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A Conversation with Bill Engvall
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Bill Engvall headlines The Bill Engvall Show on TBS
Stand up comedian Bill Engvall’s debut comedy CD, “Here’s Your Sign,” has been certified Platinum. Millions of fans have rolled in the aisles at his “Blue Collar Comedy Tour” and his hit TV sitcom, “The Bill Engvall Show,” is one of the highest rated ad-supported sitcoms in cable history. The Bill Engvall Show returns to TBS will all new episodes on July 18.
Mike Parker – The Bill Engvall Show is a situation comedy about a functional traditional family. That’s kind of radical. Even in the heyday of family comedies, with the possible exception of The Cosby Show, you have to go all the way back to “Father Knows Best,” Leave It To Beaver,” or “Ozzie and Harriett” to find a mother, father and kids.
Bill Engvall – That is what I wanted to achieve. I didn’t want to have the finger- wagging, overbearing wife, the bumbling father, and the smart-ass kids. I think that has been done to death and I don’t find it funny.
Parker – Your character on the show has a special relationship with his daughter. I think most fathers who have both sons and daughters can appreciate that bond between daddies and their little girls. Do you have some personal background in that type of relationship?
Engvall – Oh, yeah. My little girl, who is now all grown up, is still my littler girl. My relationship with my son is good, too. It’s just different. I wanted the show to reflect the fact that you can have different kinds of relationships with your kids and they can still all be good.
Parker – Even in broadcast television it’s pretty easy to cross the line into crass humor. The Bill Engvall Show manages to keep things pretty clean while still managing to be really funny.
Engvall – Thank you. I think the success of my standup comedy was based on people being able to come to my shows and not having to worry about what they were going to hear. We wanted to do a show that was funny without going too far down in the gutter.
Parker – Now, you are originally from Texas, and those who are not from Texas probably don’t get it, but that puts a whole different spin on how you relate to other people.
Engvall – I totally agree. People from the South tend to have a better background in manners and respect for their elders. The Mid-West is a lot that way, too. I think that is why our audience tends to come from those area. That is one of the things I love about this show. The kids on the show are teenagers, so they are going to smart off to their parents from time to time, but they don’t get away with it. You don't have one parent laughing and saying, 'well, they sure got you.' The parents don’t stand for it and there are repercussions.
Parker – I understand in your younger years you had planned on going into the teaching profession. What steered you into comedy?
Engvall – It fulfilled all three of my job requirements – I could sleep late, work at night, and drink on the job. Honestly, I love what I do. I love doing stand up.
Parker – What’s coming up next?
Engvall – We’re going to Chicago this weekend to tape a new special called “Aged and Confused” that will air this fall. We recently wrapped up shooting the new season of The Bill Engvall Show. We’ll be watching the numbers on that and hopefully return sometime this fall to start shooting the next season. Maybe a couple of movie roles, if the opportunity presents itself.
Parker – Last words?
Engvall – Watch the show. You are going to enjoy it. Make the family night concept work.
The Seven Questions
1. What’s your favorite sound?
Engvall – A golf ball leaving a golf club. That means I’m relaxing on the golf course.
2. What makes you happy?
Engvall – When I am working and I look up and I see my wife in the audience smiling.
3. What makes you angry?
Engvall – Stupidity. I can handle mistakes, but stupidity just makes me mad.
4. What is the secret of success?
Engvall – Just hanging in there. I’m the poster boy for ‘if you just hang around long enough somebody will give you a job.
5. If you could have dinner with anyone in history, living or dead, who would it be?
Engvall – I’m gonna say Jesus, because I figure He would have the answers to all the questions I want to ask.
6. What is the epitaph that is written on your tombstone?
Engvall – “He was a nice guy.”
7. When you get to heaven, what is the first thing you want to hear God say to you?
Engvall – “Your granddad is right over there, and he’s waiting to see you.”
For more info: visit Bill Engvall's official website
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