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Issue date: September 10, 2000
Garry Shandling makes his debut as Emmy host tonight (Sept. 10) on ABC at 8
ET/PT. Going from winning an Emmy for writing "The Larry Sanders Show" to
hosting is proving somewhat of an adjustment for the comedian and actor.
Q: With shows like "Survivor," is it going to be a fun year to host
the Emmys?
A: It is a fun year. I had been doing standup comedy over the summer.
I enjoy being on stage. I don't have anything to lose. I don't think
they'll take away the Emmy I won. That would mean I'd done a really,
really bad job as the host. We're playing around with the idea of
creating a "Survivor" sketch. But I tend to think the Emmys
are survivors anyway -- some people get up from the audience and
others are left behind. I relate more to the losers than the winners.
I see my role as both host and shrink.
Q: You've overseen some tough moments as Grammys host, such as when Frank
Sinatra had his speech cut short. Is there anyway to prepare for such
moments?
A: Frank Sinatra was wandering a bit. He's such a legend. (When they
cued the music) it took everyone back a bit. I must say I keep forgetting the
show is live. I'm not comfortable with any part of my life being live. I wish
it could be edited.
Q: Do you feel the pressure of hosting?
A: I enjoy that challenge. I enjoy being in
the moment. I enjoy improvisation. The pressure of it is what makes it fun.
Q: What's this we read about you and Ally McBeal's Calista
Flockhart being an item?
A: No. I've known Calista for about four years. She's hilarious. We're
friends.
Q: Does having an Emmy help, dating-wise? Can you say to women
"Would you like
to come up and see my Emmy?"
A: I've had more than one experience when a woman
said to me -- before sex -- is that an Emmy? And that's before I even had an
Emmy!
Q: So you're still single?
A: Yes, I'm single. And I'm happy. Buddha was single.
If he were married, his wife would have said to him -- are you going to sit
around like that all day?
Q: What else is going on with you -- you mention you're doing standup. Do you
have a tour in the works?
A: I'm still growing as a standup comedian. A standup
special is in the near future for me.
Q: OK, so how do you prepare for the Emmys -- what's your process like? Do you
write up to the day of the awards, then keep the best and toss the rest?
A: I
usually write all day and at the end of the day, I throw out all the best
jokes and keep the worst. It's a big mistake.
Q: The night of the show, do you have a lifeline for odd moments during the show?
A: I will probably have a couple of writers there with me -- kind
of like cut doctors at a boxing match.
Q: Are there nightmare Emmy scenarios for you?
A: There are nightmare scenarios
that involve making some gigantic mistake where I forget to cut to commercial
and the whole thing is over in 30 minutes.
There's definitely pressure. When the whole thing is over, I'll be very
relieved.
Q: Do you have a show-day routine? Massage in the morning?
A: That might be an idea -- have a massage during the show.
Q: That'd be a different opening -- you naked, with a towel, getting a massage
on stage.
A: Naked? I've never had a massage naked. My masseuse always makes me
wear a suit. There'll be a long rehearsal the day of the show, so I try to
rest in spots. It's kind of a marathon. You try and not push yourself too
hard. I'll just do what any person does who's on his way to the electric
chair talk to my priest and order my last meal.
Q:Are you wearing a tuxedo you already own, or is some designer making you a
new one?
A: I don't know which one yet. I have my own tuxedos. I can't remember
the name of the designer. But it's definitely not a rental.
Q: What's your preparation process for the show? Do you watch a lot of
TV?
A: Part of the process for me is trying to catch up. It's become
impossible to be an avid viewer of all the shows. Fortunately, there
are videos. I mean, I thought Malcolm in the Middle was an
episode of Oz.
Q: What shows do you watch regularly?
A: I blip around and watch a lot of different
shows. I'm mesmerized by all the reality TV. I think it's a phase. I don't
think real people should be on TV -- only specially trained people who look
and act like real people.
Q: What will you do after the Emmys? An end of summer vacation?
A: I usually go to Hawaii. I hang out. I like to go running
and swimming and just be away. It's my own version of "Survivor."
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