Writer Eric Appel grew up in Endicott, New York. After high school, he attended and graduated from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh with a degree in Computer Animation. After college, Eric moved to New York City to pursue a career in comedy and trained in improv comedy at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater. Eric performed at the UCB Theatre for about three years. His last show at the UCB was “The Dark Side Of The Moon Show:” a parody that synced up perfectly with Pink Floyd's The Dark Side Of The Moon, which he directed, co-wrote and headlined. After writing for several comedy shows on cable television, Eric was hired to write and direct videos for Adam McKay and Will Ferrell's comedy website, Funny or Die.