Comedy and the LA Clippers pt.4: Paul Scheer

Actor, comedian, producer, writer, and director Paul Scheer talked to us about his love for the Los Angeles Clippers and the comedy world.

Paul Scheer has been on the comedy scene for over 20 years. Starting with the off-Broadway comedy Chicago City Limits and then moving on to the famed improv Upright Citizens Brigade Theater. Moving into television in the late ’90s, Scheer has been a mainstay in comedy entertainment.

He’s been featured in countless cult TV shows such as Human Giant, Veep, and Wet Hot American Summer. Fans might best know him as Andre from The League. Most recently Paul Scheer was in one of the most talked about movies this summer, The Disaster Artist. The film has won 21 awards and was just nominated for an Oscar.

His resumé doesn’t stop there. Paul still finds the time to podcast and even work on comics. He hosts the amazing podcast How Did This Get Made? in which he and cohosts June Diane Raphael and Jason Mantzoukas (Rafi from the The League) breakdown and analyze some of the worst movies ever made.

Paul was kind enough to answer some questions about his quest into Clipper Nation.

Quick note here: this interview was done just before the Blake Griffin trade.

How long have you been a Clippers fan and what was it that made you a fan?

"I’m a relatively new Clippers fan, I grew up in NY and my team was The Knicks. After I moved out to LA in 2005, I really started missing seeing live games on a regular basis and I hated living in a city and not having a team. Back then being a Lakers fan seemed like the easy choice and I’ve always been drawn to the underdog team (which is explains why I’m a Jets fan) and back in 2005, when I was broke, it was way more affordable to see the Clippers. So I became a “Clippers Fan”. It started casually, but now I’m 100% in and now even have a partial season ticket plan and it’s the best!"

Why, in a city with a storied franchise like the Lakers, do you think there is still a fan base for a team like the Clippers?

"Absolutely. I feel like it’s growing each year. The Clippers are such a fun team to watch. The fans are great. The energy in the arena does’t seem “Hollywood” – In many ways they are a very UN-LA team and I mean that in a good way. In many ways, it reminds me of NYC fans."

Do you have a favorite Clippers moment?

More from Clipperholics

"Seeing Steve Ballmer trying to slam dunk the night Chuck the Condor was introduced to the world."

What is it about the Clippers that you think attracts so many people from the comedy scene?

"I think comedians think of themselves as underdogs and there is something about the team, that just grinds and consistently puts in the work, this past weekend that comeback against the Pelicans is a perfect example of what I love about the Clippers. Plus Blake and DeAndre are genuinely funny dudes."

Do you see any connections between being a fan of comedy and being a Clippers fan?

"Not really. HA! Sorry, I wish I had a real theory on this."

The team got really raw and young in the Chris Paul trade, with a lot of ups and downs. What do you think the future looks like as a franchise?

"Well everything is fucking nuts now. Who knows what this team will even be after the trade deadline. I’m excited to see how Harris slots into the team. I can’t wait to see how Patrick Beverly fits in to this new configuration, once he’s better. I’m loving Lou Williams (he was robbed of being an All Star). It feels like they are trying to keep being competitive as they lose their marquee players but they are making a lot of room to either become a team that in 3 years is unstoppable or they get some HUGE talent and start competitively next season. Unfortunately with the Warriors in this division, I can’t see anyone HUGE coming in and trying to take them on."

You were part of the live Space Jam reading with Blake and DJ. What can you tell me about that experience?

"I did this live script read of SPACE JAM with Blake in the MJ role and DeAndre in the Barkley role. As a fan it was such a highlight and depressing to see these guys crush it on and off court."

Between the two, who had the better comedic timing?

"Blake is developing a whole other career doing standup and he’s in Whitney Cumming’s new movie. He’s GREAT but DeAndre just killed with his Barkley, everything he said was funny. They work great together. I want them in a buddy movie."

Have you worked with any Clippers other than the Space Jam read?

"Doc Rivers and I did Waiting for Godot at a Blackbox theater."

As someone with an improv background do you think it helps you appreciate the way players and coaches have to make snap decisions throughout the game?

"Sure, I think Sports and improv share a similar DNA. You know the rules, you know the plays but once you are on the court you have to roll and move and be fluid."

I know the best man at your wedding was a Jack Nicholson impersonator, after becoming a Clippers fan does at least part of you wish it was a Billy Crystal impersonator?

"No offensive to Billy but something tells me that he’s not that impersonate-able (did I just make up a word?) – Billy doesn’t really have the catchphrases. So I’m happy to stick to Jack. But we need some more regular big name Clippers fans down there. (I still can’t afford the good seats but I’m happy with mine.)Please note – Ideally I’d would have preferred DeAndre to officiate our wedding."

Speaking of Billy Crystal… Billy Crystal or Clipper Darrell?

"How about Billy Crystal AS Clipper Darrell."

We can’t thank Paul enough for taking time out of his insanely busy schedule to chat with us. Be sure to keep up with all of ventures on his twitter, website, and IMDB page. Don’t forget to listen to and subscribe to his podcast as well!