(upbeat music) - You're listening to The Parting Shot with H. Allen Scott. - Can I be honest with you about something? When I was first approached to chat with Terry Cruz, I thought, well, I like him. I just don't think we're gonna have that much in common. You know, I didn't know where the conversation was going to go. Of course, I could do just a standard interview with the questions about the project and the thing he's promoting and the things you hear all the time from every other interviewer out there in the world talking to celebrities. But I like to think that I have a connection with the person I'm chatting with. That there's a reason why I'm chatting with them more than just for them to promote whatever project they're doing. There has to be something that I'm interested in in this person, and I am interested in Terry Cruz, sure, but we're just so very different people in very different lanes. You know, I watch America's Got Talent sometimes, but I'm not like devoted to it. Not the biggest action movie star and he has a big new action movie out coming out on September 13th called "The Killer's Game." And I watched everybody hates Chris, but I wasn't like necessarily the biggest fan of it. So I just thought, okay, are we gonna have that much in common? Boy, was I wrong. Terry Cruz is the definition of don't judge a book by its cover, and his career is a testament to it. The conversation that I had with Terry Cruz took me by so much of a surprise. Yes, we talked about all the things I mentioned that he has going on this month, and it's a lot of things. I mean, from the film "The Killer's Game" to the animated reboot of "Everybody Hates Chris" to "America's Got Talent," he's a busy, busy, busy man. But what we really talked about, the core of our conversation is who Terry Cruz is, and his philosophy on how he got to where he is right now, and more so, where he sees himself going. I mean, he told me from the very beginning that he realized there are no rules for someone like him, that he's really just loving the moment that he's having because he never thought when he was playing in the NFL that he would be where he is today. So every single day, since then, has been just sort of joy and surprise, and every single resume builder that he's had over the years has just been added on to the surprise that he's even doing what he's doing, which frankly is the best kind of celebrity and is the best kind of actor because they're so infectious and excited to be doing the things that they're doing. And we talked a lot about his philosophy on his career and where he thinks he just says he's just getting started with everything. When I say that I was surprised by this chat with Terry Cruz, it would be an understatement. I was blown over by my chat with Terry Cruz. We had a lot of fun. Some inappropriate things were said about locker rooms between the two of us and he's just a fun, fun person to chat with. So I really do think you're gonna love my chat with Terry Cruz. Make sure you get those tickets for his new film, The Killer's Game. Also watch him on America's Got Talent and get very, very excited for the animated reboot of Everybody Hates Chris and Don't Underestimate. Mr. Terry Cruz, because like he said, he's just getting started. So go on and grab a snack because I will be right back with my very surprising interview with Terry Cruz. - There's more to imagine when you listen. So let your imagination soar with Audible. Audible has audio titles from every genre that will inspire you to imagine new worlds, possibilities, and ways of thinking. As an Audible member, you get to choose one title a month to keep from their entire catalog. Enjoy an exciting reawakening of a beloved classic with the Audible Original David Copperfield by Charles Dickens, produced by Academy Award-winning director Sam Mendez, starring Shudi Gattwa, Helena Bonham Carter, and Theo James. This adaptation breathes new life into a familiar tale. New members can try Audible free for 30 days. Visit audible.com/imagine or text imagine to 500-500. That's audible.com/imagine or text imagine to 500-500. - It's lovely to meet you. The film's fantastic. I love your sort of all over the place right now, which is must be a really exciting thing for you. - Oh, first of all, there are no rules. - Yeah. - You know, in regarding... You know, there used to be so many rules. They used to say you can't do TV. You must only do movies. You can't do commercials or you'll be too exposed. Then it became where, okay, if you go into this lane, if you do reality, you're gonna be stuck here. If you're gonna do, man, I did it. I just said, listen, you gotta understand. I'm an old football player. So everything I'm doing right now is never... I'm already a past what anyone ever expected. So there really are no rules for me. And another thing is I don't have this background where, you know, a lot of schooling and, you know, acting coaches that are like, okay, you should, you have to do this, you have to do that. I mean, I learned on the fly, I learned as I went. So there's no one to judge me on any of this stuff. You know what I mean? It's kinda like, and I really don't care. You know, it's one phrase that I like to say, it's to care deeply about people, but not what they think about you. - Yeah. - And that's where, that's kind of my recipe for going around in life is that I care about people. I care about pleasing the fans, the people performing with the people that I'm with. This is why I love ensembles. - Yeah. - It feels like home to me, you know what I mean? Doing movies and, well, Dave and I, Dave Batiste and I wanted to work together for years. You gotta say, we, I know him when he had hair. We both had hair back and we were doing, everybody hates Chris and wrestling was on the CW. - Yeah. - And, you know, a UPN and so were we. - Yeah. - And so we would hit each other up, even at the upfronts and stuff like, hey man, how you doing? I mean, I'm always a fan. - Yeah. - And it was, if it wasn't for another turn, I would easily have been a wrestler, you know? I did my, it's tea money and battle dome. And like I said, my first foray into this business was extreme sport, game show, you know? - Yeah. And that also, I mean, what's so exciting about a film like this, you know, with the two of you in it, but also just with this cast too. It like, it's exactly what we want to see from the two of you, you know what I mean? It's, that it is, that it is like, it's this big action thing, but it's all so funny. And it's just like, you just need, like it's fan service on a level that is just, you know, chef's kiss, like it's perfect. And like-- - Listen, I, I, I, and that's the other thing too. I, I, I, I'm so happy it wasn't three hours. (laughing) You know, one thing I, I, I've had it with the three hour movie. I ain't gonna lie to you right now. - Same. - I'm a little bit like, okay. You know, I break it up at least. - I'm being old, I gotta pee. Like, dude, I got, you know, I'm like, I'm sleepy. - Yeah. - You know what I mean? I turned 56 yesterday. I'm like, I'm going to bed at 830. If I get home at 10 after this movie, I'm going to be like, but it's, it's such a fun ride. I was telling my, my manager, like, it's the perfect. I mean, me, I, I just go back to 16 years old. I'm on my first date. That's the movie where I went to go see and we would go get a pizza afterwards and talk about how fun it was. Talk about the jokes, talk about the whole thing. It had romance, a little touch of romance in it. It had big guys just do a crazy stuff. I mean, it's just that movie at 16, 17. That's my perfect date film. You know what I mean? - Yeah, yeah, definitely. Well, and it's also too. I mean, in a weird way, 'cause I feel like for a long time in Hollywood, maybe the past 20 or so years, there haven't been a lot of funny action movies. I mean, there have been, there have been here and there and you've been in a few, but like it, like there haven't been like, just like the lethal weapon type, buddy, fun, funny action movies. And even though this isn't like lethal weapon, I got that vibe of like, oh, well, this is fun and I can just have fun with my friends afterwards when we go to dinner and talk about this movie or whatever. Like, did that appeal to you? - Yes, where's I am? A comedic actor. One thing I love. I mean, when you go back to, I learned everything that I've done in the comedic world in the locker room. The locker room is the funniest place of all time. You're talking about athletes are cartoon characters. You know what I mean? So extremes on every level and it was so fun, so big, so boisterous, everything was at its extremes that you just laugh all the time. People don't understand if you're in the locker room, you laugh. And so that's where I kind of hone my skills, trying to make other athletes laugh in the locker room. And then, you know, to go into Friday after next and White Chicks and Longest Yard and all the stuff I did was Sandler and Brooklyn Nine Nine and just the comedic thing to me to make people laugh is not only, it's probably the hardest job in entertainment because no one can agree on what's funny, you know, dramatic performances, you can say, yeah, that's all sad. We can all agree, that's sad, or we can all agree, this is intense. But funny, it's so subjective. And if you can make a room crack up, oh my God, you really have a majesty. This is one reason why I love, like, when you look at Deadpool and Wolverine and the success of that, it's like we've been missing comedy for a long time. You know, we really have. I have to tell you, comedy's been dying on TV. What they've been doing is a lot of dramaties. You know, they have things that they call comedies, but they're just very intense and you might get a giggle. - Yeah. - And I really, really wanna go back to, let's go there, let's make it as intense as possible, but funny, why not? - Yeah. - And this, to me, what JJ Perry did and what Batista put together and all the guys, Scott Adkins is hilarious in this movie. You know what I mean? - Yeah. - Just everybody was willing to go there, which is so refreshing. And it's something that I have to say, we haven't seen in a long time, and I think it's coming back in a great way. It's almost like the Western, you know what I mean? - Yeah, no it is, you're right. It's so funny what you said about locker rooms too, because like, I mean, my idea of a fun locker room is like that scene in Steel Magnolias with Shirley McLean and Olympia Dukakis are in the locker room, like, and she's reporting live or something, and it's just absurd what's happening. That's how I envision myself in a locker room. So the fact that you're telling me that it's actually funny in there, I think I've been missing stuff. I've been looking at the wrong things, I think. (laughs) - Well, that's the thing. I mean, listen, because again, you're talking about guys who, you know, you're told that football or whatever sport you're playing is the most serious thing ever. And then you're like, but the only way to really play is to relax. - Yeah, yeah. - See, that's the trick, you know, the more serious you get about it, the more stuck up and the more you choke. - There must be a correlation then from your football. I mean, 'cause that, what struck me what you just said earlier was that, you know, you are doing the unexpected, and to find that you end this football career, you do the things that you're doing, you're going into the comedic world, you're doing films like this, and that must be so exciting and freeing to, A, be able to find out you are funny, you can be with the best of the best funny people, and B, that it gives you kind of a new lease on what you're doing in your life, in a way. - Dude, let me tell you, there's nothing more energizing than having, like, and this is the thing that I used to get on a movie set or on a television set, making the cameraman laugh. - Yeah. - Yeah. - Whoa, it's working, you know what I mean? Now, I have never been a stand-up comedian, but I've always been jealous of those guys, you know, because they can go and, you know, every night and go get those laughs. So that is the one major reason why I decided to become a host, and the host America's got talent. It's so that I can get in front of a live audience and feel that energy. It's the same energy that I had in the NFL, it's the same energy you look for. And you got to say too, once Killer's Game comes out, I'm going to be sneaking in the back of all the theaters, and I'm going to be listening and watching for reactions for laughs, because I need it. I need it like I need food, I need my protein, I need my sleep, but I also need my laughs, you know what I mean? - I'm gonna be at the theater at the Grove, just looking around being like, is he here, is he? - Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, oh, they're gonna be, you will see, I promise they're just a guy and a black hat and a hoodie, it's gonna be me. - I don't think you're like, I don't think you blend into a crowd very well, Terry. - Not at all, I don't think you've kind of turned out a little bit. - Listen, my whole point is to let the movie get started and then sneak in the back, you know what I mean? - Yeah, I like that. Well, I'm glad you brought up America's Got Talent, because like, what I like about a moment like this, with a film like this coming out, that's this big action comedy fun film that everyone's gonna go see, but then also, when they go home, they can go see you on America's Got Talent as well, and it's sort of like, it sort of does that thing that like, Bob Hope did back, way back in the day, where it was like, he was everywhere, he was on TV, he was in movies, he was hosting the Oscars, he was doing these things, and it was like, there's this sense of like, oh, this is a personality I should follow, this is some fun that I should know and understand more, so like, what is it about America's Got Talent? You spoke on it a little bit, but what do you love about that show, and if you did the show, what would your talent be? - Okay, well first of all, the thing I love about the show, is simply, it's who I am when you, now you have to understand, I'm from Flint, Michigan, being in Los Angeles, doing what I do right now, was the equivalent of flying to Mars, okay? Everyone was like, what are you, just to even, if I mentioned, oh man, one day I'd like to be on TV, you'd get stares, so like, you had an eye in the middle of your forehead, what, well, that's LA, that's them, what are you doing, you're in Flint? What are you doing? Any talk of this, and this is what's so crazy, is that to be doing this at this level, I realize I'm living a dream, but also everyone who comes there is from a place where I'm from, like they literally are, they're on Earth, looking to get to Mars, you know? And the whole thing is, everyone is like, what are you doing, yeah, yeah, you know? Every act that's ever been on there, they're from all over the world, they're like, dude, imagine you're a dance group from Zimbabwe, and you wanna get there, and they are like, we're here, imagine, that's farther than Flint. So I love it because I'm like, dude, this is possible. And this is another thing that I heard, which is so relevant to what we're talking about right now, they say perfect storms are rare, but they always happen. See, meaning that, wow, the rarity of someone coming and getting on the show and becoming a star is rare, but that's how stars are made, you see what I mean? Like name a star that came, that didn't come from ambiguity, you know what I mean? You know, Will Smith was in Philly somewhere, or Chris Rock, his story, oh my God, the guy was in Brooklyn just getting bullied, and now he's the biggest star in the world, dude, perfect storms are rare, but they always happen. And my job is to be there when they happen, like with AGT's to help these guys overcome their fears and just get, I mean, make it the best stage they could ever have to achieve this dream that I achieved already, you know what I mean? - I mean, you really are that bridge between, you know, you know where they come from and they wanna be where you are. - Listen, and also you're talking about, one thing is athletics, like athletes wanna be singers, singers wanna be actors, actors wanna be athletes, the circle just keeps flying around, you know what I mean? - Yeah. - And to actually, you know, this is another thing is that most athletes feel like once I retire, here comes my film career, but look how rare that is. - So rare. - And I know I am a unicorn, like, dude, to be here, even Batista, he knows, like, the wrestler and then all of a sudden to be doing movies, like, there's so many wrestlers who didn't get to do it. So many football players who didn't get to do what we're doing. Like, we sat on the set, like, dude, can you believe what we're doing right now? Like, wow, like, we are actually doing it on this level. So there's always, always disrespect and there's attitude of gratefulness, you know what I mean? Like, wow, man, we're very, very fortunate to be doing it. Now let's go do the hell out of it. - Yeah, do it well, so what would your talent be then if you were auditioning? - My talent, I actually am an artist. I draw, I paint, I do my things, so what I would do is I would sketch the judges on stage shirtless, because I know the crowd factor is, I would pop my pecs for the crowd while I drew Simon live and I'd win the show. It wouldn't mean be fair, I'm proud to tell you. And I'd probably dance in between, so it would all, I would throw all my talents in it and it would just be like, this guy's undefinable, so he wins, he wins the whole thing. - On a level, I feel like you probably learned that in the locker room, so everything really does come from the locker room, doesn't it? - Absolutely, like I said, being shirtless and telling a joke, you can't hide, you know what I mean, it's like you gotta go for it. - Can't hide, well I need to ask you about everybody, everybody hates Chris, because what I love about, you know, of course you were at Comic-Con recently talking about the animated version of it, but what I think is so special about this is that you have had the career that you've had so much so that now a show that you were previously on that was kind of where your start has maintained the life that it has maintained in syndication, that those checks are fun, but then also now gets reiterated as an animated show that people still wanna see it and be a part of that show, how does that feel? - Oh, it's like, I don't know man, like it feels like this never happened before, you know what I mean, that's the thing that for me blows my mind, is because when you look at the Simpsons, you know, those were characters that were created that the voices were attached to, but here you have a show that has already been loved and established, and it's not even a reboot, what it is is a continuation. - Yeah. - Like we literally, when we did our four seasons, we got 88 episodes, we were still lucky to get syndicated, we felt like there was more stories to tell, there was a whole lot more left, and we were left disappointed, and that's the another thing, it's almost like having a, you think a friend died, and you realize 20 years later, no, you didn't die, he's still alive, in fact, he's coming over. (laughing) He's like, what, you know what I mean? In fact, he's gonna be part of your life again, and that is how I feel, and getting the opportunity to do this again with Chris Rock and Tashina Arnold, I mean, I don't, I think it's rare, but again, it's one of those perfect storms. - Yeah. - It's like, holy cow, this is, it shows there's no rules, it shows, also it does show the quality of what we did in the beginning. I have to say, I have been floored by the acceptance of things I've done in the past, that have all of a sudden become bigger, and bigger, and bigger now, movies like "Idiocracy", which has kinda like now taken over, stuff like "White Chicks", who every year, every summer, people have discovered that movie, every, and I said, every summer, a new 13 year old girl discovers "White Chicks", and it becomes their favorite movie. They have parties, every summer, and it's funny because you're talking about stuff 20 years ago, all of a sudden you go, oh my God, this is so beautiful, and it makes me really, really appreciative because it makes me know that we were doing a good job, because you wanna know that you had an impact, you know what I mean? And I mean, hey, it's part jokes, you know what I mean? You wonder, it's just part jokes, and it's not gonna go to the Oscars, but to me, the fact that people still know you and love you and wanna see it 20 years later, I think it's better than in Oscar, you know what I mean? It validates too, you know, probably a lot of what you were thinking, probably in that locker room years ago, when you were dreaming of maybe going and doing this thing, that could be the impossible. Like, that must, that you must feel validated that you led, you listened to that voice, you know, in your head or that perfect storm in your head. Listen, I just truly appreciate everything. There's something I heard from John Wooden that I love, and he was like, "Hey man, you're never indispensable." Meaning, he said, "Look, the example you have was you take a bucket of water, you put your hand in it, and you flash it around as much as you can, and you pull it out, and that's how much you'll be missed." And I was like, "Wow." I mean, that's like your life, but this is the thing, and this is where I want to take a twist on that. Imagine if you're taking your hand and putting it in that bucket of water, but now you're cleaning something. Like, something has changed because you did that. You know what I mean? Now your impact is really going to be felt. You take your hand out, but something is different once you've made that impact. And that's my goal, is to actually live this life. Yeah, you may forget the movies, you may forget the shows, but you'll never forget the impact that you made on the industry. You know what I mean? Something is better because you lived in it. Something is now improved. That's my goal, like, for my whole life. I mean, and I'm just getting started, by the way. I'm not here to tell you, man. This is not a look backward. It's really about looking forward. For me, I look forward. The best thing that has ever happened in my career has not happened yet. Wow. And that's for real. And I really, I can't wait. This is like a whole new start for me at this age, at this time of my life. I love seeing older actors that really, really, like, look at Jamie Lee Curtis and how she's just rocking it out right now. You know what I mean? Yeah. Like, never before. You know what I'm saying? And you look at people who can really hit their prime now. Like, at the stage they're at. 'Cause a lot of times youth is celebrated, but there's no replacing all that experience. Yeah. And it's so funny you bring up Jamie Lee Curtis because, you know, I talk to a lot of people and I interview a lot of people. And like, I've talked to her a few times. And the thing, and I think you're in the same boat, the thing that makes her different is that if she likes you and she connects with you, she keeps it real. And, you know, she gave me her number and we text and we keep in touch and it's sort of like the artifice of Hollywood is not there. It's just the real people connections. And that's just like what you were saying on AG about that bridge that you connect between the real people auditioning and you being that bridge to hopefully getting to that dream. Like, it's about being real and you're keeping it real. That's longevity. That's your longevity. You just being you. Well, you know, again, I'm sure Jamie, as well as me, we've all I think back in the day, it was about not showing who you were. - Yeah, yeah. - You know what I mean? I had friends who pretended they weren't married just 'cause they thought, oh, you know, if somebody finds out I'm married, my career's over it. You're like, huh? - Yeah. - I mean, he got to live a real life. You know what I'm saying? And I say, dude, I am a father and husband first. You know what I mean? I don't want to live like that. I don't want to live this thing where we're all about the image and not about the person. And like I said, it's like, I'm the human and it's like warts and all. You know what I'm saying? I think that's the big thing about social media is everybody decided, whoa, wait a minute. These people are normal. - Yeah. - Yeah, just what? You know, we up it all up too, you know. (laughing) - Well, Terry, it was fantastic chatting with you. Congrats on everything and I hope to see you around sometime maybe in the locker room. - Ah, definitely, definitely. Thank you so much. Thank you, this is great. - Great, wonderful. - God bless you, brother. - Have a great rest of your day. - You too, thank you. - Like how could you, he's just, I just want to hug him. In fact, no, I want him to hug me 'cause he's so strong, he could pick me up and very few people can pick me up. So I want Terry Crews someday. We will meet in real life. I know this. I want him to wrap his arms around me. You know the ones that bounce in those commercials and stuff, he's always, he loves taking off his shirt. So they bounce. In fact, we chatted from his backyard (laughs) which I loved, saw his pool and everything and he's just chilling in his backyard and I'm just thinking, wow, we get paid different salaries. Terry Crews is great, great. Go see the film, go follow everything he does. I'm a massive fan now and I will never, ever, ever underestimate Terry Crews ever again. And thank you for listening to today's podcast. This is, of course, Newsweek's "Parting Shot" and I am H. Allen Scott. You can follow me at everything@hallonscott.com. For all the podcasts and all the news happening right now, lots of election coverage happening right now. I'm a part of it. It's exciting. I'm talking about the pop culture elements of this election. There are a lot of them. So please stay tuned to the "Parting Shot" for more of that. We have lots more coming up and of course everything happening at Newsweek.com. And you know, leave a little rating and review wherever you're listening to this podcast. It really, really does help me. In the meantime, watch something fun today And have a great day. (upbeat music)
