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Janeane Garofalo
by Jeff Lyons
PROFESSION: Actor, Comedian, Author, Activist
WHERE YOU'VE SEEN HER:
"The Larry Sanders Show," "The Ben Stiller Show," "Reality Bites," "Saturday Night Live," "Romy and Michele's High School Reunion," "Cop Land," "Dog Park," "Mystery Men," "The MatchMaker," "Steal This Movie," "Wet Hot American Summer," "The Laramie Project"
WHAT'S NEXT FOR JANEANE:
She'll be appearing in the new movies "La La Wood," "Ash Tuesday" and "Wonderland" and will be doing her best to get Dean/Clark elected in 2004!
Janeane Garofalo isn't afraid to take controversial stands in the name of justice or debate complex political topics in the press and as a guest host on CNN's Crossfire. UsedWigs, on the other hand, isn't that smart. So we instead asked probing questions about dogs, movies, stand-up comedy and Japanese TV commercials.
When and where was your first stand-up gig?
Periwinkles comedy club in a Rhode Island mall in 1985.
How did it go?
The first stand-up attempt went very well because I wrote my "act" on my arm all the way up past my elbow and every time I consulted my arm the audience found it funny. It was a lucky accident. After the first show it was all down hill until I found my voice. This breakthrough occurred around year two or three.
What are your favorite cities to perform in? Any scary places you won't go anymore?
The blue states are good. The red states are bad, but I think more states are about to turn blue.
You've taken some diverse film roles (Steal This Movie, The Laramie Project, Ash Tuesday) since your early comedic parts. What character was the most challenging? What character was least like you?
Steal This Movie and The Laramie Project were the hardest because both women I played were alive and monitoring my progress or lack there of.
You're in the new movie Wonderland about the seedy world of porn and murder in Hollywood. How did you prepare for the role?
The usual... whatever the director guilt trips me into.
A lot of your parts and movies have smoking as a critical element (Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion, 200 Cigarettes, Half Baked). Is there any message you'd like to give to the kids who might be reading this?
Smoke em' if you got em'.
I often hear actors say "We're like a family! We're now best friends!" referring to the cast after making a movie. Have you had a similar positive bonding experience when making a film?
Sometimes you leave a film set with new friends for life. Sometimes... not so much.
When was the last time you walked out of a movie?
I rarely go to the movies but my walk out days are far from over.
You play a rock critic in Ash Tuesday. What are you listening to now? What offends your ears?
In my CD player at the moment are The Libertines, Guster, Turin Brakes, Audioslave, and The Black Keys.
You have done ads for The Nation (right on!). Have you endorsed other products? Ever jetted to Japan and made a commercial for a quick million that we don't know about?
I have no Japanese ads in my closet BUT if they need me I'll do my part. I am now endorsing a wonderful American product — Al Franken's new must-have book, "Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right." Al doesn't know I'm endorsing his book, but what the heck. Buy it!!
You seem to be a die-hard city gal. How would you fare living in the country for a prolonged period of time?
I don't know ... what country?
How did you entertain yourself during the blackout? Did you behave like all the other good New Yorkers as the news reported?
I broke windows with a bat and looted diapers.
Name a form of supposed entertainment the world could do without.
The Republican Party.
What is the fatal flaw that makes the majority of comedies (TV and movies) so damn lame?
Network executives who have been sworn to uphold mediocrity.
What is the most difficult part of being a vegetarian?
Eating bacon.
What are the best veggie foods?
Ones with meat in them.
You're a dog person. Do your dogs ever get mad at you? If so, how do you reconcile?
The dogs aren't speaking to me at the moment... apparently I am in the people-house.
What is the most valuable piece of advice you offered in your self-help guide "Feel This Book" written with Ben Stiller?
I can't recall... I never read it.
I've read that you are still "legally" married. True?
I am not at liberty to say... is this a proposal?
I'm not at liberty to answer. You are feeling a bit blue and you can have any three people perform for you to cheer you up, name them.
I would like to make all the uber pro-war partisan pseudo patriots walk naked through Mosul. In sets of three.
Give us one simple thing we can do to make life a little better for everyone.
Eliminate the Freerepuplic "Freep" militia of sociopaths that are turning the U.S. into John Rocker Nation.
What are you working on now? Next?
See my last two responses.
Ever consider running for political office?
No. Peace and Dean/Clark in 2004!!!!
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