Smallscreen Features

Seth Rogen's a Monster, and NBC nabbed him, the interview

By April MacIntyre Oct 25, 2009, 21:01 GMT

Savant comic impresario Seth Rogen, who portrays B.O.B once again for NBC'S "Monsters vs Aliens: Mutant Pumpkins from Outer Space," has had the kind of timing, talent and mentoring that most people would dream of. B.O.B. strikes again for Halloween- Seth Rogen - 80th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals - Kodak Theatre - Hollywood, CA, USA © Bob Charlotte / PR Photos

B.O.B. strikes again for Halloween- Seth Rogen - 80th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals - Kodak Theatre - Hollywood, CA, USA © Bob Charlotte / PR PhotosHis career began early, with "Socialist" Jewish parents who nurtured the performer in him and let young Rogen cut class and perform in comedy clubs, just barely out of puberty. Down the road, Judd Apatow spotted Rogen and cast him in "Freaks and Geeks," and the two have collaborated and remained friends ever since.Now, NBC has plans to resurrect B.O.B., the Rogen-voiced monster for their upcoming Halloween DreamWorks animated special, "Monsters vs. Aliens: Mutant Pumpkins from Outer Space," which will air Wednesday, October 28 (8-8:30 p.m. ET).

Based on the smash hit "Monsters vs. Aliens," once again the star voices of Reese Witherspoon, Hugh Laurie, Seth Rogen, Kiefer Sutherland, Will Arnet and Rainn Wilson will be heard.The premise:After the events in “Monsters vs. Aliens,” Susan Murphy, a.k.a. Ginormica (Reese Witherspoon) and the Monsters are now working with the U.S. government as special ops. So when an alien presence is detected in Susan’s hometown of Modesto, California—right before Halloween—the team is dispatched to investigate. Everything appears normal, right down to the jack-o-lanterns peering out from every doorstep and windowsill. But when Halloween arrives, those innocent-looking carved pumpkins reveal themselves for what they really are --mutant aliens. The altered pumpkins then start to implement their fiendish plan to take over Earth. The Monsters are there to combat the mutant gourds and try to smash their wicked scheme!Seth Rogen has dipped his toe in the kids voice-over talent pool, working on “Kung Fu Panda,” then bouncing back into "R" territory with the critical darling comedy, “Pineapple Express,” a film he co-wrote with longtime friend and collaborator Evan Goldberg, and starred in opposite James Franco (a Freaks and Geeks alum too) and Danny McBride. Rogen also worked with his oft-mentioned idol Kevin Smith in “Zack and Miri Make a Porno,” where he starred opposite Elizabeth Banks.Rogen was nominated for an Emmy Award in 2005 for Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy for “Da Ali G Show.” In 2005, Rogen was cast by Apatow in the hit feature comedy “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” which put Rogen solidly on the map as a film star. Rogen was a co-producer on the film as well.In 2007, Rogen toplined the summer comedy “Knocked Up” with co-stars Katherine Heigl, Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann. Rogen was also an executive producer on the project.But it was the summer blockbuster, “Superbad” - a semi-autobiographical comedy which Rogen co-wrote and executive-produced with writing partner Evan Goldberg - that made the most headlines for Rogen. The sweet and raucous story is based on two co-dependent high school seniors (Jonah Hill and Michael Cera), who are forced to deal with separation anxiety after their plan to stage a booze-soaked party gets completely cocked up.Rogen recently wrapped "Funny People" and “Observe and Report” and is set to star in the action film “The Green Hornet” (Sony Pictures). He will again team up with writing partner Evan Goldberg for director Stephen Chow—the film has a scheduled release of June 2010.Monsters and Critics' TV editor April MacIntyre caught up with Rogen on Thursday and spoke to him on the phone about his NBC effort.So I have a question for you; at what point did you parents give it up and just let you as a kid go out and perform? I mean when did they realize they had this creative performing genius on their hands and just let you run with the bulls?Seth Rogen: I don't think they ever realized that. But, no, they, I mean, from when I was very young they encouraged me to kind of pursue my comedic exploits I guess you would say. I mean, I started doing standup when I was like 13. My mom would drive me to all the shows and not be upset when I had to miss school the next day because I was out late.So, yes, I mean, they were always very supportive of it. Around when I was 13 I'll say.You have to understand that for a Jewish mother that is a very unusual thing to let you skip school...Seth Rogen: I know...some are very religious and then well, not for some, some fall the other way with it; some are very liberal and just don't care about school.So listen so someday you're going to be a father we think...Seth Rogen: Yes, maybe not.I'm giving myself a vasectomy right now. Huh?Hypothetically you have some children, you have a baby; at what point - which character are you most excited about introducing your little wee-one to as far as the G-rated Seth Rogen?Seth Rogen: Well there's no G-rated Seth Rogen. The only PG movie I really did was Monsters vs. Aliens and a little bit of Kung Fu Panda so I'd have to go with Monsters vs. Aliens. It was a trick question; you painted me into a corner on that one.I just have to share with you about Viggo Mortensen, Zac Efron and Dave Attell. We have an annual end of year list on Monsters and Critics...Seth Rogen: Yes....where we do something called The_List And this is the third year that we are doing it- and you beat out Viggo, Dave Attell and Zac Efron in a sexy men's poll. I just wanted to share that with you.Seth Rogen: Well thank you. Finally. And that's the first time those people's names have ever been said in a sentence together.I know, pretty awesome company when you think of it.Seth Rogen: It is.Thank you so much. I look forward to seeing B.O.B. againSeth Rogen: I appreciate it.