OnlineHost: Greg Kinnear is Host and Executive Producer of NBC's "Later with Greg Kinnear," a lively half-hour talk program featuring in-depth one-on-one interviews and with his signature "videologue," in which he has fun irreverent comedy sketches. Kinnear opens each show with video clips taken from news events of the day.
Kinnear is producer of E! Entertainment Television's critically acclaimed show "Talk Soup," which showcases the most outlandish guests and interesting topics on daytime talk shows to a nationwide television audience.
Since its debut in December 1991, "Talk Soup" has been nominated for two CableACE awards -- the only program on E! to have received that distinction. As the host of "Talk Soup," Kinnear has been master of not one but all talk shows, highlighting the best segments from various programs.
With his father in the State Department, Kinnear grew up virtually all over the,world, spending his formative years in Logansport, IN; Washington, DC; Beirut, Lebanon; and Athens, Greece. He gained his first international broadcast experience while attending high school in Athens, as the host of a show on Armed Forces Radio called "School Daze with Greg Kinnear."
Kinnear earned a degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Arizona. After graduation he moved to Los Angeles and landed a job at a low-budget film company before moving over to Movietime to host a variety of segments on that 24-hour entertainment network. Movietime was eventually taken over by HBO and was renamed E! Entertainment Television. Kinnearwas named host of an international entertainment show called "The HBO International Report."
In 1991 Kinnear co-created and served as the executive producer of his own series for the Fox network, "The Best of the Worst."
And now... America Online and NBC Online bring you the opportunity to stay up "earlier" with the star of "Later," Greg Kinnear!
Well, I'm going to talk to you for a just a second..
This will go down as my most bizarre 60 minutes ever experienced.....Questions?
And then we'll get right into some questions.... (That'll be the bizarre part) Firstly, is this your
first time in the 'online environment' ?
Absolutely.
Oooh.. An online virgin of sorts.. This is almost scary..
And, I'm not very computer literate. So, forgive me if any of this seems a little
rough.
We'll forgive you that this time, but next time, be prepared...ok? Let's dig right into the
questions..
Of course!
Here's the very first one.. What guests would you really like to get on Later, but who have
so far resisted?
Johnny Carson, Steve Martin and The Pope.
The
Pope.. he'd be hard to get..Next question comes from Spok2..Hi Greg...Mike from
Trenton, Michigan here.... MY Question: What is it like being the host AND executive producer of
both your shows??? Is the workload doubled???
The fact is...it's become actually
easier to get guests since we started. I think people wanted
to see the show and see how it worked before they committed...and it's become a lot easier with
time.
For the question...from Mike though...It's been a lot of hard work, but actually it's gotten easier with time. Like anything else. Being Executive Producer really does nothing more than let me be involved creatively in the show and who works on it.
And a question about your 'formative years' from SMW1...Since you spent so many of your
growing up years overseas, how did you keep up with American pop culture?
Video tape.Friends used to send me VHS copies of Saturday Night Live...The Tonight
Show...Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman. Plus there was a big American contingency over there so
it wasn't as tough as it might seem.
John455 wants to know about your interview with another NBCstar.. Love the shows Greg...
Were you sweating around the collar when you interviewed Crystal Bernard?
That's an affirmative, Johnny Boy. Things were getting a little steamy...:)
Mythos Man wants to know...Did you enjoy filming the segment on Talk Soup where you
pretended to be a martial-arts fighter? I thought that was hilarious!
Actually...We did that on "Later" and I just ran it as a highlight in "TalkSoup"...and ironically,
I just came upstairs from shooting "Ninja Part II" for next week.
David KC has a question about the future...Congrats on reaching show #100 this Monday. Do
you plan on doing anything different with Later in the future?
First of all, I didn't know we were on show 100! However, now that you mention it, I've
decided to do the broadcast entirely naked.
Ooohh.. Boy..The next question comes from .... well, heck, I'll let him talk...Hi Greg. I've been
a big fan since Best of the Worst. It was there that I noticed your similarity to Dave Letterman.
Has he been a major influence on your comedy style? Thanks! Tom Celentano, New Haven,
CT
Yeah, I think he has.As well as, you know, Jay...and a lot of the other people
who have been in Late Night. I suppose my biggest influence to get into this business was
Carson.
KBenton has an 'auto' question...Hi Greg, do you have an Eagle Talon in
addition to the red Lexus??? :))
Are you a stalker?
And a Wheel of Fortune question...Are you confused frequently with Pat Sajak??
No, the confusion is still pretty much with Dan Quayle. God Bless you.
And this guy wants to know about the ties...Some of the ties you wear on "Later" are weird.
Do you wear them by choice?
First of all, thank you. NBC has forced me to make
bad fashion choices. I'm a victim. Please send help.
That explains Conan too...And
speaking of Conan...Greg, are you still in line for Conan's job?
No, I'm still pursuing
Bryant Gumbel's job...but thanks anyway.
Greg, have you ever been totally freaked out by a fan? How did he/she/it scare
you?
He approached me in strange clothes...He screamed...He yelled...He
sang...He was Richard Simmons.
And about that animal magnetism of yours.. David
KC wants to know...Female musical guests (Patti LaBelle, Marie Osmond, Tori Amos) always
seem to really like you. How do you do it?
I didn't think Marie Osmond did like me,
actually. But thank you. And...I don't know why anyone would like me.
I don't think
that Marie O. liked you either..I think it was the look in her eyes..This question about your
inspirational genius...Talk Soup is such an innovative idea for a TV show. Is the conceptfor Talk
Soup your idea?
Not completely. E! used to do interstitial programming and one of
the segments they used to do looked at highlights of talk shows. So....when they went to a half
hour format it was just a logical thing to do.
Ok...What's happened to your faux-
interviews? Some of 'em were hysterical.
Actually...Funny you mention that. I'll
actually, in the next couple of weeks be sitting down with Ross Perot Norman Schwarzkopf and
of course the lovely, and always talented Tipper!
Tipper... I can barely wait...Advice
to a law student who wants to get into broadcasting? ....I love "Talk Soup" and "Later". I am a
law student, but I think I would like to pursue a career in broadcasting. Do you have any advice
as to how gain experience or break into the business?
Sue your way in!
Actually...It's tough to say...I think the best thing to do is to just get any kind of experience in
television and, then try to build a reel and get it to some stations. Small cable stations are a
good place to start.
Greg ... a
female (I assume) admirer asks.....Boxers or briefs?
I rarely wear underwear and when I do it's usually something fairly unusual.
Z100 Man is dying to know..I WAS WONDERING WHICH DAYTIME TALK SHOW GREG
LIKES BEST? ALSO ANY COMMENTS ON OPRAH'S BOOK THAT ISCOMING OUT NEXT
WEEK?
I know nothing about Oprah's book. And, as far as daytime talk shows, I
like this new host, Rolando. Oops..RolandA
Some people's talk show hosts...::
mocking disgust ::PlazMan wants to know the daily routine...Do you ever "do lunch" with
powerful Hollywood types?
Sure.Why just the other day,I dined al fresco with
Norman Fell. Actually, I don't have a lot of
time with my schedule. So there's not a lot of schmooz time. Maybe that's not a bad
thing.
Norman Fell.. wow.. Devil's No wants to know...If you could do one thing on
your show thatyou aren't allowed to, what would it be?
Actually, nothing comes to
mind. Any suggestions?
Well, Rudy has one yes....Yo Greg. Rudy from Lafayette IN.
When is your show going to become an hour long.
We may extend to an hour one night a week. It would be fun to have more time.
We've been getting this from A LOT of people tonight....Greg - Can you fix me up with
Kato Kaelin???
If you've been watching "Later" or "Talk Soup" you know Kato and I
aren't super tight...But, if you're really interested in dating him...try a hair salon.
Greg while we're on the Kato thing.. I've got a question for ya..I'm really looking for a big star
to take me in, and let me live in their pool house..So keep an ear to the ground on that one for
me will ya?
Yeah...!
Any plans on moving into an earlier time slot on NBC?
No...not right now. I'm really happy with the show. And, although it's on late at night, it's
actually seen by more people than see "Talk Soup." And that show, with time, seemed to gain a
following. So...I hope to stick with it indefinitely.
And another one from the underwear/stalker crowd....Greg, do you have a significant
other??
Well, yes...I've been dating a very lovely girl from England for about a
year. And I'm starting to get nervous.
On to a higher social plane.. Maggi9642 asks
about your voice....you had this great talent? Your impersonations of Johnny & Casey Kasem
are the best I've seen. When did you discover it?
Thank you. I never thought of it
as talent. By the way, I'll be debuting my Ron Popiel impersonation in the next
week.
Weird Al would be proud....CBalint wants to know...What do you think of
Howard Stern?
When he's not tearing me to shreds on his radio show, he can be
often very funny. Sometimes he goes too far. But that's nothing new.
Vang Xai wants to know if you understood 'An Affair to Remember'... ;| Do you have a
favorite movie? What is your favorite film genre?
Favorite movie....Lost In
America with Albert Brooks. And there's no particular "genre" I'm crazy about.
And the inevitable 'Will you do a movie?' question...Greg, have you ever acted or done
standup - do you think you might do either in the future?
I haven't done a lot of
stand-up...come to think of it...I haven't done any stand-up! In fact,
what the hell is stand-up? I've done a little bit of acting. But, it's obvious to most that I should
stay as far away as that as possible.
Going back to talk about the structure of 'Later'
a little bit....Just how much of "Talk Soup" is adlibbed?
It depends...but usually
about 25%. For the most part, before we start the show I've seen the clips. And I have already
got some idea what I'm going to do or say. But somedays we pretty much throw the script out
completely. And sometimes...those are the best shows.
And Wayne Newton Fan Club President.. (Reno branch) PNORMAN asks...Hey - we just
watched Talk Soup and we're sitting here in Reno NV about to go gambling. Any helpful
hints????
Yes...Bet all your money on double zero. Best of luck. And give my love
to Wayne. And tell him to shave his mustache.
LesleyG45 (Lesley Gore maybe still
looking for work?) asks...why doesn't Later have a live band?
Because NBC is too
cheap.And this one.. I'm keen to know the answer to myself..Exactly what would you and
the Pope discuss?
By the way...back on Lesley's question for a second...NBC is too cheap in a good way.
Was that a Hoover I just heard.. nahh..
The Pope and I would discuss...obviously, I'm shocked you even
asked..................................................Madonna!
Going back to Lesley for a second..
I imagine she'd be pretty reasonable at this point in her career... Just a thought...DineSue asks a
question about nitpicky talk shows....I've heard that some talk shows refuse to have their clips
shown on Talk Soup -- who are these?
The following shows, for whatever bizarre
reasons they may have, refuse to supply clips to the much beloved, often revered, award-
winning, "Talk Soup": Opah, Jeraldo, Philbert Donna - Hue
Speaking of time, we're running low.. so let's squeeze a few more questions in
here....MicheleRT slapped this question on the table... Really enjoy you on Later. Do you have
any favorite guests?
Joe Pesci was a great guest. Carrie Fisher, Dennis Rodman, Paula Poundstone, Kirk
Douglas. He was great!
The obligatory "Blue Lagoon" question...Greg, if you were stranded on a desert island. What
two people would you want with you? Chloe from Omaha.
My mom and dad... however that could be a huge mistake let me think about it and get back
to you.
McDaddy wants to know this one.. Greg, you're a big star don't you have anything else
betterto do than talk to us on a Friday Night???
Sadly......................................................................................NO
And thank you for bringing up that bitter thought McDaddy.. ;) A question about some funny
British guys..Greg, did Monty Python have much of an influence on you?
John Cleese would actually be one of the names I should have mentioned earlier in terms of
guests I'd love to have on the show. I'm a huge Monty Python and Cleese fan.
Greg, we're at the end of our time.. willing to go a few minutes over with us?
Sure...I have nothing else to do.
Lesley Gore has another question...when are you going to be a guest on Late Ngith w/ Conan
O'Brien? i remember you were scheduled to be on in the winter, but you never showed. what
happened?
The Friday I was supposed to be on was during the week of that massive East Coast snow
storm last year. I guess it was this year....I haven't been back to New York since and our off time
is the same but I hope to be able to do it at some point.
One of the questions we got asked, "When are you going to bring Later back to NY where it
belongs.." What's your answer?
If you can improve the weather ... even marginally...we'll talk.
Another 'future' question this one from JO 519: Are you going to continue doing both
shows or are you going to leave Talk Soup as referenced by MariLu Henner?
I don't know what the future holds for "Talk Soup" We're trying to work it out now. I'd like to
stay on the show.
Mwave wants to know....Do you ever find yourself being compared to Dennis
Miller?
No. I've heard a lot of comparisons to different people but not Dennis. However, I like
him.
Ok, two more questions....From Boxachox....Question for Greg, the letters from the previous
night star is really innovative. Do the Network execs give you freedom to do groundbreaking
stuff once in a while, or do they make you tow the company line?
Yes...I'm a slave to GE, if that's what your asking however...they've been fairly supportive of
the stuff we've been trying on the show. Which is great, because, while some of it doesn't work
with time, some of it does.
And finally...What do you make of this whole online thing? What's your impression of the
whole deal?
It's fascinating. The idea that we're all having this immediate conversation via computer is
amazing. We've actually made use of the on-line service on "Later" a few times....with varying
degrees of success.
So.. since this is alot like a talk show.. we'll be on Talk Soup soon right?
Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh................................yeah, sure, right, absolutely.
Exactly.. Thanks for joining us tonight Greg. And thanks to everyone in the audience for
coming to meet Greg.
Thank you. And I hope all of you will fix your VCRs so you can see "Later." .....Later.