Killer Nerd Interview

Some years back, I did an interview with the killer nerd himself, 'Toby Radloff. 'The Killer Nerd' movies aren't your every day average flicks. Radloff plays the vengeful geek in 'The Killer Nerd' and 'The Bride of the Killer Nerd'. Some may remember him from the 80's MTV generation as the nerd who loved White Castle hamburgers. Mmmmm...How he loves them so. I didn't know this until the interview, but Radloff appeared in a comic book as a character in Harvey Pekar's 80's autobiographical comic book 'American Splendor'.

'American Splendor' is now a film based on Pekar's life with Toby's character appearing in the movie - as well as Toby himself making a cameo.

Below is the interview that was conducted in 2003 for a now defunct website.

Toby Radloff Interview (Conducted 2003)

Lunchmeat:Toby, first off, I wanna say thanks for taking time to answer some of
my questions. Are you comfortable?

Toby:Yes, I am comfortable.

Lunchmeat: I have always heard of Harvey Pekar. He became popular for documenting his own life in the form of a comic book of the same name. He looks like your average Joe, but was ultimately banned from the David LEtterman show after making allegations about NBC's Parent Company General Electric. It wasn't known to me until seeing bits and pieces of the making of 'American Splendor' that I learned that you were actually a charcter is his comic books, and ultimately a co-worker of his. You also had another actor playing you. How did this feel, and what kind of experience was it working with Harvey, or being a part of it in general? Any anecdotes you would like to share?

Toby: I felt good about how the finished product of the film "American Splendor"
came out. I had known Harvey Pekar for 23 years, and have worked alongside him in the files unit of the Wade Park VA Medical Center in ClevelandHarvey retired almost two years ago, and his actual retirement party was documented at the end of the film. Judah Friedlander, who has done standup comedy and has appeared in small roles in several other films prior to "American Splendor", did an excellent job portraying me. We got together over dinner, then he studied my character by watching videos of my old MTV spots and low-budget films (Killer Nerd, Bride Of Killer Nerd, Townies), and we got together a couple of times on the set. Judah had my looks,
voice, and mannerisms down pat. At the rate of success (both critical and with audiences) that American Splendor is receiving, I wouldn't be surprised if the film picks up Golden Globe and Oscar nominations at the end of the year. Both Paul Giamatti and Judah Friedlander deserve to be nominated. I appeared in the film as well, as myself, including a scene where both me and Judah are together, as well as Harvey and Paul.

The combination of drama and documentary is done flawlessly in American Splendor. As for the comic books, I started appearing in Harvey's "American Splendor" comic books beginning with #9 in 1984. I tell Harvey my stories, he draws the stick figures, and his artist friends do the artwork. People who have seen the books liked my stories. Working with Harvey at the VA was a very good experience in an otherwise stressful work environment (at the time). Now, with most medical records computerized, stress is less common in the record room. Being in the film was a great experience for me, and I'm glad to be part of it. I traveled to the Sundance Film Festival in Utah last January for the world premiere-an awesome experience. In August I traveled with the Pekar family to Los Angeles and New York City for the premieres there, which went quite well. I also made special appearances at a couple of Cleveland area movie theaters shgowing the film, in which i signed posters and handed out "Genuine Nerd" buttons to the filmgoers. So far, everyone who's seen the film loved it, and I have gotten great compliments for my appearance in the film. American Splendor is going to go a long way.

Lunchmeat:For the 80's generation, some may remember you from MTV as portraying the Genuine Nerd'. How did you get to be part of these segments? Wasn't Wayne A. Harold responsible for producing some of these segments?

Toby: In 1987, shortly after Harvey Pekar started appearing on "Late Night With David Letterman", an MTV crew from New York came to the VA record room to do a story about Harvey. Harvey introduced the crew to me, and as a result, I started appearing on several segments on "MTV News" and "Week In Rock". The first "Genuine Nerd" spots were released to coincide with the upcoming theatrical release of "Revenge Of The Nerds II-Nerds In Paradise". I appeared in a few other segments in which I discussed White Castle hamburgers (how I love them), as well as some holiday-themed segments. In the summer of 1988, Harvey and I appeared at a Superman convention in downtown Cleveland (Superman was introduced by two Clevelanders, Joe Siegel and Jerry Shuster) in the 1930's, and the Superman convention (a large comic book/horror/sci-fi/movie expo) was supposed to raise money to build a Superman statue in Clevelend-however, the event ended up in the red (despite a rib burnoff and an Indians-Yankees game that same day-a lot of people were downtown that weekend), and the statue was never built, and the sponsor, a comic book store, was forced into bankruptcy. However, at the convention, Harvey and I, talking in a hallway after another group took our assigned room, met Wayne Harold and Mark Bosko for the first time. MTV was looking for a local crew to film the segments, and Wayne and Mark (who were in the main business of producing TV commercials for local businesses to air on cable TV) shot several MTV spots that aired in 1988 and 1989. After the MTV spots ended, Wayne and Mark went on to shoot "Killer Nerd".

Lunchmeat: Your portrayal in 'Killer Nerd' was one of the strangest performances I have ever seen. I mean this in a good way of course. You're somewhat of a mystery to me. Do you really consider yourself a nerd in real life? Does being a nerd have its advantages? Drawbacks?

Toby: Being in "Killer Nerd" was a great experience for me, however, acting in a movie was a lot different than shooting an MTV spot, and there were things I had to get used to, including doing multiple takes and working late at night on some scenes. Still, the finished product ended up looking good, and "Killer Nerd" was a modest success saleswise. As for myself, I have always considered myself a nerd. I am smart. I was picked on and harassed back in junior high school, because I didn't fit in to any "cliques". I later embraced my differences, and started ignoring my harassers. I don't get any negative flak over my being a nerd, and I've felt proud of my being a nerd for well over 30 years now. Especially with "American Splendor" in the theaters now, I get lots of compliments over my portrayal, as well as my being part of this film. As for "Killer Nerd", I would never kill anyone in real life-this is basically a dark story of a put down nerd, "Harold Kunkle", taking revenge on his tormentors-by killing them after he is beaten up in an alley by two of those tormentors. Still, it's only a movie-and a movie that's now considered a "camp classic".

Lunchmeat: Wayne A Harold,, has directed or co-directed most of the films you've acted in,(KILLER NERD- BRIDE OF KILLER NERD-TOWNIES) dis-including 'American Splendor'. What's he like to work with? Doyouever go out drinking with him and JR. Bookwalter? I bet they make you pick you the tab, eh?

Toby: Wayne is a very cool person to work with. He assists me with lines and makes sure that his films come out well. I find it very easy to work with him. Wayne and I went out to eat a few times, but never drank (I don't drink alcohol.) BTW, the meals are usually carryout pizza, and Wayne pays for it.

Lunchmeat: There is an upcoming documentary featuring you as the subject entitled 'Genuine Nerd'. This too is directed by Wayne A. Harold. How did it feel to have the camera's with you everywhere you went? Was it frustrating? Can you give us a little more information on this project? What should we expect?

Toby: I don't see any problem with this documentary. Again, Wayne is very easy
and very patient to work with, and I am used to being in the camera's eye. After the success of "American Splendor", Wayne felt that a documentary on me needed to be done. I have worked with Wayne for over 15 years now, and I had a lot to say. I'm basically telling it like it is. The documentary will come out well, and give me additional exposure.

Lunchmeat: Just exactly what do you do when you're not behind the camera? Do you
have
an every-day job like most nerds, or do you spend your time harassing
the locals out of boredom?

Toby: I still work at the VA, but I drive a van now, delivering medical records and other items to various VA facilities throughout Northeast Ohio. I love my present job. I spend my free time either going to movies, taking road trips, and spending time on the Internet.

Lunchmeat: Michelle Sibits (your co-star CRAZY CONNIE in 'TOWNIES) was a really off the wall charcter. I honestly didn't know she had a wig on. Wild stuff! Did you two do any 'off-screen' rehearsals, because you two seemed to click so well on-screen? And also, what was the rest of the cast like to work with?

Toby: I only met Connie once or twice-the only time we saw each other is when we were shooting. She's in interesting person to work with.

Lunchmeat: Being a native of Cleveland, and being a star of locally made films, I'm sure that you're quiet the celebrity in your neighborhood. Do you get approached alot as being 'that nerd' from that 'low budget horror flick'? What does your family think of your infamous 'Nerd' status?

Toby: I have been approached over the years about "Killer Nerd" and "Bride of Killer Nerd". They keep asking me where they could get copies of the movies, which were out of print for several years, but were reissued a year or so ago by Troma. My family and relatives are glad that I'm in the movies-I look more for exposure than money. but more money certainly helps. And "American Splendor"'s success will most certainly find new audiences for my earlier films. They love my successes in film.

Lunchmeat :Do you ever find that you have viciously became caught in the web of 'type-casting'? Being a self professed nerd really doesn't leave you many other options. If I were you, I'd be doing some heavy ass-kissing
toward Wayne Harold or JR Bookwalter. Of course I'm just kidding, but I'm sure you you've experienced the dreaded typecast-syndrome.

Toby: I don't worry about typecasting. I'm just being myself-a nerd. If Hollywood comes knocking on the door as a result of my "American
Splendor" apprearance, as well as my appearances in the earlier films, I would be glad to see what they have to offer. But I'm not quitting my day job yet.

Lunchmeat: Are you pretty much loyal to Wayne and Lurid Productions, or are you pretty much free to obtain other roles as they are offered, or are you sort of legally binded with Wayne in any way?

Toby: I am loyal to Wayne and Lurid. I have a permanent presence on the Lurid.com web site. I am not under any legally binding contract with Wayne; we work together because we are good friends.

Lunchmeat: Are you a real life fan of bizzare cinema, or is it just business? If so, you must have a few favorite horror films lingering around somewhere. If so, besides the ones you've acted in, which are your favorites, and why?

Toby: I love all kinds of weird films, especially old indie films dealing with nerds, high school kids, "trailer trash", and other weird stuff...this stuff beats out most major-studio Hollywood garbage ten times over. I would pick
out 100 Killer Nerds instead of one Gigli...if you know what I mean. Independent film is where it's at-in the past, now, and always. Rarely does a major studio put out a halfway decent film anymore. I am not much into horror, but I do like bizarre stuff...one DVD I watched recently was a low budget "stinker" called "Monsturd"...about a giant bowel movement monsterthat terrorizes a town-very funny but very weird. I also saw a DVD documentary about overweight porn star Ron Jeremy. As I said, I love weird films.

Lunchmeat: Have you ever been dissapointed with any of your performances after you see the finished product, or is everything pretty much cut and dry while you're watching it? I could never watch my own films for fear of looking like an idiot. Are you a big fan of your own films or do you shun the mere thought of them?

Toby: So far, I have been happy with the way I'm portrayed in my films. I love watching them over and over again-just because I'm in them. I already saw "American Splendor" 10 times, and "Killer Nerd" is approaching cult classic status.

Lunchmeat: Have you ever thought of stepping on the other side of the camera and trying your luck at directing? What genre' film would you like to make if the possibility arose? Another off-beat horror-comedy, a drama, an all out horror film, documentary..ect...

Toby:I have thought about it at times, but at the time, I am so busy with other things, that I don't really have the time or frame of mind to direct a film. If I end up a director, Wayne would most likely be there to assist me. It's still a pipe dream to me, to direct a film.

Lunchmeat: Tell us about 'Abberation Boulevard'. Looking forward to seeing the finished product? What should we expect?

Toby: In "Aberration Boulevard", I play a carnival freak who lives with other carnival freaks in a home in Schlarb, Ohio,during the off season. I play a character named "Corky", who has a diaper fetish. In one scene, I hire a teenage prostitute and pay her to "change my diaper". I even cry like a baby and have a pacifier in my mouth in this scene. Again, I am looking forward to the finished product.

Lunchmeat: DVD or VHS?

Toby: Wayne will most likely release "Aberration Boulevard" in both formats, although the DVD will have extras.

Lunchmeat: Nintendo, X-Box, or Playstation? Or are you still playing 'Pong?'
(laughs)

Toby: I used to own an Atari 2600, but now am not much into video games. I do play video games on my computer. I have almost every Atari game ever released on CD-Rom for my computer-bought it at a computer show last year.

Lunchmeat:Any other Toby Radloff news you would like to share before we close?
Any future projects we haven't covered?

Toby: Not really...most of the current media coverage involving me are tied to
"American Splendor". The film continues to do well, and could end up
winning nominations for Golden Globes and Oscars. As for wayne, he has
other unnamed projects in the works, that he would love to have me do. Only
time will tell.

Lunchmeat: And last but not least....in three words, describe what kind of
experience it has been doing what you do!

Toby: Fun, enjoyable, exciting.

Lunchmeat: Toby, I wanna thank you for taking time to answer some of my questions.

Toby: Thanks very much. Keep in touch.