Last year I interviewed Larry the Cable Guy during a stop on his comedy tour with Jeff Foxworthy and Bill Engvall. Now, with “Cars 2” about to hit theaters, I chat again with the voice of Mater.
LCJ: You’ve been doing a lot of publicity for “Cars 2”. I’ve seen you on a bunch of shows. What’s the one question that no one has asked you yet that you’d like me to ask you?
Larry: How did you marry such a beautiful woman?
LCJ: O.K. How did you marry such a beautiful woman?
Larry: I’ve got class. Yes, I’ve got class, Jackson. And as Mater says in the first “Cars” movie: “She’s loves me for my body”.
LCJ: When we spoke last year you couldn’t say a lot about “Cars 2”, because the movie was still being made, except that Mater had a lot more lines and that he was in it a lot more than in the first “Cars”. Now that the movie’s about to come out, would you say that Mater is the emotional center of the film?
Larry: You know what – Mater is the heart and soul of “Cars 2” and the funniest part of “Cars 2”. I loved the first one, I really did. But this one is double the fun.
LCJ: Was it as much fun this time in the recording studio doing your role?
Larry: It was great. I didn’t wear a shirt, only these really cool “Cars 2” boxer shorts that John (Lassiter) ordered for everyone. No, really, it was pretty much the same, except I had about double the lines and Mater yells a little bit and does a few things out of character, so those lines were a little trickier.
LCJ: You’ve also got your TV show – “Only in America with Larry the Cable Guy” on the History Channel. I’ve seen several episodes – it’s just so funny. You’ve been in a boxing ring, racing with moonshine. That show’s got to be fun to do.
Larry: They let me do a lot of great things. It’s a positive show about the country. I’m glad people like it. We’ve got a second season coming-up in November.
LCJ: Wow! Congratulations.
Larry: Thank you. It’s been a lot of fun.
LCJ: So obviously you’re very busy, but your comedy buddies Bill Engvall and Jeff Foxworthy have both gone into hosting a game show. Is that something you’d ever like to do down the line?
Larry: You know what – I’m going to stick to what I’m doin’ and leave the game shows to the other guys.
LCJ: And your voice is so recognizable. People must come-up to you on the street all the time.
Larry: They do. In fact someone came up to me just the other day and said – “That’s him, officer.” Yes, I’ve been walking a lot lately around New York City and people just slow down, give me a look and say – “How ya’ doin’ Larry?” It’s pretty cool.
LCJ: You’re so connected with Mater. Have you been asked to do any other animated characters and if so, would you do them?
Larry: I don’t think so. I think my calling is to do Mater. I’m hoping there’s going to be a third “Cars”, I think there will be. And my voice is so recognizable as Mater that I think I’ve done what all the characters on “Seinfeld” did. They were so good that they kinda hurt themselves trying to do anything else. It would be hard for me to do another character. People would say – “That’s Mater doing a robot!”.
LCJ: I’m a big fan of the “Mater’s Tall Tales” on The Disney Channel. Now that your work on “Cars 2” is over are there any more of those in the works?
Larry: I think there may be…I’ve heard there could be…in fact I was in the studio a few weeks ago. So when “Cars 2” starts to settle down you’ll see some more “Mater’s Tall Tales”.
LCJ: Excellent. Well, Larry the Cable Guy, thanks for the time and best of luck with “Cars 2” and your show.
Larry: Jackson, you’re the man. Git-R-Done!