Stringing together a Steve Martin interview

The multifaceted artist has his tongue in tweet before his Cuthbert show

Interviewing Steve Martin is like, well, tweeting. Especially if you interview him through his Twitter account.

We tried to get a real interview with Martin, the popular actor, comedian, author, playwright and musician, etc., who brings his banjo-playing persona to the Cuthbert Amphitheater on Wednesday, fronting the North Carolina bluegrass band the Steep Canyon Rangers.

But doing all those things takes away a man’s time, you know.

So with that, we’ll just have to let some of Martin’s recent tweets speak on his behalf:

Question: You were last here in Eugene in November 2009, when you and the Rangers played the Shedd. How was that?

Answer: Some offers are just too good to pass up.

Question: Are you excited about coming back?

Answer: So tiring. Another throng awaiting my proclamation.

Question: That sort of attitude won’t impress the locals.

Answer: Ouch!

Question: This latest tour with the Rangers and Emmylou Harris and Her Red Dirt Boys started Wednesday at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colo. Did that go well?

Answer: When I said “puh-lease” to the aliens, you should have seen the expression on the face of their interpreter. Ha!

Question: Weird.

Answer: I shot an arrow into the air, where it landed, I know not… gulp.

Question: Dangerous.

Answer: I slugged two paparazzi today for not taking my photo.

Question: Dangerous for them.

Answer: Cloudy day where I am. Sunny on the guy standing next to me.

Question: Well, you never know what the weather will be like in Oregon, even in July, although we are in a stretch of gorgeous summer days.

Answer: Taking my dog umbrella-gliding with my bicycle later.

Question: You’ve had ridiculous success over the years, from your days as the “Wild and Crazy Guy” comedian to your many film roles to writing best-selling novellas to your banjo-playing bluegrass that we get to see right here on Wednesday.

What’s your secret?

Answer: Rush Limbaugh.

Aspirin.

Knees.

Question: Seriously, how can you be so successful no matter what you do?

Answer: Have just been diagnosed with a borderline personality.

Question: Anything else?

Answer: The secret of a happy life is (inaudible).

Question: You were a philosophy major in college and reportedly considered becoming a university professor. Were you a good student?

Answer: Scored 80 percent on my SATs!

Hit the chair eight out of 10 times.

Question: Lots of Hollywood folks have had “work done,” but you had prematurely gray hair as a young man and seem comfortable aging naturally and gracefully at age 66. Is that true?

Answer: Thomwhere around here ith my teeth whithening tray.

Question: Why did you schedule this latest Eugene show on a Wednesday?

Answer: I love Wednesdays. Reminds me to worship the German God Woden.

On Wednesdays, after I score a touchdown, I begin Wodening.

Question: So you like football. Will the Ducks make it back to the national championship game this year?

Answer: You think you’re so funny. Oh wait, you are.

Question: You got married for the second time in 2007 to writer and former New Yorker staff writer Anne Stringfield, 26 years your junior. How’s that going?

Answer: “Hey you, Meestah! Meestah!” I get so annoyed by my wife sometimes.

Question: OK, no more personal questions — honest.

Answer: I’m not so easily fooled, Mr. Abraham Lincoln.

Question: The Cuthbert holds 5,000, probably not the largest venue you’ve ever played, huh?

Answer: Appearing in front of 25,000 people in Indio, Calif., tomorrow!

I can’t believe they can get that many people in a courtroom.

Question: What’s next for you?

Answer: Waiting by phone for Sexiest Man Alive announcement.

Mark Baker is The Register-Guard’s features editor. Reach him at 541-338-2374 or [email protected].


Mark Baker has been a journalist for the past 25 years. He’s currently the sports editor at The Jackson Hole News & Guide in Jackson, Wyo.