SeriesFest Season 9 Conversations: Joel McHale, Actor and Comedian

Joel McHale Performing at SeriesFest Season 9’s ‘A Night of Comedy’. Photo by Tom Cooper for Getty Images and SeriesFest.

It is definitely safe to say that Joel McHale a true icon of the comedy world. Courtesy of his many memorable roles on comedic television shows, including Animal Control, which was recently renewed for a second season. And we here at NTG had the distinct honor of speaking with Joel about that renewal and more at the very rainy, ‘A Night of Comedy’, at SeriesFest Season 9.

John Betancourt: First off, congratulations on Animal Control’s second season renewal!
​
Joel McHale: Yeah, fuck. I can’t believe it.

John Betancourt: Well, it’s just amazing, and I have to ask, what does it mean to you to get that second season order?

Joel McHale: Well, first of all, Fox has been so insanely supportive of the show. And I can say this now, because it's not the same… same administration (laughter), but it was not the case at NBC when we were doing Community. So, I keep telling them, I'm like, I feel like this luxurious version of like Oliver Twist, where I just keep stealing stuff, and they're like, “You don't have do that anymore. It's okay, we're gonna take care of you.” And we're very lucky because they took care of the show. The cast is great. The writing is great. And I think the setting, we shoot it in Vancouver and set it in Seattle, and uh… I was raised Catholic, so I think everything's going to go badly all the time. And so, I'm always like, “Something's gonna go wrong.” So, I know, network comedies are hard to get up, hard to even get made. And then to get out, you know, to make a pilot, or just, get out of your first season. I can't believe, thank you, God, so I can't believe we're gonna do it again. And obviously, with the WGA strike, we don't know when it's going to be, you know, the writers need to be paid, absolutely, the whole system has to change. So, we're in for the long haul. And thank God Fox is behind it. And you know, I’ll be out on the picket lines.

John Betancourt: Yes, absolutely. Have to support the Guild.

Joel McHale: Yeah, they end up getting the short end of the stick, and they've fucking invented the things. It’s like, don't pay the guy who invented the carburetor. Why not? Maybe we should? Nah let's not pay that guy that changed automobiles forever.

John Betancourt: Absolutely. Now, looking ahead to tonight, comedy has obviously been a huge part of your life, what is it about comedy that still energizes you?

Joel McHale: Well, I mean, as a child, that's all I did. Well, my dad is very funny. And my brothers are very funny. So, we thought we were funny. And that was the language of the house. Now, I love doing drama as well believe me. So, if you want to hire me for drama, that's great. But for me, it was always survival because I couldn't read. And I still can't to this day. That's why thank God for Audible. So, I think I made up for it with telling jokes. And I just remember thinking like, “Man, if I am gonna do this for the rest of my life? I'm gonna be the happiest person on the planet.” Because I still can't believe that somebody pays me to tell a joke or say something out loud on camera or get to come to Red Rocks. Stand on stage and tell jokes. I'm getting all like, I’m sure I’ll burst out crying during it or something.

John Betancourt: So, it must mean a lot to you to be able to do this in front of such a large audience.

Joel McHale: Yeah, well, if they don't get electrocuted, yes.

John Betancourt: Yes, all death aside.

Joel McHale: I mean, if no one drowns, then I'll be very happy. It's raining out there, folks. Everyone kept saying, “I don't know Colorado crowds. You'll see, everyone's gonna show up.” And I was like, “That would not happen in Los Angeles.” We have farmers’ markets in Los Angeles, and if it rains, no one shows up there. Like, I would rather be dry, than eat. I'll just not go to a farmers’ market. You know, I grew up in Seattle, so we literally have Bumbershoot, which was like bring your umbrella, because it’s gonna rain. So, I can't believe it. It’s a beautiful setting. It’s literally one of the most iconic stages on the planet. And I get to say that I stood on there… for 15 minutes. It’s crazy.
​
This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.

---