Adam Arkin has made a name for himself by having the type of diverse career that most actors can only dream of. Starring in multiple television and film roles, Arkin has never been pigeonholed into one genre or style of filmmaking. He’s probably most known to audiences for his starring role on the popular TV show Chicago Hope and his current role on the hit show, Life. Now he’s starring in something completely different, the internet comedy phenomenon known as Crackle.com’s C-Spot. Adam is an extremely personable and intelligent guys, so read on to see what he has to say about internet comedy, Life, Chicago Hope, and unicorn costumes.

- Mike Spring

Editor

MIKE SPRING: Your name isn’t exactly the first one I think of when I think of surreal, absurdist internet comedy shorts. How did you get involved in guest starring on Gorgeous Tiny Chicken Machine Show?

Adam Arkin: I got involved with Gorgeous Tiny Chicken Machine Show because of my friendships with both Kim Evey (the series creator) and her husband Greg Benson. Greg and I were in a film together that shot in Pittsburgh called Graduation and we became fast friends. He introduced me to a world of comedy film that he and Kim had been producing themselves – got to work for and with them. So Gorgeous Tiny Chicken Machine Show grew out of that.

MS: Was it a weird experience because the show is so bizarre, or was it just like working on any other set?

AA: I wouldn’t describe it as a weird experience.  I feel like I appreciate the humor of the show and had a pretty decent understanding of the style of it. Truth is, I have people dressing up in cow outfits and unicorn outfits at home, so really it was like any other day for me.

MS: While you’ve done comedy before, you’re more known for your dramatic roles. Was GTCMS a chance to stretch your wings (no pun intended) a bit and do something off the wall?

AA: Yeah, although I don’t know how much I’m known more for my dramatic work, it’s just that I did a little more of that in the past few years. When I first started, I was more into the comedic and then moved into drama.  It all goes in waves. My goal is to be as comfortable in as many different styles as possible. That being said, it was great to do something as off the wall as Gorgeous Tiny Chicken Machine Show.

MS: How do you feel about the current climate of entertainment where the internet and sites like YouTube that focus on short-form entertainment have become so popular? Is it a difficult change to embrace?

AA: No, I haven’t found it a difficult change.  I think that the new phenomenon of it is starting to wear off and what’s starting to happen with short form entertainment on YouTube and reality programming – it seems to me there are two waves. First, everything gets attention because it’s new and then once it’s not new anymore the ratio of what’s good about it, as opposed to how much junk there is, seems to duplicate itself over and over again. So the cream rises to the top no matter what form of media people are looking at.  There will always be a smaller percentage of what’s really good and there will always be room for that. So I don’t care how many Youtubes there are, there will always be the really good hour long dramas that people will watch and the same with reality programming. People are aware there’s really good and really bad programming. It’s not enough to be the new kid on the block, you have to put out good work.

MS: Changing subjects, I understand that Life will be back for another season. How has your experience been on the show so far?

AA: I’ve had a really good experience on Life.  I’m really chomping-at-the-bit to get back.  Our first season was interrupted prematurely by the writer’s strike, and it feels like we were just starting to hit our stride, and its going to be great to be back on the show and see where its going to travel from here on out. I loved working with Damian, and Rand is a wonderful writer.  I’m anxious to see where we go from here.

MS: Speaking of your television shows, Chicago Hope is a show with a lot of fans that isn’t available on DVD yet. Do you know if there are any plans to release it?

AA: I don’t know the answer to that.  I wish I did.  I would imagine since the show was so successful they’d be crazy not to, if for only “the best of.”

MS: You’re also scheduled to appear in The Trial of the Chicago 7. That’s a story that has been back in the public eye lately, and the subject of another recent film. What part are you playing, and why do you think the events have become so relevant again?

AA: That’s actually not the case – it was leaked that I was officially involved in that project but my understanding is that it’s not official. I’ll be anxiously watching how that unfolds because I’d love to be involved but as far as I know it’s a rumor.

MS: What else are you working on that we can look forward to?

AA: At the moment I’m in the process of trying to option a novel that I’m interested in developing into a film to direct. But it’s premature to discuss because it’s in negotiations now.

MS: Thanks for taking the time to do the interview!

AA: You’re welcome.

About The C-Spot:

Mondays: Hot, Hot Los Angeles

Tuesdays: The Writers Room

Wednesdays: Gaytown

Thursdays: The Roadents

Fridays: Gorgeous Tiny Chicken Machine Show

Weekends: The Best of Penn Says