Behind the scenes with Road Trip: Myrtle Beach

The Road Trip: Myrtle Beach cast had just reconvened from all parts of the country on a sun-splashed day at Thistle Golf Club in early October. Tee time was set for 2 p.m., but timeliness wasn’t a priority.

Josh Kelley arrived on a redeye flight from the West Coast; Mark Bryan drove up from his home in Charleston; Perry Swenson, fresh off attempting to advance in LPGA Q-School, and Charlie Rymer, who recently wrapped up filming of his first season as host of the Big Break, also arrived via air.

Only Bryan and Kelley, music industry buddies, knew each other before the show launched, but as each cast member trickled in, they greeted each other like long lost friends. It had been four months since the last set of shows were filmed, but the rapport between the group was as natural as it was obvious.

That chemistry is what helps make the show unique, but it didn’t make getting to the first tee on time easy. Thistle, home of 27 holes, closed nine holes to expedite filming, but producer Mickey Holden glanced at his watch with a furrowed brow as 2 o’clock passed.

After all hellos were exchanged and bets agreed upon – Kelley and Swenson competed against Bryan and Rymer with the loser taking Shag lessons  – play began.

Twelve minutes after their scheduled tee time, the first ball was struck, but the chatter hardly stopped. Kelley was riding Rymer about the possibility of taking Shag lessons, leaving the former PGA TOUR player to insist, “Charlie don’t dance.”

Meanwhile, Kelley told his playing partners that he once taught ballroom dancing.

“Just assume I’m good at everything,” Kelley, who composed an Olympic theme song, said with a laugh.

Television personalities, professional athletes and musicians with international acclaim would seem to be a recipe for big egos, but there were none to be found amongst the Road Trip: Myrtle Beach cast.

The banter viewers see on camera is no different than what happens when the lights are off, the unfortunate things is the show only lasts 30 minutes. Rymer is never at a loss for words, leaving him to verbally spar with the quick-witted Kelley. For his part, Kelley’s personality is the show’s biggest. If he isn’t cracking a joke or providing a tip, he is singing (no one does a better Michael McDonald impersonation).

Bryan and Swenson are more laid back, but both add considerably to show. Bryan has to be one of the most unassuming rock stars on the planet. He plays barefooted, drives an old Chevy Suburban and carries himself like a guy scratching to get ahead in the business as opposed to one of the most prominent members of a band that has sold more than 20 million CDs.

Swenson adds a sweet swing – she already has five career holes in one – a level of attractiveness and a perspective that sometimes eludes her jocular castmates.

In four long days of filming, never was a cross word spoken. The cast members harangue each other (and the crew) but every punch line is topped off with a laugh as opposed to a scowl.

From golf to Shag lessons, deep sea fishing and feeding alligators, the final four episodes of season 1 should be the most entertaining yet.

With that in mind, here a few tidbits that may not make it off the cutting room floor:

He Has a Point: The losers of one match had to feed a horde of hungry alligators at the appropriately named Alligator Adventure. As Ken Alseieri, Alligator Adventure’s animal curator, instructed the cast on how to feed the mammoth reptiles, a wary Kelley kept his distance and added this keen observation: “He might say it’s safe, but he is missing a finger.”

It was hard to argue with the logic because (Alseieri) didn’t have 10 full fingers and there was a picture hanging near the front entrance with an alligator biting his head.

Stepping  Up To the Plate: Guest Star Giveaway winner Kelly Thurman, who won a spot on the show in part because of the musical talents he flashed on his entry tape, performed at the show’s wrap party at the House of Blues and did an admirable job. Thurman played on stage beside professional musicians, led by Bryan, and delivered the goods.

Know your ABCs: After Thurman accepted blame for a missed putt, Kelley corrected him and told him it was important to know his ABCs  – “Always Blame Charlie.”

Sounds Like A Song: Bryan can find inspiration for a song nearly anywhere, including a fishing trip that yielded more seaweed than sushi. Proposed song title: “I’m going fishing yesterday.” The title is a play on the all the fish the boat caught the day before the cast’s trip.

Line of the Week: As Thurman jawed with the cast on the first tee at Glen Dornoch, Rymer says: “It’s the first tee and you’ve already found your mouth. You will fit right in with this group.”