By Tracy Dietlin
Dana Carvey burst on the comedic scene back in the mid-80s as part of the cast of Saturday Night Live. During his 6 year stint on the show he created many memorable characters including “Church Lady,” “Garth” and Hans” to name a few. He also brought us flawless impersonations of President George H. W. Bush, Ross Perot, Johnny Carson and Regis Philbin. And who can forget his off the cuff singing performance of “Brocolli,” one of my favorites.
Carvey went on to achieve even more success with buddy Michael Myers in Wayne’s World and Wayne’s World 2, making him a house hold name. He has also contributed his voice to the animated movies Hotel Transylvania 2 and The Secret Life of Pets.
In 1996, came The Dana Carvey Show, which also featured fellow comedians Steve Carell and Stephen Colbert, as well as SNL writer Robert Smigel.
Carvey has received many accolades including six Emmy Award nominations for SNL, including a 1993 Award for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program, numerous American Comedy Awards and an MTV Movie Award for Best On-Screen Duo for his performance in Wayne’s World.
Most recently he did a brand new standup special for Netflix entitled Straight White Male, 60.
Carvey will be bringing his ‘roll on the floor because you’re laughing so hard’ comedy to Fantasy Springs on Friday, March 24. He took some time out recently to talk with CV Weekly during a side splitting interview.
CVW: “I noticed that this is one of the only shows you have booked other than a few with Jon Lovitz. Are you not doing a full tour?”
Carvey: “Jon and I ended up doing 10 weekends in Vegas this year and so far we’ve done two of them. I do some theater here and there, but I don’t really go on the road that much anymore. I’ll do standup shows when the location makes sense. I did a lot of touring in my youth, but I don’t want to do that now. I didn’t want to be like Three Dog Night.”
CVW: “Who is your favorite character and favorite impersonation to do?”
Carvey: “Usually it’s whatever I’m currently doing like right now it’s Donald Trump. I’ve always enjoyed doing the Church Lady and the crowd loves it. I remember when Lorne Michaels was getting the Congressional Medal of Freedom from President Obama and Obama goes to put the medal on him and says ‘isn’t he special’ and I had to laugh because he meant it in a positive way…but I wrote it to be meant the other way meaning ‘well, isn’t that special’ sarcastically meaning it really isn’t special. Next time I see Barak I’ll have to tell him.”
(CVW: The above paragraph came out of 10 minutes of ensuing laughter and Carvey doing spot on Trump and Obama impersonations and an attempt at Melania. Throughout the interview he does the majority of it as Trump making it the funniest comedian interview I’ve ever done.)
Carvey: “I do Trump a bit metro sexual, he has no hair on his body, just a robe on that’s flapping open, Cheetos all over his mouth. I do it from a sociological point of view which is old school now where I’m just analyzing the phenomenon. There’s so much material to do with him. I love his truncation. He repeats himself and interrupts himself. He’s such a fascinating character. There’s new material on a daily basis with him. And I know Donald. He introduced me when I performed at Trump Casino. It took me a couple of years to get Bush the way I wanted to. I also do the history of President’s and one of my favorites is Roosevelt.”
(CVW: This is where he goes into at least 8 Presidents and I feel like I’m getting my own private show.)
Carvey: “Broccolli was unintentional. It was about a rock star who was out of inspiration, but I do eat broccoli and I do chop it and I sing that every time I do.”
CVW: “What else are you working on? I heard you have secret projects?”
Carvey: “I’m thinking about doing a Podcast where I just go to the microphone and talk with someone and do some riffing like I’m doing with you right now. Well I’m thinking about doing a movie…but I can’t really tell you much more than that. And then there’s a producer that wants me to look at one of his pet projects, but again… Not that I’m trying to be all Secret Agent Man ‘sorry Ma’m but I’m not at liberty to tell you at this time’ (laughing…and goes into his Trump) but the phones might be tapped’”
(CVW: From here I get to enjoy a Sean Connery, Christopher Walken and Chris Rock impersonation and of course, them having conversations with Trump. Priceless! So I ask one final question.)
CVW: “What is the highlight of your career?”
Carvey: “Besides this interview? I think creatively the first Wayne’s World because I got to write my own part and kind of co-direct and edit too. The Dana Carvey show went 8 episodes and creatively I really enjoyed that. Also some of the SNL stuff I did with Phil Hartman and of course, Church Lady. And the stuff I’m working on now. It’s a great time to be in the business.”
Tickets for the 8pm Dana Carvey performance on Friday, March 24, 2017 are $59, $49, and $39 at the Fantasy Springs Box Office, via telephone (800) 827-2946 or online at www.FantasySpringsResort.com.
