John Henson interview
After nearly a half of a decade in hibernation, away from life
behind a talk-show desk, John Henson, has finally resurfaced in the
comedic side of show business.
With the recent debut of his new show, “The John Henson
Project,” he has resumed executing some of his old bits like “Man
of the Week,” which recognizes different men for their unique acts
of genius … or stupidity as it were, and has also crafted new
skits and additional jokes, like commending MILFs (Mothers I’d Like
to … French) who vary from the Catherine Zeta Jones to Joan
Rivers.
“It’s a half hour of TV geared toward making guys laugh. If I
can get guys to come home from a terrible day and make them laugh
and be happy, then I have achieved my goal,” said Henson, who
thinks the show is getting funnier and funnier with every
episode.
Henson said that he especially enjoys working on “The John
Henson Project” because of the freedom that the network, Spike TV,
allows him. They do very little censoring and editing, according to
Henson.
“I’ve worked in network TV, studio TV and cable TV, and some
things wouldn’t slide. But they’re really pretty good about that
here,” said Henson, who added that he was particularly shocked when
the network allowed a joke about Tara Reid in which the punch line
involved her never being able to end a first date without saying,
“Not in the face.”
Henson is best known for hosting E! TV’s Talk Soup, the Emmy
award-winning show that “critiques” segments of daytime TV. In
addition to Henson, Talk Soup produced stars such as Greg Kinnear
and Craig Kilborn, who both once hosted the show.
Many debate that Henson was the funniest of the Talk Soup hosts,
but unlike Kinnear, who went on to star in films-one of which he
received an Oscar nomination for playing a homosexual artist along
side Jack Nicholson (“As Good As It Gets”), and Kilborn who moved
on to work for ESPN and later advanced to “The Late Late Show with
Craig Kilborn,” Henson remained quieter in the industry after his
term with E!
He occasionally appeared in cameos, sticking to serious roles,
in films such as “Stag,” a movie about killing a stripper, “Bar
Hopping,” in which his character dates a woman with Medusa-like
qualities, and “Life Without Dick,” which, well … explains
itself.
But now back on the TV track, Henson said he is excited to be
hosting again.
“The John Henson Project” has many similarities to the style on
Talk Soup, Henson said.
“I’ve hired all the same guys from Talk Soup. We’re starting to
do more improv like the old show and we’re not sticking to the
script as much,” Henson said.
One of the most comedic aspects of entertainment derives from
improvisation and the energy that it creates, Henson said.
“The John Henson Project” airs Sundays on Spike TV and Henson
intends on making it as humorous as possible.
“My ultimate goal is to see people coming back, make people
laugh and to keep and original flavor,” he said.
OUTBOX
Q & A with John Henson:
1. What’s the scoop on some future skits for your show?
“I’m looking for someone to tattoo The John Henson Project logo
somewhere on their body. We want to permanently scar someone. We’ll
fly them out here, pay for their stay … everything.”
2. What side projects do you have on the back burner?
“There’s a movie in development for Adam Sandler that I’m
working on with Kevin Nealon, but I’m focusing mainly on making my
show work.”
3. On one episode of “The John Henson Project,” you said, “Joan
Rivers is a Mom I’d like to … French.” Have you made any
advancement on that?
“You know, I have. But I haven’t sealed the deal. She’s a nimbly
little minx.”
4. You studied acting at Boston University. What’s getting it on
with a Thespian like?
“Let me tell you, there was a reason I was a theater geek while
all my buds were out playing sports. It’s not bad being the only
straight guy.”
5. What was one of the craziest moments of your college
life?
“I used to work at a liquor store when I was in college and
there was a shooting. A crazy construction worker came in when I
was working. That pretty much precipitated me giving up my
$4.70-an-hour job.”
6. What do you like to spend your hoards of Hollywood money
on?
“My rich bounty of basic cable? Well, my wife and I just bought
a BMW X5.”
Station: Spike TV, channel 24
Time: 8 p.m.
Day: Sunday
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