MVSKOKE RESERVATION- A new season of the show “Rez Cops” is in the works. The online show, available on Facebook, stars Eric Yahola (Mvskoke) and Will Buck (Mvskoke/Seminole) as Salt Meat and Saucie, and is produced by Justin McLemore and Blood Productions.
The show, a parody of the TV series “COPS,” was originally called “ROTN” (Reservation Officer of Tribal Nations), but their original cameraman, editor, actor, cowriter, and social media guy, Cedric Sweet, thought “Rez Cops” sounded better- the name stuck from there. Due to Sweet’s schedule, they were replaced with McLemore and Blood Productions.
Yahola and Buck play “Salt Meat” and “Saucie” respectively. According to Buck, they created the characters for people to enjoy, and they also resonate with their own personalities.
They began the process for each episode by coming up with certain situations and seeing what type of storyline they could add on from there. “One of us would write out a script. Then we’d all 3 look at it and make changes. And when we had a final script, we’d go to film. But we’d always just improvise it. So we’d hardly ever stick to the script,” Buck said.
“I like to tell people that our script ideas come from ‘stories told by my drunk cousin’,” Yahola added.
For McLemore, though, the meaning is different. “Full Blood Production is a Native American production company made to film Native American stories and movies across a wide range of genres. All self-financed, with “Rez Cops,” it’s a way to raise awareness that an actual Native American production is here in Oklahoma to film these stories in smaller communities,” McLemore explained. “Plus Eric and Will have a small town Indun Oklahoma charm to them that needs to be told in a very comedian run and gun way! Rez cops also is content for the Black Fox Premier Full Blood holds every year! It is an awards show and a film festival/premier as it is held for one night.”
Buck and Yahola enjoy making people laugh, and they hope the episodes will do the same. Buck wants to bring “laughter and be proud of us. Creeks doing Creek thangs. Aye. Well, I’m Seminole too. I hope Seminoles are proud of us too,” Buck said.
“I hope it brings the big Oklahoma Laughs that our state needs! This material is material everyone can enjoy as it is very relatable. We hope to bring these two guys as OUR comedy native cop hero’s!!,” McLemore said.
Scenes from the first season were filmed at Holdenville, Wetumka, and Sasakwa. For season two, they plan to film a couple of scenes in the Sapulpa and Tulsa areas. They are currently finishing up the 1st episode of season 2 and hope to release it in April 2026.
McLemore added, “I enjoy filming Rez Cops especially for the reason they are so relaxed on the production and leave that to us. We get to use our creative skills to film them! They trust our judgment, and they are both naturally hilarious.”
According to Yahola, this season started in the summer of 2019. These were 10-12-minute episodes produced by Sweet. Buck and Yahola filmed and produced one other episode, bringing the total to 4 in season 1.
What’s next
Buck is looking towards the future and what lies ahead.
He’s done stand-up, and among Oklahoma Native Entertainment, he was the only comedian. Buck has performed at Lucky Star Casino, Thunderbird Casino, and MCN events. He has tried out three times for “America’s Got Talent,” but he didn’t make it. He and Yahola performed at the MCN Creek Council House for Indigenous Peoples’ Day. According to Buck, it was Yahola’s only time performing in a comedy show, and he thinks Yahola did really well.
”Cheese told me about Eric (Yahola), his cousin, that did some videos. He was really funny, so I hit him up and we started exchanging ideas. Cedric (Sweet), did a show with him for Seminole Nation Chief Leonard Harjo. He was a social media all star and did all the filming, himself. And he was down to do something,” Buck said. Buck has only been an extra in his acting career.
Buck added a last comment about their series, “We just want to make people laugh and have a good time. And follow us on social media. Let us know if we’ve made you laugh, it goes a long way. Hopefully, we can keep doing it. And remember, support your local comedians. I like hamburgers too. Aye.”
For those interested, Buck and Yahola share casting calls on Facebook a week or two before filming.
You can follow them on their Facebook page for updates on The Real Rez Cops, and watch video clips. They are currently working on launching their Youtube channel.
