Kids say the darndest things

Bruce McCulloch

Time Out New York: What’s it like to be writing sketch again?
Bruce: We’re at a point in our lives where we’re only doing this because we want to. There was a time where we felt like holding on to each other. Now we plug away at our other things—so it’s almost sweeter [to be back together].

TONY: You appreciate it more?
Bruce: Absolutely. Probably more me than the other guys! As the show went on, I didn’t enjoy it as much because I was working on, “What’s the next thing we have to write?” But now it’s just fun to be in a pretty good comedy troupe.

TONY: Just pretty good?
Bruce: If I was drunk I might say the world’s best.

TONY: Well, remind me to call you back when you’re drunk.
Bruce: I had an epiphany a couple of years ago when I was premiering a film called Comeback Season at the Tribeca Film Festival. That day I had an idea for sketch called “Nudist Hospital,” and I thought, I would rather be screening that for people tonight instead of this movie I worked really hard on. I have felt like the pull of sketch in a strong way.

TONY: What do you love about sketch?
Bruce: They’re pop songs. I think it’s actually what I’m best at in the world. I don’t know…maybe it just suits me. I like little weird things. It’s hard to be surreal in American culture. But in sketch comedy, you can quite easily.

TONY: What’s your favorite of your own characters?
Bruce: You know. I’m not like Scott. Scott thinks his characters live and breathe and should be paying tax. I’m not the same way. But I enjoy Kathie the secretary—just because she’s silly and has a big heart, just like my sister. That’s my first impulse.

TONY: Which of you is the heartthrob?
Bruce: Well, I guess that would be me. I’m just kidding. I don’t think there’s a heartthrob—I don’t think there’s ever been a heartthrob, and there’s certainly not one anymore.

TONY: Three out of five said you.
Bruce: Well. They’re just saying that to mock me.

TONY: What’s in your rider when you tour?
Bruce: That we get water and a sandwich. It’s shrunk over the years. Oh. we’d have lobsters and bourbon in the late ’90s but now it’s just water and possibly a sandwich—if the show goes well.

TONY: I think I’ve gotten everything I need.
Bruce: This has been a very nice interview and I don’t feel like sexually harassed, so that’s a plus.

TONY: Has that happened?
Bruce: Yeah—usually from journalists in New York.

TONY: Shoot! Did I miss an opportunity to sexually harass you?
Bruce: We can start the tape recorder again.