INTERVIEW with 30 Rock's Scott Adsit: "So now in bars across the world, you can spend 50 cents and hear Liz Lemon and Pete Hornberger yelling at you to 'shoot it up the ramp!'"

timeoutchicago.com Scott Adsit Philly native Christina Gausas, a former writer for Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and Scott Adsit — aka Pete from 30 Rock — ditch New York City for a two-night set beginning tonight with Philly Improv Theater. And improv being what it is, who knows what to expect? If Gausas and Adsit's behind-the-scenes credits don't get you hot and bothered, check out the characters they've played on screen: Hoppy Bunny, Dwight Lomax, Woman with Red Bow, Greasy Man, Man in Dress and Male Addict. Will there be greasy men? Which one will end up in women's clothing? Find out. We sent talked with Adsit about pinball machines dialogue, Mr. Show and Pete Hornberger's mug. City Paper: The mid '90s seem like they must have been pretty wild. I am really interested in is Medieval Madness Pinball. Between you and Tina Fey both being involved, it's hard to think of any pinball machine with more clout and integrity. How'd you two get involved, and have you ever had anything weirder on your CV? Scott Adsit: In 1996 or '97 Midway/Bally came to Second City for advice on scripting the vocal tracks of their new pinball game and found Kevin Dorff (who has been writing for Conan O'Brien since he left Second City) and I. We had a meeting with the creators, Brian Eddy and Lyman Sheats, and found out the kind of things they needed for the game's audio; subtle and complex things — like "Get the extra ball!" and "Charrrrge!" — sure, but the game has several characters that needed punchlines and wisecracks, too. The Wizard, the King of Pain, Sir Loin of Beef, Trolls and that kind of thing. When we needed damsel voices, we went to our castmate, Tina, to give voices to the ladies. So now in bars across the world, you can spend 50 cents and hear Liz Lemon and Pete Hornberger yelling at you to "shoot it up the ramp!" It's a good game. Voted one of the top three pinball games ever, or something. I love it. I bought one and had it shipped from Germany to my sister's basement, where I can play it at Christmas time. CP: You were also involved in Mr. Show during the mid-90s. What was it like having so many future forces in the comedic scene gathered together so early in their careers? Did you have a feeling of the cult appeal the show would take on? 30 Rock is so star studded with recognizable comedians in their primes, the two seem to be great bookends to your career. SA: I came in late to the Mr. Show thing. It had been on for three seasons and I knew several of the main forces behind it from Chicago. Dino Stamatopoulos, Bob Odenkirk and Jay Johnston. Bob and Jay had been at Second City and I also knew Jay and Dino from college. When I moved to California, I was invited into that fold. It was a room of brilliant comic minds, obviously. They didn't seem like future giants, they were just the funniest guys around. They were young and trying to balance their new responsibilities of producing a weekly TV show with just having a good time and making each other laugh. They were confident, laid back yet cocky, and angry at their network, HBO, for not promoting them. I remember in that last season, HBO moved us to the midnight slot on Mondays. That was our time slot! It was hostile on the network's part. Particularly because that sports sitcom, Arli$$, had prime real estate on the schedule and got promoted morning, noon and night. ARLI$$! So Mr. Show went away to everyone's mutual satisfaction. But it was the best sketch show since Python, there's no doubt. I can say that out loud because I wasn't a writer on Mr. Show. Best sketch since Python. CP: I also see that you have a new show on Adult Swim debuting in June, "Mary Shelley's Frankenholes." Give me your hardest pitch for why it will be the best 11 minutes of all time. SA: It won't be. It will be the best stop-motion, anachronistic, twisted, history-intercoursing, obscure pop culture, expressionistic, gothic puppet, Frankenstein pastiche on at that time. But you'll probably find a better 11 minutes just talking to your grandma. CP: Who is your favorite Baldwin brother? SA: Alec is my favorite Baldwin, but he speaks highly of all of them. The Barney Rubble one is funny to watch. CP: Also, are you more into Tina Fey-Sarah Palin or Sarah Palin-Sarah Palin? SA: The Tina Fey Palin is directly interchangeable with the real one. CP: And finally, what is up with that huge clay mug you are always using in 30 Rock? Is it a real-life thing for you? And, if so, are you into hand-turkey finger painting too? SA: Pete's clay mug is not his mug of choice. His mug of choice would be the grand, sexy, exciting, fast-paced mug of a jet-setting playboy with no responsibilities. As it is, he's obligated to use the leaky mug his daughter made for him. Fri.,-Sat., May 14-15, 8 p.m., $20, The Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St., 267-233-1556, phillyimprovtheater.com.

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INTERVIEW with 30 Rock's Scott Adsit: "So now in bars across the world, you can spend 50 cents and hear Liz Lemon and Pete Hornberger yelling at you to 'shoot it up the ramp!'"

POSTED: Friday, May 14, 2010, 2:00 PM

Filed Under: Interview

timeoutchicago.com

Scott Adsit

Philly native Christina Gausas, a former writer for Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and Scott Adsit — aka Pete from 30 Rock — ditch New York City for a two-night set beginning tonight with Philly Improv Theater. And improv being what it is, who knows what to expect? If Gausas and Adsit's behind-the-scenes credits don't get you hot and bothered, check out the characters they've played on screen: Hoppy Bunny, Dwight Lomax, Woman with Red Bow, Greasy Man, Man in Dress and Male Addict. Will there be greasy men? Which one will end up in women's clothing? Find out. We sent talked with Adsit about pinball machines dialogue, Mr. Show and Pete Hornberger's mug. City Paper: The mid '90s seem like they must have been pretty wild. I am really interested in is Medieval Madness Pinball. Between you and Tina Fey both being involved, it's hard to think of any pinball machine with more clout and integrity. How'd you two get involved, and have you ever had anything weirder on your CV? Scott Adsit: In 1996 or '97 Midway/Bally came to Second City for advice on scripting the vocal tracks of their new pinball game and found Kevin Dorff (who has been writing for Conan O'Brien since he left Second City) and I. We had a meeting with the creators, Brian Eddy and Lyman Sheats, and found out the kind of things they needed for the game's audio; subtle and complex things — like "Get the extra ball!" and "Charrrrge!" — sure, but the game has several characters that needed punchlines and wisecracks, too. The Wizard, the King of Pain, Sir Loin of Beef, Trolls and that kind of thing. When we needed damsel voices, we went to our castmate, Tina, to give voices to the ladies. So now in bars across the world, you can spend 50 cents and hear Liz Lemon and Pete Hornberger yelling at you to "shoot it up the ramp!" It's a good game. Voted one of the top three pinball games ever, or something. I love it. I bought one and had it shipped from Germany to my sister's basement, where I can play it at Christmas time. CP: You were also involved in Mr. Show during the mid-90s. What was it like having so many future forces in the comedic scene gathered together so early in their careers? Did you have a feeling of the cult appeal the show would take on? 30 Rock is so star studded with recognizable comedians in their primes, the two seem to be great bookends to your career. SA: I came in late to the Mr. Show thing. It had been on for three seasons and I knew several of the main forces behind it from Chicago. Dino Stamatopoulos, Bob Odenkirk and Jay Johnston. Bob and Jay had been at Second City and I also knew Jay and Dino from college. When I moved to California, I was invited into that fold. It was a room of brilliant comic minds, obviously. They didn't seem like future giants, they were just the funniest guys around. They were young and trying to balance their new responsibilities of producing a weekly TV show with just having a good time and making each other laugh. They were confident, laid back yet cocky, and angry at their network, HBO, for not promoting them. I remember in that last season, HBO moved us to the midnight slot on Mondays. That was our time slot! It was hostile on the network's part. Particularly because that sports sitcom, Arli$$, had prime real estate on the schedule and got promoted morning, noon and night. ARLI$$! So Mr. Show went away to everyone's mutual satisfaction. But it was the best sketch show since Python, there's no doubt. I can say that out loud because I wasn't a writer on Mr. Show. Best sketch since Python. CP: I also see that you have a new show on Adult Swim debuting in June, "Mary Shelley's Frankenholes." Give me your hardest pitch for why it will be the best 11 minutes of all time. SA: It won't be. It will be the best stop-motion, anachronistic, twisted, history-intercoursing, obscure pop culture, expressionistic, gothic puppet, Frankenstein pastiche on at that time. But you'll probably find a better 11 minutes just talking to your grandma. CP: Who is your favorite Baldwin brother? SA: Alec is my favorite Baldwin, but he speaks highly of all of them. The Barney Rubble one is funny to watch. CP: Also, are you more into Tina Fey-Sarah Palin or Sarah Palin-Sarah Palin? SA: The Tina Fey Palin is directly interchangeable with the real one. CP: And finally, what is up with that huge clay mug you are always using in 30 Rock? Is it a real-life thing for you? And, if so, are you into hand-turkey finger painting too? SA: Pete's clay mug is not his mug of choice. His mug of choice would be the grand, sexy, exciting, fast-paced mug of a jet-setting playboy with no responsibilities. As it is, he's obligated to use the leaky mug his daughter made for him.

Fri.,-Sat., May 14-15, 8 p.m., $20, The Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St., 267-233-1556, phillyimprovtheater.com.

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Featuring everything from event roundups to concert reviews and sex talk, City Paper's Critical Mass is a space for off-the-wall coverage of Philly's A&E scene.

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