Interview with actress/comedian Wendi McLendon-Covey

We recently had the honor of conducting an interview the talented and funny Wendi McLendon-Covey. Her acting credits include starring in the popular show Reno 911! (along with the movie), and the improv show Lovespring International. She also co-wrote, co-produced, and starred in the comedy Cook-Off, and can also be seen in the soon to be released film Closing Escrow. Be sure to check out her MySpace page at MySpace.com/WendiMcLendonCovey for more information on her upcoming projects.

Q: Can you tell us more about winning the “Special Jury Award,” at the U.S. Comedy Festival in Aspen?

WMC: This is a one-off award that the judges created for me because of my performances in two all-improv films that made it into the festival this year: COOK-OFF (which I also co-wrote and co-produced) and CLOSING ESCROW. I’ve never won anything before, so it was the perfect ending to the most expensive weekend of my life.

Q: You are my vote for the most talented actor with a hyphenated name. Yes, I vote you above Tiffani-Amber Thiessen, Kristin Scott-Thomas, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Daniel Day-Lewis, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, and Bridgette Wilson-Sampras. On the other hand, our co-editor Steve ranks you slightly below Chow Yun-Fat. How do you respond to that sort of umbrage?

WMC: My goodness! I’m honored to be on any list with Chow Yun-Fat…even if it’s a “worst dressed” list. As long as I’m above Rebecca Romijn-Stamos-O’Connell, I’ve got no problem.

Q: What’s the bigger honor: being voted Maxim’s Top 10 TV Nymphos or graduating with a B.A. (Liberal Studies/Creative Writing) from California State University?

WMC: Both pale in comparison to being voted “World’s Greatest Granddaughter.” I have the mug to prove it, bitches!

Q: TV Guide has called you the “Queen of Improv.” Who would you name as the “Princesses of Improv”?

WMC: Yes, TV Guide has called me that, although I prefer being called the SUPREME ALBINO OF IMPROV. However, the Princesses of Improv would include Jane Lynch, Kerri Kenney, Jennifer Elise Cox, Mary Birdsong, Neicy Nash, Mindy Sterling, Kristen Wiig, and all the pretty ladies at the Groundling Theater in Los Angeles!

Q: Your husband, Greg Covey, has coyly been described on your bio as the world’s only perfect man. How did he attain such lofty status?

WMC: Well, he changes the newspaper in my cage every day, not every other day. He makes me eat out of a dog dish, but he’s gentlemanly enough to put it on the table in the kitchen while he eats in the dining room. He’s very good about making gagging noises at me if he doesn’t like what I’m wearing, because he doesn’t want me making a fool of myself when we go out. Really…he’s the whole package. We just celebrated our 11 year anniversary! I couldn’t be happier.

Q: If you were an officer in real life, what would be your favorite and least favorite job duty?

WMC: My least favorite activity would be drunken socialite cavity searches. My favorite activity would be drunken socialite property confiscation.

Q: What’s an interesting bit of trivia that your fans wouldn’t guess about you?

WMC: I rarely get recognized. My clothes are usually covered with cat hair. I’m an insomniac. I read AT LEAST one book a week. I spend a lot of time in the bathtub.

Q: You’ve adopted 3 cats from the CARE program at St. Mary’s Hospital in Long Beach. We here at Wicked Info are self-confessed cat haters. Why should we soften our hearts to the feline persuasion?

WMC: We’ve actually adopted our three precious kitties from the SPCALA. The Care Program at St. Mary’s is a charity that helps families affected by AIDS, so I don’t know where you got that piece of info!

I don’t know why I’m still answering questions from you cat-hating degenerates. Oh yeah – I have something to promote. I love you!

Q: What projects are you currently working on?

WMC: CLOSING ESCROW (refer to question number 1) is opening in LA, NY, Phoenix, Denver, and San Francisco on Aug. 24. I’ll be filming a pilot for VH1 this month with the former cast of LOVESPRING INTERNATIONAL. And I’ve got some other movies coming out – check my MySpace page for clips and dates!

Q: We end every interview with word association. I say wombat and you say…

WMC: Combat.