I've fallen in love with a sexist, racist man with repressed homosexual tendencies and I'm confessing it with unrepentant passion.
His name is David Koechner but the movie going world knows him as Champ Kind, one of the hilarious misfits that delivers sport news in the Anchorman franchise starring SNL alumni Will Ferrell.
Created by writer/director/comedian Adam McKay Anchorman: The Legend Continues (which he co-wrote with Will Ferrell) is much more than just a sequel to the 2004 cult classic (which he also co-wrote). Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy is a hilarious and smart satire the examines the hypocrisy of the news business and the quest for power, money and great hair!
Champ, like most complex characters in comedies, was created to slap a big fat purple explanation point on the hot button issues that plague and shape cultures the world over;
racism, sexism and the intolerable greed of corporations.
David, the actor/singer and all around good guy, is as different from sports reporter, Champ as a warm fuzzy kitten is, to say, a 12 set baking kit!
The following phone interview took place inside a crowded Upper East Side coffee house.
My phone rings, blaring Beyonce's "Diva" the ringtone easily eclipsing the holiday carols.
It took me a full half hour before I noticed that I was on speaker phone. Good news, David had that crowd laughing and that's a hard room for comedy!
David Koechner: (singing and singing well)
LAPACAZO, Lapacazo, Lapacazo, Lapacazo. La-la, la-la, la-Lapacazo. Oh, Lapacazo!
I love your name. It's musical. Laaapppaazo. (He sang three verses).
myNewYorkeye: (Hysterical) I've never had anyone sing my name. Thank you. I happen to love country music!
David Koechner: Thank you kindly Miss Lapacazo (he's still singing). Hey, what did you think of the movie? No pressure? You know the one I'm in: "Anchorman: The Legend Continues" opening December 18th. No pressure ..... Lapacazo!
myNewYorkeye: (Hysterical) Adam (McKay) sliced off the hairy arms of one of my favorite mythical creatures. Comedy is a cruel master.
David Koechner: (Hysterical laughter back) He did, didn't he?! Oh Adam-dear-Adam with him so little is sacred.
myNewYorkeye: 'All is fair to the comedy gods.'
Hats off to Adam and Will for having an African-American woman as the head of a maverick, 24-hour All News Network, loosely spoofing CNN. A deliberate casting choice?
David Koechner: Well, I can't speak on Adam or Will's behalf, like 100percent, but I'm pretty certain that they both demanded an African-American character for that role. Megan (Goode) is good! She delivers on all levels!
myNewYorkeye: Megan rocks the mike (stand up comic pun intended). There is a very funny "meet the family" scene when her character introduces Ron Burgundy to her successful clan and well...
David Koechner: ....Every known racial slur followed by inaccurate stenotypes paints the introduction? Is that the family "meet Ron Burgundy" scene your referring too?
myNewYorkeye: Yes. I've never seen a group of paid actors look so uncomfortable and confused.
David Koechner: That's because I'm fairly certain that Adam and Wik didn't script it. They wanted to capture the impact of those absurd slurs and most importantly, I think, to show the sincere feelings those "words" have on others!
myNewYorkeye: That explains a lot. I'm impressed. Continue?
David Koechner: Racism (to me) is stupid. I'm a father and my kids didn't see race. They noticed differences but it means nothing to them. Nothing. I want a world like that. I work toward a world like that. I really do!
Hey when we meet and we will, remind me that your a song?!
myNewYorkeye: I shall indeed. I'm jealous you're paid to work with your friends! You laugh and make people laugh to the sound of "whammy" all the way to the bank!
David Koechner: WHAMMY! (Laughing) that's so true. I was just in Australia with Adam and we both just had that "omg this is still real" series of moments. I'm a father of five so there isn't really enough money. They keep growing!
myNewYorkeye: When did your parents finally stop worrying about your career choice?
David Koechner: (Laughing) Lapacazo (singing) you are good! My parents finally started to rest easy with the successful release of the last "Anchorman " They now think this comedy thing just might be a ..
myNewYorkeye & David Koechner ; A whammy!
twitter @DavidKoechner
"Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues" opens December 18.