Was Mike Judge out to change the world with his own brand of comic genius? Not in a Michael Moore-ian kind of way, no. I was there only because it was easier to hire a local talent in Texas than from L.A. (or maybe I was really right for the role - I'll take the latter).
Mike's eyes sparkled a little as I left the hotel room at the Holiday Inn where the audition took place (I think it was a Holiday Inn), and I got a call two days later telling me I'd got the role of `waiter.'
I still didn't know what the hell was going on, but I was going to make it as much of a party as I could! This was taking me away from a puppeteer job I was doing on the kids' show "Barney and Friends," so the first round would be on me!
On the set there was a sense that, indeed, this was an indie film. And the job was to make it as much fun for the audience to watch as we were having making it. The feeling was, "The hell with it - we're here! Let's have some fun!" And we DID!
For three days I was there - just outside of Austin, Texas - and I had a blast!
There might have been some leeriness in moments, but who can blame trepidation when the outcome is so good?
Mind you, I was only on set for three days, with a layover pickup scene in Hollywood months later, so I didn't get to bond with all of the main talent.
As far as Cole, McGinley, Root, Bader and the others are concerned, well - their performances look like we were ALL drinking from the same spiked punch bowl (although I believe some of them are sober, so here's to raw talent!). P.S. - I was NEVER drunk on set! Ha ha...
Did anyone really know what we were making, though? There was a script; and all the key players all doing amazing work. Even the crew was fun to hang with, and they added to the air of the set.
But then it bombed at the box office. I remember buying tickets for my friends to come and see it opening day, and we were the ONLY ones there!
But then the movie took on a new life. I believe - and this is mere speculation (I've worked in an office environment, as well as the job of my character in the film, and I hope to NEVER return to either) - it did what it did because the demographic it was intended for didn't A) want to come home from a place they hated to then go out and pay to see parody of the EXACT place for $10, and B) ...well, it goes back to A) - which is: when people come home, they take off their costumes and become themselves. They can laugh at their 9-5's in the comfort of their own home. Which is one of the themes of the movie. And for half price!
For me, it's been priceless! Granted, I've had more guys than girls recognize me in bars, but it's all great! I even get free drinks from time to time! Thanks for that, Mr. Judge!
But on a deeper level, past the "fame" aspect (if getting the occasional, "Hey, aren't you that annoying waiter?" is considered fame), there is a feeling that the movie did something right. It opened the door to something everyone was, and is, thinking, but never openly spoke of until then.
Now there are key phrases from the movie in offices everywhere that allow people to express their rage through the comedy from the film, without getting fired. And to be a part of that - at any level - that's what I feel great about in being a part of this film. Well, that, and a free drink every once in a while!
Photos courtesy of Todd Duffey and 20th Century Fox
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