All-around funnyman
Former football player turned comedian Joel McHale is a hot commodity in TV
It’s been blazing hot in Southern California.
And Joel McHale is trying to find a way to adapt.
The comedian and actor is working on Netflix’s “Santa Clarita Diet,” which was filming on location and in 100-plus degree weather.
“I need to adapt better,” he says. “Working with Drew (Barrymore) and Tim (Olyphant), they have it down. I seem like I’m just melting. I can’t handle it.”
McHale is a jack of all trades. In addition to acting and standup comedy, he’s also a writer, a TV producer and a TV host.
His hosting gig on “The Soup,” helped raise his profile and led him to his current TV show on Netflix, “The Joel McHale Show With Joel McHale.”
He starred in the NBC series, “Community,” in which he played Jeff Winger for six seasons.
The 46-year-old’s work ethic dates to his childhood.
“My work ethic growing up was ‘do everything, all the time,’” he says. “I had a paper route. I worked at a restaurant. I worked at an espresso bar. That’s the same attitude I take in my work today. I want people to get to the point where they are tired of me. That’s why I’ve been appearing on game shows and doing the talk show circuit. I’m a very extroverted personality. Most people look at me like I’m a freak.”
McHale was born in Rome and was raised Catholic. He played football for the University of Washington, where he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
Performing was always something he wanted to do.
“There’s no shortage of narcissism,” he quips about himself. “I could talk about myself for hours. It’s nauseating.”
In his stand-up comedy shows, McHale talks about his experiences and the world.
And there’s plenty to pull from, as the 24-hour news cycle seems to never slow down.
“You would think that the news would keep us all busy,” he says.
“It does seem like young and old people, alike, have a ton of time. They’re always posting on Twitter and Instagram and explaining it. #mondayblues. #humpday #beachlife.”
McHale’s shows at The Stage at Santa Ana Star on Aug. 17, will be his first time performing in New Mexico.
You can bet he won’t slow down anytime soon with the number of projects he’s involved in.
“Usually my agent will send me the script and then I don’t read it for a month,” he says. “The agent calls back and asks me if I have read it. I say ‘Yeah.’ Then I get a meeting with a director and cut to me reading the script and finishing it 10 minutes before the meeting. That’s how my life works.”