A couple weeks ago I got an email from our A&E editor (and from what I've been told, snazy shoe wearer) Scott Renshaw, who said something along the lines of... “Hey, would you like to interview David Koechner for that blog you have?” To which my instant thought before replying was “Wait a sec... how do I know this is the real Scott Renshaw? And not just some pathetic club tying to get press after refusing to be interviewed because I wasn't holy owned?” Then I checked the email, saw it was really Scott, and breathed a sigh of relief.

--- Koechner should be a familiar face to most, on television having done a stint on SNL, as well as the Todd Packer on “The Office” and his own Comedy Central show “T-Bones & The Naked Trucker”. Not to mention film roles in “Talladega Nights”, “Thank You For Smoking” and “Anchorman”, Koechner has been one of the best comedic acts and go-to men over the past ten years. Currently on a stand-up tour, he drops by Utah and makes his way over to Wiseguys in West Valley City tomorrow and Saturday night. Prior to that I got a chance to chat with him briefly via email on his way here, chatting parts of his career and what to expect from him.

David Koechner

http://www.davidkoechner.com/

Gavin: Hey David! First thing, how are things going for you right now?

David: Could not be better. Having a great summer. We have taken a couple of family vacations. One to Missouri for my niece's wedding which was a lot of fun, and the kids got to play with their cousins and another short camping trip where we all got good and dirty.

Gavin: What made you take an interest in comedy and who were some of your favorites growing up?

David: I am the third of six kids so trying to be funny was a way to get attention and entertain myself. My favorites growing up were Abbott & Costello and the Marx Brothers. Later it was Monty Python and I was of fan of "Saturday Night Live" from the very first show.

Gavin: How did the decision come about to enter professionally, and why did you choose Second City?

David: I was a Political Science major and realized I would never be Senator because I did not belong to a Country Club. I visited a friend in Chicago and went to see a show at Second City and found out you could take classes, so I moved to Chicago.

Gavin: What was it like for you breaking into the business and eventually landing a spot on "SNL"?

David: I was in a resident company at Second City and so I was being paid to act, which is a great thing. I was invited to audition for "SNL" and got flown to New York three times. It was a thrill every time. Nerve racking yet very exciting. It was a dream come true to be a cast member.

Gavin: How was it for you working for NBC, especially when you moved over to Conan O'Brien?

David: I did not actually move over to Conan. I had a lot of friends who were writers on the show and they occasionally cast me in short sketches. I probably did no more than five.

Gavin: When did you meet David Allen and how did you both become friends?

David: I met Dave Allen when he was a guest writer on "SNL". He and I worked together on a movie called "Dill Scallion" about a year and a half later and struck up a friendship then.

Gavin: You both got together and performed as the Naked Trucker & T-Bones for about eight years. What was it like for you taking that act around the country and even getting a Comedy Central show from it?

David: Doing the Naked Trucker & T-Bones show live and for the TV show are some of my favorite performances of my life. They are just about as much fun as I have ever had on stage.

Gavin: Are those two characters done or will we see them come back down the road?

David: I do T-Bones in my act still. I hope to do the Naked Trucker & T-Bones again soon.

Gavin: You've had a pretty active schedule both film and TV wise in recent years. Is there anything you personally look for when you audition or are you pretty open to anything?

David: My wife and I have been blessed with four children and we have one on the way. Needless to say I am open to almost anything that is not considered pornography.

Gavin: On a more disappointing note, "Anchorman 2" was rejected for production. What happened with that, and what are you thoughts on it not happening?

David: I am disappointed too. I do not know the details of what happened but I think Paul Rudd or Steve Carrell suggested we just go ahead and make "Anchorman 3".

Gavin: Are you looking forward to anything when you hit Salt Lake City?

David: Can I just sleep in? I have four kids remember and one on the way. Hey can I borrow five bucks?

Gavin: Sure, I'll chip in. You'll be in town for two days out at the West Valley location. What can people expect to see at the shows?

David: I do characters, tell jokes, stories and sing a few funny songs, then if the show goes well the audience and I all go out and get tattoo's.

Gavin: What can we expect from you over the rest of the year?

David: I will be touring in the early fall and you will probably see me turn up on "The Office".

Gavin: Aside the obvious, is there anything you'd like to plug?

David: Let's have a good time.

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