Andrew: What first stimulated you to get on stage?
Kevin: I would drive out to Hollywood and check out open mikes at The Comedy Store and The Improv. I was always nervous about getting up on stage. I didn't really have an act and I kind of saw that stage at The Improv as being sacred. The first night that I went to the Improv, I thought that if I went inside they would make me go on, so I just waited in my car. The next night I went in and just kind of watched. The third night I went in and put my name in a hat and they called my name, but I didn't get up. I just kind of looked around the room like, “where is this guy Kevin Nealon?” The next time they called my name it was two in the morning and the only people in the room were a couple and the guy who drove me, but I was hooked.

Andrew: What was your experience like on Saturday Night Live? You were in the cast from 1986 - 1995. I read that you were tied with Tim Meadows for the most seasons as a cast member.
Kevin: I don't know, I think Darrell Hammond has been on there for 11 years or something, but Tim Meadows and I were on that show for a long time. I had a great experiences on that show. I got to work with a lot of talented people. I got to meet Paul McCartney, James Taylor and Mick Jagger, all these people I grew up listening to. Working with Steve Martin was great.

Andrew: Who were the guys you grew up listening to?
Kevin: I grew up listening to Steve Martin. When I was a little kid I used to watch Jerry Lewis movies. When I got older, my teens, I was a huge fan of Steve Martin, Albert Brooks and Andy Kaufman.

Andrew: I read that your first movie role was with Steve Martin on the film "Roxanne."
Kevin: Yeah, over the years we have become pretty good friends. We play banjo and poker together. Albert Brooks, I have met a few times. I remember talking to Andy Kaufman out front of The Improv about transcendental meditation for an hour and a half because I knew that was what he was into. I only had to ask him one question and he just kept going. It wasn't funny by the way.

Andrew: Tell me about weekend update; you took over after Dennis Miller.
Kevin: Dennis Miller left and Lorne Michaels offered me the position.

Andrew: Lorne just went up to you said “hey, what do you think?”
Kevin: Yeah, he asked if I would like to do it and I said sure. First of all, it's a sit down job, which I thought would be nice. Then I thought about how Chevy Chase did it originally and I really liked how he did it, so that's how I modeled mine.

Andrew: You have had a very long career in Hollywood. What do you think is the key to your longevity?
Kevin: It has been like 26 years. I think it's all about pacing yourself, not beating yourself up, and just enjoying what you are doing. If I was still waiting in line doing open mike nights, I'll still be doing fine. You know what I mean?

Andrew: You star on the show “Weeds” on Showtime. Tell me about your character.
Kevin: Weeds is about a suburban housewife, a soccer mom, who loses her husband. So, to make ends meet she starts selling pot. I play her accountant and we get into the pot growing business together. It's not just about pot, though. It's about some of the things that take place behind closed doors in these suburban communities.

Andrew: Where would you like to see yourself in 10 years?
Kevin: I would like some character parts in films, but I really enjoy what I am doing right now. I enjoy it all.

Andrew: Final thought?
Kevin: I love doing stand up. I will always be doing it. It was something that I kept on doing through my years on SNL and I just look forward to continuing to do it and never retire.

Kevin Nealon headlines at The Comedy & Magic Club on Friday, June 26, and Saturday, June 27, 2009.

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Yes, You're Pregnant,
But What About Me?
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