You probably know Patrick Warburton as Elaine's indifferent boyfriend David Puddy on 'Seinfeld'; you might adore him for spreading his "buttery justice" as the big blue live-action hero 'The Tick'; and you likely recognize him as the voice of countless animated characters (Joe on 'Family Guy,' Brock on 'The Venture Bros.'). And now, roughly 10 million of you are digging him each week as Jeff, the lovable lug on the CBS sitcom 'Rules of Engagement' (Mon., 9:30PM ET, CBS).
Three short seasons in, 'Engagement' is finding its footing -- and Warburton is hoping to (finally) get a full season order for fall. He spoke with AOL TV about having better writers on staff, David Spade's vanity, a 'Seinfeld' movie ... and which of his projects has doomed his soul to hell. -- By Sandy Deane
1. What can you tell us about the new season of 'Rules of Engagement'?
All I can say is I think we had more fun because the writing seems to have stepped up a notch. I think it's gotten a little sharper this season because we got maybe a couple few new writers and the ones that we had have figured out what doesn't work. And you know, you've got to figure a show out. I mean, the show came out of the gates pretty strong our first season; those first seven episodes went really well. But you know, then we came back, and I certainly wasn't in love with some of the shows we made in the second season. It's just between the second season and the third season, it just seems like they've figured a lot more out and it's a tighter, sharper show now.
2. Do you know if the show has been picked up for another season?
No, they keep the cards very close up until that day when they announce. You just never know. It's been nothing but a bumpy road for us, because, I mean, we did seven episodes of the first season because we were mid-season. Our second season got interrupted by a strike, and now here our third season people thought the show was cancelled -- it's been a whole damn year since we've been on air because they made us mid-season again. We deserve a full season next year. And we've never gotten one.
3. Who do you think has the best manscaping on your set? And don't say David Spade, because we all know that's not true.
But he certainly is vain, you have no idea. Let's just say he is concerned with appearance. He's the one dating all the young ladies. He does the best he can, the little guy. Yeah, we should all walk around like Napoleon Bonaparte. Certainly Oliver [Hudson] would be model boy on the show. To his credit, you know, he really is just a guy's guy. He's more concerned about getting that round of golf in everyday, and you know, I'm sure he's aware of his charm and good looks. But it certainly isn't overbearing with Oliver. I really think out of the three of us guys, we all for the most part just barely do what we have to do to get by in that area. Now the girls ... they've got to look at everything from their hair and their boobs and the way that the bras fit to the dress they've got on. You know, they get crazy about all that. I've never met an actress in my life that didn't. That's just kind of how it is. That's not to say that there aren't actors that aren't that way, but I really couldn't say that about David or Oliver.
Rules of Engagement' Cast Photos
David Spade attends Elton John's's birthday party on March 27, 2009 at the Humburger Hamlet in West Hollywood, California. Celebrity Sightings In Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA United States March 27, 2009 Photo by Jean Baptiste Lacroix/WireImage.com To license this image (57066590), contact WireImage.com
Jean Baptiste Lacroix/WireImage.com
Actor David Spade visits "Late Show with David Letterman" at the Ed Sullivan Theater February 19, 2009 in New York City. David Spade, David Sanborn and Sam Moore Visit "Late Show with David Letterman" - February 19, 2009 Ed Sullivan Theater New York, NY United States February 19, 2009 Photo by Jeffrey Ufberg/WireImage.com To license this image (56790453), contact WireImage.com
Jeffrey Ufberg/WireImage.com
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 08: Actor Patrick Warburton and daughter Lexi Warburton arrive at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards held at the Staples Center on February 8, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Patrick Warburton;Lexi Warburton
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 08: Actor Patrick Warburton and daughter Lexi Warburton arrive at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards held at the Staples Center on February 8, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Patrick Warburton;Lexi Warburton
Getty Images
EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO COMMERCIAL USE Actors David Spade and Djimon Hounsou attend the 2009 GRAMMY Salute To Industry Icons honoring Clive Davis at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 7, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California. 51st Annual GRAMMY Awards - Salute To Icons: Clive Davis - Backstage and Audience Beverly Hilton Hotel Los Angeles, CA United States February 7, 2009 Photo by Lester Cohen/WireImage.com To license this image (56667672), contact WireImage.com
Lester Cohen/WireImage.com
EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO COMMERCIAL USE Actor David Spade and Singer Carrie Underwood attend the 2009 GRAMMY Salute To Industry Icons honoring Clive Davis at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 7, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California. 51st Annual GRAMMY Awards - Salute To Icons: Clive Davis - Backstage and Audience Beverly Hilton Hotel Los Angeles, CA United States February 7, 2009 Photo by Lester Cohen/WireImage.com To license this image (56667509), contact WireImage.com
Lester Cohen/WireImage.com
EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO COMMERCIAL USE Actors David Spade (L) and Jon Voight attend the 2009 GRAMMY Salute To Industry Icons honoring Clive Davis at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 7, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California. 51st Annual GRAMMY Awards - Salute To Icons: Clive Davis - Red Carpet Beverly Hilton Hotel Los Angeles, CA United States February 7, 2009 Photo by Rick Diamond/WireImage.com To license this image (56667230), contact WireImage.com
Rick Diamond/WireImage.com
**EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO COMMERCIAL USE** (L-R) Neil Diamond, David Spade, Jimmy Kimmel and Kid Rock attend the 2009 MusiCares Person of the Year Tribute to Neil Diamond at the Los Angeles Convention Center on February 6, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. 2009 MusiCares Person Of The Year Honoring Neil Diamond - Show Los Angeles Convention Center Los Angeles, CA United States February 6, 2009 Photo by Lester Cohen/WireImage.com To license this image (56657806), contact WireImage.com
Lester Cohen/WireImage.com
**EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO COMMERCIAL USE** (L-R) Actor David Spade, musician Kid Rock, singer Faith Hill, musician Tim McGraw and musician Raul Malo backstage at the 2009 MusiCares Person of the Year Tribute to Neil Diamond at the Los Angeles Convention Center on February 6, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. 2009 MusiCares Person Of The Year Honoring Neil Diamond - Backstage And Audience Los Angeles Convention Center Los Angeles, CA United States February 6, 2009 Photo by Rick Diamond/WireImage.com To license this image (56657526), contact WireImage.com
Rick Diamond/WireImage.com
**EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO COMMERCIAL USE** Actor David Spade, singer Faith Hill and musician Tim McGraw backstage at the 2009 MusiCares Person of the Year Tribute to Neil Diamond at the Los Angeles Convention Center on February 6, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. 2009 MusiCares Person Of The Year Honoring Neil Diamond - Backstage And Audience Los Angeles Convention Center Los Angeles, CA United States February 6, 2009 Photo by Rick Diamond/WireImage.com To license this image (56657771), contact WireImage.com
Rick Diamond/WireImage.com
4. Do you think we'll ever see a 'Seinfeld' movie and would you return as Puddy?
Who knows? From what I understand now isn't Jerry [Seinfeld] doing a reality show? You know, he's gonna get bored and want to do something at some point. And maybe it will be a 'Seinfeld' movie. And Puddy will come back as the one who has grown the most in life. He'll come back, they'll all be the same losers, and Puddy is going to be a scientist. He'll be doing good works. He'll have helped, perhaps, the environment.
5. At what age do you let your kids watch your racier animated shows, 'Family Guy' and 'The Venture Bros.'?[Talon] got to watch it at age 13. Although I still feel like it's abhorrent and nobody should watch it until they're 16. Then when his sister turned 13 ... Daddy cannot have a double standard; also enforced by the wife, thanks for the support, honey. I can't tell you how uncomfortable it was watching an episode of 'Family Guy' with my 13-year-old daughter as Meg's walking into a room with a package full of hot dog wieners and says "You're going to be the New York Mets." I can't tell you how many times I've had to turn that show off. When it gets sacrilegious I turn it off. My mother's always believed that my soul's been in peril for being on that show. [Laughs]
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