Jim Rash seems like a very nice guy, a regular guy.
Granted he's not a big star yet, but he is very down-to-earth.
Honestly, he reminds me a bit of Andy Dick without the obnoxious streak.
Anyway, he does a great job on his show and this was a very exciting
interview.
"Community"
Airs Thursdays 8/7
NBC UNIVERSAL
Moderator: Leslie Schwartz
November 4, 2010 2:00 pm CT
Operator: Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for standing by. Welcome to
The Community Press and Media Call with Jim Rash. At the
question-and-answer session, if you have a question, please press the 1
followed by the 4 on your telephone keypad. And if ever you need to
reach an operator, please dial star 0.
As a reminder, this conference is being recorded Thursday, November the
4th, 2010.
I would now like to turn the call over to Leslie Schwartz. Please go
ahead.
Leslie Schwartz: Hi everybody. Thank you for joining us on today’s call
with our favorite Dean Pelton, Jim Rash, and we will of course be
talking about the Webisode which premiered this morning at NBC.com. And,
I just wanted to ask you if you were referencing the Facebook site? It’s
http://www.Facebook.com/NBCCommunity, and I will now open it up to questions
for Jim.
Operator: Ladies and gentlemen, as a reminder, to register for a
question, please dial 1, 4 on your telephone keypad. And our first
question comes from the line of Jamie Steinberg with Starry
Constellation Magazine. Please go ahead.
Jamie Steinberg: Hey. It’s a pleasure to speak with you.
Jim Rash: Hi. And, it’s nice to talk to you.
Jamie Steinberg: You have great comedic timing. Is it something that’s
natural for you, or do you have to work at it?
Jim Rash: I wish it was natural. I don’t know. Maybe it comes from you
know, just growing up with - being super popular in high school, and you
just learn to use it. As far as like training and stuff, I mean it’s
honing. And, I - you know, I got to Los Angeles.
Most everything’s sort of got honed I guess - got honed at the place at
The Groundlings Theater. I’ve been there since - for like - I’ve been
active at The Groundlings for like 11 years. So, that was probably my
training outside of college and stuff.
But, I think it was probably instinctual at some point along the way.
Jamie Steinberg: Well, you make a lovely Lady Gaga. Do you have any...
Jim Rash: Oh, thank you.
Jamie Steinberg: ...input into the antics of your character?
Jim Rash: I’m sorry. What was that again?
Jamie Steinberg: I said do you have any input into the antics of your
character?
Jim Rash: Of Dean Pelton?
Jamie Steinberg: Yes.
Jim Rash: Yes. He - one of the sort of fun things that’s been on this
ride since the first season is sort of the added stuff they’ve sort of -
to Dean, and sort of the secrets we’re starting to find out about him
from Dalmatian fetishes to his over curiosity of Jeff Winger and - and
seemingly I - as I understand down the pike, there should be some more
fetishes that might come his way to add to it.
And then as far as the Lady Gaga fascination, I don’t know if it was a
fascination or just a chance to show off his legs; I don’t know, or my
legs.
Jamie Steinberg: And, a bit of an ABBA interest came out as well.
Jim Rash: Yes. Yes. And then, ABBA and clearly recording himself listing
things he needed to do. But yes, an ABBA fascination. Yes.
I love the fact that we’re not quite sure what - yet what goes on in his
personal life, but I look forward to one day having some kind of reveal
to that. Whether we want to know it or not, I don’t know.
Jamie Steinberg: Yes. He seems to be prone to TMI.
Jim Rash: Yes. Yes. Oh, definitely. I think he’s got a very social
awkwardness, meaning no ability to filter what comes out of his mouth
and then catch himself on it. So, I hope there’ll be more of that.
Jamie Steinberg: And just real quick. You’re a part of Twitter. Why is
that social network important for you in the promotion of things like
the Webisodes, and with things you do, and with interaction with fans?
Jim Rash: You know, it’s the - when I did the Twitter thing, it came
through - at Groundlings, where we set up our Twitter accounts for the
cast members so it would come on our Web sites, and I just had no idea,
you know until I started doing that.
And just - I remember like - I guess Tweeting very minimally in the
beginning, and all the sudden I was getting - I came home and - I think
it was like Gmail account was filled with like you know, 100 emails and
I don’t know that many people that would be writing me. Just the
notifications that people were following it. It was just sort of
overwhelming, and I just feel it’s obviously a huge way that people get
announcements or you know, links to stuff. It’s pretty incredible that -
how people use it you know.
So I’m pretty much a novice to it, so I would have to say I’m sort of
learning and watching as I go. There are more experts at it than I am,
that’s for sure.
Jamie Steinberg: Great. Thank you so much.
Jim Rash: Absolutely. Thank you.
Operator: And, our next question comes from the line of Nancy Harrington
with Pop Culture Passionistas. Please go ahead.
Nancy Harrington: Hi Jim. Thanks for your time today.
Jim Rash: Hey, how are you.
Nancy Harrington: Good thanks. How are you doing? I’m actually here with
my sister Amy who’s my writing partner.
Jim Rash: What’s that again?
Nancy Harrington: I said I’m actually here with my sister Amy who’s my
writing partner.
Jim Rash: Oh, okay. Nice.
Nancy Harrington: And, we’re big fans of the show and of you.
Jim Rash: Oh, okay.
Nancy Harrington: So, we were wondering, besides the timing, what did
you learn from your experience at The Groundlings that you applied to
your work on Community?
Jim Rash: Well you know, certainly you know I started working at The
Groundlings, and mainly to take improv classes, you know. And, I think
those were beneficial not just with acting, Community, but also in
writing because I enjoy doing that as well. I just - and then - and
Community, even though I have to say it’s like - you know, the writing
staff is incredible and Dan Harmon had such a vision that although there
is certainly always room for a little improv while we’re shooting, it’s
a lot on the page.
So - but, I would say that Groundlings has been definitely influential
for me just across-the-board, you know, certainly in peoples’
fascination in the growing world of improv and that kind of stuff.
Nancy Harrington: Cool.
And we’ve noticed on your Twitter that it seems like you get recognized
as Moby quite a bit...
Jim Rash: Yes.
Nancy Harrington: ...so we were wondering if you talked to the producers
about Moby coming on to play your evil twin, or if there’s any plans
to...
Jim Rash: I don’t know. I think that would be a great idea. I don’t know
when the - I guess when I started maybe shaving my head more, or
something, but the Moby stuff started awhile ago, as well as - I also
got some Steve Soderbergh once, if I have a hat on.
But yes, I - there was a long - not too long ago, there was a part on
like I think How I Met Your Mother where they were looking for a Moby
look alike, and then another Moby look alike that I know - a guy by the
name of - an actor JP Manoux ended up doing it. So, there are a number
of us out there, so hopefully it would be cool to see if Moby would even
come to do that.
Nancy Harrington: That would be excellent. Well, thanks for your time
today. Good luck with the rest of the season.
Jim Rash: Absolutely. Thanks so much.
Nancy Harrington: Thank you. Bye.
Operator: Our next question comes from the line of David Martindale with
Crown Features. Please go ahead.
David Martindale: Thank you. Hi Jim. I love your show.
Jim Rash: Hey. How are you.
David Martindale: I’m good, thanks. I love the show. You’re really quite
wonderful in it.
Jim Rash: Oh, thank you.
David Martindale: And actually, the character that you referred to that
was in How I Met Your Mother, they called him not-Moby because...
Jim Rash: Oh, is that it?
David Martindale: ...he turned out that he wasn’t Moby. And when you
started up with Community, my girlfriend and I started referring to you
as not-not Moby.
Jim Rash: Okay. I’m two degrees more away, or...
David Martindale: You bet. You are not-not Moby.
Jim Rash: Yes.
David Martindale: Not that that is important, it’s just a
(unintelligible)...
Jim Rash: No. But you know (unintelligible).
David Martindale: What were your expectations for this character when
you were cast? Did you know that this - that the Dean was going to be
this crazy? This weird?
Jim Rash: No. It’s funny just because I didn’t - you know, when we shot
the pilot, I was cast I think you know, pretty late in the - I think
they had already started shooting. And at the time you know, it was just
a guest star on a pilot that you didn’t know whether it would be picked
up. And then you know, they always talk as a possible recurring type
thing. And then once the show got picked up, I just had no idea how much
they would end up using the Dean.
And, nor did I know where we were going - you know, or what was going to
- and I think it all sort of began the most when we - with the Dalmatian
video as far as like getting into some weird stuff as soon as that You
Tube thing and wondering if that was going to awaken something in me. I
think that just sort of - they just ran with that a little bit.
And - but, I definitely think it evolved because even in the pilot, it’s
sort of funny if you actually look back at the pilot. In the very
beginning - I’m wearing a wedding ring in the pilot, and I always said
that sort of just disappeared by the second episode that I did. So
either he was briefly married or he puts that on - the ring on just for
a little bit - for people’s first day of school. I don’t know. But, he’s
definitely evolved and it’s been a lot of fun.
David Martindale: Yes. And when you get a new script and you learn these
new things about the Dean, do you find yourself saying you know,
“Really? Dalmatian costume? Seriously?” Or, do you rejoice because it’s
so silly, or both?
Jim Rash: I rejoice in anything that’s very fun and specific, you know.
I think it’s - I think that’s the fun of it you know, and seeing where
you’re going. But, I can’t say I don’t have those moments when I’m like,
“What?” You know, but I think it’s more a joyous what as in just along
for that part of the ride.
So, I - no, I - you know, I’m always excited when there’s a surprise or
something very specific they’ve started to get in their minds, because
they you know, start to think of things and lay some groundwork for down
the road, which sort of started with that video of the Dalmatians and
ended with obviously the finale with Dalmatians in costumes. So, they
let it grow.
David Martindale: Yes. And, what do you think of the fact that Community
the TV show has embraced you know, these other - you know, this other
medium -- the Internet -- to expand the - its viewership, or maybe not
expand the viewership, but expand the fan’s appreciation for the show
that they already loved?
Jim Rash: Well I think you know, it becomes sort of instinctual,
especially when you have like these - you know, a show that by all means
you know, gets a cult following, and many shows out there.
And I think the Internet and various Web sites and this kind of
community from blogs to everything is just - is ripe with people who
become fans of stuff, and it’s a great community to nurture for whatever
it is - you know, for whatever show, and I think it’s a powerful thing.
And certainly to give a voice to shows that are - you know, are special
and have a good solid following, that’s a great place to nurture them,
you know.
David Martindale: Cool. So, thank you so much. It’s been a pleasure.
Jim Rash: Thank you.
Operator: Our next question comes from the line of Jamie Ruby with
Sci-Fi Vision. Please go ahead.
Jamie Ruby: Hi. Thanks so much for doing our call today.
Jim Rash: Absolutely. Absolutely.
Jamie Ruby: So, you started to talk a little bit about you know, the
beginning and the pilot. Can you tell us kind of how you got involved in
the very beginning in the project?
Jim Rash: It was nothing more than you know, I got an audition for it
you know through an agent - through my agent. So, it really was like
everyone else, just a chance to audition for them. So, it pretty much
just worked out.
Jamie Ruby: Okay. Now, you were talking about all the different crazy
things he does and is different - you know, idiosyncrasies and
everything. If you could you know write something about him - about your
character, what would you choose to have happen on screen?
Jim Rash: Oh. Interesting. If I could write something for him. Well, I
would - I don’t know if I know exactly what would happen, but like I
said, I would like to see where this guy - where Dean - I’d like to see
his home life, because I - in upcoming episodes, I’m particular there
late. I’m always curious if I go anywhere or do I end up just staying
there? I don’t know.
But, I would love to see and discover what his personal life is like if
I were asked to write something. I don’t know what I would go with
though, because I do like it being sort of - you know, still sort of
question everything about his personal life from what he’s in to, to you
know all that kind of stuff. So...
Jamie Ruby: Okay. Would you ever consider writing or directing for the
show though?
Jim Rash: Oh, if they’d have me. Oh. Yes. I would love it. I mean, I
would love to certainly - to write down the road, and I certainly sort
of - I definitely on the set sort of watch and try to learn from our
various directors we’ve had, just sort of observe. Because it’s just a
great opportunity when you’re shooting to sort of educate yourself on
that stuff for down the road, for hopes for that kind of thing.
Jamie Ruby: Okay. Great. Thank you so much.
Jim Rash: Absolutely.
Operator: Our next question comes from the line of Matt Carter with
Examiner.com. Please go ahead.
Matt Carter: Hey Jim. How are you doing?
Jim Rash: Good. How are you?
Matt Carter: I’m pretty great. Well on the show, Pelton kind of has this
funny sort of - almost self-entitlement about him when it comes to his
job, and sometimes when it comes to dealing with some of the students. I
mean, how do - when you picture Pelton - I mean, how do you think he
fancies himself? Do you think he thinks of himself as a sort of hero,
crusader? I mean, what do you think?
Jim Rash: I think he does. I think he is a guy who at his core really
wants this school to be successful. And, he’s like - I think he fancies
that this community college can be like any - as you know, he says said
sarcastically last year, any of those real colleges that people choose
to transfer to after two years.
I think he wants people to stay. I think he believes that this place can
be just as great as the big colleges. So although, I think that you know
obviously, makes a lot of missteps. I think that his heart is in the
right place and his desire.
It was a while ago - well when we first started, I remember Dan Harmon,
the creator, was sort of in his mind early on was - felt like I probably
did go to some - it’s possible I went to some Ivy League school and that
Dean didn’t have the college experience that he felt that he deserved.
And has been you know, sort of hell bent on making Greendale - having
his college experience the way he wants to have it. So, that was how he
always saw it.
Matt Carter: All right. Well, how have you found shooting the Webisodes
to be different than shooting the actual set with the full cast?
Jim Rash: It was the same in the sense of like you know, obviously on
the same set. And actually, it was the most if not all the same crew was
shooting that day, because we shot those during a hiatus week. So, that
part of it felt the same you know. And it was fun obviously, because you
know, Leonard’s in one of those and - who I see quite a bit. I think
he’s on a number of episodes...
Matt Carter: Yes.
Jim Rash: ...and the Human Being. Even though Human Being sometimes -
well, this time was a different person. It rotates. I think there have
been two or three people who have inhabited that glorious costume to put
- they always seem so comfortable in. But, it is a little weird, yes.
You know, because we’re obviously - it’s always going to feel a little
different, but hopefully down the road we do some more and get some of
the cast in there as well you know.
Matt Carter: Yes. I’d love that. Well, if you ask any sort of Community
fan what their - some of their favorite moments from the show are,
they’ll either you know, tell you the paintball episode or even the
Apollo 13 or (unintelligible) episode from last week. But just for
somebody who’s not on the (unintelligible) any sort of specific episodes
of moments that stand out for you?
Jim Rash: Well, I - you know, obviously those were a lot of fun to
shoot. I think I would - yes, I’d be partial to the - I just had so much
fun shooting the Apollo 13 space bus episode personally. But I do - I
will say that one of my favorite times - because it was only the second
episode I was in after the pilot, was when - was the football one where
I got to come in and ask Troy if he wanted to play football.
And, it was so much fun just because I - you know, that was the first
time back for me, and you know - and having only - you know in the pilot
I only appear in the beginning. So, it was fun to sort of - that - from
that moment start fleshing out who that guy was. So, that one will
always be something that was fun personally just to shoot - to explore
that, you know.
Matt Carter: I do. Well, thanks a lot Jim. Really appreciate it.
Jim Rash: Absolutely. Thank you.
Operator: Our next question comes from the line of Kristin Davis with
Accidental Sexiness.com. Please go ahead.
Kristin Davis: Hey Jim. How are you?
Jim Rash: Good. How are you?
Kristin Davis: I am great. Thank you. Like yourself, I am from
Charlotte, North Carolina.
Jim Rash: Oh, yes.
Kristin Davis: Yes. Woo. Exciting.
Jim Rash: But, that’s where I’m from.
Kristin Davis: It’s not - well, did you like it here?
Jim Rash: Well, I mean I grew up there and I - then I went to Chapel
Hill and then I came out here.
Kristin Davis: Then you left.
Jim Rash: So, I have to - I love - I certainly like the nostalgia at
least.
Kristin Davis: That’s true. It’s not - it’s gloomy today, but it’s nice.
We have four seasons and all, so you know - yes.
Jim Rash: Oh, yes.
Kristin Davis: Well, I wondering - since you’re from Charlotte, it’s not
- it’s getting better recently, but it’s not exactly a theater and
acting friendly city. What got you started into acting and then theater
and all?
Jim Rash: Well, other than you know what can only be called just super
quality High School Theater which is did do. But, ended up doing - well,
two things sort of for me started me towards what I wanted to do. One
was a soon as I graduated from - I went to a school called Charlotte
Latin School, in Charlotte...
Kristin Davis: Okay.
Jim Rash: ...and after I graduated from there, I really wanted to go to
Chapel Hill. And, I just -- now the world will know -- my grades weren’t
great. I’ll confess that, and so I really wanted to - I went to a
post-graduate year at a boarding school up in New Jersey called the
Lawrenceville School.
And anyway, their theater program there was amazing, and I just sort of
fell in love with that, and then carried through to Carolina. And then
when I got out to L.A. with The Groundlings. So, it was sort that path I
think was it really began, even though I did do some theater in - at
Latin.
Kristin Davis: Okay.
Jim Rash: But, it really began probably for me up there at
Lawrenceville.
Kristin Davis: Right. Right.
You had mentioned earlier like you'd enjoy if they’d have you writing
for Community. You did write recently, you and (Matt Saxon)...
Jim Rash: (Faxon), yes.
Kristin Davis: ...wrote The Descendents. (Unintelligible)...
Jim Rash: Yes. Well, it comes out - I think it’s going to be next
year...
Kristin Davis: Next year?
Jim Rash: ...next year around this time. I have a...
Kristin Davis: It’s got a few big name actors, right?
Jim Rash: Yes.
Kristin Davis: I think a guy named George Clooney?
Jim Rash: Yes. A little guy named George Clooney is in it. Yes, my
writing partner (Matt Faxon) and I, along with (Alexander Payne), who
actually also directed it, adapted this book called The Descendents, so
that should come out next year. But yes, that was a great experience.
I’ve been writing - that also started with The Groundlings, and had
written a couple of pilots and then a screen play as well as adapted
one. So, that’s definitely a part of my life I want to continue and
nurture outside of Community too, so...
Kristin Davis: Tell us how do you decide - like what made you decide to
adapt just The Descendents, or how do you pick - like when you do
something like adapting a book?
Jim Rash: Well, the - that - we - my - (Matt) and I had written a
screenplay that got us noticed by (Alexander Payne) and his producing
partner, (Jim Burke), and they actually just brought us in too, because
they had optioned The Descendents. So, it really was like a read this
book, you know come back and tell us what your take on it would be. And
so luckily they liked what we had to say, so ended up writing and then
working with (Alexander) on the final product. And, that was it.
So, it really - it was just something that sort of fell into our laps,
you know.
Kristin Davis: Okay.
One more quick question. I know Community is only a 30 minute show, so
it’s great that they’re doing these Webisodes because it’s such a huge
cast too, that...
Jim Rash: Yes.
Kristin Davis: ...you don’t get to see a lot of them. Do you think maybe
the Webisodes will go into the lives of some of the peripherals
characters, like Star Burns and Leonard, and even more into your own?
Jim Rash: Yes. Well, I hope it will be a little bit of that, because I
think one of the things that’s been really fun that Dan and everyone has
put together is like even in little small things - I mean, even the
larger parts of ancillary characters like you know, myself and Leonard,
and Star Burns, and Rich is coming back. I think he was in the pottery
class, he was in the Halloween again.
And then also like even little small parts here and there, you always
notice the same people resurfacing, because they really wanted to feel
like - obviously, like a regular school.
Kristin Davis: Right.
Jim Rash: You know, how you see some familiar faces. So, I think the
Webisodes - at least so far, you know obviously Leonard is in one, and
hopefully there’ll be some introductions and crossovers both ways I
would hope. But, it’s fun to explore the lives of all the people you see
in these classes who might not be the regulars, you know.
Kristin Davis: Yes.
Jim Rash: So hopefully, that’ll - we’ll get a little bit more of that.
Kristin Davis: Awesome. Well, thank you for your time.
Jim Rash: Absolutely.
Kristin Davis: Have a wonderful day.
Jim Rash: Yes. You too. Thank you.
Operator: Our next question comes from the line of Troy Rogers with The
Deadbolt.com. Please go ahead.
Troy Rogers: Hi Jim.
Jim Rash: Hey.
Troy Rogers: Now, I wanted to know as an actor in a comedy series, what
does it mean for you to be on the same show as Chevy Chase?
Jim Rash: Oh, what - it’s pretty great. I mean, you know a very - one of
my first episodes back was just with him designing the human being, so
it was pretty cool to come back to that, having just done the pilot at
that point to have a little story line and one on one time with Chevy
Chase.
So, it was a little intimidating that first you know, couple of days,
just - but there was no need for that. He was very welcoming, so we had
a lot of fun.
Troy Rogers: Right on.
Earlier, you were mentioning your school days. Throughout your
education, have you ever met any (unintelligible)...
Jim Rash: I’m sorry. I couldn’t hear you. What was that?
Troy Rogers: Sorry. Throughout your education, have you ever met any
faculty members that were like Dean Pelton?
Jim Rash: I’m sorry. One more time. I’m having a hard time hearing you.
Troy Rogers: Sure. Throughout your school years, have you ever met a
teacher like Dean Pelton?
Jim Rash: Oh, got you. Sorry about that. I don’t know if I can say I’ve
met someone quite like him in any of my school experience. I’m trying to
think of anybody. But no, I don’t know about someone who seems to infuse
himself into the lives.
You know, it’s sort of funny. I mean, obviously I - Dean always tracks
down specifically Jeff in our (core), which is always funny that they
always seem to hear the announcements first before the rest of the
school body. But that’s sort of the design of the TV show, so it’s a lot
of fun, that he takes such a vested interest in this small study group.
But, I don’t think I’ve had anyone that would be that invasive from my
past.
Troy Rogers: Okay. One more quick thing and then I’ll - if you were the
Dean of a school like Glendale in real life, what type of facilities
would you want? Like something along the line of a flight simulator?
Jim Rash: Along the lines of a what?
Troy Rogers: Of a flight simulator?
Jim Rash: Oh, yes. Yes. I fully - one of the things that I’ve always
enjoyed that I think hopefully one day they’ll investigate is exactly
what the social budget of Greendale is with - the Dean seems to spend a
lot of money on dances and some pretty elaborate stuff.
So I’m - I think I would follow in his footsteps at least in that,
because it seems to be a very entertaining approach to a Community
College. They seem to have a lot of social activities and a lot of real
big events. So, I would love to see his budget, or see someone crack
down on his budget. I’d probably embrace that.
Troy Rogers: Excellent. Thanks Jim.
Jim Rash: Absolutely. Thank you.
Operator: Our next question comes from the line of Suzanne Lanoue with
TV Megasite. Please go ahead.
Suzanne Lanoue: Hi, Jim. Nice to talk to you.
Jim Rash: Nice to talk to you. Thank you.
Suzanne Lanoue: I was going to ask you if there was anything else you
can tell us about these Webisodes? Anything I could look forward to? How
they came about and all that kind of thing.
Jim Rash: Well, the - we basically did you know, the Dean Pelton’s sort
of office hours, sort of what goes on with you know, some outside
characters. And hopefully in the future, maybe some of our main
characters will make an appearance. The Dean go about the day-to-day
business.
So of these first three pretty much dealing with - which you can check
out now obviously, but you know do a little sexual harassment issue with
the human being. Deal with a little - well, personal wig toupee help
from Leonard. And then, a little independent study - sort of intern who
seems to take my - take our personal relationship a little further -
different - read something into it.
But, it - you know, it’s funny because I - they sort of - I’m not quite
sure where they started as far as like the - with the idea to do it. You
know, I sort of just got the - you know, the scripts came to me and they
said we wanted to start doing these little Webisodes. So, I was really
excited to do it. So hopefully, we’ll continue (unintelligible).
Suzanne Lanoue: Okay.
Jim Rash: That’s the first three at least. Yes.
Suzanne Lanoue: Okay. That sounds good.
When you were a kid now, did you do a lot of comedy stuff? Like acting
up around the family and put on shows? I hear a lot of comics -
comedians got their start that way.
Jim Rash: Yes. I know. I feel like it’s a universal thing that they -
everyone always seems to have done shows in their living room or
something to get their start. But, I - I mean, I definitely remember
doing again, some questionable but fun Children’s Theater when I was a
kid. You know, where you were most likely playing some kind of animal in
some kind of small children’s play. I think I was a Mallard Duck, but
that’s - you know, that’s way before I had a right to say that I was
into it.
But I - for me, it probably didn’t get going until sometime late high
school, early college you know.
Suzanne Lanoue: Okay. You were a late comedian (groomer).
Jim Rash: But, I think it’s a - yes. I mean I think as a child, I
definitely did the things (unintelligible) to class clown type thing at
that time, but I don’t know if I really was focused on anything until
later, you know.
Suzanne Lanoue: Well yes, if you were class clown that probably is a
good - that’s probably a good start there.
Jim Rash: Well, that’s where it started. Yes, I guess. I guess you get
started there. Yes.
Suzanne Lanoue: And, you have to be comfortable (unintelligible)...
Jim Rash: But, I don’t know how funny it was. It was high school and
all.
Suzanne Lanoue: Well - actually, I was going to tell you - my husband
is actually a Dean at a college. Not a Community College...
Jim Rash: Oh, really?
Suzanne Lanoue: Yes. I can’t watch Community because - every time I
watch a new TV show that’s about a college, I’m sitting there nitpicking
you know.
Jim Rash: Yes. He brings it home already.
Suzanne Lanoue: Well, it’s not - you know, TV’s not real, so if you
have any relation to the real thing and then you’re always comparing it
to the TV version, and (unintelligible)...
Jim Rash: Right. Right. Right. The TV version of things.
Suzanne Lanoue: It’s like a doctor trying to - yes, a doctor trying to
watch ER or something like that. It’s like you can’t...
Jim Rash: Right. No. I hear you. I hear you. No, I...
Suzanne Lanoue: You can’t enjoy it - sit back and enjoy it. You just
sit there and nitpick the whole thing.
Jim Rash: Yes. You say, “That’s not - that wouldn’t happen.” No, I -
it’s the hyped version. I know my - before, just as I was born, my dad
was actually a Dean at a college in Charlotte, so - not that I would
know anything, so I have nothing to go on.
Suzanne Lanoue: Oh, okay. Did he...
Jim Rash: So, I just embrace it.
Suzanne Lanoue: Is he - I don’t mean to be indelicate. Is he still
around and you talk to him, or...
Jim Rash: Yes. Yes. No, he is...
Suzanne Lanoue: Oh, good.
Jim Rash: ...no longer - he is. He is not a Dean anymore, but he
actually still works with the college, so...
Suzanne Lanoue: Oh, okay. So, he tells you when you’re messing up.
Jim Rash: Yes. Yes. I mean - yes, I think he’s not going to nitpick, but
yes, he would probably say, “Yes. That’s probably a little heightened
version.”
Suzanne Lanoue: Yes. Definitely.
What other comedies do you like to watch on television besides
Community?
Jim Rash: I really - I’m a big fan of It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia,
and I also like obviously 30 Rock, and The Office as well, and I -
(unintelligible) what else I watch. Well then as far as TV in general, I
love - and I love Mad Men, so I threw that in there even though it’s not
comedy, but I love - I do like those other three as far as what’s on my
DVR.
Suzanne Lanoue: All right. Well, thanks a lot. I appreciate you taking
the time.
Jim Rash: Absolutely. Thank you.
Operator: Our next question comes from the line of Lena Lamoray with lenalamoray.com. Please go ahead.
Lena Lamoray: Hi Jim. It’s great to speak with you.
Jim Rash: Hey. Nice to talk to you. Thank you.
Lena Lamoray: You’re welcome. What’s it like working with the cast of
Community?
Jim Rash: Working with the cast you said?
Lena Lamoray: Yes.
Jim Rash: Oh, it’s great. I - it’s a really close group you know. I
think that they’ve all bonded and are very welcoming to myself and then
obviously even any other guest stars and new people along the way. And,
there is just a lot of - it’s fun to watch Joel, who is very quick
witted and loves to tease people, and it’s fun to watch him play around
with Ken Jeong and as well as - and then Donald Glover obviously is
another one that enjoys that as well.
So, it’s a - it really is a fun set to be on when we’re working longer
hours, it makes it go a little faster you know. So, very lucky.
Lena Lamoray: Thank you.
Now, how much say did you guys have in you know, your Halloween
costumes?
Jim Rash: What was that again?
Lena Lamoray: How much say did the cast have in planning out the
costumes for the Halloween episode?
Jim Rash: You know, I remember early we were shooting the Space Bus
episode, and the writer Carrie, who wrote the Halloween episode, she was
walking around and just asking people’s ideas about what they would -
had any ideas of what their character would be for Halloween.
I don’t - I remember I said - at the time, I said - she had mentioned
Lady Gaga, and I also said, “Oh, what about - if we’re going that route,
like a Cruella De Vil because of the Dalmatian connection, but I don’t
think you could probably get that licensed,” so that would be a harder
thing.
But I’m not sure if everyone got their picks, but everyone got asked you
know. So I’m not quite sure what everyone answered, but they at least
asked and then I’m sure the writers had either already ideas or better
ideas than we came up with.
Lena Lamoray: How do you feel about Dean Pelton now as opposed to when
you first began playing him?
Jim Rash: Well, it’s always fun I think when - you know, on a series
have had the privilege of going into its second season. So you know, of
the series I’ve been on, this is probably the first where it’s gone into
- for me, this long where you get to sort of evolve.
But I - it’s sort of fun to look back on the first season DVD and go -
like see you know, the things that have sort of evolved since the very
beginning. And then - you know because obviously all the characters have
to grow in some capacity and you want a surprise.
I know there’s an episode coming up in probably a couple episodes - I
don’t know if in a couple weeks or a couple whatever - the two or so
episodes, I had a lot of fun as the Dean sort of has a huge meltdown.
So, it was a lot of fun to sort of find this new thing - this very
highly emotional reaction to this event at this college and explore
that. So, I’m all - you know, it’s - I’m all for things you know,
surprising us. So hopefully, there’ll be more along the way.
Lena Lamoray: Great. I’m loving the show. Thank you so much.
Jim Rash: Oh, thank you very much. Thank you.
Operator: Our next question comes from the line of Sabrina Samuels with
The Voice of TV. Please go ahead.
Sabrina Samuels: Hello. Congratulations on the show being picked up for
the next few couple of episodes.
Jim Rash: Oh, thank you. Thank you. Very excited.
Sabrina Samuels: (Unintelligible), and in terms of the Webisodes, as a
writer yourself, does writing for the Web actually interest you in
possibly starting a project yourself?
Jim Rash: I’m really sorry. What was that again one more time?
Sabrina Samuels: I was talking in terms of Webisodes. As a writer, does
that medium interest you (unintelligible)...
Jim Rash: Oh, yes. You know, we did - it has been. You know, through The
Groundlings, the theater that I’m a part of, we actually did not so much
- we did - we started one little Webisode thing, but more just like you
know, exploring - doing more stuff on the Web, Web content you know. For
awhile there, we did some stuff with Sony and I guess it was Crackle was
there at the time.
But I do, both as a writer and would love to go further with that to do
stuff, because it’s such a great - you know, great place to you know
control the material you want to do for stuff, you know.
Sabrina Samuels: Okay. (Unintelligible) - not the rival of the Community
- that (unintelligible), do you know if there’s any plans to have an
episode on that again, and then bring back Dean (Spike)?
Jim Rash: Yes. I hope so. We were definitely joking about how and
possibilities of setting up another Greendale sort of City College type
showdown from - you know, Dean to Dean and from college you know, to
college. It’d be a lot of fun. I’m hoping that we’ll see something down
the road.
Right now, I don’t think that - you know, that I know of anything. But
you know, I don’t know. Could be. I’d like it.
Sabrina Samuels: So, I’m just going back to your writing though. Do you
- and (Matt Saxon), or maybe yourself by yourself, do you have any plans
to maybe write any other kind of stuff for pilot - as a pilot - you
know, a TV show?
Jim Rash: Yes. We just started - we’re working right now on a pilot for
HBO. We had pitched an idea over there, so we are just in the early
stages of writing right now. And then, we’re also trying to work on - we
had written an original a few years back that had gotten some attention,
it was called The Way Back, and it was - you know, we had written it
around the time when it was just you know, a lot of things were
happening as far as the economy.
And so making you know, these smaller movies was a challenge you know.
So, we’re hoping that we can get back to that you know, as things pick
back up and these movie slates pick up a little bit.
But in the meantime, I think we’re going to work on this HBO thing, and
then you know hopefully, write another original screenplay. So, it’s
sort of like a - certainly a side passion that we have, so we just
continue to do that.
Sabrina Samuels: Okay. Well, thanks very much for talking to me.
Jim Rash: Yes. Thank you.
Operator: Our next question comes from the line of Brian Cantor with
Headline Planet. Please go ahead.
Brian Cantor: Hi Jim. How are you?
Jim Rash: Good. How are you?
Brian Cantor: I’m doing well. Thanks.
So, I just wanted to know (unintelligible) you've contributed you know,
to some great comedies, you know, as a good character actor, a good
supporting you know role. What’s it like working on a show that really
seems to go out of its way to value that ensemble? I mean, you have Joel
McHale, you have Chevy Chase, and yet so much of the show seems to be
about giving you know, the other characters a chance. I mean, you have
all the (Oped) and Troy stuff, now you have the Webisodes for around
your character.
I mean, what’s that like from your perspective, getting that real
opportunity to not just support but also really shine in your own right?
Jim Rash: Yes. You know, it’s really been great to be on a series that
has really embraced all the voices of all the characters you know. It’s
like so often, you - and I’ve certainly been on them too. It’s like you
know, you have funny stuff to do. You just sort of just pop in and then
you pop out and you’re not sometimes integral to the plot.
But, the writers of Community specifically have been so great about
really embracing the idea of their core cast. But not just that, but
like outside and from guest stars too, to always - even in some of these
bigger sort of splashy episodes that we’ve done, you know where - you
know, from - specifically even Modern Warfare is probably the best
example with the paintball.
It’s like even when all this insanity’s going on, you know Dan and the
writers laid in some kind of character growth in it, which is always
such a huge challenge, but it’s pretty honorable and that’s what they’re
going for.
And then - and especially to squeeze in the amount of time you have in
these 30 minute - you know, not even 30 minutes for a half hour comedy.
And - but, I will say going specifically to your question that yes; it’s
just been great that they sort of spread the wealth so to speak, but yet
at the same time, you know keep everyone involved when it is sort of
focused on one character you know, which is nice.
Brian Cantor: Absolutely. And then also, I mean it seems like everyone
you know from NBC to most of the media, (unintelligible) a large group
of fans really wants Community to succeed. And, I think the Webinars
seems to be another way to really patch into that quirky, tech savvy
young adult audience that probably isn’t always watching TV as much as
you know, maybe the older crowd would be. But really, seems to be on par
- on the ball with the kind of humor that you know, Community goes
after. The kind of writing, the kind of you know acting where...
So, I mean it really seems like another great way to write trying to
extend that brand and really bring extra eyeballs to Community. Now
given that, I mean is that putting any pressure on you knowing that not
only are these Webisodes a way for you as an actor to establish yourself
as one of our top you know character actors out there, but also kind of
a way to provide extra channels for promoting Community as a whole?
I mean, do you look at it from that sort of conscious standpoint, or is
it more just a matter of I’m just out there doing the best I can and
whatever happens happens?
Jim Rash: Now you’re putting me in my head. I hope I rise to the
occasion. I do think it’s a great way to broaden your being seen, to
expand sort of the people that know about the show and watch the show.
And, it is - I guess for me, it’s I don’t know if I feel so much
pressure as much as just honored to have the opportunity to sort of - to
expand the life outside of just the TV show.
Because I mean, it’s like - you know, obviously you have you know, Joel
and Donald, and all these people who are - have you know, huge outside
stuff through which they’re also bringing it to the table you know, from
Joel with Soup, and Donald with his standup and his writing as well. I’m
just using them as examples, but it’s like everyone working so hard to
like really focus the attention on Community in different ways. So, I’m
hoping that the Webisodes will do that as well, you know.
Brian Cantor: Absolutely. No. And, I defiantly have caught a few of them
and they definitely seem pretty good so far, so congratulations on that.
And, congratulations on the extra episodes as well, and thanks a lot for
taking the time.
Jim Rash: Absolutely. Thank you.
Operator: Ladies and gentlemen, as a reminder to register for a
question, you may dial 1, 4.
Our next question comes from the line of Jamie Ruby with Sci-Fi Vision.
Please go ahead.
Jamie Ruby: Hi again.
Jim Rash: Hi.
Jamie Ruby: So, what has been your - what is your ultimate dream role?
Or maybe, is there something specific you want to work with that you
haven’t yet?
Jim Rash: Yes. Interesting question. You know, my - to go back to the -
my writing partner, (Matt) and I. You know, before Community happened,
and he’s an actor as well, so we’ve - you know, we’ve always jumped into
pilot season as actors, and at the same time we’ve developed a few
pilots now and then. And, we’ve always you know, sort of written for
ourselves you know. And, I think the voices that - you know, our dynamic
as friends and writing partners was something we always were trying to
get in there, which is probably closer to us.
So, I don’t know if I can describe me very well or you know - but, I do
know that the voice that we put into our writing and stuff, that I’d
always like to one day be able to you know showcase in some capacity you
know.
So, I think that’s why we just keep doing this, because I’ve always been
- and happily so, like on these - whether from you know, multi-camera to
single camera, and some stuff in the movies - you know, I guess a
“character actor” which I enjoy, but they were always sort of
interesting, fun personalities to play and characters you know, but,
were a little far from me.
So, it’d always be fun to just to you know, express my voice some place
down the road you know, which will probably come from us writing I
guess, so we’ll see.
Jamie Ruby: Okay. What do you find the hardest part about working on
Community?
Jim Rash: The hardest part? Well you know, it’s - and it’s like with
anything. It is - it can be some long hours you know, but I - it doesn’t
necessarily feel like it, but you know to do some of the bigger shows
that we’ve done, you know from the paintball to the zombie Halloween. It
takes some hours you know, because they’re really creating a look that
is a lot like a small film and that takes time.
And so - happily so, because the product comes out the way you get
really excited about it. But with that comes - you know, you’re going to
be there. You might watch the sun come up sometimes, you know.
Jamie Ruby: Okay. Well, thank you very much.
Jim Rash: Absolutely.
Operator: Our next question comes from the line of Shawn Dailey with
Fancast.com. Please go ahead.
Shawn Dailey: Hey there, Jim. How are you?
Jim Rash: Hey, good. How are you?
Shawn Dailey: Fine, thank you. Congratulations on the success of the
show.
Jim Rash: Thank you very much.
Shawn Dailey: Community is obviously developing a very large and ravage
fan base, and I’m wondering if you could just tell us a quick story
maybe about one of your more memorable recent experiences with some of
your fans?
Jim Rash: Oh, God. You know, I didn’t think I would get recognized as -
you know, as much. In the beginning, I thought, “Oh, you know this is a
recurring character,” or whatever, but I don’t know if this was like the
most unique, but I remember just being in a very crowded movie theater,
and just in the lobby waiting to go into this movie, and there was just
like this group of teenage boys. And it was just funny to me because all
- like all of them had their girlfriends just sitting on their laps
waiting for a movie.
They didn’t get up or anything; they just yelled from across the room,
like, “Hey man. It’s Dean! Dean Pelton.” And, I just thought, “Well,
there’s my fan base.” Finally, I got those - the teen boys with their
girlfriends are really into my character. But they didn’t really come
over or anything, but it was just the fact that they yelled across the
room. But, I - hey, I was - I’ll take it you know.
Shawn Dailey: And, were you wishing at the time that it was the teen
girls that were screaming for you instead?
Jim Rash: Yes. Maybe that would - well, I just wish everyone sort of
jumped in, but it was just sort of funny to me that you know - like they
- just life went on, and they just wanted to yell that out across a
crowded room you know.
Shawn Dailey: Exactly. Well, you know when you’re on a popular show like
this, you become a famous actor, that your private life becomes property
of your fans as well. So, can you share something with us about - you
know, about your life away from the show? And, what we might be a little
bit surprised to learn about you.
Jim Rash: We can learn about me? Well...
Shawn Dailey: Or, you can make something up if you don’t have anything
good.
Jim Rash: What can I make up? I don’t even know. I don’t really have I
think any great - outside of that, I’ve already mentioned you know, what
I sort of do and have been a part of, and as far as L.A. on The
Groundlings side of things and on the writing side of things, and then
on the personal - I’m just a dog owner you know.
Shawn Dailey: Not a Dalmatian (unintelligible)?
Jim Rash: Yes. It’s not a Dalmatian. I had a Chesapeake Bay Retriever
and I’m getting ready to become another dog very soon after the New Year
I hope. But let’s see - that’s not much of an interesting tidbit. But,
that’s what the personal life is right now.
Shawn Dailey: Okay. Are you hoping maybe these Webisodes lead to a spin
off for you?
Jim Rash: Well, yes. I don’t know about a spin off, but I certainly hope
that it leads to some more Webisodes and exploring it, because I’m happy
where I’m at at this point. I don’t know if the world can endure a whole
show centered around a Dean Pelton. I mean maybe I’m wrong, but that’s
an interesting guy to like - we might learn too much. It’s probably good
that we learn him in doses.
But, it’s just been a - you know, a fun ride and hope it continues, so
I’ll take what...
Shawn Dailey: I’m sure you could make it interesting for us.
Jim Rash: What’s that?
Shawn Dailey: I said, I’m sure you could make it interesting for us.
Jim Rash: No. I would imagine it would be very interesting you know, if
we went - and maybe Dean Pelton you know, moves to another city and his
lifelong dream of raising Dalmatians. There we go. We got a show.
Shawn Dailey: And that’s just - and lastly before you go, what else do
you like to use the Internet for, besides Webisodes and reading of
course all of our wonderful Web pages?
Jim Rash: Yes. Well you know, other than - I just - other than watching
videos and the viral stuff, and from You Tube to whatever, and then I
certainly do surf it that way. You know, looking for whatever. Whatever
is the funniest stuff out there, it’s - and then there’s plenty you
know.
Shawn Dailey: All right. Thank you very much.
Jim Rash: Absolutely.
Operator: There are no further questions at this time. I would now turn
the call back to you Ms. Schwartz, for any closing remarks.
Leslie Schwartz: Great. Thank you. Thanks everyone again for your
support. We will have a transcript available tomorrow, which I can send
around to everyone. And if anyone needs the links with the Webisodes -
the (unintelligible) codes, please let me know and I can send those to
you as well. Thanks so much.
Operator: Ladies and gentlemen, that does conclude the conference call
for today.
Dean Pelton’s Office Hours
-----------Episode 1-------------
Office Hours: Pamphlet Serious
Dean Pelton mediates an exchange between the Human Being and a GCC
cheerleader.
LINK:
http://www.nbc.com/community/video/clips/1257793/
-----------Episode 2-------------
Office Hours: Hair Piece
Dean Pelton seeks Leonard's advice.
LINK:
http://www.nbc.com/community/video/clips/1257794/
-----------Episode 3-------------
Office Hours: Independent Study Assistant
Dean Pelton's consoles his assistant after a misunderstanding.
LINK:
http://www.nbc.com/community/video/clips/1257795/
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