Back in the early 2000s (because I can’t bring myself to say “oughts”), I used to play a little online game with celebrities called “5 for the Famous.”
Back then it was easy to get people’s email; addresses (before all of you becaqme stalkerish creeps). I used to write and ask rnadom celebrities to polay along. They would get 10 questions and had to choose 5 to answer.
Here is one of those interviews:
December 18, 2003
Harry Shearer
Maybe most commonly known as the voice of Mr. Burns, Smithers, and Ned Flanders, amongst others, on “The Simpsons,” Harry Shearer is much more… more than even the host of the nationally syndicated public radio show “Le Show.”
He’s played such memorable film characters as heavy metal bassist Derek Smalls in the classic “This Is Spinal Tap,” as well as a cross-dressing folk singer in last year’s “A Mighty Wind.” Shearer’s early list of film and TV credits is endless. He spent a few years on SNL.
His first film appearance was in “Abbott and Costello Go to Mars.” He was also the original Eddie Haskell in the pilot for “Leave it to Beaver.”
The actor, comedian and satirist also tackles more serious cultural criticism. Aside from his weekly radio program, he pens writings for the online magazine Slate, commentary for programs like “Now with Bill Moyers“, and even a column in Salon.
This week, Harry took a shot at five of my questions (and got himself a free book):
Out of all your roles, which would you most like to be in your next life, a rockster, a folk singer or a synchronized swimmer?
A folk singer, sadly. Less strain on the ears than either of the other two occupations.
How did all of you “Simpsons” folks end up in “Godzilla?”
Dean and Roland were fans of the show. That’s all I know.
Take a free poke at Boston, since we don’t get Le Show here… C’mon, I dare ya!
Aren’t the Celtics now in their second consecutive decade of sucking?
So do you ever call up Ken Osmond in the middle of the night and taunt him?
I call no Osmond at any time of the day or night.
Best place to nosh when you are at the mall?
Not really a mall person. Mainly because of the parking. I hate parking in big structures, where you feel as if you and your car are screwing yourselves into a giant spiral. I’m a street parker, even if it means walking, and you can’t street-park around any malls in LA.
