KIDSDAY:TALKING WITH COLIN QUINN
By Krissy Manghan, Tim Faxon, Tara Davies and Andy Laukhardt.
Kidsday Staff Reporters

We interviewed 30-year-old Colin Quinn, co-host and announcer for the
MTV game show, "Remote Control," at their studios in Manhattan. We sat
in the audience for a taping of one of the shows and then met with him
backstage. This spring he will have his own show on MTV, "Colin Quinn's
Manly World Show." Colin is single; he grew up in Brooklyn, near ConeyIsland.
Q. How did you get this job?
A. My mother asked that question. I used to do stand up comedy. They
heard my voice and said that is just the opposite of how an announcer
should sound. They were kind of making fun of me.
Q. Where did you get the idea for the show, "Remote Control"?
A. I didn't have the idea, it was these two MTV guys. MTV was fading
fast so they needed something big so they thought of me. They hired me
before they hired Ken [Ober]. They decided to make funny game shows.
Q. Who was your role model growing up?
A. Steve McQueen - he liked fast cars, bad acting and he died when he
was 51. He's why I have this haircut.
Q. What do you do in your spare time?
A. I play basketabll and I yell at my brother. I make phone calls. I
like to watch college hoops. I have a boring life, now that I thinkabout it.
Q. Do you sing out of tune on purpose?
A. Out of tune is a state of mind. Little do they know that is my realvoice.
Q. Did you ever record music?
A. Very funny. The sad thing is they almost made a record deal for me
when I did, "Coming Back to Brooklyn." That shows how messed up the
music industry is.
Q. Do you make personal appearances?
A. Me and Ken [Ober] did a tour. But when I try to do comedy, people
yell for me to sing. So I have to sing the rest of the time.
Q. Do you have any influence on the show?
A. I could say something if there was something I didn't want to do.
Q. Do you have any other jobs?
A. That hurts. I do comedy and some acting once in a while. I know it is
hard to believe that I get paid enough to live on this, but it is true.
Q. Do you have any pets?
A. My brother. I give him little bowls of milk. I have to save my money,
this show might not be around next year.
Q. Who is your favorite singer?
A. I like Steve Tyler from Aerosmith.
Q. What were you like when you were a kid?
A. I was a nice kid but I had a big head. People used to call me Apple
Head. I had a loud voice, but my body was was real small. I was popular
within my own family. I looked like a Charms Pop.
Q. Did you ever want to be anything else?
A. Besides Sing Along with Colin? Yes. I wanted to be anything else. I
wanted to be a cop, a fireman or a basketball player.
Q. Do you consider this job work?
A. No. This job is as easy as it looks. I sit there, I do sing along,
then Ken yells something, I yell something. It's fun.
Q. What do you think the future for MTV is?
A. They are trying to do more comedies and more public service things.
They are trying to be like a network, only hipper.
Q. Is your family embarrassed by what you do?
A. It's funny you say that. When I saw them over the holidays they say
"Hi, how are you?" but they never talk about what I do. They are glad
cable is not in Brooklyn, lets put it that way.
Q. Besides "Remote Control," what is your favorite TV show?
A. "Cops," "Married with Children," I like "F-Troop." Have you ever
noticed on this show they never ask any questions about "F-Troop"? I can
get into the Brady Bunch once in a while.
Write to Colin c/o "remote Control," MTV Networks, 1775 Broadway, New
York, N.Y. 10019.

Copyright 1990, Newsday Inc.

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