Comedian Tom Green is known for a number of things, including acting crazy on his old MTV series, The Tom Green Show, marrying and divorcing Drew Barrymore, surviving testicular cancer, and appearing in films such as Charlie's Angels and Freddy Got Fingered.
But for the past few years, Green has been doing some new things, like hosting an Internet talk show from his living room called Tom Green's House Tonight, and doing stand-up comedy. He'll bring the latter act to the Tempe Improv this weekend.
We recently caught up with Green to discuss celebrities in his house, his upcoming Valley appearance, and why he wants you to follow him on Twitter.
Where did the idea for Tom Green's House Tonight come from?
I was a TV broadcasting student in Canada, and I've been doing editing and such my whole adult life. I've had my website (tomgreen.com) since 1996, but it wasn't possible to do video. So when it became possible, I jumped on. I'd made TV in a grassroots way before, and this is very similar.
People can call in on Skype and see the guests, and we can see them. It's like two-way TV. We've also had people phone in on the show. We've had a lot of celebrity guests, including Jimmy Kimmel, Kathy Griffin, Val Kilmer, Norm MacDonald, Joe Rogan.
Do you guys have drinks after you go offline?
Oh, yeah. Sometimes before. Sometimes during. We've had beers on air -- it's a fun, laid-back thing. And it's linked with everybody's Facebook and Twitter pages. People can talk to me all the time on Twitter. Sometimes, at my shows, I recognize people from Skype or whatever. It happens all the time.
What are some of the things you'll be talking about in your standup routine?
I talk a lot about media, and growing up in the '80s, and things that were different when I was a kid. I talk about things that have happened to me -- I've had cancer and near-death experiences. It's quite a physical, fast-paced show. I also go out and talk to the audience, so it's very interactive. I'm talking about things that are kind of serious and making them outrageous and funny.
You're doing two nights at Tempe Improv. Any plans to go out on the town while you're here?
Usually, after the show, I'll go out on the town. I go out in the day more often, to be honest. I get up early. But we're driving down from L.A. for the show, which should be fun. We're going to film some stuff as we enter the desert and drive across the state. We'll spend some time in Scottsdale and Tempe. Last time I was there, we had drinks with the Phoenix Coyotes. I always like to meet up with the audience after the show, and take pictures for their Facebook pages. I had a great time in Tempe last time.
Well, we're really looking forward to the show. Thank you for chatting with us today.
Thanks! And please tell everybody to follow me on Twitter. My Twitter page is @tomgreenlive.
Tom Green is scheduled to appear at 7 p.m. Thursday, January 13, and 7 and 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, January 14 and 15, at the Tempe Improv, 930 E. University Drive. Tickets cost $20. Call 480-921-9877 or visit www.tempeimprov.com for more information.
