The Baker’s Dozen is back with actor & comedian Hal Sparks! Hal is quite the TV vet now with his "Talk Soup" gig, his starring role on "Queer as Folk," and currently he's a finalist on FOX's "Celebrity Duets." Of course his proudest achievement yet, is his 13 Questions with TVadviceguy! Enjoy.
1)Tell us how you got your start in Show Biz.
1) Well technically my career started with doing Stand-up comedy at 15. But I really trace it back to lip-syncing KISS Alive II at my elementary schools talent show... immediately afterward I had to go back to class and do my times tables. I was still dressed as Paul Stanley..make up and all.
2) I read that you wrote jokes for some older
comedians. Who were these old timers, and what was your favorite gag you wrote for them?
I can't say for legal reasons... as for my favorite joke? I wouldn't have sold any that I really liked. I keep those for myself
3) Who were your comedy idols growing up?
George Carlin, Steve Martin and Richard Pryor. .
4) You hosted Talk Soup from 1999-2000, after Greg Kinnear and John Henson. Did you think that gig would propel you to your own late night talk show and movie career, or were you afraid you'd go the Henson route?
At that point only one host had gone on to do anything and John had just left. Everyone kept saying this is a "Springboard!" Talk Soup "is a great Springboard"...well springboards are great when they are pointed in the right direction. They can also send you into a brick wall or down a ravine. I knew that whatever came from TS was my responsibility. I point the springboard in the right direction. Seems to have worked so far.
There's a fly in my "Talk Soup."
5) You landed a lead role on the Showtime series
"Queer as Folk." As a straight male was that a
difficult role at first? And are you now considered
an honorary member of the "family?"
It was always a difficult role. Most television drama is really hard to do. All character issues aside you are payed to deal with drama every week. Toxic friendships, fear, betrayal... all these things we try to avoid in our lives become your bread and butter. As for playing a gay character, sure, the sex scenes were uncomfortable but as long as you know your doing the show for the right reasons you can learn to deal. As for being a member of the family?.... depends on whom you ask.
6) It's time for TAG’s "Either, Or!"
• Sally Jesse Raphiel, or Jerry Springer = Jerry.. he's from Chicago and once wrote a check to a prostitute... hilarious!
• Marie Osmond's facelift, or Little Richard's
facelift = Ouch! When you get your facelift you'll be happy that others went before you.
• Tattoos, or Piercings = depends on where they are located.
• Paul Stanley Solo Album, or Ace Frehley Solo Album = Paul.
• The 1970s, or the 1980s = Haven't you heard? I love them both.
• Bocca Burger, Gardenburger, or Morningstar Burger = Bocca.
• Laugh Factory, or Comedy Store = The Improvisation.
7) You can currently be seen on the FOX hit "Celebrity
Duets," how long have you been singing? And if you
dont win, who do you think should?
I've been singing since my first shower so.... about..um..3 years. If I don't win I think they should have everybody come back and have a shoot out song contest where everyone sings their forte. I'd say Chris Jerico.
Vote for Hal.
8) You dont drink alcohol. So what do you do to
unwind and/or try to forget that we're all going to
die one day?
Sex and video games... sometimes at the same time. Look out!
9) So what's next for Hal Sparks?
Stand-up tour. My band ZERO 1's album comes out on Halloween.
10) Your full name is Hal Harry Magee Sparks III. How much shit did you get as a kid with that name? And
will there be a IV?
I got shit for being a wise-ass no one cared about my name. there will be no IV. I wouldn't pass on Harry OR Magee to my kids.
11) You appeared on "Pyramid." Please give me the answer from the following clues:
Please don't hit me... I love poop... Boy are my wings tired...
Chuck Berry?...Danny Thomas?... sorry I'm stuck on the 2nd clue.
Wrong. Correct answer - "Things a fly would say."
12) If you could be adopted by any TV family (past or
present), who would it be?
Gene Simmons' or if you want fiction.. the Munsters
13) I will list some names here, go ahead and give me your thoughts. (Example: Paul Stanley = Incredible front man, who seems to also like it in the back.)
*Patrick Warburton = The TICK! Should be bigger than he is.
*Aisha Tyler = Tall, pretty, smart. Seen her 4 times in public..that's all I got.
*Cheech Marin = Funny and mellow..SURPRISE!
*Ashton Kutcher = Couger much? I had fun working with him. He's a smart guy. Punked however was an evil show. It's meaner than it is funny.
*Gene Simmons= I grew up with him as one of my primary male role models. He doesn't drink. Doesn't get high. Cool.
*Mary Lynn Rajskub = She is a really funny girl. Had a great time working with her on Dude, where's my car.
*Tom McNamara = Better comedy side kick than he was a stage manager... and he's a great stage manager. I think he would have enjoyed working with me more if I was hammered too.
oh and if you pick on Paul again..... you'll get it in the back... I know people who "know" people.
Cheers
Hal
Hal Sparks wins the award for "Quickest Reply to TAG's 13 Questions!" He sent these things back within an hour, so that's very cool. TAG has been a fan of Hal's for years, so we're stoked that he bothered to answer our 13 Questions. So make sure to go to Hal's site at www.halsparks.com and make sure you vote for him on "Celebrity Duets" because he can actually carry a tune, and he brings the rock. His band Zero 1 also has a website zero1band.com and a Myspace Page.
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