Local News
Kevin James: The ‘Here Comes the Boom’ Interview
K
evin James was born on April 26,
1965, in Mineola, N.Y., but raised in
Stony Brook, L.I., where he
excelled at both wrestling and football. In
college, he majored in sports management
while playing fullback on the football team,
but dropped out after three years to pursue a
career in stand-up comedy.
Kevin got his big break when he landed a
recurring role on his pal Ray Romano’s sit-
com, “Everybody Loves Raymond.” In
1998, he parlayed those appearances into
his own hit sitcom, “The King of Queens,”
which went on to enjoy a nine-year run.
James has made just as a big a splash on
the big screen, starting with a memorable,
feature film debut opposite Will Smith in
the hilarious romantic comedy, “Hitch.”
Since then, the versatile funnyman has
starred in everything from “I Now Pro-
nounce You Chuck & Larry” to “Paul Blart:
Mall Cop” to “Grown Ups” to “Zookeeper”
to “Hotel Transylvania.”
Kevin and his wife, actress Steffiana De
La Cruz, live in L.A. with their three chil-
dren. Here, he talks about his new film,
“Here Comes the Boom,” where he plays a
biology teacher who moonlights as a pro-
fessional mixed martial arts fighter to raise
enough money to save a colleague’s job.
Kam Williams: Hi Kevin, thanks for the
interview. I’m honored to have this oppor-
tunity to speak with you.
Kevin James: My pleasure, Kam.
KW: I really enjoyed “Here Comes the
Boom.” It’s a very entertaining, family film.
What inspired you to write it?
KJ: I’m glad you liked it! Basically, I’ve
always been interested in the mixed martial
arts, and I had some ideas about how to
show the sport in a different light. But I also
wanted to give some props to all the great
teachers who had helped me and served as
very positive role models when I was grow-
ing up, especially since they continue to
influence me to this day, so many years
later. I wanted to show how much of a dif-
ference a teacher can make in a child’s life
by putting them on the right path.
KW: Was there one teacher in particular
you’d like to give a shout out to?
KJ: Yes, Mr. Betcher. I named the princi-
pal in the film after him. He was a great
teacher, but I had a bunch of them who were
fantastic, I really did, who were cool with
me, supportive, and taught me to be a good
C
O
M
C ELEBRITY
I NTERVIEW
by Kam
Williams
man. That’s important. You don’t realize the
effect it will have.
KW: Editor/Legist Patricia Turnier asks:
What do you want the audience to take
away from “Here Comes the Boom?”
KJ: Because it’s a comedy, I primarily
want people to escape, have fun, and really
enjoy themselves for a couple hours. But,
secondarily, it does have an inspirational
message about the amazing effect that one
can have on others when you start becoming
the better version of yourself. We all
become complacent at some point in our
lives, and sometimes it takes the inspiration
of others to get going again. In the case of
this movie, I not only help Henry Winkler’s
character save his job, but my actions uplift
the students and other people around me. It
sort of pays it forward.
KW: Patricia also says: You wear many
hats, as an actor, comedian, writer, and pro-
Kevin James
I’m not doing what I need to be doing in a
certain scene, creatively. Then I have some
other people in my life like my makeup lady
who’s the worst, but then she has a tough
job, too. [Laughs]
KW: Harriet Pakula Teweles says: If
‘faint heart n’er won fair maid,’ you should
have won a lot more women than Selma
Hayek in “Here Comes the Boom.”
Honestly, we literally laughed on our way down
here today. We were crying in the car. It’s
important to surround yourself with friends that
you can make fun of and have fun hanging out
with. Life is a quick ride, and there’s nothing
better than a good laugh.
ducer. Which do you enjoy the most, and
which is the most challenging?
KJ: They’re all challenging when you’re
wearing them simultaneously. They’re all
rewarding and can be kinda scary, and the
responsibility becomes that much greater,
obviously. But I surround myself with great
people who keep me in check, which is
important. For instance, they’ll always help
me to get to that place where I need to be, if
M
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Y
Congrats on a wonderful romantic-come-
dy performance, a genre at which you’re a
master.
KJ: Wow! That’s very sweet, Harriet! It’s
nice to show that, with a little extra effort, a
guy who’s not only an underdog in mixed
martial arts but an underdog in love can pre-
vail in both.
KW: Harriet also asks: What other types
of roles do you see yourself in that are still
C
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out there waiting for you—even if it means
there’s no Selma for you at the end of the
film.
KJ: It all depends on the story. It always
has. It’s not like I say, “I have to do another
comedy next,” or “I have to do a drama
next.” Wherever the story takes me and
whatever moves me in a fresh direction. I
like to let it just happen.
KW: Harriet was wondering whether
there’s a remake of a classic movie you’d
like to star in? She suggest doing Kirk Dou-
glas’ role in “Detective Story?”
KJ: Wow! I’ve never seen Detective
Story, but I’m sure it’s a great movie. I’ll
definitely look into it, if she feels it’s wor-
thy of a remake. That could be very cool.
KW: Dinesh Sharma asks: Would you say
this film used mixed martial arts as a
metaphor
for
school
reform?
KJ: Absolutely! It’s a metaphor for any
obstacle you might have in your life. This is
not to say that taking up mixed martial arts
will solve your problems. [Chuckles] It’s
not that at all. Rather, it’s used to show how
far my character, Scott Voss, would go for a
friend. He’s willing to lay down his life.
There’s no greater gift than that.
KW: Dinesh also asks: Did you do most
of your own stunts?
See JAMES on page 8
D
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S EATTLE 2012
Saturday October 13
If you have an event you want to share
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in advance to The Skanner at
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Friday October 12
SAVOR THE TASTE OF FALL WITH THE ABUNDANCE OF
ARCADE LIGHTS. Pike Place Markets Arcade
Lights, a semi-annual celebration of local
artisanal food and beverages. Located in the
Market’s North Arcade, the event brings together
all the right elements for a hearty fall harvest
celebration. 7 – 10 p.m.
VASHON’S CIDERFEST. The day will be filled with
fun events, exhibits and treats for all ages. Free
for all families to enjoy. All day long event.
Vashon Island Chamber of Commerce, 17141
Vashon Hwy. SW. Vashon, WA
Tuesday October 16
WEIGH IN AT NEXT 50 DEBATE PARTY AND
CANDIDATE MINGLE. Join in the U.S. Presidential
and Washington State gubernatorial debates at
a free interactive viewing party. 6 – 9 p.m. at The
Seattle Center Armory. No entry charge but pre-
registration is required
www.seattlecityclub.org/civicrm/event/register
Saturday October 20
THE SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY FRIENDSHOP COMES
Page 2 The Seattle Skanner October 10, 2012
TO BALLARD. Join the friends of The Seattle Public
Library for the Friendshop Pop-Up event from 1:30
– 5:30 p.m. at the Ballard Branch Library, 5614
22nd Ave. NW
CLEAN THE CLUTTER – RECYCLE IT AT KENT’S FALL
RECYCLING COLLECTION EVENT. Event will take
place at Russell Road Park, 24400 Russell Rd.
Kent from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Residents are invited to
bring those items that are not easily recycled at
the curb including appliances, mattresses even
toilets and sinks.
Sunday October 21
THE NEXT FIFTY CLOSING DAY FEATURES SEATTLE
SYMPHONY, DANCE, FOOD, CLOSING CEREMONY
AND MORE. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of
the 1962 World’s Fair. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Free
community event Seattle Center and Fisher
Pavilion