Interview

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The rafaelriera.net Interview

Over the years, the rafaelriera.net Interview has brought readers closer to some of the most interesting people from all walks of life: actors, lawyers, bankers, musicians, doctors, and Secret Service agents. This month, we interview Eric Edelstein. Mr. Edelstein is an up-and-coming actor, having recently appeared in the hit television show ‘Ugly Betty’, as this year’s hit movie ‘The Hills Have Eyes 2”. He’s been a sports announcer, a stand-up comic, starred in a stage show, created a pilot for a television show, voiced a few cartoon characters...and witnessed Rafael Riera defeat a professional basketball player in a long-distance shoot-out.

Eric Edelstein

rr: When did you first know you wanted to be a actor?

EE: When I was about to start a job as a traffic reporter going up everyday in a single engine Cessna. I used to be very afraid to fly and had to take a Xanax when I flew. I had a plan to just get pilled up and do the damn thing everyday. Then I realized I was about to start a career as an announcer but I knew what I've always wanted to do and been afraid to try, which was acting. I did plays when I was a kid and had loved it my whole life.

rr: Who were some of your role models growing up?

EE: Scottie Pippen, Frank Thomas, Elvis, and Bill Murray.

rr: You went to college at Gonzaga University. What exactly is a Zag?

EE: The actual nickname is Bulldog. Zag just sounds too good. I guess it's an alternative nickname. People love it up there, they have "Go Zags" tatooed on themselves.

rr: Did you enjoy being the commentator for their basketball team?

EE: Yeah, that was the most fun ever. I was the announcer for the student tv station GUTV. The radio station was all classical because the priest in charge was sick of modern music. When I went there the basketball team wasn't known at all outside of the Spokane community. They had only been to the NCAA tournament once, in '95. The games weren't carried on a local network, so if people wanted to watch the games they watched on the low rent student station with PBS promos for commercials. . My second year there the team blew up and went to the Elite 8. Tons of people watched the games. It was really cool to have people watching. They had another great year and then got a big tv contract the after I graduated. I don't know if I was a good announcer. I was pretty biased because my roommates were on the team and all the halftime interviews were full of us teasing each other. There was literally not one straight interview ever. I remember one time the guys celebrated Senior Night by wearing t-shirts of a picture of me making out with

some girl in Hawaii. My Mom was there. The reason that team was so great was those guys are the greatest

group of dudes in the world. Just special people, and the cool thing is everyone is still close. It's like a family.

rr: Do you usually get mistaken with the other Eric Edelstein, founder of TrafficSynergy.com, Clicks2Customers.com and many other well-known Internet companies?

EE: Yeah, if you google "Eric Edelstein" now it comes up with him. I think he's in internet marketing. I read a blog he wrote about my acting career. I should really get in contact with him. There is also an Eric Edelstein that is a Double A baseball General Manager. It would be cool switching jobs with him for a week. I would get to be a GM and he would get to watch Hawaii 5-0 every day at two in his boxers.

rr: What was it like working on 'Ugly Betty', playing Golden Globe-winning actress America Ferrera's love interest?

EE: So much fun. The scenes were really fun and the character was close to me which is always great. She was the nicest person as well. She deserves the success she is getting and then some. I also think she was really liking what I was cooking.

rr: What was the most memorable moment of your audition for 'Bunny Whipped'?

EE: I remember the audition went well and then talking to you and I was impressed you actually knew who Richie Frahm was. Your knowlege of basketball was insane. We hit it off and it was great fun harassing young auditioning actresses by pretending I was a producer.

rr: How were you able to convince the people at the Internet Movie Database (imdb.com) that you were an original member of the hip-hop group Naughty By Nature?

EE: Because I was. At first it was the three guys and a little kid. Then they went a different way. Obviously I disagree with their decision but wish Treach, Vinny, and Kay-G the best.

rr: Your fellow Gonzaga alum and current NBA player Richie Frahm played himself in 'Bunny Whipped'. Could you verify that Rafael Riera indeed defeated him in a long-distance shoot-out on the set of the film?

EE: Straight up. Head to head. Rafael vs. the 2000 NCAA 3- point shooting champion. A man who had 31 points in a game for the Sonics. Versus...a director with a gimpy knee. But the two warriors met, and one was bested. David beat Goliath, and Richie hasn't recovered since.

rr: What's the secret to doing a good Bill Walton impression?

EE; The key is knowledge, most importantly of Walton, his teammates, and Grateful Dead songs. You have be able to pull out Sidney Wicks, Jerry Sichting, and "Shakedown Street" at the drop of a hat.

rr: When did you know you had 'arrived' as a Hollywood actor?

EE: I'll let you know when I do.

rr: Do you have any advice for others who want to pursue acting?

EE: It's hard but fun.

rr: Are Red Sox fans the most annoying people in the world?

EE: Well, those are your words, not mine. But, in trying to please you a few things come to mind. They treated Ted Williams, a veteran of World War 2 and Korea, like s**t. They crucified Bill Buckner. I loved when they said "We forgive you" after 2004 and he told them to f**k off. Now they don't realize that they aren't "long suffering" anymore. They are the Yankees in every way, from the payroll on down. The Pats are dominating but tainted by the cheating stuff. Brady is too good looking. I can root for the Celtics because Kevin Garnett plays the game with so much passion and heart and he deserves a ring.

rr: Who wins the NBA title in 2007-2008?

EE: I would love to say the Celtics, Bulls, or Suns but I just don't see it. I think Chicago is a year away and then they are going to be really, really good. I hope they don't trade for Kobe who I think is a sociopath or something like it. Unfortunately I think the Spurs will beat The Celtics in the finals. The only qualifier I put on this is if the Celtics can maneuver a deal or two, maybe getting Sam Cassell or like a Jamal Magliore type guy. Right now the Celtics season is riding on Rajon Rondo, Kedrick Perkins, Eddie House and Scot Pollard. I'm rooting for you guys, though.

rr: What is love?

EE: God, and God's expression through us.

rr: What is your favorite word in the English language?

EE: More.

rr: What's the last good movie you've seen?

EE: The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters. It was awesome. Other movies I have seen recently and enjoyed have been 3:10 to Yuma, Into the Wild (Hal Holbrook is unreal), and Rescue Dawn.

rr: This website is celebrating its seventh year online. What has rafaelriera.net meant to you?

EE: I am told your website is huge in Puerto Rico. I have been looking to make inroads into the Puerto Rican swinger comminity and this seemed like a great way to let everyone know who I am and what I'm about as a person.