MADtv (which returned from a seven-year hiatus for its 15th season this summer) is second only to Saturday Night Live when it comes to sketch comedy TV longevity, and its produced its share of talented alums, too. Indeed, as the new cast tries to return the show to levels unseen since its late ’90s heyday, they’ve doubtlessly been inspired by the success of MADtv alums Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele, Taran Killam, Ike Barinholtz, and Andy Daly. An ensemble in the truest sense, the potential exists for a number of players to be the next to break out, and Adam Ray is making his case, carrying sketches and wowing with impressions that range from Alec Baldwin to Wolf Blitzer and Pitbull.
Adam took some time out from his efforts to perfect his Mr. 305ness to clue us in on how he feels about South Park, his Saved by the Bell crush, and Nic Cage pizza parties.
1. You walk into a bar. What do you order from the bartender?
If the mood is right, I won’t walk in, I’ll do some cool dance I made up five minutes prior. Or the electric slide if I can sense it’ll take the ambiance up a notch. And I’m definitely having a double tequila on the rocks.
2. Who’s your favorite person to follow on Twitter and/or Instagram?
There are girls who get paid to eat food and work out, and broadcast it all on Instagram. That blows my fucking mind. It’s some of the worst/best programming I’ve ever seen. I’ll watch it, and be confused, then angry, then amused, then angry, then horny, then angry. And by that time, Wheel of Fortune is on, and I’ve got no wits about me to solve the puzzle out loud.
3. What’s currently waiting for you on your DVR?
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. He’s one of the best, especially with his interviews. Not only is he so caring with every moment, but he’s such a great listener, which is pretty much the key element you have to posses to be great in comedy. For stand-up, podcasts, talk shows, acting, oh and hey, life too.
4. It’s your last meal — what are you going out with?
Something from Buca Di Beppo. Yeah, you forgot about them, didn’t you? You’re welcome.
5. What websites do you visit on a regular basis?
ESPN.com, SeattleTimes.com, Amazon.com, CNN.com, Deadline.com, and a porn site or two or three.
6. What’s the most frequently played song on your mobile device?
Right now, it’s Jason Derulo. Dude is a beast. Some of the catchiest tunes I’ve ever heard. Also, a few months ago, I did a piece for EXTRA with him and became homies, so now I listen to his stuff even more. Plus, when I pitched him a song about Chef Boyardee, and he laughed, I knew he was cool as shit.
7. If you could go back and give your 18-year-old self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Enjoy your 20s, don’t be in three back to back relationships. Or do, you’ll probably learn a lot, and it’s pretty amazing to be in that head-over-heels for someone, and then get cheated on. Everybody should at some point, it makes you stronger. Also, you’re not gonna go pro, stop trying to aggressively box out other grown men at 24-Hour Fitness.
8. What’s the last thing you Googled?
The lyrics to “Even Flow” by Pearl Jam.
9. Dogs or cats?
Dogs all the way. Rowlf was my favorite Muppet, Beethoven was one of my favorite movies growing up, and my old English sheep dogs we had as kids, were to this day, some of the most loving creatures I’ve ever been around.
10. Best concert of your life was…?
My first concert. I’ll never forget it. Third Eye Blind at Bumbershoot in Seattle, 1998. That being said, a close second is John Legend at Red Rocks. I wish I could sing like that.
11. What book are you most likely to give as a gift?
A cool photo art book, a Yo Momma snaps book, or Shel Silverstein’s Where the Sidewalk Ends. He was a true genius with words and images.
12. What’s the nicest thing anyone has ever done for you?
Senior year of college at USC, my friend Kaily recognized I had an overly sore throat one morning when I called her to tell her I wouldn’t be able to do our scene in acting class that day, and that I needed more than just lozenges. So she came to my apartment, took me to her ear/nose and throat doc in Beverly Hills, and he concluded that my throat was actually closing up and I was going to suffocate if I wasn’t admitted within 20 minutes because I had some rare virus called epiglottis. So that was pretty nice that she saved my life.
13. South Park or Family Guy?
South Park is incredible, and Matt and Trey made one of the greatest musicals of all time, but the first Family Guy I ever saw was an episode where they parodied Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory. It was brilliant and struck a fat kid chord I’ll never forget. They win.
14. You have an entire day to do whatever you want. What would you do?
Play basketball, make my nieces laugh, hug my mom, smoke a little weed, eat some amazing pasta, do stand-up comedy, randomly meet a girl that I hit it off with and think I’m going to fall in love with, and write.
15. What movie can you not resist watching if it’s on?
Dumb and Dumber, ’cause it’s my favorite movie of all time.
16. The sports team or teams you’re most passionate about?
I’m a Seattle guy, big time. Seahawks, Mariners, and because they will be back soon, the Sonics. Also, when the Olympics are on, the women’s gymnastics squad is always some of the most incredible shit I’ve ever seen. I don’t know how we don’t make a bigger deal out of their skill-sets. To flip backward multiple times in mid-air? Are you sure you’re human? I mean Jordan dunked from the free-throw line, but Simone Biles did four flips and stuck the landing. Your move, MJ.
17. Where did you eat the best meal of your life?
My house. When it was just my Mom and I for four years, eighth grade to junior year of high school, she cooked for me all the time. Those were the days. Never a bad meal. Even her toast was better than regular toast.
18. The last movie you saw in a theater?
Don’t Think Twice. Birbiglia can do it all.
19. Who was your first celebrity crush?
Tiffany Amber Thiessen. Still is. Good God. She’s just… well, you know. I didn’t know why exactly boners were happening, or what to do with them, but she caused several. Can you say boner on the internet?
20. What would you cook if Nic Cage was coming to your house for dinner?
Great question. First, I would say, “I’m only cooking if you bring Sam Rockwell or Denzel, or Whoopi. I’d love to meet/hang/chat/smoke weed with one or all of them. If you make good on that, I’ll whoop up some sort of chicken pot pie, or a homemade ravioli, or meatloaf. Or we can go to Shakey’s Pizza. ‘Cause it’d be your birthday, Nic, and Shakey’s Pizza is great with birthdays.
