DANA CARVEY!
Hear it here: Bit.ly/2bC1pLZ
t’s been over 20 years since Dana Carvey ended his epic run on “Saturday Night Live,” having unleashed both amazing impressions of famous figures including the first President Bush as well as original characters like The Church Lady and Garth upon the world. Yet because of that indelible cast of characters, he remains one of the best-loved cast members in the show’s long history.
While his movie career never really took off outside the two “Wayne’s World” movies, Carvey remains a beloved legend who sells out comedy clubs nationwide. Carvey talked with Kozlowski about his childhood, his entire career and some of his most beloved characters. He also explained to Kozlowksi how his impressions of President Bush wound up turning into a true friendship that surprisingly lasts to this day.
“[President Bush] was very nice, and now that I’ve known him and was with him in Houston in March, I can see he is a kind gentle man,” says Carvey. “I always want to be funny number one, and political arguments often end up ugly. The idea of big versus small government, equality versus liberty, is something I don’t want to get down in the weeds with and be on the edges because you’ll miss the humor.
“The first two years [as president], Bush was so popular we were just going with what the rhythm was – we also had Al Franken and the more conservative Jim Downey writing him with me,” Carvey continues. “Then when the country’s mood turned and got a little more satirical towards him, it certainly didn’t help him, but he could sense I’m not an ideologue in the traditional sense where ‘someone who opposes me is my enemy.’ I’m an Americanist. I’m a radical moderate. He sensed that and did not take it personally.”
Carvey also talked about performing at a major Christmas event for a secret Hollywood organization run by actor Gary Sinise. Carvey says he’s frustrated with political correctness in show business, and said he feels that President Obama often gets a free pass compared to past Presidents.
“I’m friends with Gary Sinise, and this guy really walks the walk,” says Carvey. “He asked me to come up there to that event and I didn’t change my act at all. Because of the sensitivity of having an African-American president, which is completely understandable, people tend to tread lightly, but policy-wise there was some disconnect because people had complaints [about Obama, and comics were not addressing them]. It took a while to satirize our President but that’s American. It’s what we do.”
Carvey has a problem with what be believes to be the misperception that only the Left can be funny.
“That’s just crazy, left over ideas from Watergate. I always believed, you question authority,” says Carvey. “Whether it’s Asian-American, a woman president, or Native American, you have to hit. What’s happening during this time is that everyone’s afraid of making fun of certain areas because you’ll be given a name [as a racist], and that’s very twisted stuff. If you’re in a liberal crowd in New York and do liberal material, the response is almost like a rally, but it’s not edgy.
True edge is what Dennis Miller did in switching sides, and he got brutalized for it,” Carvey continues. “You will get the PC snake from the left and Republicans are a little lighter about it. I come from the old school that says you go where the power is and make fun of it. When it becomes off-limits to say or do certain things without being brutalized or uncensored, that’s a shame but it’s where the country’s going right now.”
***************************************************************************************************************************
GET THE INSIDE SCOOP ON THE LITERARY HOAX OF THE MILLENIUM!
Once in a while, an interview comes along that's just magic and fascinating and fun, and this was one of them. Jeff Feuerzeig has made some incredible docs over the years, including profiles of mentally troubled musician/artist Daniel Johnston, Jeff Dowd who's the real-life "Dude" of "The Big Lebowski," Chuck Wepner the real-life inspiration for Rocky Balboa, and now the infamous literary hoax known as JT LeRoy, subject of Jeff's brilliant new doc "Author: The JT LeRoy Story." You gotta hear him explain the story behind the story of the biggest literary hoax of the last 20 years. 30 years even, maybe. It's an amazing story with a fantastic tale about the real-life dude behind "The Dude", Jeff Dowd. Tune in. I'm real proud of this one.
Hear it here! bit.ly/2cdyyKO
THIS FILMMAKER MIGHT HAVE THE MOST
FASCINATING TAKES ON RELATIONSHIPS
IN MOVIES TODAY:
DEREK CIANFRANCE OF "BLUE
PINES," AND "THE LIGHT BETWEEN
OCEANS"
Hear him here!: bit.ly/bit.ly/2c1LA0A
This one is short and sweet, but answers a few questions about one of the most intriguing filmmakers on the American scene today: Derek Cianfrance. Whether exploring the wonderful rise and disastrous collapse of a relationship in "Blue Valentine," how the sins of the father affect their sons in the amazing "The Place Beyond the Pines," or seeing how far people will go to become parents in the new "The Light Between Oceans," his movies are deep, powerful and make you think. Kind of like this Kozversation. Tune in!
*************************************************************
AND FINALLY, SOME TASTEFUL YARD ART FOR YOUR LAWN. START YOUR BIDDING!
Several American cities were subjected to naked Donald Trump statues a few weeks back, and now you can bid on the amazingly unscathed Los Angeles one. Check out the story here, but avert your eyes from the photo within!
Bit.ly/2bD5v7C
