Porgy & Bess - Rapid River Magazine

Enjoy Great Savings, Service and Benefits …
with the
AARP Auto & Home Insurance Program
from The Hartford.
Call The Hartford Toll-Free Today
to Request Your FREE Quote:
1-877-547-1373
Monday-Friday, 7AM-11PM Eastern Time
Saturday & Sunday, 8AM-6PM Eastern Time
Most AARP ® members qualify for an immediate phone quote.
Please have your policy handy.
CODE: 471103
FREE Calculator/Clock!
Take our savings challenge! See how much we can save
you over your current auto insurance, and you’ll receive this
calculator/clock … just for requesting a quote.
The AARP Automobile and Homeowners Insurance Program is underwritten by Hartford Fire Insurance Company and its affiliates,
Hartford Plaza, Hartford, CT 06155. CA License # 5152. In Washington, the Program is underwritten by Hartford Casualty
Insurance Company. In Texas, The Program is underwritten by Southern County Mutual Insurance Company through Hartford
Fire General Agency. Hartford Fire Insurance Company and its affiliates are not financially responsible for insurance products
underwritten and issued by Southern County Mutual Insurance Company. AARP and AARP Financial Inc. receive from The Hartford
payments for AARP’s license of its intellectual property for use by The Hartford and for services rendered in connection with the
Program. Amounts paid by The Hartford for this license are used for the general purposes of the Association and its members.
AARP membership is required for Program eligibility in most states. Applicants are individually underwritten and some may not
qualify. Specific features, credits and discounts may vary and may not be available in all states in accordance with state filings and
applicable law. The Program is currently unavailable in Massachusetts, Canada and U.S. Territories or Possessions. All first time
responders receive the free gift. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. The free gift offer is not available in Georgia, but residents
may still request a quote. Homeowners product is not available in all areas, including the state of Florida.
R A P I D R I V E R A R T S
stage preview
Interview with Funny Man
Bobcat Goldthwait
Bobcat Goldthwait
is
commonly
known for
his energetic,
rabid stage personality,
his dark, acerbic
black comedy, and
his gruff but highpitched
voice. Goldthwait
was ranked
as the 61st greatest
comedian of all time
by Comedy Central.
Bobcat has appeared
on Comedy
Central, HBO, NBC,
Leno, Letterman,
Jimmy Kimmel
and countless other
television shows
and movies. He has
made several guest
appearances on talk
shows as well as
comedy programs
including “The Ben
Stiller Show.” On
May 9, 1994, he
made a controversial
appearance on “The
Tonight Show with
Jay Leno” (1992) where on impulse he set
a couch on fire. This incident was then the
basis of the plot for his subsequent appearance
on “The Larry Sanders Show” (1992).
One of the most recognizable features
of Goldthwait’s performances is his voice.
Goldthwait has voiced characters on the
television series “Capitol Critters” (1992);
“The Moxy Show” (1995); “Unhappily Ever
After” (1995); “Hercules” (1998) and “Buzz
Lightyear of Star Command” (2000). He
also hosted the comedy quiz show “Bobcat’s
Big Ass Show” (1998).
Goldthwait has released two comedy
albums: “Meat Bob” (1988) on Chrysalis
Records and “I Don’t Mean to Insult You,
but You Look Like Bobcat Goldthwait”
(23 September, 2003) on Comedy Central
Records.
He made his feature film directorial
debut with Shakes the Clown (1991), which
he wrote and starred in as well.
Rapid River: In 2009 you wrote and directed
World’s Greatest Dad
starring Robin
Williams, Daryl Sabara, and Alexie Gilmore.
It was a hit at the Sundance Film Festival
and well loved by both audiences and critics.
It is a comedy about a man who learns that
the things you want most may not be the
things that make you happy, and that being
lonely is not necessarily the same as being
alone. What was the genesis for this story?
Robin Williams takes direction on the set
of “Worlds Greatest Dad” from Bobcat
Goldthwait who wrote and directed the
film. Photo: Magnolia Pictures
“World’s Greatest Dad” is ultimately
about a man who does what’s expected
of him because he’s convinced himself
that it would make him happy. The only
reason that Lance is rewarded by the end
is that he’s willing to be alone. That’s
really scary to most people - the idea of
being alone. And then the reward is that
he ends up with people in his life who
like him and are supportive.”
Bobcat Goldthwait:
Zeus himself delivered
the script to my
door. It was either
him or a hobo. I
can’t tell since they
both have beards.
RR: Some of your
first rolls were in
the Police Academy
movies back in the
early 80’s. Did you
later feel type cast
from having played
the character Zed?
BG: (pause) Nope.
RR: Also in the
80’s you starred in
hit comedies like
Hot to Trot
with
John Candy and
Dabney Coleman,
and Scrooged
with
Bill Murray. Did
you enjoy making
these screwball
type movies, or
were you more
interested in doing darker films and these
simply paid the bills?
BG: I’m glad to have been in Scrooged. I paid
the bills in the 80’s with my sexy chat line.
RR: Would you say you have become
darker with your standup material than
when you first started out? By dark I mean
to make light of serious and often taboo
subject matter.
BG: Oh, I thought you were wondering
about my onstage lighting cues (laughs). I
think it’s important to do stand-up material
that is family friendly. My stand-up has
always been aimed towards the family.
RR: Many feel that one of the best “dark
comedies” ever is the movie M*A*S*H. Do
you think the U.S. is ready for another antiwar
film comedy?
BG: As long as it has Zach Galifianakis
(The Hangover) or someone from Arrested
~ Bobcat Goldthwait
Development
in it.
BY DENNIS RAY
RR: You were also in a couple of music videos
from the hard rock band Twisted Sister.
How did your roll of “Teacher” come about
in their videos “Be Chrool to Your Scuel”
and “Leader of the Pack”?
BG: I read for the role of Hitler’s masseur but
they thought I could handle the bigger role.
Continued on next page
10 March 2010 — RAPID RIVER ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE — Vol. 13, No. 7