A bona fide geek icon, Seth Green's work on "Robot Chicken" is but a footnote in popular culture compared to some of his other work, things like, oh, you know, Scott Evil from the "Austin Powers" films, the werewolf Oz from the first couple of seasons of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," and Chris Griffin on "The Family Guy."
Yet "Chicken" is very much culturally relevant, skewering American culture through a medium our generation knows very well: action figures.
Green, along with "Chicken" compadres Breckin Meyer and Matthew Senreich, is embarking on a cross-country skating party tour, starting in San Diego July 25, and wrapping up in New York Aug. 14. The crew stops in Indianapolis Aug. 8 (the full schedule can be found here: http://www.adultswim.com/shows/robotchicken/extras/tour/index.html)
Green took time out from his skating schedule to chat with The Yap, rapping on the tour, kicking ass on "Monday Night Raw," and "Yo Gabba Gabba."
The Yap: How did you come up with a skating party to pimp your release of Robot Chicken: Star Wars"?
SG: I was really trying to think about how to get the word out for our new DVD. It’s just so hard to get the word out with all of the various media outlets. We wanted to cut through the noise and talk directly to our fans who supported us. We have a good time working on our show, even though it’s a ton of work, and we wanted to spread that good time across the country. How better than to offer them something for free? And how better to make people aware of your DVD than to put something inside that gives them something for free in a better way?
The Yap: I read an interview with you where you talked about going to the people on “Sesame Street" and wanting to be on that show. The big thing now is “Yo Gabba Gabba,” and a lot of celebs, like Jack Black, have gone on the show. It’s almost a second cousin to “Robot Chicken.” Any chance of you getting on there?
SG: {laughs}I love “Yo Gabba Gabba”! I definitely won’t rule it out. I think Jack has kids, and was doing that for them. But for “Sesame Street” I just wanted to get on there and play with those Muppets.
The Yap: You pretty much spend your day playing with action figures. How does that translate into a job?
SG: That so wasn’t the genesis of it. We set out just to make a funny show that made us laugh. The fact that it connects with so many people is great, and that so many people connect with these characters is really shocking.
The Yap: I heard you were on Monday Night Raw a few weeks back.
SG: Greatest fuckin' night of my life, dude.
The Yap: A lot of people just show up and say something. But you got in the ring too.
SG: {laughs} I punched Cody Rhodes in the throat, and I broke up Randy Orton’s 3-count.
The Yap: So with WWE experience now, who would win in a real-life fight between you and Eric Murphy (played by Kevin Connolly on “Entourage”)?
SG: {Laughs} I'll keep it real: Kevin Connolly and I have been friends for years. I’d never fight him in real life. But we have been in situations where we had to fight side-by-side.
The Yap: You're coming back this season, right?
SG: Not this season, but hopefully I will before they wrap the show up.