, with Eric as a feature writer and performer on the show. After the pilot was shot, the series was renamed, The Jamie Foxx Variety Show and some hilarious comedic sketches were filmed; Tyra Banks even dropped in for a guest appearance…Unfortunately, the network did not air the series but Jamie and Eric continue to collaborate on projects.
