AOL Live Transcript 05/26/99
| Richard Karn, Al from TV's "Home Improvement"
answered your questions on the series final of the hit show, and promoted
awareness of Battery Check Day and battery recycling.
AOLiveMC14: Welcome, Mr. Karn! Richard Karn: Hi. How is everybody? Question: Was Tim Allen really funny, and if so, did you sometimes start laughing even when you were filming? Richard Karn: Tim Allen is a very funny man, and there were numerous times when he and myself broke up laughing while filming. Question: The man that plays your brother Cal... he looks just like you... any relation? Richard Karn: No... he is an actor from Dallas, Texas who sent his picture into the producers and they thought he looked enough like me to fly him up to be my brother. Question: When did you start growing your mustache and beard? Richard Karn: I have had my beard and moustache on and off since college. However, I grew my beard for a prolonged period of time without it... about three months before I auditioned for "Home Improvement." Question: Why was Jonathan Taylor Thomas not in the final episode? Richard Karn: I believe Jonathan had other projects that were keeping him busy. Question: Understand that tomorrow is the first ever Battery Check Day. What is it? Who sponsors it? And how can your fans get involved? Richard Karn: Tomorrow, May 27th, is indeed the first annual Battery Check Day. What this means is that the nickel cadmium batteries that power your laptop or cell phone... or camcorder can now be recycled by calling 1-800-8BATTERY... finding the nearest location to you. Question: Are you involved in any causes or nonprofit organizations? Richard Karn: Yes. This happens to be a nonprofit organization called RCRG Rechargeable Recycling Corp. This company has been around for 5 years and is funded by the companies that make the recyclable batteries... for cordless products that can be recycled. Question: Al, what inspired you to be an actor? Richard Karn: I got involved with acting in high school... my sophomore year. I felt comfortable onstage, I was able to make people laugh... and just kept pursuing theater, whether it was at school or summer stock, eventually going to the University of Washington and graduating in a master's program in theater. Question: What is the next thing you're going to do after "Home Improvement"? Richard Karn: Now that the show is over, I have many projects that are interesting me, one of them being getting people to know about the ability to recycle nickel cadmium batteries.... I also wrote a book... called "House Broken: How I Remodeled My Home... For Just Under 3 Times the Original Bid." As far as TV is concerned, I would like to take a year off... and come back in the fall of 2000 with a new show. Question: Richard... what was the funniest thing that happened while filming "Home Improvement"? Richard Karn: It's hard to pick out the funniest thing that happened while doing the show, but I would say that the time when Al wore his ten-gallon cowboy hat.... Tim kept laughing so hard, we never got a real take.... If you happened to catch that particular episode in syndication... you'll notice that Tim is laughing 'cause we never got a take that was clean. Question: I'm a big online fan and would love to know where to find you on the Web, or new and upcoming projects or special appearances. Richard Karn: There is a website under www.rbrc.org. There's also a website www.themeware.com. Question: What about a spin-off to your own show? That would be great. Richard Karn: That would be great, unfortunately the producers Ben Dancer and Disney... are in a legal battle which would not allow that to happen. Question: How long did it take for you to write your book, and do you have any plans to write any more books in the future? Richard Karn: The idea for the book started 'round the second year of the show... however, they asked if I would want to write a book about myself... at that point I felt it was a little presumptuous... so I declined. Over 2 years later, when I started redecorating my home, when the project started to take longer and get costlier... I decided that this was the story I was supposed to tell. If this book does well, the next one will be on landscaping... and if that book does well, I'll do a tell-all about Tim Allen. Question: Hello, Mr. Karn. How has the end of "Home Improvement" affected your life? Richard Karn: The end of "Home Improvement" has had a very positive affect on my life. Because of this show I now have opportunities to do many things. It is also because of this show that I am able to tell people how to recycle their nickel cadmium batteries... and that feels good, 'cause it's a good thing for the environment. Question: Do you prefer cordless power tools to those you have to plug in? Richard Karn: I am a big fan of ANY power tool... however, the mobility of cordless allows me the freedom to go anywhere at anytime. Question: Karn, who came up with the finale? Richard Karn: Our writers. However, back in August of 1998, the writers and the cast got together to talk about the final season of "Home Improvement," and it was during that time that we talked about Al getting married... perhaps having the wedding in Tim's backyard so that the fence would come down, and the possibility of Wilson's face being shown was possible. Question: How many days does it take to memorize the lines? Richard Karn: 150 days... LOL, actually, as we rehearse during the week... the lines become so familiar... that is not really a matter of memorizing... it's more of a matter of just knowing the scene. Question: Hi, Richard, I saw the final "Home Improvement" episode last night. It was a great show. Was there much crying afterwards, now that the show is over, and do you think there will be a reunion show someday? Richard Karn: We had a wonderful time putting on that final show... and there was a lot of emotion going on, 'specially during the curtain call. The reality that 8 years of our lives had come to an end is a very emotional thing... as for a reunion show... there are no immediate plans in the works. Question: Do you really like plaid flannel? Richard Karn: Yes. Question: Were you ever injured doing any of the stunts like diving into cement to catch the turtle you were turtle sitting? Richard Karn: No... we had very excellent stunt coordinators who helped us look like we were in peril when in fact we were being very safe with all our accidents. Question: Did you feel the show gave your character the proper send-off? Richard Karn: Yes, after 8 years to have all 7 or 8 characters have their final say... is a very hard thing for writers to do... but I think we came close... and I feel very satisfied. Question: What kind of music do you like to listen to? Richard Karn: I like classic rock... and new age music. Question: What is the proper way to dispose of rechargeable batteries? Richard Karn: LOL! The proper way to dispose of rechargeable batteries is to call 1-800-8BATTERY and find the [store] closest to you to drop off your old batteries and at the same time replace them with new ones. Not only will you keep these batteries out of the landfill... but you will also be doing something positive for the environment. Question: What were the best bloopers you and Tim ever had on the set? And did you guys ever have a blooper that was aired by mistake? Richard Karn: No, we never had a blooper that was aired by mistake. There were so many good bloopers, and, unfortunately, the best ones couldn't be shown. Maybe that's what will be next. "Home Improvement" bloopers on cable. Question: Have you had many mishaps during your own personal home improvement projects? Richard Karn: I had so many mishaps that I had to write a book about it. But there is comfort in knowing that I am not alone.... "House Broken" is in bookstores right now... and goes over all the mistakes I made over the year and 3 months that it took to remodel my home. Question: I'm recently married, and my wife expects me to handle ANY and ALL household repairs. Any suggestions on what tools to fill my garage with or tips for new power tool users? Richard Karn: The [best] power tool you can own is the cordless 3/8 reversible power drill... any other tool you may need... will become obvious the further into renovating you go. Question: I have an electric smoke detector. With Y2K, will it still be able to work even if the power goes out? Richard Karn: Absolutely... unless your house is generated by an old computer. Question: Why did Wilson never show his face? Richard Karn: Because in reality he only has half a face... however, if you were able to watch the end of our show, you'll notice that Earl Hindman does show his face. AOLiveMC14: We have run out of time and have one final question. Question: Are you going to give all your flannel clothes away? Richard Karn: I'm thinking of starting my own flannel line... AOLiveMC14: LOL Richard Karn: I think that flannel swimsuits are the next rage.. and that flannel evening will become very popular in colder climates... gowns, that is. AOLiveMC14: Thank you, Mr. Karn, for sharing with us tonight. Good luck in your new endeavors. Richard Karn: I want to thank everyone who watched our show and kept it on the air for so long... and in parting, I would like to remind people to recycle their rechargeable batteries... and if they have any questions, check out my website at rbrc.org... or call 1-800-8BATTERY. Good night, everyone! AOLiveMC14: Good night!
Portions of the transcript may be edited by AOL to correct spelling, punctuation and/or remove any material that violates AOL's Terms of Service. Copyright 1999 America Online, Inc. All Rights Reserved. |
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