He’s Honored, and He Really Means It

Hey, Fred, you’ve been nominated for funniest supporting actor in a comedy film for “Best in Show.” Now what are you going to do? “I’m going to George Schlatter’s American Comedy Awards!”

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They say it’s an honor to be nominated. That’s true, but the first honor comes in just getting the job. “Honor” may not be the right word. “Fun,” that’s the word, “fun.”

I’d worked with Christopher Guest when he directed “Waiting for Guffman.” Pure pleasure. And like “Waiting for Guffman,” Guest’s “Best in Show” was largely improvised. An actor’s dream, right? Well, in a way. But, you miss a writer’s script. And, of course, you can’t scream, “I can’t say these lines!” and storm off to your trailer.

When “Best in Show” premiered, I was pretty happy. I had a lot of time on camera. I noticed how much Jim Piddock, my co-host, added to our scenes and made me look even better than I was. But, when the movie came out, I didn’t want to bore people by dwelling on that.

Then someone told me that Roger Ebert and Richard Roeper mentioned I should get an Oscar nomination for my role. They discussed it on the show at greater length another week. Incidentally, I’ve begun to notice what a great show they have.

A few awards shows came and went without further mention of my part, except for an occasional post-nominations “You know who really got overlooked?” comment. Then, without any ado (although some would have been welcomed) I was named best supporting actor by Rolling Stone magazine. No cover, but an award. Then a nice award from the Boston Film Critics. In fact, I beat out Albert Finney. This set me off laughing. It was like having someone watch you playing softball on Saturday and saying, “You’ve got a better swing than Mark McGwire.”

I was talking to my former college roommate who lives in Boston, and I modestly dropped this Boston award business information on him. “Now, just what does that mean?” he asked. He also was not sure who the Boston Film Critics Society are. That’s when I realized that we get a little too self-involved out here.

Well, the Academy Awards came and went. No mention, and no outraged demand for a recount from Ebert and Roeper. Some from me, though. Some of those actors were in so many films they probably weren’t even sure which ones they’d been nominated for. They probably didn’t even care about the Academy Awards. OK, maybe now I’m going overboard.

Then: nominated for the American Comedy Awards! I began to notice what a great job George Schlatter does year after year. I’ll get dressed up and go. It’ll be fun!

Then the big night. A limo, a tuxedo, my wife, daughter and son-in-law in the car with me. We arrive. A lot of excitement. The press going wild. Not for me, though. For the celebrities who arrived before me. They probably don’t want to talk to me. I don’t care. In fact I’m just as pleased. Who needs it? Wait! They do want to interview me. I’m thrilled!

Inside there are so many big-name comics from George Carlin to Richard Belzer, I almost wish there were no awards show. I’d just like to go around and say hello to old friends like Jimmie Walker and introduce myself to some of my new comedy favorites, including Lewis Black and Dave Attell.

Then a rush to be seated before the show starts. I’d gotten strong hints that I’d won. I kind of formed a speech. Should I try to sound really humble? The danger there is that people might mistakenly think I’d somehow lost.

Suddenly the show started. There are presenters Will Ferrell and Darrell Hammond. I like them. I want to hear what they’re going to say. But I can’t concentrate. I lean forward and whisper to my wife, Mary, “Did I win this thing?” She has little patience for questions like that. My category’s up first. Hey, I haven’t even eaten yet. Suddenly the winner is . . . “Fred Willard!” Well, it was just like a movie moment. My speech went well. I wish I had strong political feelings I could promote at times like this. Just to be controversial, you know. I do have some strong opinions on some subjects, but I’m afraid they would be too inappropriate, even for some private gatherings.

I was seated with old friend Martin Mull, who just got a pilot so he can’t begrudge me a trophy, and my former “Real People” co-host Sarah Purcell, who was genuinely happy for me, an emotion foreign to most performers. I’m also seated with Jo Anne Worley and Alan Sues. I don’t need an award, I’m mingling with comedy legends! I’m happy. Thank you, Christopher Guest.

On the last award of the evening, “Best In Show” won as funniest motion picture. It’s turned into a fairy-tale evening. I’m genuinely happy for Christopher. God bless you, Chris. Hey, what’s happening here? I really meant that.

Fred Willard played dog-show TV host Buck Laughlin in 2000’s “Best in Show.” He is an alumnus of Second City, and his television performances include playing Jerry Hubbard on “Fernwood 2Night”; Scott, Martin Mull’s spouse, on “Roseanne”; an Elvis impersonator in “Elvis and Juliet”; and appearing on “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno,” where his roles have ranged from Christopher Columbus to President Clinton’s dog Buddy.