Our newest Baker's Dozen is with actor Samm Levine! Samm was a "geek" in the critically acclaimed NBC show "Freaks and Geeks" which was canceled before it's time way back in 2000. Samm's also been in movies and is a veteran in the stand up comedy game! TVadviceguy sent him our 13 stupid questions, and he was cool enough to answer them.
1) You grew up in Fort Lee, New Jersey. Before becoming an actor, did you ever consider working in a tollbooth?
I could never work in tollbooth, I hate having to touch people's hands. You know only 1 out of 6 people wash their hands properly after using the bathroom. Seriously.
2) But then you did become an actor, and landed the role of Neil Schweiber on the critically acclaimed, but ratings challenged series “Freaks and Geeks.” How did you get your start?
I started doing stand up comedy when I was 11 years old. I played mostly living rooms, talent shows, and Bar Mitzvahs. Lisa Kudrow wound up being in the audience of a Bar Mitzvah I played in New York once, and after my set she approached me and told me I should be an actor. I found a manager who represented young comedians the next week. After that, it was just about 5 soul crushing years of rejection before I got to audition for Freaks and Geeks.
Samm as Neal Schweiber in "Freaks & Geeks." He was one of the geeks.
3) What was it like being in such a cult hit like “Freaks and Geeks?” And do you ever get sick of talking about that show?
I absolutely never get sick of talking about Freaks and Geeks. That show meant a lot to many people including me. I always enjoy meeting fans of the show and hearing their freaky and geeky stories.
4) I read that you are the youngest member of the New York Friars Club. How did you pull that off? And what attracted you to the Friars - Ted Danson’s blackface routine, or Gilbert Gottfried’s tasteless jokes?
Well, by the time I was 16, I'd been doing stand up comedy in New York City pretty regularly and had several friends who were members of the club. I tried to join then, but Freddie Roman (the Dean of the club) told me I had to wait until I was 18 for "legal" reasons. I'm pretty sure the real reason they let me in the club at all is because they wanted my youthful and delicious organs. And I never really liked Gilbert very much until I saw him perform live at the roast of Hugh Hefner, and that's when I realized he was a comedy god.
5) After “Freaks and Geeks” you went on to do quite a few guest spots in TV sitcoms, but mainly you were seen on the big screen in such comedies as “Not Another Teen Movie,” and “Club Dread.” Which do you prefer, Sitcoms or Movies?
TV is great because the pay is steady and if your show is a hit, you'll be employed for many seasons. But movies are wonderful because you never get stuck playing the same character for years on end. Unless of course you're Michael Winslow.
Samm getting liquored up in Not Another Teen Movie.
6) Speaking of sitcoms, you were in a couple of failed pilots for The WB. “Life’s Too Short” in 2000 with the always funny Michael McKean, and in 2003, “The Mayor” created by Adam Resnick – who happens to be a freakin’ genius. How do you deal with the rejection of a show not being picked up?
Rejection has always been a huge part of my life, so I'm pretty used to it. But with a pilot, you have to set yourself up for disaster since most of them don't get picked up. And even if it does, chances are it'll get cancelled within the first season. This really is an awful business, no?
7) Your most recent credit is the horror film “Pulse.” One of the many remakes of Japanese horror films. Why do you think we have to keep remaking foreign films?
It's because the thinking is that if something is successful in one market, it should be successful in another. And it doesn't just stop with foreign films. Lost was the biggest hit on TV last year, so it's no surprise to me that every network has some Lost rip-off show on their fall schedule this year. Sometimes that system works, sometimes it doesn't.
8) “Freaks and Geeks” producer Judd Apatow has gone on to write and produce big time Hollywood comedy movies. Have you asked him why the hell he never writes you a part?
Every time I do he mumbles something about me being "too Jewish." Whatever that means...
9) By the year 2010, what do you hope to have accomplished?
Wow, there's a loaded question. I guess I'd like to have won an Emmy and an Oscar, be paid 20 million dollars a film, and be married to Natalie Portman. Short of that, I suppose I'd like to just still be able to act for a living. It's really the only thing I know how to do.
10) Who was the coolest celebrity you’ve met, and who was the biggest A-hole?
The coolest guy I've met so far might have to be (Family Guy creator) Seth MacFarlane. He really impressed me with his generosity right off the bat. He's one hell of a nice guy. And as far as the latter half of the question, I've lived in L.A. long enough to know that no matter how I answer that, it'll get me into trouble. Sorry I'm not more of a douche bag for you.
11) I understand you like to play poker. What’s the most you’ve won in a game? And what’s the most you’ve lost?
Oh no, I'm not falling for this one either. Nice try, though.
Samm proving he has the balls to answer our stupid questions.
12) If you could be adopted by any TV family (past or present), who would it be?
Definitely the Tanner family from Full House. Because I could do the most horrible things imaginable in the first half of the day, but at night the cheesy background music would come in, and Bob Saget would tell me that he was disappointed in me, but he still loves me and everything would be okay. God, 80s sitcoms were great.
13) Finally, I’m going to list some names, you jot down some thoughts about them. (Example: Michael McKean – Wouldn’t stop doing his “Lenny” voice.):
• Paul Feig = The nicest, kindest, biggest geek I know. There should be more like him.
• Jake Kasdan = Genius. You heard me.
• Kristen Bell = The most down to earth, genuine person in Hollywood. And it doesn't hurt that she's beautiful and talented, too.
• Sam Huntington = Hilarious. A great improviser and a true professional.
• John Francis Daley
= Too attractive for his own good. Mothers, hide your daughters.
• Judd Apatow = Probably the funniest man I've ever met. He gives hope to funny looking Jewish guys who don't think they can marry hot women.
• Adam Resnick
= Far too humble. He refused to acknowledge that Cabin Boy may very well be the Casablanca of our generation.
• Linda Cardellini = The classiest dame this schmo has ever met. Plus, her smile lights up a room.
14) BONUS: Have you ever been to the Tick Tock Diner, and would you like to have cheese fries and gravy with the staff of TAG sometime?
I've never been to the Tick Tock Diner, but if you're buying, I'm there.
Samm is the second cast member of "Freaks and Geeks" we've done a Baker's Dozen with. Check out our John Francis Daley interview too! We also ran into "Freaks" alumni Jason Segel (currently seen in "How I met Your Mother") at a party, and he said he'd email us back for the Baker's Dozen. But we aint heard from him. Hopefully soon...
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