The james hay hangover
In 2010, Daryl Della, Ray Revello, and James Hay teamed up to create The James Hay Hangover, an ambitious hybrid of a late-night talk show and sketch comedy, blending the irreverence of Conan O’Brien with the chaotic energy of Saturday Night Live. The concept was straightforward: James would interview a guest, then transition to sketches, creating something classic yet entirely unique. Together, the trio brainstormed countless ideas, fueling what could have been an unforgettable series.
The vision was bold, and James even had a studio ready to go. Unfortunately, tensions behind the scenes—particularly between James and Daryl—caused the show to collapse before a full episode could be filmed, ending their friendship and leaving the project incomplete. However, what was captured offers a fascinating glimpse into the early 2010s chaos of Dollars & Donuts Productions.
A filmed intro showcased James, Daryl, Ray, and the house band, Retard Strength (later the subject of their own Dollars & Donuts mockumentary), getting drunk in the Marina District of San Francisco—a time capsule of the crew’s haunts and habits. While the audio and filmmaking were unpolished, the pilot produced standout moments, including Lozo’s frantic kidnapping, a surreal dinner scene featuring a waiter with unconventional serving methods, and Chris Cairo and Rich Castromayor riffing on a real city hall protest.
Among the sketches filmed, the infamous “Foreverection” marked Brandon J. Snyder’s final on-screen appearance with the group before departing Dollars & Donuts for good. Other ambitious ideas never came to life, such as animated co-hosts Richie Roach and Shingles the Rat living under James’ desk, or episodes ending with Donald Flores watching the show at home, parodying America’s Funniest Home Videos.
While The James Hay Hangover never became a full-fledged series, it remains a chaotic, unrefined, and fascinating relic of the Dollars & Donuts archive, showcasing raw creative energy and a snapshot of a moment in time.