Printer-friendly version

Send to a friend

You might also be interested in

• Truckin'
• Guides
• Thump Me

This Issue 09/28/2006

Also in this issue

• Mad Tea Party
• Give Me 5
• Fear is not a factor
• Reinventing Lennon

Street had an exclusive phone interview with Steve Carell - writer, actor, former 40-year-old virgin - on September 14 to hear his thoughts on his film and TV career. What we found is that he's nothing like Michael Scott, his awkward alter ego on The Office, the Emmy-winning NBC comedy, airing Thursdays at 8:30.

Forget about being humble - would you have preferred to win the Best Actor Emmy instead of The Office winning the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy?

Oh, I love how you put that. Tell us what you really think. Come on, you want to hear it. Ya know, honestly, to choose, no. To get the show, get that kind of recognition, is huge and frankly I feel like it buys us maybe another season of good will at NBC, so I think that's much more important. Much more important just for all involved as well because there are so many people who do such good jobs that deserve the credit. So, so, all temperament aside, it was a really good win for everybody.

If Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant [co-writers of the original British Office] are displeased with the Jim and Pam relationship, do you think that could ignite another War of 1812?

As far as I know, he has really loved our plotlines. I don't think it will incite a battle between cultures and nationalities. But ya never know, because Ricky and Stephen are very hotheaded Brits and they are taken to fights of fancy and I wouldn't put it past them. And ya know, here's the thing: at the very least Ricky and I will have a duel at some point. And so, I think we'll probably just have to leave it at that. I challenged him to a wrestling match where we get oiled up and just go at it. And frankly I think it's something that could play well on Pay-Per-View. But, no, honestly, they've been really supportive of the show and the plot and so I think they've just been happy, they're so gracious, they've been great, all the way along.

We know what Michael Scott thinks, but would you rather be feared or loved?

I, personally, would rather be loved. Who wouldn't rather be loved?

And how do you feel about the fact that college students love lamps and like to shout "LOUD NOISES!" thanks to Anchorman?

[laughs] That doesn't speak very highly of our college students! [laughs again] Oh, you left out "I ate a big red candle."

Speaking of quotable lines, of all your lines from your career, what's your favorite?

Of all my lines from my career, what is my favorite line? Uh.boy.maybe, "I killed a guy with a trident."

When people come up to you on the street, which of your characters are you most often identified as?