Jim Wise
Both photos courtesy of Jim Wise
Jim Wise is an actor, writer, singer, composer, and, well, you'll have to check his website for all of the others.
On camera, he's probably best known for his role as Coach Tugnut on Even Stevens, though he's done considerably more than that.
Behind the camera, he's written for Jay Leno's Tonight Show, MADtv, and a number of various specials & award shows.
Jim joined me via Zoom to discuss all the various aspects to his career and work he's done.
To listen to the interview with Jim Wise, click the play button below (or click here to open the audio player in a new tab/window).
Jim Wise is a supporter of Smile Train.
If you'd like to donate, you can do so here, via their website.
Please note that interviewees select their own charity. Any charities mentioned or linked are neither vetted, nor endorsed, by the author or this site.
Mike Reflects
This was a fun one. It's not often that one gets to discuss the philosophical nature at the core of someone like Coach Tugnut.
I grew up watching Even Stevens, probably from when I was younger than the kids' characters. It was one of those shows that was silly, ridiculous, and, yet, despite having no relation to reality as I knew it, somehow still relatable.
As a kid, my perspective was somewhat skewed. The show was undoubtedly written to make the kids appear as the heroes, but, even if it were written without that slant, I think I still would've been partial to them, and, therefore, disliked anyone who stood in their way.
Looking back though, it's not really fair to characters like Coach Tugnut, as most of the antics the kids got into were disruptive, dangerous, and, in several cases, downright illegal.
That said, when exaggerated dream sequences portray a character as evil and sadistic, they're almost definitely going to a be small kernel of truth in that personification.
(Those of you who are reading this after the interview and wondering, the banter about the above was in good fun. Jim picked up where I was going & went with it.)
While that was probably my favorite part of the interview, it was also fun to get to explore Jim's other roles, especially on the writing & production side of things.
I used to love watching "Jaywalking" on The Tonight Show, so it was really interesting to hear about how those segments looked from the side of things we didn't get to see.
And, I'll admit it: I was personally a little curious to hear if any audience members ever took hints from the actors in the audience participation bits & tried to get on TV by heckling Jay.
I'll also admit that I'm a little disappointed that nobody did.