Chris Tucker is Like The Junk Yard Dog. Here's Why

I couldn't believe when I realized that Chris Tucker hasn't been in a movie in six years. His last movie? Rush Hour 2. His movie opening in about three weeks? Rush Hour 3.

The gut reaction is to think that Tucker is washed up and nobody wants to cast him, but look at the list of films that he has been in. Every one has been a big hit. Tucker holds his cards. Proof? He's getting paid more than $20 million for Rush Hour 3.

This guy is just selective. He was in Toronto today to talk about the film and I asked him what the hell he's been doing. He said he's just been concentrating a lot on his charities (it's true, google "Tucker" and "Africa" and see the results).

It reminds me a lot of Jerome Williams, the Junk Yard Dog, the former NBA player. He was never the best player on his team but he was always a valued contributor. In his early 30s, the Knicks bought out his contact for something in the neighbourhood of $20 million. That means, they paid him $20 million not to play anymore. Rather than find another contract with another team, he said something like, "hey, I have more money than I'll ever need, why keep playing when I can spend time with my family." Smart move.

That's sort of like Tucker. He's choosing the roles he wants, and he doesn't care if he's only in a movie every six years. He's rich beyond belief and is spending his time making a difference in the world.

The interview with Tucker will be up on andPOP sometime around Rush Hour 3's Aug. 10 release date.

Andy Samberg is God

About time for an andPOP blog update.

Last week, I saw a screening of Hot Rod the night before I interviewed its star, Saturday Night Live's Andy Samberg. I am not supposed to review the film until opening day, so all I will say is I love Andy Samberg.

Actually, at the screening, Samberg showed up to do a Q&A afterwards.

There was an old lady in the audience, probably about 80 years old, there by herself, out of place since most of the crowd was late teens, early 20s.

So picture this - she's sitting a row in front of me, next to her is Leah from MuchMusic who was there to moderate the Q&A and next to her is Leah's boyfriend Dallas from Alexisonfire.

After the film, Andy's about 20 minutes late since he missed a flight. He arrives, Leah begins asking him questions, and about four questions in, this old lady with what I think is an Italian accent turns to Dallas and says, in a very loud voice, "This is the man who was in the film?"

Dallas said "yes" and anyone in the few rows surrounding them who could clearly hear this conversation are laughing in histerics, mostly because of how loud she asked the question.

She turns to Dallas again and says, "him? He was the man in the movie?" Dallas said yes again.

Two seconds later, she stood up and left.

Awesome.

Next day, spoke with Samberg, great interview, coming up soon on andPOP.

And lots of actor interviews coming up. Keep checking the blog.