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Comedian Jonathan Mangum Talks His New Series – Interview

By on June 22, 2012

BSCkids recently got the chance to sit down with comedian and actor Jonathan Mangum. He spoke with us about his new show “Trust Us With Your Life” as well as his previous projects and working in the entertainment industry.

Jonathan Mangum, an A-List improvisor and series regular on the new ABC Primetime series “Trust Us With Your Life,” which is premiering on July 10th at 9pm. Jonathan performs alongside Wayne Brady and Colin Mochrie. He is additionally the co-host of “Let’s Make A Deal” on CBS. Mangum also had a recent recurring role on “N.C.I.S.” and was in the Rob Reiner film “The Bucket List.” Fans may also recognize Jonathan from his major reoccurring part on “The Drew Carey Show.”

BSCkids: Jonathan Mangum

How did you get into acting and comedy?

In high school, I signed up in the drama club Sophomore year. I got my first laugh playing a Sheriff in E.A. Poe’s “A Tell-Tale Heart”– the part wasn’t; supposed to be funny, but somehow I made it funny, and not on purpose either. When the audience laughed it surprised the hell out of me.

When you were first starting out in the entertainment industry, what was the hardest thing you had to overcome?

The hardest was the small pond to big pond thing. I was a working actor in Orlando, FL. I was a well known comedian down there and had a lot of respect. Coming to LA was like starting over.

Tell us about your new show “Trust Us With Your Life.”

TUWYL is like the next evolution of Whose Line is it Anyway– it from the same creator, Dan Patterson. On Whose Line, Drew Carey would ask the audience for suggestions to start off the improv. On TUWYL, our host Fred Willard, interviews celebrities about their past, and based on those stories, we create the improv

What is something fans can be look forward to seeing on the show?

One thing that is great about the show is the new kinds of improv we’re doing. There’s  a game called “Forward/Reverse” in which Feed controls the direction of the scene like a remote control. There is another called “Sideways Scene” were the camera is on the ceiling pointing down, and we lie on the floor– the illusion is that we are standing while lying on our sides… Makes for some great bits.

What has been the craziest thing to happen on “Lets Make A Deal?”

One thing you can’t tell from watching on TV is how LOUD that place gets. People literally SCREAM the whole time. Wayne and myself often can’t even hear ourselves speak– we’ve learned how it “feels” to make noise and assume the mics are picking up our voice. The craziest thing would be when the guy turned in his Big Deal of the Day (think it was a car?) to go for the SUPER DEAL– if he won, he would get 50,000 PLUS his deal, but only had a 1 in 3 chance….Well, he got it!

You have worked on a number of different shows and projects, what has been your favorite over the years?

The Bucket List with Jack Nickolson and NCIS with Mark Harmon were two of my favorites for sure. But nothing makes me happy performing live improv like I do with Drew Carey, Wayne Brady, or a new live improv show I’ve developed called “The Made Up Game Show”

If you couldn’t be an actor/comedian, what profession would you have hoped to be?

Horse Balancer

If you had to recommend one movie that everyone should see, what would it be?

There are too many to choose from, but one I re-watched recently that I highly recommend is “Spirited Away”- you will not find more creative story telling, like, ever.

About Sarah

Sarah is journalist and artist who lives in the city. She loves movies and television. She reads early and often. Leader of Optionated.com

One Comment

  1. Sunshine Bright

    June 22, 2012 at 11:39 pm

    Jonathan is awesome. So funny on Improv-A-Ganza (boo GSN for letting that one go!) and Let’s Make a Deal. He doesn’t get enough credit for totally holding his own with Wayne Brady, Drew Carey, et al. He is a master of improv (and adorable to boot). Can’t wait for TUWYL!

    Reply

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