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Comedian/actress Jennifer Coolidge will
headline the
Miami Improv in
Miami. Coolidge is known
for her supporting roles in many comedy movies and guest
spots on television. She is best known for playing
"Stifler's mom"- the consummate "MILF," in the "American
Pie" films, though she is also known for supporting
parts in other films, including Hilary Duff's stepmother
in "A Cinderella Story," and Paulette, the manicurist in
"Legally Blonde" and its sequel. She recently spoke with
Mark's List about her show, reality television and her
frustrations with Hollywood.
So you’re coming to the
Miami Improv.
What can we expect from your
show?
I’m excited to get to some warm
weather. I talk about
Hollywood
and my frustrations with where
Hollywood
is going. We have this strange
“reality” television world out there that has become
Los Angeles. I talk about all of
the weird celebrity behavior I witness and events I go
to. I pretty much go after everyone who deserves it—self
important celebrities who say the most ridiculous things
to get themselves more attention.
I also change up the show depending
on the city and tie in observations about that
particular city. In certain cities people will come up
to me and say the craziest stuff because they recognize
me from the movies. I like to talk
about that stuff.
What bothers you the most
about the current state of
Hollywood?
| "If
I watch 'Tyra' I don’t want to hear about girls who eat
sofa cushions or chalk or comet." |
There are all of these reality
shows out there with no message for a kid to educate
themselves. A lot of these
“celebrities” on reality shows haven’t even finished
high school. The shows have nothing to do with
developing your mind—they're more about getting drunk and
saying really dumb stuff on camera. I just feel like
Hollywood
has hit an all-time low. I want people to get bored with
this sensationalism on television. If
I watch “Tyra” I don’t want to hear about girls who eat
sofa cushions or chalk or comet. This
is a show that young girls are tuning in to. It’s just
so bizarre that they can get a whole show out of stuff
like that. It’s almost like, “What’s
the weirdest thing we can put on to get ratings?” I
don’t think watching any of these shows helps anyone.
But it’s not like I’m reading from the podium in
any of these comedy shows—my stuff is pretty filthy and
crass, but I still feel like I have a morale compass
where I at least acknowledge my own desperation or
faults.
Have you ever been
approached to do a reality show?
I have, but I’m an actress and I
don’t really want to play myself over and over. I don’t
know what my show would be about—I don’t think I’m
interesting enough right now [laughs].
When I watch reality television shows I just get
really depressed. Young girls who watch “The
Kardashians” are watching it thinking that these girls
are living this glorified life when it’s not.
But there are some “reality” shows out there that
are great like “Project Runway” where people do cool,
creative things. It’s just shows like
“The Hills” and “The Kardashians” and “Jersey
Shore” that don’t give kids
anything to look up to and aspire to.
I don’t know how someone could watch “Jersey
Shore” and not feel like a winner
when comparing themselves to the people on the show.
You made the phrase “MILF”
immensely popular in "American Pie."
Do you still get a lot of
attention now as a result of being a MILF? Do you think
you gave the real MILF’s out there someone to look up
to?
Well there’s been a trilogy and
there’s a new one in the works, which “Stiffler’s mom”
will definitely be a part of. It’s a good movie for the
younger generations to watch over and over.
Frankly, I’m single and it gets me a lot of dates
that I probably would not otherwise have.
It’s absolutely been a positive thing.
What do you think about
older women being with younger men?
I think it’s a really good combo—I
really do. It’s way bigger in
Europe, but I definitely think it’s the way
to go.
I read that doing comedy
was like therapy for you.
Why is that?
It’s therapy in the way that you
can express your point of view in front of a large
group. If you can verbalize what a lot of other people
are thinking it’s incredibly freeing.
I think celebrities get away with a lot.
When you tell the audience some of the stories
you realize that a lot of them have caught the bullshit
that some celebrities put out there.
Another role as Paulette on
Legally Blonde gained you lots of gay fans with the
“bend and snap.”
Do you hang out with a lot of your gay
fans?
I hang out with my gay fans in
almost every city I go to and usually go to a good drag
show or nightclub after the show, and I know there are
plenty in Miami.
I really liked
Twist last time I was there.
During your show, what do
you want the audience to take away?
Do you just want them to have a
good time and laugh?
That’s a really smart question.
Sometimes I don’t know what I’m going for—I just really
want to be entertaining and I want people to feel like
they came out and had a great time. The one thing I do
know is you can’t care too much whether people are going
to like what you say. If you ever try to please anyone
you end up pleasing no one. Sometimes
it’s beyond my control—sometimes people just don’t feel
the same way you do about a certain topic; but hopefully
they can relate. It’s what I talked
about before with comedy being therapy.
Do you plan on seeing any
of the sites while you are in
South Florida? Do
you like to unwind during the day?
There was a
great wine and food show on the beach last time I was
there. During the day I just check the calendars to find
the most interesting things that are going on. I
just really enjoy myself when I’m in
Miami—it’s a very friendly city
and great shopping!
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