On a late Thursday afternoon I struggled to hear Jennifer Coolidgeover the phone as she finished shooting on the Warner Brothers lot in Los Angeles. In search for better reception, we played a few rounds of phone tag that was also hampered by her trying to drive home while President Obama's motorcade was traveling through Los Angeles.
Eventually, we were able to connect with clear reception and casually talked for so long that the whole transcript would probably take up all the pages in this week's BARtab section.
Coolidge is known for dozens of film comedy roles in such hits as the "American Pie" series as Stifler's mother, and in the Christopher Guest satires "A Mighty Wind" and "Best in Show." On TV, Coolidge has made dozens of guest appearances, but is most known as Sophie on the hit show "2 Broke Girls."
Off-screen, the actress was incredibly down to earth and inquisitive in our chat, often going off topic to ask about my experience as a stand-up comic.
For now, it's all about Jennifer, as we discussed her growth as a stand-up comic, and her upcoming shows at Cobb's in San Francisco.
Ronn Vigh: Many comedians start in comedy, and then eventually find success as a writer or actor. But you didn't actually start performing stand-up until after you had a well-established career.
Jennifer Coolidge: Yes. There was an event I was asked to host, that someone really famous dropped out of. Somehow, someone got the idea that I could step in, and I was really nervous to do it. It went surprisingly well, and then right after that I started doing small clubs.
You've had many comedic acting roles, but how does doing actual stand-up differ from those?
I kind of really like it, because in acting you don't get to really talk about how you feel. I did a radio show where the guy let you say whatever you wanted and it was really satisfying, I get to comedically say all the stuff that pissed me off. It's very satisfying. You control it all. It's all on your terms. The sky's the limit and there is no censor.
You will be performing stand up at Cobb's in San Francisco this week. I assume you have spent time here before?
Yes, and it's very different from LA. I love everything about your town. The restaurants, the bars, and it has the best coffee in the United States.
There's coffee everywhere. Almost too much!
I'm obsessed with coffee and red wine. Yes, wine, coffee, the food. All my needs get met in San Francisco!
I know it was only two episodes, but I loved you as Bobbie St. Brown in Party Down where you played a kooky catering waitress. Did you ever hold any awkward jobs before all the big roles?
Oh yeah! I worked in a restaurant for 16 years of my life; at 19th & Park Avenue in New York City, and Sandra Bullock was the hostess there, too!
I loved the scene where you're catering a lavish gay wedding and your character gets tipsy and asks the groom and groom how to tell if a guy is gay!
Did I? Wow, I don't remember that at all!
I just re-watched it. It cracks me up every time!
I'm lucky there have been many jobs, that I can't remember all of them anymore; either that or my memory is just going to shit.
There's no second takes when doing live stand-up; have you ever spaced on your material?
I had a terrible moment in Australia, I was sort of sleep-deprived. I hadn't slept in 24 hours and I was standing on stage thinking, I don't remember anything. Nothing! I don't think that has happened here in the states, though.
Early on, I became a pretty good riffer due to the fact that I would forget my next jokes. Now riffing has become a valuable skill and integral part of my stage persona.
Yea, I thought the beginning was very hard. After you do it for a while you can figure out how to get out of a rut. In the beginning, I couldn't figure out how to get out of a story and reverse it if it wasn't going well. But, now I'm not nervous anymore.
What do people shout out more? "Hey, it's Stifler's Mom" or "Bend and Snap?"
It's really those two the most. The girls and gay men all want me to 'bend and snap.' The dudes that were born in the '80s yell out "Stifler's Mom." It's all so odd, because people see certain movies and they assume you're that person. They already have this idea of who you are and it's very real.
Most of those are comedic and your characters are often very "bimboesque," I'd say. But have you ever done a serious part?
I did one. "The Bad Lieutenant" with Nicolas Cage and Eva Mendes, and I thought it was really cool. Sometimes when you're a comic, they don't want to see you in a dramatic role. I had a cab driver in LA who told me the whole ride [mimics cab driver's voice], "Oh, Jennifer, you were a woman in a terrible predicament and I just don't like seeing you that way. Keep doing funny."
Everyone has their opinions. But, it's sort of nice to try it all. I did think it was incredibly interesting to do this role and I'm bummed they're aren't more jobs like that.
I hear that you're a big fan of animals?
I'm a big dog person. I do dog rescue a lot, whenever I find one that's in bad shape.
I have two cats. I'd have 20 more if space and hygiene allowed us to.
I never met an animal lover I didn't like.
If it wasn't for my career, my boyfriend and I would probably move to a big farm in the country where we can save all the animals we want!
I'll do the farm with you.
That will be our reality show!
Yes, then we have a show on television and it will be doing good for the animals! Everybody wins!
Jennifer Coolidge performs March 27, 8 pm & 10:15 pm, March 28, 7:30 pm & 9:45 pm, and March 29, 7:30 pm, at Cobb's Comedy Club, 915 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco. 928-4320. www.cobbscomedyclub.com