New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
Bob Saget: Comic’s podcast aims for conversation, humor
“I had a whole tour set up, a whole new hour ready to go and I was ready to do a special this year,” says comedian Bob Saget,” who was supposed to perform in Milford May 28. When the pandemic grounded his plans, he wound up home in California.
But Saget, 64, wasn’t content to just sit and wait things out. So, when he was approached to do a podcast, he said yes. It’s called “Bob Saget’s Here For You,” and it’s just like him — perfectly personable, with a mix of seriousness and off-the-cuff humor.
The podcast has featured guests such as John Stamos and Tiffany Haddish (he’s known her since she was a teenager, just starting out and living in her car). TV host/ comedian Howie Mandel, also a longtime pal, was on, too. Since the notorious germophobe doesn’t shakes hands, Saget teased him about being a prophet.
But the podcast is not about Saget or his celebrity friends. He says the real aims is having genuine conversations with anyone who wants to talk. People can call him at 562-600-0343 and leave a message. The podcast runs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; some of those episodes are just callbacks with regular folks.
“I want to keep people laughing and say things I feel are poignant,” says Saget, who lives with his wife, Kelly, in Los Angeles. “There’s a lot of creativity ahead that I have to do or I’m not fulfilled as a human. Some people call it a work ethic. I call it just a fire that burns in me. It’s not gas,” he said, laughing, “although my wife made an amazing barbecue meal the other night and I am feeling the repercussions ... so you’ve got to be careful in quarantine.”
Saget loves how his podcast is fostering connections. “People leave their number on this phone line with my voice (message). I call them on certain days; it’s announced on Instagram and Twitter. I’m so touched by how happy they are to hear from me. It’s not like a celebrity calling, it’s like they have a relationship with me because they have followed my career or like what I do.
In his early years, Saget was best known as dad Danny Tanner on ABC’s “Full House.” The director and bestselling author hosted “America’s Funniest Home Videos” for nearly a decade and was recently in Netflix’s “Fuller House.” He’s also known for his adult-oriented comedy, and for voicing the future Ted Mosby on the sitcom, “How I Met Your Mother,” from 2005 to 2014.
His podcasts cover everything. In lighter moments, Saget, a father of three grown daughters, can be found answering questions about
“Full House,” sharing career advice or reminiscing with fans about some of their favorite performers. (One person wanted to chat about the late Chris Farley.)
But some who call are truly struggling because of what they’ve lost; to those folks, he offers comfort. “If they’re having a difficult time and tell me this is the best moment of their day during this quarantine, it really touches me,” he said. “I’ll go into the kitchen sometimes and sit and cry. My wife, Kelly, consoles me . ... I feel so much for so many people who are going through such a hard time.”
Saget looks forward to when the pandemic is over and people can begin to heal. For now though, his Milford date has been rescheduled to Oct. 15 (tickets via https:// bit.ly/2AMPNmI), and his podcast continues. Comedian Bill Burr, who has a new movie (Pete Davidson’s “The King of Staten Island”) dropping soon, will be his guest Monday, June 1.
Meanwhile, Saget plans to produce a documentary about what people have been doing while quarantined.
“I’m just doing it because it’s what’s in me,” he said. “I’ve asked people to send in tapes and upload them. It’s not all entertainment oriented. No editing is required, quite a bit has already come in.”
Details are at hungrymindpictures.com; the deadline is May 30.