great job Kevin. Usually it's a hard interview to watch with Christopher but Kevin manages to navigate and keep it interesting and actually make Christopher slightly enjoy himself.
My goodness. I now understand why you don't often see him as a talk show guest. No pun intended. To me, it's rude to appear on a talk show and not to liven up for it.
I've seen Christopher Guest in person a couple times and he is terrifying. He wasn't even saying anything, just standing there, but me and my friends wouldn't go anywhere near him or dare try to talk to him.
"Mr. Guest, I'm a huge fan. Could I please have your..." Zyoop!. Head sliced off. Or, he could just give you that icy stare and say, "No." Just as bad.
Although this is one of my favorite interviewers, and Christopher Guest is one of my favorite actors, it starts slowly. It appears that Kevin REALLY was struggling here. But, Kevin kept plugging. In the end, this is probably one of my favorite interviews.
agree 100%. Guest doesn't self promote and doesn't want to prove anything. As you say that makes the interviewer have to think and interact which is how it should be. We get hilarious anecdotes and unexpected stuff (the incompetent ticket collecting was a personal favorite).
Guest is also very defensive and won't just let stuff go. He also doesn't like to be put in a box and will take issue with any way you describe anything he does. Beyond that he's actually a good interview.
Everyone seems to be measuring him against who they expect him to be based on characters he's played. He is to comedy what De Niro is to drama. He takes his craft very seriously. I find him funny as himself, but I'm not looking for Nigel Tufnel. When he's telling stories about Bob Hope and George Burns he drops his guard. It's very sweet. He's just very shy and uncomfortable talking about himself.
Aye, think it's all that reservedness and fear of pretension running throughout all of British culture; makes one seem arrogant and sociopathic much of the time, when it couldn't be further from the truth. Some societies are just really good at negotiating public displays of emotion to prevent weakness from being mistaken as an invitation for abuse-- something that's shared among both Asian and most Protestant cultures-- but it often feels abrasive and uncaring, nihilistic, if not narcissistic. Don't think Jamie Lee Curtis would've stayed married this long to someone like that, if that's any gauge.
Those who think Christopher Guest doesn't understand social interaction are the ones not understanding social interaction. This is one of my favourite interviews of anyone. Many times he laughs, smiles, surpresses smiles/laughter, does self-irony, both subtle and obvious sarcasm, deadpan, impressions of persons and types of people, humurous facial expressions, good story-telling, articulate enlightening analysis of comedy, interaction with the camera and the other two and even prop work. He understands many aspects of behaviour and environment and is great at using it. Kevin does a great job too, whereas more mainstream interviewers of Guest are too streamlined and incompetent and just put him in the category "difficult".
DemboThrash Everything you said is totally correct and insightful.. however you must also admit that Guest is a bit insecure. Every chance he has to sound slightly wounded and defensive (about his high school, about spinal tap being a real band vs the monkees, about andre the giant, about the house of lords, etc.) he takes it. He takes himself a lot more seriously than he takes anything else and didn't seem to appreciate Kevin's tone at those times. If he was trying to hide his visceral reaction at all he wasn't doing it very well. He also goes out of his way to pretend he doesn't remember doing things, to make it seem like none of his work is very important to him. Another thing insecure people do to avoid the judgment of others.
DemboThrash - It's that most people don't understand metaphor and don't think abstractly. It's clear he's coming from a place of great love, and he's giving us everything he's got. The whole bit about it being too cold then too hot in the studio, and the coffee run was a total giveaway. There's an old SNL skit that says it all about Guest where he plays a talent agent who is about to commit suicide by leaping from an open NYC skyscraper window when the receptionist tells him on the intercom that she's sending someone in to see him, and he climbs back off the ledge before Ed Grimley walks in the door. That was funny on a whole other level and it stuck with me for life.
@Bikewithlove - I disagree about the cold/hot/coffee bit. I felt like at first people thought it was a joke, but when nothing was happening he kept harping on it - extremely awkward, IMO. Also there's no joke at all about asking someone to go get you a coffee - not just a coffee but a coffee from somewhere specific in the neighborhood, then acting surprised when people much lower on the totem pole than you go get it. How is that funny? He was being unreasonable and thought that pretending it was a joke after the fact got him off the hook.
bh617 - Everyone is insecure to a degree; it's normal. The trick in life is to stop running away from it and to get used to wearing it. Nothing betrays insecurity like hiding it. Chris has figured out how to make a living off of it, and this whole interview is about it. Through the whole thing he is working on our own insecurity that the interview will somehow go wrong. If you watch closely you'll notice that Chris knows everyone on the set intimately. These people are more like a family than we might realize. There's a deep thing going on during this interview, and they're all in on it. It's mesmerizing.
That's an important distinction to make. Rowan Atkinson is like that too. He's an amazing performer/ comedian but it's just his job, his craft.. he's not an over the top person out of character
Fun Fact: the "Mr Anderson" that Chris Guest is having trouble recalling his name, that's Bob Anderson, the master swordsman who helped train Viggo Mortenson for LOTR, but also was in the Darth Vader costume for the more involved lightsaber fights in the original Star Wars trilogy.
I think I can see why some might find Guest to seem condescending, but I believe he just is unaware of the impression he is making or doesn't really mind. I have known some people who are actually quite humble and thw opposite of snobbish but that was how some people perceived them.
You mean 'fictiitious' actor/director. Look closely and listen...thats clearly Michael McKean. Listen even how he says how great Michael McKeen is....and the fact he doesn't mention Laverne and Shirley.
The rare breaks when he laughs or smiles gives you a hint that he's not being difficult, he's just doing a very subtle bit. Maybe cos he finds interviews tough, maybe cos like Peter Sellers, he prefers being in character than being himself. But once you know that, it's a great interview and he actually gives a lot here.
@22:42 Pollard “it’s hard for a kid to……… Guest”….it’s not that hard and it’s done by virtually everyone except four people every year 😂🤣…….snap ! J’Adore Christopher Guest
The best thing about this interview is that Guest seems slightly annoyed...uncomfortable...disinterested...etc...for ten straight minutes then BAM! COMEDY!...He makes you wait for it...but it's worth the wait:)
My favorite movie of all time is Waiting for Guffman. Having said that, I'm always a bit disappointed by most of the CG interviews I've see, because of exactly what you said. He always seems aggravated/uncomfortable/disinterested. How a guy who's so funny and lighthearted in the movies can be as anti- that in interviews is a total mystery.
@@alfiend331 Aye, think "defensiveness" is the word. Seems CG was a decade ahead of the times, had the forethought of protecting one's reputation by not committing to anything or spilling the beans on anyone. Noble enough, when you get down to it, but, gory, does it come across as abrasive and arrogant, judgemental and antagonistic, guns firing in all directions at all times to prevent another's barbs from manifesting. "Off-putting" seems an understatement.
A good interview, even if it's a bit long and bumpy at times. Catherine O'Hara and Michael O'Donoghue are mentioned separately in the interview, with how great Catherine is, and how violent O'Donoghue could be. This reminded me that Catherine was hired as a cast member of SNL, but she left soon after she got there due to the hostile environment that O'Donoghue created.
TighelanderII I wish Guest had given more details about Michael there. He doesn't seem too comfortable with 'gossip'. I would've loved to hear some O'Donoghue anecdotes, which are hard to come by. Catherine glosses over it in her interview as well iirc.
full credit to Pollak for making Guest feel loose and being himself, up there with the Ricky Gervais/ Guest chat. Best for me was at about 49min where he tells a very funny story about giving change to customers in his only real job. Guest laughs and enjoys himself.
+Jeremy Benson I agree, if you compare this to any of his other interviews, he is DEFINITELY enjoying this one. It's ridiculous to say he doesn't like Kevin, either.. he hired him for one of the two main roles in Morton & Hayes. They've been friends for decades. He's also friends with Samm.
No, it's not just you. Fairly accurate description, in fact. God, HAL was a cretin. At least, Mr. Guest doesn't have that annoyingly condescending tone of voice, that happy sadism pretending helpfulness and allegiance. Hate that mf-ing AI!
Holy crap, I'm only a half hour into this. 1- I've never seen Guest smile and be this facially loose so much. 2- First time I've ever seen Kevin Pollak's chat show. I know who he is, never had a beef about him as an actor. Nice he's doing this medium now. 3- Kevin is well prepared, but if he has to toss everything out the window, is very adept at great new questions, he has a rapid mind I respect, and this in only the first time I've seen him. I suspect he'll never disappoint. Gotta come back here again. 4- .I have the feeling that he can't deliver a "dead wood" interview unless the guest is actually 6 feet under. He'd do a little worse if the subject was cremated. Or at least I suspect this is the way it will go. If I have no further comments, then it's true. By the way, this comment #4 is a compliment. Hope Kevin sees it.
@@ai-man212 Seconded. What was Chevy's dysfunction anyway? Entitlement? Well-disguised narcissism? Simple contempt? Some grievance about being perceived as an ugly jerk? How do you throw away so much for so little, not enjoy what you were doing, what got you to your heights: collaboration, daring, earnestness, self-effacement, earned respect, absolute joy from the work? Happiness, success, incredible freedom and riches for grievance. Simply bonkers. Think it was the public's rejection of his talk show all those years ago? Some loss of faculty or connection? Some personal tragedy we're unaware of? Simple disinterest or exhaustion from playing the game? A desire to retire? Miss his sensibility. It was a nice counterpoint to what everyone else was doing.
Why did I think Christopher Guest was dead? I would have sworn it. I knew Fred Willard died. Well, it's a miracle and I'm happy for Jamie Lee Curtis. You're welcome. Love the Topher Guest.
I know this has been uploaded like some 100 years ago but how anyone thought that Guest was difficult and didn't want to be there or that he had issues with Pollak is beyond me. Guests humor is as dry as the fucking desert and he has irony down to a T. This was a great interview.
I know your comment was posted some 50 years ago, but I think it was just slow to start. Perhaps he was as annoyed with the stupid crap at the beginning as I am ;) I'm fortunate in that I can skip it, he had to sit there for 15 minutes listening to bullshit.
@@ptanyuh I know you posted some 25 years ago, but I think the comment 75 years ago had the right of it; few get how wry Mr. Guest is, can't read that sensibility any longer or understand its orientation. Rare half a century ago, rarer even now, so many mistake such teasing with being curmudgeonly (though I agree KPCS's opening segment is incredibly awkward and borderline disrespectful to the guests. Guess KP's sticking with "the great reveal" for them, suffering the unfavorable optics and what, presumably, must be thousands of complaints).
Expecting a format to change based on comments here is almost as funny as the show itself. I wonder if there are people in the world who continue watching something they don't like...sounds like they, literally, can't find anything else to watch and/or have nothing better to do. Amazing.
1:47:30 He's right! Imagine playing a Star Wars stormtrooper and being told: "Can you stop making the "Peeoow! Peeoow!" noises when you shoot? - We add those after...."
I love this show but there is NO way I could make my guest sit through all that intro. I would find a way to do that without them there, waiting silently. That or just introduce them so they enter the mix, then cover all that stuff with them able to comment, or not, but at least not having to wait 20 min silently for the interview with Sam Who? to be overwith. Other shows have the green room but that's when there's other actual guests and you're waiting for your turn.
+WhoWouldWantThisName i take issue with that a little bit.. as sidekicks go, Samm Levine is less of a 'who?' than most. He's a working actor with a lot of credits over the last 15+ years and has an encyclopedic knowledge of film history. He also does a great job guest-hosting when Kevin isn't available. Now Kevin's girlfriend, there's a nobody.
@@basehead617 Aw, was digging your comment (five years on), 'til that last bit; Jame Fox brings something of different value to the table, besides sharing a name with a fabulously talented actor: producing cred and talent, cultural perspective, trivia, popular show segments, practical and technical knowledge... Nobody's a nobody except for those who call others one.
Totally agree, it's a really odd feature of the show. 6 years on, though, they either know something we don't or they missed your comment. Perhaps, guests enjoy the novelty as a warm-up of sorts. Whatever the case, you're right; to those of us watching, it's incredibly awkward, and the suggestions you relayed are rather good ones they should've heard of by now. We're probably missing something. Would be fun to learn what that might be.
@@dontpanic1812 Haha, yeah I knew his name, I was just making a sarcastic point of suggesting that Sam's an unknown to us outsiders. Yes, those in Hollywood know who someone with some supporting role experience and such is, but to us non-film junkies Sam is one of those we don't likely recognize. I only know him from `Freaks and Geeks', good show BTW, and I thought he was good on it. He's still one of those that is mostly known by other actors because they have been on so many auditions together. I have nothing against Sam and I made this comment 6 years ago, so I have only a rough idea what I was talking about at that time. I do remember those long drawn out pre-interview segments that left the guest just sitting there waiting in silence and the audience frustrated over it, at least I was, because I came for the guest not Sam or any other sidekicks. You know I had forgotten about this show and I was a regular fan of it. Kevin is really good at interviewing and not many are. I used to have time for 3 hour long shows of this kind but not anymore. This is also why I don't watch Joe Rogan. Now if they made edited down segments of interviews, like covering a particular subject, maybe running 20-30 minutes, sort of like `Crowder Bites' that would be a great addition to the channel.
This is brutal. Over the top theme music. Using all the cliches ala Charlie Rose. Yet, It’s like KP doesn’t even care about his own show. Dressed like crap, jeans, dumb hat, annoying laptop. AND he has one of the rarest and greatest of guests. Chris is clearly annoyed right at the start. Awkward! But what a great guy to continue. This is yet another reason Christopher Guest is such a class act.
it seemed like christopher didnt want to explain what his dad did for work at the united nations maybe for security reasons. guest said maybe i can read your dossier,this could go faster, was guest plugging anything or did guest do this as a favor for someone.
To interview Christopher Guest, you need to be calm, intelligent, centered, give him time to answer, and know your facts. Hardly any interviewers take the trouble to do this. When they do, you see the real CG, who is very human and funny.
+Rubber Chicken Films His response was pretty odd - my money's on a big "no" though, reading between the lines. He reminds me of Harrison Ford in interviews - very unusual dry sense of humour that I think is meant well, but can easily come across like he's just a grumpy arsehole looking down his nose on the whole thing, but I don't think that's what it is. I think these people just aren't thrilled about the whole snowbiz interview thing and that humour comes out as a result.
+David _ It would be hypocritical of me to judge him for being a comedy snob (as one myself to a certain extent), I just always find it interesting that people love Keaton or Chaplin, but not Benny Hill (whom Chaplin thought was the greatest). Wonder what he thinks of Jacques Tati or Mr. Bean....but I agree about the dry sense of humour.
+Rubber Chicken Films It's a great point you make. Maybe his reaction's influenced by herd mentality disgust surrounding saucy 70s humour, and it blocks any potential objective take on the comedy value of the show. Or maybe he just didn't find it funny. I guess we'll never know. But I think it's a great point/comparison. Bottom line, I don't think many people will publically commit to liking anything universally condemned by the values fo the time. Peer group pressure works.
Hey he said he'd do it as Kunte Kinte, they didn't take him up on it. In general he seems to shy away from mocking actual real people. He was uncomfortable telling the story that put even a dead comedian in a bad light.
That's funny. Though I see what Mr. Guest is doing, the fun he's having with everyone, his demeanor precisely reminds me of Jordan Peterson's. It's really weird how Mr. Guest's detractors here don't recognize the similarity, don't support the characteristics they cherish in another whom they're constantly defending, or if of the other ilk, can't get past the similarity either to see how deviously funny he's being. What floors me is after seeing this interview and that similarity, I have a greater appreciation for both, something I never would've imagined regarding either of them, especially cranky Mr. Peterson who's making better sense again these days than are his ever present detractors.
Yikes....Huge fan of Mr.Guest, this was like watching Kevin interview a pompous tree though. Mr.Pollack showed great restraint I thought. It could've easily turned into a " Fine, you don't want to engage, fuck it, I'll entertain everyone myself" type of interview. Good job Mr. Pollack.
+Mike McLellan Actually, by Guest standards, it seems like they kinda like each other (Guest even hired Pollack for one of the two main roles in Morton & Hayes). If you want to see a really boring interview on KPCS, check out the Jason Lee episode. Guest is just dry and sarcastic, Lee has literally no personality at all.
I dont think the Guest (lol, get it?) is being snotty really. I think he just has a British sense of humor and demeanor but with an American accent. I think that is why he appears so.. off-putting.
dont know what to make of Chris.seemed kind of snotty and bothered, but who knows with this guy.maybe doing a character.makes sense, he was a clarinet nerd.
ellisdean Yes, Guest is one of those people that can write and act funny but is not really a genuinely funny person. To him, writing and doing comedy is a career not a lifestyle - unlike his Spinal Tap co-stars Harry Shearer or Michael McKean who are actually funny people.
I listened to the podcast first, and then wondered if Guest was a little pissy, or that was just his style. I've been listening to a lot of these podcasts by other interviewers, and have been wondering about the format of having 20 minutes of bullshit before they get to the guests. Marc Maron does it, so does Norm McDonald, and now Kevin. And THEN, he doesn't let the guests know about this until it's happening to them. Kind of like going to a dinner party and everybody is ignoring you for 20 minutes. Guest didn't like it, and I don't think Larry David did either. I keep wondering what needs are served by 20 minutes of bullshit. OR, that ridiculous thing with the Larry King bit. Here's the thing I think is true, some people won't mind the poor research, but some people will mind VERY much. Here's a thought, for the guests who get upset at poor research, they should submit their info to the show the day before, and then they should be pleased. I still love listening to Kevin, and shows like the one he did with Alan Arkin were much appreciated by me.
I was thinking the same thing. Maron does his intros days after the interview. Doing it with the guest just sitting there seems like a hollywood power move or something. Maybe I'm completely wrong.
John G. Hill Is it any different than going on any of the late shows or any other show that the guest sits in the green room while the host does a monologue in the first 10 to 20 minutes of the show? Other than they aren't in a green room and they are sitting at the table waiting for their turn.
Fred Ubar First of all, no monologue is 10 to 20 minutes. Second, it is very awkward and many guests have spoken out in confusion, waiting for the sign to speak. If the preamble was highly entertaining it would be one thing, it is more like a group jerk-off, and every one of these podcasts does this out of habit.
@@JohnGeorgeHill Someone earlier suggested including the guest in the intro, allowing their participation in those discussions. When I read it, I thought it a great idea, noticing it was posted six years ago! I feel like you do, like most do, but can't help wondering we may be missing something, like guests enjoying the warm-up banter or maybe contract constraints by sponsors or the theater determining the format.
Chris Guest wanted the interview to end for 14 minutes before it started, and then thirty other times, and he really thought it was over at least three times hahahaha... Hilarious waste of almost 2 hours for me though, so. Thanks guys.
Guest is just not a nice person. His snobbery is mean. He can do couple of characters and set up a few ironies but something is wrong with him. Sometimes a person is just a jackass, noting special. That is Guest.
I don't know why Kevin didn't ask his Guest anything about his very famous wife Jamie Lee Curtis--daughter of Tony Curtis & Janet Leigh--and a major-star actress in her own right. Would be vey intersting to know how they met and if they've ever worked together; and how Christophet Guest related to his iconic farther-in-law & mother-in-law.. Kevin wasted way too much time just talking rubbish. Even his Guest was getting bored and impatient.
Wtf is that to mean? What the hell are you trying to convey besides ennui, confusion and utter dismay? A love for banality? A 7-22-7 haiku... meaningless abstraction and black contempt, craven celebration of incomprehensibility, insanity's dark cloth of discontent. 10-10-15-10 satisfies an ugly sin, Correcting illness. A disrespect dimmed Turns fate's encompassing wind. Evil locked away. Gautam Saini, Gautam Saini, Gautam Saini see The palms of Gandhi, The Oasis of Muadi, The Lion seeing thee. Sutuhnkah venk, Sutuhnk venkah, Sutuhnk vekahini.
For those crying about Guest being a dick....think about how exhausting it is to try and remember information for the dumb boring pointless questions Kevin asks. When someone says "hey want to be on my podcast" you assume they are going to invite you into a room and have a conversation. Kevin's format is like an intro that never ends. Imagine how annoying it is doing this for 2 hours.
+SRNF I don't agree at all. Kevin goes through basically a guest's entire career from childhood to early entry in the biz to both major and minor projects.. far more information than you get out of almost any other interview. Not sure how that's boring or pointless, unless you don't find the person's career interesting to begin with.
I don't think he likes talking about himself. Probably doesn't think he's special in any way. A lot of his stories are very mundane because he's a regular guy. Imagine a carpenter on this show. Chris is a craftsman and takes that seriously, he doesn't talk about the nails he uses because it's not interesting to regular people.
@@TheKitchenerLeslie Great analogy, though he'd be wrong about people's interest; plenty of folks dig the inner minutia of the comedic process. Figure you're right, though, and figure his demeanor when being interviewed also has a lot to do with a cultural aversion to tooting one's own horn-- that British sensibility that's practically the national identity. Saw a comment elsewhere that noted a public response of his to so many responding unfavorably to his interviews over the years to the effect of he feels he's naturally dour in real life (as you noted), unlike any of the satirical characters he's played, considering such "silliness" the serious work of his career, separate from who he naturally is, hence people's disappointment. Struck me as a little odd, but completely understandable, too-- a craftsman not at work amid an interview.
great job Kevin. Usually it's a hard interview to watch with Christopher but Kevin manages to navigate and keep it interesting and actually make Christopher slightly enjoy himself.
My goodness. I now understand why you don't often see him as a talk show guest. No pun intended. To me, it's rude to appear on a talk show and not to liven up for it.
I've seen Christopher Guest in person a couple times and he is terrifying. He wasn't even saying anything, just standing there, but me and my friends wouldn't go anywhere near him or dare try to talk to him.
+Bonnie Rose whereabouts, just out in LA?
"Mr. Guest, I'm a huge fan. Could I please have your..." Zyoop!. Head sliced off. Or, he could just give you that icy stare and say, "No." Just as bad.
Smart guy Kevin Pollak. Best interview ever with the amazing Chris Guest.
What he says about time and watching behavior play out -- and how that's what is truly funny -- that is exactly it.
Although this is one of my favorite interviewers, and Christopher Guest is one of my favorite actors, it starts slowly. It appears that Kevin REALLY was struggling here. But, Kevin kept plugging. In the end, this is probably one of my favorite interviews.
agree 100%. Guest doesn't self promote and doesn't want to prove anything. As you say that makes the interviewer have to think and interact which is how it should be. We get hilarious anecdotes and unexpected stuff (the incompetent ticket collecting was a personal favorite).
Guest is also very defensive and won't just let stuff go. He also doesn't like to be put in a box and will take issue with any way you describe anything he does. Beyond that he's actually a good interview.
His Peter O'Toole Impression was spot on.
Everyone seems to be measuring him against who they expect him to be based on characters he's played. He is to comedy what De Niro is to drama. He takes his craft very seriously. I find him funny as himself, but I'm not looking for Nigel Tufnel. When he's telling stories about Bob Hope and George Burns he drops his guard. It's very sweet. He's just very shy and uncomfortable talking about himself.
Aye, think it's all that reservedness and fear of pretension running throughout all of British culture; makes one seem arrogant and sociopathic much of the time, when it couldn't be further from the truth. Some societies are just really good at negotiating public displays of emotion to prevent weakness from being mistaken as an invitation for abuse-- something that's shared among both Asian and most Protestant cultures-- but it often feels abrasive and uncaring, nihilistic, if not narcissistic. Don't think Jamie Lee Curtis would've stayed married this long to someone like that, if that's any gauge.
"Being funny is my job, that's it" a Christopher Guest quote to put this interview in perspective
I found a new favorite thing! KPCS!
OMG, nine years ago and I'm just seeing this now? I love Kevin's work!!
Those who think Christopher Guest doesn't understand social interaction are the ones not understanding social interaction. This is one of my favourite interviews of anyone. Many times he laughs, smiles, surpresses smiles/laughter, does self-irony, both subtle and obvious sarcasm, deadpan, impressions of persons and types of people, humurous facial expressions, good story-telling, articulate enlightening analysis of comedy, interaction with the camera and the other two and even prop work. He understands many aspects of behaviour and environment and is great at using it. Kevin does a great job too, whereas more mainstream interviewers of Guest are too streamlined and incompetent and just put him in the category "difficult".
DemboThrash Everything you said is totally correct and insightful.. however you must also admit that Guest is a bit insecure. Every chance he has to sound slightly wounded and defensive (about his high school, about spinal tap being a real band vs the monkees, about andre the giant, about the house of lords, etc.) he takes it. He takes himself a lot more seriously than he takes anything else and didn't seem to appreciate Kevin's tone at those times. If he was trying to hide his visceral reaction at all he wasn't doing it very well.
He also goes out of his way to pretend he doesn't remember doing things, to make it seem like none of his work is very important to him. Another thing insecure people do to avoid the judgment of others.
DemboThrash - It's that most people don't understand metaphor and don't think abstractly. It's clear he's coming from a place of great love, and he's giving us everything he's got. The whole bit about it being too cold then too hot in the studio, and the coffee run was a total giveaway. There's an old SNL skit that says it all about Guest where he plays a talent agent who is about to commit suicide by leaping from an open NYC skyscraper window when the receptionist tells him on the intercom that she's sending someone in to see him, and he climbs back off the ledge before Ed Grimley walks in the door. That was funny on a whole other level and it stuck with me for life.
@Bikewithlove - I disagree about the cold/hot/coffee bit. I felt like at first people thought it was a joke, but when nothing was happening he kept harping on it - extremely awkward, IMO. Also there's no joke at all about asking someone to go get you a coffee - not just a coffee but a coffee from somewhere specific in the neighborhood, then acting surprised when people much lower on the totem pole than you go get it. How is that funny? He was being unreasonable and thought that pretending it was a joke after the fact got him off the hook.
bh617 - Everyone is insecure to a degree; it's normal. The trick in life is to stop running away from it and to get used to wearing it. Nothing betrays insecurity like hiding it. Chris has figured out how to make a living off of it, and this whole interview is about it. Through the whole thing he is working on our own insecurity that the interview will somehow go wrong. If you watch closely you'll notice that Chris knows everyone on the set intimately. These people are more like a family than we might realize. There's a deep thing going on during this interview, and they're all in on it. It's mesmerizing.
bh617 You're absolutely right. I wonder when Jamie Lee Curtis will figure out she married a jackass.
Christopher Guest is an exceptional comedian - if you don't get his humor - you clearly don't get his humor ... i think he is hilarious ...
...he makes my heart giggle just by looking at him, he's so silly sometimes.
Clever as any person/ comedian going around
Wow, that was profound. :/
@@yorocco1 I guess you hate it when you go to hug someone really sexy and your face smashes right into the mirror...
That's an important distinction to make. Rowan Atkinson is like that too. He's an amazing performer/ comedian but it's just his job, his craft.. he's not an over the top person out of character
He's very polite and respectful though, a perfect gentleman. Same cannot be said of Chris. Not that I'm judging really.
Leonard Rossiter was that way. Just a wonderful actor. Not funny in real life.
Fun Fact: the "Mr Anderson" that Chris Guest is having trouble recalling his name, that's Bob Anderson, the master swordsman who helped train Viggo Mortenson for LOTR, but also was in the Darth Vader costume for the more involved lightsaber fights in the original Star Wars trilogy.
Damn, he got to meet Peter Cook and Dudley Moore when he was 12, that's amazing, Kevin's reaction is totally genuine.
I think I can see why some might find Guest to seem condescending, but I believe he just is unaware of the impression he is making or doesn't really mind. I have known some people who are actually quite humble and thw opposite of snobbish but that was how some people perceived them.
Morton And Hayes is an unsung hero of a series. Bravo.
Christopher Guest is my favourite actor/director.
You mean 'fictiitious' actor/director. Look closely and listen...thats clearly Michael McKean. Listen even how he says how great Michael McKeen is....and the fact he doesn't mention Laverne and Shirley.
At 3:02 - "off putting". should be a dessert/breakfast called "oft pudding" - so good, you want it often. 😊
The rare breaks when he laughs or smiles gives you a hint that he's not being difficult, he's just doing a very subtle bit. Maybe cos he finds interviews tough, maybe cos like Peter Sellers, he prefers being in character than being himself. But once you know that, it's a great interview and he actually gives a lot here.
I really wish he shared more in response to the Michael O'Donoghue question - it doesn't seem like he wants to 'air dirty laundry' in interviews.
The guest Guest appears at: 13:05 + After 60-80 minutes, Mr. Guest loosens up a little.....
Thank you!
The time mark of 13:05 should be pinned at the top.
"Jamie.....MY wife..." - the look he gives the camera at 35.00 is priceless!!!
@22:42 Pollard “it’s hard for a kid to……… Guest”….it’s not that hard and it’s done by virtually everyone except four people every year 😂🤣…….snap ! J’Adore Christopher Guest
The best thing about this interview is that Guest seems slightly annoyed...uncomfortable...disinterested...etc...for ten straight minutes then BAM! COMEDY!...He makes you wait for it...but it's worth the wait:)
My favorite movie of all time is Waiting for Guffman. Having said that, I'm always a bit disappointed by most of the CG interviews I've see, because of exactly what you said. He always seems aggravated/uncomfortable/disinterested. How a guy who's so funny and lighthearted in the movies can be as anti- that in interviews is a total mystery.
@@alfiend331 Aye, think "defensiveness" is the word. Seems CG was a decade ahead of the times, had the forethought of protecting one's reputation by not committing to anything or spilling the beans on anyone. Noble enough, when you get down to it, but, gory, does it come across as abrasive and arrogant, judgemental and antagonistic, guns firing in all directions at all times to prevent another's barbs from manifesting. "Off-putting" seems an understatement.
Official title and style: The Right Honourable The Lord Haden-Guest, the 5th Baron Haden-Guest.
A good interview, even if it's a bit long and bumpy at times.
Catherine O'Hara and Michael O'Donoghue are mentioned separately in the interview, with how great Catherine is, and how violent O'Donoghue could be. This reminded me that Catherine was hired as a cast member of SNL, but she left soon after she got there due to the hostile environment that O'Donoghue created.
TighelanderII I wish Guest had given more details about Michael there. He doesn't seem too comfortable with 'gossip'. I would've loved to hear some O'Donoghue anecdotes, which are hard to come by. Catherine glosses over it in her interview as well iirc.
Sure
I loved him starting with the National Lampoon Radio Hour
full credit to Pollak for making Guest feel loose and being himself, up there with the Ricky Gervais/ Guest chat. Best for me was at about 49min where he tells a very funny story about giving change to customers in his only real job. Guest laughs and enjoys himself.
+Jeremy Benson I agree, if you compare this to any of his other interviews, he is DEFINITELY enjoying this one. It's ridiculous to say he doesn't like Kevin, either.. he hired him for one of the two main roles in Morton & Hayes. They've been friends for decades. He's also friends with Samm.
He lived a very privileged life. Opportunities were endless for him.
True, but if he didn't have the goods he wouldn't have been successful.
KP is the man so ahead of his time.
He seemed physically uncomfortable in his chair, changing positions often. My back was sore just watching him. I'm a huge fan.
I just got a flash that he should play George Carlin in a biopic. He would be amazing.
100%.
I can see it.
That's actually a really great idea.
Is it me or does this sound like Kevin Pollak is interviewing HAL 9000?
No, it's not just you. Fairly accurate description, in fact.
God, HAL was a cretin. At least, Mr. Guest doesn't have that annoyingly condescending tone of voice, that happy sadism pretending helpfulness and allegiance. Hate that mf-ing AI!
Maybe I'm nuts but Chris Guest always reminds me of Clint Eastwood
Chris isn't just a smart-ass.
He's the smartest-ass.
Holy crap, I'm only a half hour into this.
1- I've never seen Guest smile and be this facially loose so much.
2- First time I've ever seen Kevin Pollak's chat show. I know who he is, never had a beef about him as an actor. Nice he's doing this medium now.
3- Kevin is well prepared, but if he has to toss everything out the window, is very adept at great new questions, he has a rapid mind I respect, and this in only the first time I've seen him. I suspect he'll never disappoint. Gotta come back here again.
4- .I have the feeling that he can't deliver a "dead wood" interview unless the guest is actually 6 feet under. He'd do a little worse if the subject was cremated. Or at least I suspect this is the way it will go. If I have no further comments, then it's true. By the way, this comment #4 is a compliment. Hope Kevin sees it.
if you want to see a dead wood interview, watch the Jason Lee one.. that guy has the personality of a dead moth, to quote don rickles
Dick Shawn was hilarious in 'Evil Roy Slade'.
Are Guest & Chevy Chase similar when interviewed?
No. Chevy would be truly annoyed. Guest is just dry.
@@ai-man212 Seconded. What was Chevy's dysfunction anyway? Entitlement? Well-disguised narcissism? Simple contempt? Some grievance about being perceived as an ugly jerk?
How do you throw away so much for so little, not enjoy what you were doing, what got you to your heights: collaboration, daring, earnestness, self-effacement, earned respect, absolute joy from the work? Happiness, success, incredible freedom and riches for grievance. Simply bonkers.
Think it was the public's rejection of his talk show all those years ago? Some loss of faculty or connection? Some personal tragedy we're unaware of? Simple disinterest or exhaustion from playing the game? A desire to retire?
Miss his sensibility. It was a nice counterpoint to what everyone else was doing.
Why did I think Christopher Guest was dead? I would have sworn it. I knew Fred Willard died. Well, it's a miracle and I'm happy for Jamie Lee Curtis. You're welcome. Love the Topher Guest.
I know this has been uploaded like some 100 years ago but how anyone thought that Guest was difficult and didn't want to be there or that he had issues with Pollak is beyond me. Guests humor is as dry as the fucking desert and he has irony down to a T. This was a great interview.
I know your comment was posted some 50 years ago, but I think it was just slow to start. Perhaps he was as annoyed with the stupid crap at the beginning as I am ;) I'm fortunate in that I can skip it, he had to sit there for 15 minutes listening to bullshit.
@@ptanyuh I know you posted some 25 years ago, but I think the comment 75 years ago had the right of it; few get how wry Mr. Guest is, can't read that sensibility any longer or understand its orientation. Rare half a century ago, rarer even now, so many mistake such teasing with being curmudgeonly (though I agree KPCS's opening segment is incredibly awkward and borderline disrespectful to the guests. Guess KP's sticking with "the great reveal" for them, suffering the unfavorable optics and what, presumably, must be thousands of complaints).
spinal tap played Wembley Arena which is about 12,500 seater....not Wembley Stadium...which is about 80,000
they've also played Wembley Stadium.. not as the main act though
Christopher Guest is the Gloria Vanderbilt of Rock and Roll.
He's also the Private Vanderbilt from F Troop ofmockumentaries and the Peterbuilt tractor of the House of Lords.
Expecting a format to change based on comments here is almost as funny as the show itself. I wonder if there are people in the world who continue watching something they don't like...sounds like they, literally, can't find anything else to watch and/or have nothing better to do. Amazing.
1:47:30 He's right! Imagine playing a Star Wars stormtrooper and being told: "Can you stop making the "Peeoow! Peeoow!" noises when you shoot? - We add those after...."
Good for Kevin Pollak. Christopher Guest is not an easy guest. He scares me.
is kevin pollacks interview show on any tv network or just on youtube 2nd comment christopher guest is one of the best comedians
I love this show but there is NO way I could make my guest sit through all that intro. I would find a way to do that without them there, waiting silently. That or just introduce them so they enter the mix, then cover all that stuff with them able to comment, or not, but at least not having to wait 20 min silently for the interview with Sam Who? to be overwith. Other shows have the green room but that's when there's other actual guests and you're waiting for your turn.
+WhoWouldWantThisName i take issue with that a little bit.. as sidekicks go, Samm Levine is less of a 'who?' than most. He's a working actor with a lot of credits over the last 15+ years and has an encyclopedic knowledge of film history. He also does a great job guest-hosting when Kevin isn't available. Now Kevin's girlfriend, there's a nobody.
Levine. Samm Levine.
@@basehead617 Aw, was digging your comment (five years on), 'til that last bit; Jame Fox brings something of different value to the table, besides sharing a name with a fabulously talented actor: producing cred and talent, cultural perspective, trivia, popular show segments, practical and technical knowledge... Nobody's a nobody except for those who call others one.
Totally agree, it's a really odd feature of the show. 6 years on, though, they either know something we don't or they missed your comment. Perhaps, guests enjoy the novelty as a warm-up of sorts. Whatever the case, you're right; to those of us watching, it's incredibly awkward, and the suggestions you relayed are rather good ones they should've heard of by now. We're probably missing something. Would be fun to learn what that might be.
@@dontpanic1812 Haha, yeah I knew his name, I was just making a sarcastic point of suggesting that Sam's an unknown to us outsiders. Yes, those in Hollywood know who someone with some supporting role experience and such is, but to us non-film junkies Sam is one of those we don't likely recognize. I only know him from `Freaks and Geeks', good show BTW, and I thought he was good on it. He's still one of those that is mostly known by other actors because they have been on so many auditions together. I have nothing against Sam and I made this comment 6 years ago, so I have only a rough idea what I was talking about at that time. I do remember those long drawn out pre-interview segments that left the guest just sitting there waiting in silence and the audience frustrated over it, at least I was, because I came for the guest not Sam or any other sidekicks.
You know I had forgotten about this show and I was a regular fan of it. Kevin is really good at interviewing and not many are. I used to have time for 3 hour long shows of this kind but not anymore. This is also why I don't watch Joe Rogan. Now if they made edited down segments of interviews, like covering a particular subject, maybe running 20-30 minutes, sort of like `Crowder Bites' that would be a great addition to the channel.
I knew him only from voice from national lampoon records until tap I believe.
This is brutal. Over the top theme music. Using all the cliches ala Charlie Rose. Yet, It’s like KP doesn’t even care about his own show. Dressed like crap, jeans, dumb hat, annoying laptop. AND he has one of the rarest and greatest of guests. Chris is clearly annoyed right at the start. Awkward! But what a great guy to continue. This is yet another reason Christopher Guest is such a class act.
1:00:30 I experienced it! I saw Christopher Guest smile!
Corky St Clair at 27:30
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Scroll to 13:10 to get to Christopher Guest, and to ignore Pollak's self-indulgent drivel.
Im an hour in are they going to talk about spinal tap or what
He’s not an easy individual to interview.
A great example of what they call a dry sense of humor.
"What a desert this is!"
so it would seem that Mandy Pitampkin really has been a difficult actor to work with pretty much his ENTIRE career.
Even Fred Willard made fun of him... and all he knew came from Chris.
Fred Willard RIP
whaaadda guy, respect
Guest was a funny guy back in the day.. here, he is like watching paint dry
thanks
Know what you mean. Actually, I’ve never seen him so relaxed and jovial. Usually he’s more difficult to interview.
The Jaime he speaks of ... his wife Jaime Lee Curtis...
Anyone else get the sense that Guest doesnt want to be here lol
it seemed like christopher didnt want to explain what his dad did for work at the united nations maybe for security reasons. guest said maybe i can read your dossier,this could go faster, was guest plugging anything or did guest do this as a favor for someone.
T seikert Guest directed a tv show that Pollak starred in (Morton & Hayes.. lasted 6 episodes in 1991) so they have known each other a long time
To interview Christopher Guest, you need to be calm, intelligent, centered, give him time to answer, and know your facts. Hardly any interviewers take the trouble to do this. When they do, you see the real CG, who is very human and funny.
I find the Alice In Wonderland story is very interesting.
I hate hearing her type on the computer during the interview!
+YonatanDoron I somehow never noticed this until now but thanks to you i cannot unhear it
So does that mean he does or he doesn't like Benny Hill...? I'm so confused by his answer.
+Rubber Chicken Films he does not
+bh617 Thanks kinda what I was thinking, but his response was...odd.
+Rubber Chicken Films
His response was pretty odd - my money's on a big "no" though, reading between the lines.
He reminds me of Harrison Ford in interviews - very unusual dry sense of humour that I think is meant well, but can easily come across like he's just a grumpy arsehole looking down his nose on the whole thing, but I don't think that's what it is. I think these people just aren't thrilled about the whole snowbiz interview thing and that humour comes out as a result.
+David _ It would be hypocritical of me to judge him for being a comedy snob (as one myself to a certain extent), I just always find it interesting that people love Keaton or Chaplin, but not Benny Hill (whom Chaplin thought was the greatest). Wonder what he thinks of Jacques Tati or Mr. Bean....but I agree about the dry sense of humour.
+Rubber Chicken Films
It's a great point you make. Maybe his reaction's influenced by herd mentality disgust surrounding saucy 70s humour, and it blocks any potential objective take on the comedy value of the show. Or maybe he just didn't find it funny. I guess we'll never know. But I think it's a great point/comparison. Bottom line, I don't think many people will publically commit to liking anything universally condemned by the values fo the time. Peer group pressure works.
I always get CG confused with Michael McKean.
I thought he was funny and a "good" interview. I'm not sure what people are looking for.
totally agree
So he's too good for the Larry King Game?
Hey he said he'd do it as Kunte Kinte, they didn't take him up on it. In general he seems to shy away from mocking actual real people. He was uncomfortable telling the story that put even a dead comedian in a bad light.
For those who don't get why Guest is acting like he has a chip on his shoulder, you have to understand: An interviewer killed his uncle.
That's funny. Though I see what Mr. Guest is doing, the fun he's having with everyone, his demeanor precisely reminds me of Jordan Peterson's. It's really weird how Mr. Guest's detractors here don't recognize the similarity, don't support the characteristics they cherish in another whom they're constantly defending, or if of the other ilk, can't get past the similarity either to see how deviously funny he's being.
What floors me is after seeing this interview and that similarity, I have a greater appreciation for both, something I never would've imagined regarding either of them, especially cranky Mr. Peterson who's making better sense again these days than are his ever present detractors.
I can't finish watching this because I want to still enjoy his performances and movies. Hostile jerk.
Yikes....Huge fan of Mr.Guest, this was like watching Kevin interview a pompous tree though. Mr.Pollack showed great restraint I thought. It could've easily turned into a " Fine, you don't want to engage, fuck it, I'll entertain everyone myself" type of interview. Good job Mr. Pollack.
+Mike McLellan Actually, by Guest standards, it seems like they kinda like each other (Guest even hired Pollack for one of the two main roles in Morton & Hayes). If you want to see a really boring interview on KPCS, check out the Jason Lee episode. Guest is just dry and sarcastic, Lee has literally no personality at all.
I dont think the Guest (lol, get it?) is being snotty really. I think he just has a British sense of humor and demeanor but with an American accent. I think that is why he appears so.. off-putting.
Jason Chenoweth Yes, he's channeling his inner Nigel Tuffnel
@Troy Evitt If only he were as entertaining as Nigel T. Had to stop watching.
I can see how listening to this cast audio only would be shitty. I can see moments with Guest when he's trying to be funny and bait Kevin.
dont know what to make of Chris.seemed kind of snotty and bothered, but who knows with this guy.maybe doing a character.makes sense, he was a clarinet nerd.
38:00 You're not from Canada. What are you sorry about?
Hilarious, eh?
27:20...Corky returns!!!!!!!
My middle name is NOT "Wedgeworth!" It's Stephen.
ellisdean Yes, Guest is one of those people that can write and act funny but is not really a genuinely funny person. To him, writing and doing comedy is a career not a lifestyle - unlike his Spinal Tap co-stars Harry Shearer or Michael McKean who are actually funny people.
No. He is funny all the time. His dry wit and brevity are above your head.
@@eileenhetherington3704agreed
I listened to the podcast first, and then wondered if Guest was a little pissy, or that was just his style. I've been listening to a lot of these podcasts by other interviewers, and have been wondering about the format of having 20 minutes of bullshit before they get to the guests. Marc Maron does it, so does Norm McDonald, and now Kevin. And THEN, he doesn't let the guests know about this until it's happening to them. Kind of like going to a dinner party and everybody is ignoring you for 20 minutes. Guest didn't like it, and I don't think Larry David did either. I keep wondering what needs are served by 20 minutes of bullshit. OR, that ridiculous thing with the Larry King bit.
Here's the thing I think is true, some people won't mind the poor research, but some people will mind VERY much. Here's a thought, for the guests who get upset at poor research, they should submit their info to the show the day before, and then they should be pleased. I still love listening to Kevin, and shows like the one he did with Alan Arkin were much appreciated by me.
I was thinking the same thing. Maron does his intros days after the interview. Doing it with the guest just sitting there seems like a hollywood power move or something. Maybe I'm completely wrong.
John G. Hill Is it any different than going on any of the late shows or any other show that the guest sits in the green room while the host does a monologue in the first 10 to 20 minutes of the show? Other than they aren't in a green room and they are sitting at the table waiting for their turn.
Fred Ubar First of all, no monologue is 10 to 20 minutes. Second, it is very awkward and many guests have spoken out in confusion, waiting for the sign to speak. If the preamble was highly entertaining it would be one thing, it is more like a group jerk-off, and every one of these podcasts does this out of habit.
@@JohnGeorgeHill Someone earlier suggested including the guest in the intro, allowing their participation in those discussions. When I read it, I thought it a great idea, noticing it was posted six years ago! I feel like you do, like most do, but can't help wondering we may be missing something, like guests enjoying the warm-up banter or maybe contract constraints by sponsors or the theater determining the format.
80
I think he gets tired of being called ' silly ' or having his characters called 'silly' - a lot of them are way smarter and genius than just silly.
34:00
Chris Guest wanted the interview to end for 14 minutes before it started, and then thirty other times, and he really thought it was over at least three times hahahaha... Hilarious waste of almost 2 hours for me though, so. Thanks guys.
I love Christopher Guest. I hate this interviewer.
Guest is just not a nice person. His snobbery is mean. He can do couple of characters and set up a few ironies but something is wrong with him. Sometimes a person is just a jackass, noting special. That is Guest.
I give KP way too much credit. Really not a very good interviewer
I don't know why Kevin didn't ask his Guest anything about his very famous wife Jamie Lee Curtis--daughter of Tony Curtis & Janet Leigh--and a major-star actress in her own right. Would be vey intersting to know how they met and if they've ever worked together; and how Christophet Guest related to his iconic farther-in-law & mother-in-law.. Kevin wasted way too much time just talking rubbish. Even his Guest was getting bored and impatient.
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Wtf is that to mean? What the hell are you trying to convey besides ennui, confusion and utter dismay? A love for banality?
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Kevin makes a lot of grammatical errors when speaking live.
For those crying about Guest being a dick....think about how exhausting it is to try and remember information for the dumb boring pointless questions Kevin asks. When someone says "hey want to be on my podcast" you assume they are going to invite you into a room and have a conversation.
Kevin's format is like an intro that never ends. Imagine how annoying it is doing this for 2 hours.
+SRNF I don't agree at all. Kevin goes through basically a guest's entire career from childhood to early entry in the biz to both major and minor projects.. far more information than you get out of almost any other interview. Not sure how that's boring or pointless, unless you don't find the person's career interesting to begin with.
There is NO bigger tool than Kevin Pollak, beyond reproach, no one close.
You should see my tool
Loved spinal tap; he 's boring.
Wow, pulling teeth. Someone needs an anesthetic, mainly the audience. Put the camera on Jamie more during these kind of interviews.
Kevin is a horrible interviewer
i like Christopher Guest less now
I appreciate and love Guest's body of work but his interviews are boring AF. He comes off as cranky, uninterested, annoyed.
I don't think he likes talking about himself. Probably doesn't think he's special in any way. A lot of his stories are very mundane because he's a regular guy. Imagine a carpenter on this show. Chris is a craftsman and takes that seriously, he doesn't talk about the nails he uses because it's not interesting to regular people.
@@TheKitchenerLeslie Great analogy, though he'd be wrong about people's interest; plenty of folks dig the inner minutia of the comedic process. Figure you're right, though, and figure his demeanor when being interviewed also has a lot to do with a cultural aversion to tooting one's own horn-- that British sensibility that's practically the national identity. Saw a comment elsewhere that noted a public response of his to so many responding unfavorably to his interviews over the years to the effect of he feels he's naturally dour in real life (as you noted), unlike any of the satirical characters he's played, considering such "silliness" the serious work of his career, separate from who he naturally is, hence people's disappointment. Struck me as a little odd, but completely understandable, too-- a craftsman not at work amid an interview.