December 29, 2022 • 27 mins
Howard Bambooooo is here! Kent Avenido joins Jenna and Kevin and shares how Howard Bamboo was not the role he auditioned for, what it was like meeting Glee special guest (and “angel sent from heaven”) Josh Groban and how one fan on Twitter honors his character in a very special “Sheets-N-Things” way!
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
And that's what you really missed with Jenna and Kevin
and I Heart Radio Podcast. Welcome back. We have a
very exciting guest this week, someone who just puts the
most gigantic smile on both of our faces and anyone
who's ever watched Glee, because he is a Glee legend,
(00:23):
g Howard Bamboo himself, Kent of Aneta. We are so
happy to have him. It's just such a so darling.
And also it's just I mean, it's Howard Bamboo, it's Kent.
It's art imitating life, life imitating art. But is smarter
than Howard Bamboo, I will say, and someone who was
(00:43):
there from the very beginning and was part of you know,
the pilot crew in this first few episodes. And I
think when you think of Glee, you have to think
of Howard Bamboo. Should we get to it, Let's do it.
Here's Kent. Welcome. It's so good to see you, So
good to see you too. We are very big fans.
(01:05):
Howard Bamboo is back. How are you doing, Kent? I'm great?
How are you? Congratulations? First of all, thank you little one.
That's exciting, it is it's really um. Every day is exciting,
so I'm sure. I'm sure. Thank you so much for
joining us. How are you doing, I'm I'm great. Yeah,
just you know, checking along post three. Have you felt
(01:29):
like us where the TikTok world and also just being
on Disney and who again? Like, are you finding you
have new fans again for Glee? Yeah, it's it's started
a whole new generation of clee viewers. Just the streaming um,
because I mean remember when we started, Twitter was just
starting off right, and so I mean now it's just
(01:52):
it's a whole new world, so to speak. So it's yeah,
but it's exciting, but I mean it's it's it's great
getting recognized again. Um all these youngsters do people call
you Howard Bamboo, which is fine, I will take it.
(02:13):
I'm proud to wear that batch. I feel like you,
you and Howard Bamboo left such a gigantic mark, especially
because you were in so much of um the first season. Yeah,
I feel like anybody who got just like the character Kendra,
you guys were in there and left such a big
impression that it feels like that that is the Glee
(02:37):
I remember. You know, most when I think of Glee,
I think of Howard Bamboo. I was talking to my
boyfriend last night about you coming on, and he started
quoting you, and it also freaked me out because I
didn't know he watched the show really until that moment,
and he quoted Howard Bamboo and I was like, how
dare you lie to me? First of all, but also
Haward and Boo was an incredible character. Yeah, And the
(02:58):
thing is he was there from the very very beginning,
so from the pilot on, so you I am, I
am an so um It's funny because I actually originally
auditioned for Kensanaka and so yeah, I went through all
the audition rounds, um producers, the network and all that,
(03:23):
and then I thought I had a good chance in
my phone ringings and they say don't wait by the phone,
but I was waiting by the phone and my phone
as my agent. And the first thing he says that
you didn't get it, and so my heart sunk and
I was like, uh and then but the good news
is that they liked you enough that um Ryan has
(03:45):
rewritten a part in the original pilot script and changed
it for you, which was fantastic. Um. So, Howard was
originally Jenny, a twenty something ro old with bad roots. Yeah,
but um yeah, and then um, like there were there
(04:09):
were a few of us who uh well, and then
Cantonaka eventually was played by the great Patrick Alger, so um,
I mean he couldn't have been and we had a
bunch of scenes together, so um, there's no animosity. He
he embodied Cantonaka. I played him very different. Well, my
(04:32):
agent was actually told that I don't know if I
could say, well, I look too young for it. So
so how was I baby? Yeah, I used to get
that a lot. That doesn't happen anymore. But you also
got to I think later on in the series where
(04:52):
there were a lot of people trying to get on
the show and be guest stars and recurs and they
wanted to sing and didn't always get to sing, but
you got to sing. And by the way, you can sing.
Oh yeah, yeah, I'm very very fortunate. I mean, Acafellas
was I know it wasn't I know, it wasn't RNs
(05:13):
favorite episode, but you know it's changed, it has, I
mean pleasantly surprised. And we were also always just a
light and every senior in and you start singing, it
is just the best. Thanks so much. Yeah, that's very
kind but yeah, I was very fortunate I did for
musical numbers only did you have to sing when you
(05:34):
auditioned or no? I didn't say they. Ryan asked me
while we were shooting the pilot. He said, hey, by
the way, can you sing? I was like, yeah, yeah, um,
you know I grew up doing musical theater and so
um because he said, well, like in the in the
we're writing I guess they were writing acafellas at that time.
(05:56):
Well we have the storyline that, um where we might
bring you in, um, you know, to to sing? And
did I know that I was going to be seen
right next to Matthew Morrison and Tony Nominee and John
Lloyd Young live for his Joald good Fellow live in
(06:18):
that cafeteria, which sounded so good, kind of beautiful, okay,
but it was so nerve wracking. I was like, you
want me to harmonize too on top of it? Um?
But yeah, and then then we did point this is
how we do it, and of course boys and which
(06:39):
was fantastic. It was so much fun. I remember when
you guys were shooting that, did you know you were
going to come back? Or was was it a surprise
when Ryan had said, we're writing this storyline and Howard
Mamboo's coming coming into play. I didn't know I was.
I he given me that glimmer of hope because he
(07:00):
had mentioned it, uh when we were filming the pilot. Uh.
So when I got to come back, it was just
such a such a surprise, as such a delight because um,
even I got to see every episode I was in.
I was in with Jocelyn who played Terry. She's uster,
(07:23):
um and she could not have been more nice. She's
she's shut the sweetest. Yes, absolutely as beautiful inside as
she is on the inside. So everyone could not have
been I mean, between Ryan, Ian and Brad Brad I
met later on Um then, UM, you know it was
(07:44):
it was just a dream to be on that set. Um.
I just remember sitting in that cafeteria and I'm looking
and there's Stephen Tablowski and is this real life right now?
But it was, there was so much fun coming onto
(08:04):
A said, you had worked a ton before Glee, and
you worked you've worked a ton after. But um, like,
did you could you tell that this was going to
be something different? Could you feel like the hate looming
in the air or absolutely? Um? When they sent me
when I booked Howard. Um, they sent me the script
(08:29):
and I read it and I was like, wow, this
is And then watch after the first time, I think
we had come from a rehearsal and you all were
at launch or something, and they showed they had a
viewing of the pilot at one of those theaters on
the tower sides of the lot. And afterwards I'm like,
(08:52):
oh my gosh, I'm warneth it sounds Leader's line of
if you're part of something special. I was like, this
is this is something special and then it just took
off from there. I also love that you're always even
during music members, you're always in your sheets and things uniform.
(09:14):
I am everything. I'd never take it off. The only
think I took off the apron for poison, but he
still has name tag. Gods right, make sure everybody knows
working on commissions that sheets and things. That's right. Yeah.
And then um, when we I was how Sue recruited
(09:37):
Howard to be in her League of Doom and um
he wanted a super Bowain nickname and she said, okay, yeah,
you're a super Bowl names pan Express and I will
pan Express is a Chinese and she goes well the
food neither food at Pan Express, and so I went
to Pan Express. I think you oh needs some sort
(10:01):
of like free because I get from Howard, from Harry
Bamboo given free promotion and also absolutely Panic Express. I'm
looking at this photo in our document from Juliet Barry
on Twitter and she has a Howard Bamboo shower curtain
(10:24):
which is you and your sheets and things outfit, which
you then responded, well, I know what I'm getting everyone
for Christmas this year. I tried to find it, actually
I could find but it is beautiful. Like what a
cult following Howard Bamboo. Yeah, you know he does. He does.
If the people who know Howard no Howard like you said, Kevin,
(10:51):
I mean they know his lines, they know he's dyslexic,
he can't count higher than thirties, afraid of his vacuum.
I mean, Paul's he's just he's got a lot going
on sweethoward Bamboo. I want to take a pause and
(11:15):
go back to your um childhood or upbringing for a second, because, um,
we found out that you are raised in a medical
family and somehow you were going you were veering one
way and veering the other. Can you share a little
bit about that. Yeah, my my, my dad, and my
(11:37):
two brothers are doctors. My mom and my sister nurses,
and then there's me family. Your family is not smart.
So um. I was actually originally planning on going to
med school. Um, my degrees start, I have to science degrees,
and I got wait listed, and I said, well, in
(12:01):
the meantime, I'm going I was a fine arts miner. Um,
I said, in the meantime, while I'm waiting, I'm gonna
pursue this thing that It was always in the back
of my mind. I never I knew if it was
even possible to do. Um. So I initially moved to
New York City thinking, hey, I'm going to be this
(12:24):
big Broadway star. UM found out quickly I it. I
wanted to do more film, TV and commercials. So then
I moved to out to l a and I've been
here ever since. But I moved here, um not knowing
a single person in the industry, not you know, just
(12:45):
just a country bumpkin from Kentucky. So well so um.
But yeah, I mean, like I said, everything works out
the way it's supposed to work out. How did you
even on the side, now, how did you even manage
to have two majors and a minor. Yeah, I want
to know how I can't even get up and cook
(13:09):
myself breakfast and feed my dog, you know, a reasonable time.
And yeah, like what how I don't understand how you
did that? Yeah, well it took me an extra semester.
But but my my degrees are biology and zoology. Um,
(13:29):
which and what was the plan? What were you what
were you going to do with those degrees or did
you not know? Oh I was planning and be going
to med school. Becoming cardiologist was my initial m combition.
And then that happened. I was like, well take it
as a sign maybe there's some time U And then
(13:53):
I just I just never looked back. Secret I think
in the back of my mind, I secretly always wanted
to be an actor. I just didn't think it was possible.
It's alright that you could have done it if you
really wanted to. You're like, well, I got the degree,
so like, whatever I could have done it, I'm going
to go to this other thing. It is a good lesson, though,
(14:14):
it's it's it's not it's not what I'm sure your
parents want for you or you know. Um, the more
secure route, right, but each of the risk and obviously
you never looked back, so it worked in your favor.
And you know you're living in the dream you only
lived once so that so that's right. You've got to
(14:37):
do some incredible things that you've been on for people
who don't know, like you've been on Grayce and Frankie
and Superstore and The Mentalist, like you've been on it.
You've done great work. You've done it. I've been very
fortunate so I um to have worked with some incredible people.
It's it's it's it's one. Booking the gigs are is
(15:00):
the hardest part of the job. But once you book
them and everything is it's it's like, oh, this is
why you do what you do exactly exactly. Do you
feel like Howard being Haward Bamboo has helped your career
or hurt your career? I think it's helped my career.
We'd love to hear that and um often in Hurty
(15:23):
well while Glee, what's going on? It was very hard
for me to book commercial work because as my agent
was and then and I was confused. I'm like, well
I'm getting all this um you know, variety and people
and That's the reason why is because commercials they want
you to focus on their product, not like you want
(15:46):
to look like the normal person who's actually taking the
medicine or selling the car, right right right. So But
now that it's been you know, a few years since
since it's um, since the end of the show. UM,
it's it's I feel it's it's helped me. UM. And
just just playing him was so easy because, like I said,
(16:08):
he was so well written and UM, I her I
listened to your podcast with with um Kendra and um
Jen Frashton and UM, she like, I love to play idiots.
Not that was an idiot. He just was a little slow. Um,
(16:31):
so it was. It was just a lot of fun
and he was. It was a lot of fun. But
I mean, I feel it's helped me, uh in other
parts that I've I've played um and just getting exposure
to still. Do you ever go back and watch the
UM old episodes that you were in? Oh I do, Yeah,
(16:52):
that's a favorite. That's so nice. Um. I could watch
the pile It on the Eat, um and then alcohol.
I watched a lot of the musical moment like poison
at one time was my ring so amazing but no,
(17:17):
my parents ring tones are some of the songs I've
sung on still, and they have the volume up very loudly.
So if I go in public with them, oh, it's
all that. It's embarrassing. At least you chose to have
your ring tone as that, you know I did? Yeah, yes, yes, yes.
Do you have a favorite memory of being on the show? Um, wow,
that's hard. When we filmed um Poison in some dive
(17:42):
bar in awesome, Um I got. I got to meet
Victor Garber, who played Will's dad, and Debrah month later,
Mom and Equal and just Lynn J. Everyone was a lot,
all the adults were there. Um. And that night it
(18:06):
was just I. It went by so fast. I know,
I didn't want it to end, because all the rehearsal
up to that point and it was all coming, you know,
it was being realized. I'm like, oh and it was
everything was they were getting their footing. But um, and
it was so structured, and UM, I just remember meeting
(18:29):
everybody and just feeling, oh, this is this is this
is the dream. So I didn't. I met him at
a concert of his like five years later, and I
just he was walking down and I just said, you know,
(18:50):
I'm so sorry, but I'm kind of the reason why
you probably got you get a lot of notice from
And then he took a second and he's like, oh,
my Gosher how And then so in my line in
Aga Pallas was like he was Howard Bamboo and Stevens
lasts all right, Um, Drew Ryerson just goes to town.
(19:10):
I mean, because I don't know who yet, that's right,
that's right. Yeah. So but that became a recurring joke. Oh,
I'll not joke, but being with Josh and then so
when he put the face to his memory and he's like, oh,
that's right, and I'm so sorry, but he couldn't have
been nicer. He's nice guy. I'm jealous. You got to
(19:34):
meet Victor Garver too, dream and I'd seen him in
Dam Yankees, like when he was on Broadway, and I
mean I saw Matt Morrison in Um Hair Sprayer, Young
Jersey Boys, all these people, and I like, very if
I could have a time machine just go by and
(19:57):
remember these phases. You're a You're looking at them up close.
So that's so special. Yeah, what a fun fun crew.
I really enjoyed watching. I know you said that we
didn't like Acafellas. It wasn't. I don't know. I think
it was just the first of like a very different um,
(20:18):
like we veered from what we were, what we knew
right and were we Obviously it's just way last us um.
But it was really no, I really was. I was
tickled by the whole episode. I really enjoyed watching It's
so desert, like you're having so much fun to see
like the joy on your guys faces and also to
(20:39):
be able to put the show was so good at
was getting people to show those different talents that they have,
and so when we do get to see you dance
and saying outside of sheets and things, which is great. Yeah. Absolutely,
Because even Patrick gallgher was he was a little worried
that he would have to um with the singing and all,
(20:59):
and then he had the rap art on poison and
he killed it. I was like, no that when we
he was he was so I just remember him being
so nervous going into and then when we heard the
final version, I'm like, what were you nervous about? That?
They know what they're doing. So it worked out. They
(21:22):
have all the tricks, you know, they helped all of
us out. Yeah, they definitely did. There were times where
I would record and be like, I don't know, and
then you hear him be like, thank you so much
as if I had a nickel. Yeah, what was the
(21:48):
last episode of you were in? It was I was
in the next to the last episode of the whole
where they went back and shot what happened right before
the pilot. So how was that Getting to come back
and do that. It was a full circle moment because
(22:12):
I mean, you get closure and um we were back
at the Amazinen's, back to sheets and things, um, and
it I was like, oh, yeah, this is And then
I watched the episode, Oh this is except after what
happened right before the pilots and then you see and
(22:32):
then so tough to relive it again. Um. It was fantastic.
It brought good closure. I have a released soft spot
for two thousand nine as well, um bringing it back
to the pilot because it was just so formative and
um important and UM, I think for us who like
(22:53):
had gotten I think I don't think we cared about
the closure. Why we're like I got go um no,
but to have a little bit of room and then
to come back to it and um, to close out
the series like that. That was really special. So I
agree with you. Yeah, it was watching it is when
I realized how important it was to get that closure
(23:16):
and how much that episode meant. When we were filming it, yeah,
we were sort of all over the place, but I
absolutely agree it was. I remember sitting to bed watching
it and just cry. Yeah. Well, I can't even imagine
for you guys, because you you all were such different
people from when we were filming two about the nine
and then the pilot. Yeah, you all had just boned
(23:39):
lip some bounds. I mean I remember Chris seeing Chris
Cole for during the at the very starting like oh
you are a baby, but and then at the end
you all were just the season pros and I to
(24:00):
say never. No, Um, can I have I have a
question for you before we wrap up, because you, um
have worked so much and you've been on so many
such a variety of things for such a long time. Now,
(24:22):
what do you have any like advice for people who
are looking to start out in this business. I'm just
curious to hear from somebody who's been who's worked so much. Yeah,
the advice I always give is, well, when you have
to have a love for it, because if you don't
have that love for it, this business will cheer you
(24:46):
up and spitch out. But if you have that love
for it, then you just gotta rely on that to
get you through the bad times because when it's good,
it's so good and it's the reason why you do
what you do. Um, So just keep going, don't give up,
(25:08):
don't don't listen to people who are are not your fans,
were just um trying to bring it down. Just keep
positive and keep going forward. That's that's my advice. And
thank god you have because we get to see you
(25:31):
screens all the time. Thank you well, kenn It was
really good to see you and to chat with you.
And everybody loves Howard Bamboo and we love you as well,
so we're just so grateful you came on the show.
The fans are so happy to hear from you. Yeah,
thank you so so much, Jenny, thank you one of
your Howard Bamboo yells that you do every single time
(25:53):
his name is mentioned. That's how we've been like, oh
my god, you're the absolute best. Thank you so so much.
Thank you. Likewise, Oh that was so fun. What a
(26:18):
sweet man, isn't He's so nice? We love a sweet man, Jenna,
we love a sweet man and just so happy for
his success. And he's just he's working so much talent
and has been also like the diversity of things he
has shown up in as an actor, it's pretty wild.
I love hearing from characters like Jennifer Aspen and Kent
(26:40):
where we didn't get to necessarily work with them all
that much, but there's still this like deep camaraderie and understanding.
It feels like we're very connected no matter what, and
it's nice to speak to them as Like I said,
we're fans of their characters on the show because we
didn't have that, you know, super close person connection to them,
(27:01):
so it was always such a treat to get to
see their work. So thank you again, Kent for coming
to visit us. Howard Bamboo with those one liners the best.
Well that's it for today. Join us next week for
another recap. Thanks for joining us, and and That's what
You Really missed. Thanks, thanks for listening, and follow us
(27:24):
on Instagram at and That's what You Really miss pod.
Make sure to write us a review and leave us
five stars. See you next time.
And that's what you really missed with Jenna and Kevin
and I Heart Radio Podcast. Welcome back. We have a
very exciting guest this week, someone who just puts the
most gigantic smile on both of our faces and anyone
who's ever watched Glee, because he is a Glee legend,
(00:23):
g Howard Bamboo himself, Kent of Aneta. We are so
happy to have him. It's just such a so darling.
And also it's just I mean, it's Howard Bamboo, it's Kent.
It's art imitating life, life imitating art. But is smarter
than Howard Bamboo, I will say, and someone who was
(00:43):
there from the very beginning and was part of you know,
the pilot crew in this first few episodes. And I
think when you think of Glee, you have to think
of Howard Bamboo. Should we get to it, Let's do it.
Here's Kent. Welcome. It's so good to see you, So
good to see you too. We are very big fans.
(01:05):
Howard Bamboo is back. How are you doing, Kent? I'm great?
How are you? Congratulations? First of all, thank you little one.
That's exciting, it is it's really um. Every day is exciting,
so I'm sure. I'm sure. Thank you so much for
joining us. How are you doing, I'm I'm great. Yeah,
just you know, checking along post three. Have you felt
(01:29):
like us where the TikTok world and also just being
on Disney and who again? Like, are you finding you
have new fans again for Glee? Yeah, it's it's started
a whole new generation of clee viewers. Just the streaming um,
because I mean remember when we started, Twitter was just
starting off right, and so I mean now it's just
(01:52):
it's a whole new world, so to speak. So it's yeah,
but it's exciting, but I mean it's it's it's great
getting recognized again. Um all these youngsters do people call
you Howard Bamboo, which is fine, I will take it.
(02:13):
I'm proud to wear that batch. I feel like you,
you and Howard Bamboo left such a gigantic mark, especially
because you were in so much of um the first season. Yeah,
I feel like anybody who got just like the character Kendra,
you guys were in there and left such a big
impression that it feels like that that is the Glee
(02:37):
I remember. You know, most when I think of Glee,
I think of Howard Bamboo. I was talking to my
boyfriend last night about you coming on, and he started
quoting you, and it also freaked me out because I
didn't know he watched the show really until that moment,
and he quoted Howard Bamboo and I was like, how
dare you lie to me? First of all, but also
Haward and Boo was an incredible character. Yeah, And the
(02:58):
thing is he was there from the very very beginning,
so from the pilot on, so you I am, I
am an so um It's funny because I actually originally
auditioned for Kensanaka and so yeah, I went through all
the audition rounds, um producers, the network and all that,
(03:23):
and then I thought I had a good chance in
my phone ringings and they say don't wait by the phone,
but I was waiting by the phone and my phone
as my agent. And the first thing he says that
you didn't get it, and so my heart sunk and
I was like, uh and then but the good news
is that they liked you enough that um Ryan has
(03:45):
rewritten a part in the original pilot script and changed
it for you, which was fantastic. Um. So, Howard was
originally Jenny, a twenty something ro old with bad roots. Yeah,
but um yeah, and then um, like there were there
(04:09):
were a few of us who uh well, and then
Cantonaka eventually was played by the great Patrick Alger, so um,
I mean he couldn't have been and we had a
bunch of scenes together, so um, there's no animosity. He
he embodied Cantonaka. I played him very different. Well, my
(04:32):
agent was actually told that I don't know if I
could say, well, I look too young for it. So
so how was I baby? Yeah, I used to get
that a lot. That doesn't happen anymore. But you also
got to I think later on in the series where
(04:52):
there were a lot of people trying to get on
the show and be guest stars and recurs and they
wanted to sing and didn't always get to sing, but
you got to sing. And by the way, you can sing.
Oh yeah, yeah, I'm very very fortunate. I mean, Acafellas
was I know it wasn't I know, it wasn't RNs
(05:13):
favorite episode, but you know it's changed, it has, I
mean pleasantly surprised. And we were also always just a
light and every senior in and you start singing, it
is just the best. Thanks so much. Yeah, that's very
kind but yeah, I was very fortunate I did for
musical numbers only did you have to sing when you
(05:34):
auditioned or no? I didn't say they. Ryan asked me
while we were shooting the pilot. He said, hey, by
the way, can you sing? I was like, yeah, yeah, um,
you know I grew up doing musical theater and so
um because he said, well, like in the in the
we're writing I guess they were writing acafellas at that time.
(05:56):
Well we have the storyline that, um where we might
bring you in, um, you know, to to sing? And
did I know that I was going to be seen
right next to Matthew Morrison and Tony Nominee and John
Lloyd Young live for his Joald good Fellow live in
(06:18):
that cafeteria, which sounded so good, kind of beautiful, okay,
but it was so nerve wracking. I was like, you
want me to harmonize too on top of it? Um?
But yeah, and then then we did point this is
how we do it, and of course boys and which
(06:39):
was fantastic. It was so much fun. I remember when
you guys were shooting that, did you know you were
going to come back? Or was was it a surprise
when Ryan had said, we're writing this storyline and Howard
Mamboo's coming coming into play. I didn't know I was.
I he given me that glimmer of hope because he
(07:00):
had mentioned it, uh when we were filming the pilot. Uh.
So when I got to come back, it was just
such a such a surprise, as such a delight because um,
even I got to see every episode I was in.
I was in with Jocelyn who played Terry. She's uster,
(07:23):
um and she could not have been more nice. She's
she's shut the sweetest. Yes, absolutely as beautiful inside as
she is on the inside. So everyone could not have
been I mean, between Ryan, Ian and Brad Brad I
met later on Um then, UM, you know it was
(07:44):
it was just a dream to be on that set. Um.
I just remember sitting in that cafeteria and I'm looking
and there's Stephen Tablowski and is this real life right now?
But it was, there was so much fun coming onto
(08:04):
A said, you had worked a ton before Glee, and
you worked you've worked a ton after. But um, like,
did you could you tell that this was going to
be something different? Could you feel like the hate looming
in the air or absolutely? Um? When they sent me
when I booked Howard. Um, they sent me the script
(08:29):
and I read it and I was like, wow, this
is And then watch after the first time, I think
we had come from a rehearsal and you all were
at launch or something, and they showed they had a
viewing of the pilot at one of those theaters on
the tower sides of the lot. And afterwards I'm like,
(08:52):
oh my gosh, I'm warneth it sounds Leader's line of
if you're part of something special. I was like, this
is this is something special and then it just took
off from there. I also love that you're always even
during music members, you're always in your sheets and things uniform.
(09:14):
I am everything. I'd never take it off. The only
think I took off the apron for poison, but he
still has name tag. Gods right, make sure everybody knows
working on commissions that sheets and things. That's right. Yeah.
And then um, when we I was how Sue recruited
(09:37):
Howard to be in her League of Doom and um
he wanted a super Bowain nickname and she said, okay, yeah,
you're a super Bowl names pan Express and I will
pan Express is a Chinese and she goes well the
food neither food at Pan Express, and so I went
to Pan Express. I think you oh needs some sort
(10:01):
of like free because I get from Howard, from Harry
Bamboo given free promotion and also absolutely Panic Express. I'm
looking at this photo in our document from Juliet Barry
on Twitter and she has a Howard Bamboo shower curtain
(10:24):
which is you and your sheets and things outfit, which
you then responded, well, I know what I'm getting everyone
for Christmas this year. I tried to find it, actually
I could find but it is beautiful. Like what a
cult following Howard Bamboo. Yeah, you know he does. He does.
If the people who know Howard no Howard like you said, Kevin,
(10:51):
I mean they know his lines, they know he's dyslexic,
he can't count higher than thirties, afraid of his vacuum.
I mean, Paul's he's just he's got a lot going
on sweethoward Bamboo. I want to take a pause and
(11:15):
go back to your um childhood or upbringing for a second, because, um,
we found out that you are raised in a medical
family and somehow you were going you were veering one
way and veering the other. Can you share a little
bit about that. Yeah, my my, my dad, and my
(11:37):
two brothers are doctors. My mom and my sister nurses,
and then there's me family. Your family is not smart.
So um. I was actually originally planning on going to
med school. Um, my degrees start, I have to science degrees,
and I got wait listed, and I said, well, in
(12:01):
the meantime, I'm going I was a fine arts miner. Um,
I said, in the meantime, while I'm waiting, I'm gonna
pursue this thing that It was always in the back
of my mind. I never I knew if it was
even possible to do. Um. So I initially moved to
New York City thinking, hey, I'm going to be this
(12:24):
big Broadway star. UM found out quickly I it. I
wanted to do more film, TV and commercials. So then
I moved to out to l a and I've been
here ever since. But I moved here, um not knowing
a single person in the industry, not you know, just
(12:45):
just a country bumpkin from Kentucky. So well so um.
But yeah, I mean, like I said, everything works out
the way it's supposed to work out. How did you
even on the side, now, how did you even manage
to have two majors and a minor. Yeah, I want
to know how I can't even get up and cook
(13:09):
myself breakfast and feed my dog, you know, a reasonable time.
And yeah, like what how I don't understand how you
did that? Yeah, well it took me an extra semester.
But but my my degrees are biology and zoology. Um,
(13:29):
which and what was the plan? What were you what
were you going to do with those degrees or did
you not know? Oh I was planning and be going
to med school. Becoming cardiologist was my initial m combition.
And then that happened. I was like, well take it
as a sign maybe there's some time U And then
(13:53):
I just I just never looked back. Secret I think
in the back of my mind, I secretly always wanted
to be an actor. I just didn't think it was possible.
It's alright that you could have done it if you
really wanted to. You're like, well, I got the degree,
so like, whatever I could have done it, I'm going
to go to this other thing. It is a good lesson, though,
(14:14):
it's it's it's not it's not what I'm sure your
parents want for you or you know. Um, the more
secure route, right, but each of the risk and obviously
you never looked back, so it worked in your favor.
And you know you're living in the dream you only
lived once so that so that's right. You've got to
(14:37):
do some incredible things that you've been on for people
who don't know, like you've been on Grayce and Frankie
and Superstore and The Mentalist, like you've been on it.
You've done great work. You've done it. I've been very
fortunate so I um to have worked with some incredible people.
It's it's it's it's one. Booking the gigs are is
(15:00):
the hardest part of the job. But once you book
them and everything is it's it's like, oh, this is
why you do what you do exactly exactly. Do you
feel like Howard being Haward Bamboo has helped your career
or hurt your career? I think it's helped my career.
We'd love to hear that and um often in Hurty
(15:23):
well while Glee, what's going on? It was very hard
for me to book commercial work because as my agent
was and then and I was confused. I'm like, well
I'm getting all this um you know, variety and people
and That's the reason why is because commercials they want
you to focus on their product, not like you want
(15:46):
to look like the normal person who's actually taking the
medicine or selling the car, right right right. So But
now that it's been you know, a few years since
since it's um, since the end of the show. UM,
it's it's I feel it's it's helped me. UM. And
just just playing him was so easy because, like I said,
(16:08):
he was so well written and UM, I her I
listened to your podcast with with um Kendra and um
Jen Frashton and UM, she like, I love to play idiots.
Not that was an idiot. He just was a little slow. Um,
(16:31):
so it was. It was just a lot of fun
and he was. It was a lot of fun. But
I mean, I feel it's helped me, uh in other
parts that I've I've played um and just getting exposure
to still. Do you ever go back and watch the
UM old episodes that you were in? Oh I do, Yeah,
(16:52):
that's a favorite. That's so nice. Um. I could watch
the pile It on the Eat, um and then alcohol.
I watched a lot of the musical moment like poison
at one time was my ring so amazing but no,
(17:17):
my parents ring tones are some of the songs I've
sung on still, and they have the volume up very loudly.
So if I go in public with them, oh, it's
all that. It's embarrassing. At least you chose to have
your ring tone as that, you know I did? Yeah, yes, yes, yes.
Do you have a favorite memory of being on the show? Um, wow,
that's hard. When we filmed um Poison in some dive
(17:42):
bar in awesome, Um I got. I got to meet
Victor Garber, who played Will's dad, and Debrah month later,
Mom and Equal and just Lynn J. Everyone was a lot,
all the adults were there. Um. And that night it
(18:06):
was just I. It went by so fast. I know,
I didn't want it to end, because all the rehearsal
up to that point and it was all coming, you know,
it was being realized. I'm like, oh and it was
everything was they were getting their footing. But um, and
it was so structured, and UM, I just remember meeting
(18:29):
everybody and just feeling, oh, this is this is this
is the dream. So I didn't. I met him at
a concert of his like five years later, and I
just he was walking down and I just said, you know,
(18:50):
I'm so sorry, but I'm kind of the reason why
you probably got you get a lot of notice from
And then he took a second and he's like, oh,
my Gosher how And then so in my line in
Aga Pallas was like he was Howard Bamboo and Stevens
lasts all right, Um, Drew Ryerson just goes to town.
(19:10):
I mean, because I don't know who yet, that's right,
that's right. Yeah. So but that became a recurring joke. Oh,
I'll not joke, but being with Josh and then so
when he put the face to his memory and he's like, oh,
that's right, and I'm so sorry, but he couldn't have
been nicer. He's nice guy. I'm jealous. You got to
(19:34):
meet Victor Garver too, dream and I'd seen him in
Dam Yankees, like when he was on Broadway, and I
mean I saw Matt Morrison in Um Hair Sprayer, Young
Jersey Boys, all these people, and I like, very if
I could have a time machine just go by and
(19:57):
remember these phases. You're a You're looking at them up close.
So that's so special. Yeah, what a fun fun crew.
I really enjoyed watching. I know you said that we
didn't like Acafellas. It wasn't. I don't know. I think
it was just the first of like a very different um,
(20:18):
like we veered from what we were, what we knew
right and were we Obviously it's just way last us um.
But it was really no, I really was. I was
tickled by the whole episode. I really enjoyed watching It's
so desert, like you're having so much fun to see
like the joy on your guys faces and also to
(20:39):
be able to put the show was so good at
was getting people to show those different talents that they have,
and so when we do get to see you dance
and saying outside of sheets and things, which is great. Yeah. Absolutely,
Because even Patrick gallgher was he was a little worried
that he would have to um with the singing and all,
(20:59):
and then he had the rap art on poison and
he killed it. I was like, no that when we
he was he was so I just remember him being
so nervous going into and then when we heard the
final version, I'm like, what were you nervous about? That?
They know what they're doing. So it worked out. They
(21:22):
have all the tricks, you know, they helped all of
us out. Yeah, they definitely did. There were times where
I would record and be like, I don't know, and
then you hear him be like, thank you so much
as if I had a nickel. Yeah, what was the
(21:48):
last episode of you were in? It was I was
in the next to the last episode of the whole
where they went back and shot what happened right before
the pilot. So how was that Getting to come back
and do that. It was a full circle moment because
(22:12):
I mean, you get closure and um we were back
at the Amazinen's, back to sheets and things, um, and
it I was like, oh, yeah, this is And then
I watched the episode, Oh this is except after what
happened right before the pilots and then you see and
(22:32):
then so tough to relive it again. Um. It was fantastic.
It brought good closure. I have a released soft spot
for two thousand nine as well, um bringing it back
to the pilot because it was just so formative and
um important and UM, I think for us who like
(22:53):
had gotten I think I don't think we cared about
the closure. Why we're like I got go um no,
but to have a little bit of room and then
to come back to it and um, to close out
the series like that. That was really special. So I
agree with you. Yeah, it was watching it is when
I realized how important it was to get that closure
(23:16):
and how much that episode meant. When we were filming it, yeah,
we were sort of all over the place, but I
absolutely agree it was. I remember sitting to bed watching
it and just cry. Yeah. Well, I can't even imagine
for you guys, because you you all were such different
people from when we were filming two about the nine
and then the pilot. Yeah, you all had just boned
(23:39):
lip some bounds. I mean I remember Chris seeing Chris
Cole for during the at the very starting like oh
you are a baby, but and then at the end
you all were just the season pros and I to
(24:00):
say never. No, Um, can I have I have a
question for you before we wrap up, because you, um
have worked so much and you've been on so many
such a variety of things for such a long time. Now,
(24:22):
what do you have any like advice for people who
are looking to start out in this business. I'm just
curious to hear from somebody who's been who's worked so much. Yeah,
the advice I always give is, well, when you have
to have a love for it, because if you don't
have that love for it, this business will cheer you
(24:46):
up and spitch out. But if you have that love
for it, then you just gotta rely on that to
get you through the bad times because when it's good,
it's so good and it's the reason why you do
what you do. Um, So just keep going, don't give up,
(25:08):
don't don't listen to people who are are not your fans,
were just um trying to bring it down. Just keep
positive and keep going forward. That's that's my advice. And
thank god you have because we get to see you
(25:31):
screens all the time. Thank you well, kenn It was
really good to see you and to chat with you.
And everybody loves Howard Bamboo and we love you as well,
so we're just so grateful you came on the show.
The fans are so happy to hear from you. Yeah,
thank you so so much, Jenny, thank you one of
your Howard Bamboo yells that you do every single time
(25:53):
his name is mentioned. That's how we've been like, oh
my god, you're the absolute best. Thank you so so much.
Thank you. Likewise, Oh that was so fun. What a
(26:18):
sweet man, isn't He's so nice? We love a sweet man, Jenna,
we love a sweet man and just so happy for
his success. And he's just he's working so much talent
and has been also like the diversity of things he
has shown up in as an actor, it's pretty wild.
I love hearing from characters like Jennifer Aspen and Kent
(26:40):
where we didn't get to necessarily work with them all
that much, but there's still this like deep camaraderie and understanding.
It feels like we're very connected no matter what, and
it's nice to speak to them as Like I said,
we're fans of their characters on the show because we
didn't have that, you know, super close person connection to them,
(27:01):
so it was always such a treat to get to
see their work. So thank you again, Kent for coming
to visit us. Howard Bamboo with those one liners the best.
Well that's it for today. Join us next week for
another recap. Thanks for joining us, and and That's what
You Really missed. Thanks, thanks for listening, and follow us
(27:24):
on Instagram at and That's what You Really miss pod.
Make sure to write us a review and leave us
five stars. See you next time.
Host
Jenna Ushkowitz
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