David Rasche keeps me IN THE LOOP (podcast)

I watched Bill O’Reilly referee a steel-cage, grudge match/battle-of-wits between Ann Coulter and Al Sharpton and it became apparent, immediately, that both sides were unarmed. While America’s unemployment rates soar, television retains an open-door policy for pundits. If you are shrill, obtuse and misinformed, you’ve got a job. That’s why amongst the bigoted, blonde harpies and the one-track, track-suited reverends, you’ll often find celebrities spyhopping and spouting; actors playing big whales in the small pond of the simple-minded. Those celebrities who actually do know what they’re talking about, rarely make it on air, the producers wishing to avoid anyone who might interrupt their on-air host’s rhetorical bombination. So, don’t expect to see David Rasche in The No Spin Zone. The sharp-witted, strong-minded star would take a Sledge Hammer! to the proceedings, calling out the bulls**t in the china shop that is broadcast media’s delicately-staged, discursive sham.

Luckily, Mr. Rasche’s critical take on neo-conservative tomfoolery is showcased in Armando Iannucci’s IN THE LOOP,  a biting and brittle satire that replays the run-up to the war in Iraq as a Very Special, Geo-Political Episode of The Office as written by Aaron Sorkin and Lewis Black. Caustic barbs and colorful brickbats fly around the glass cubicles of the Left and the Right bruising the public more often than the politicians. Rasche’s Linton Barwick is a particular delight… if you can separate the curse-averse war-monger from his obvious real-life inspirations.

To find out who Rasche channeled for his spectacular performance, listen to my conversation with him, recorded at Seattle’s posh Pan Pacific Hotel. Our talk was enjoyable and enlightening as the star proved happy and well-equipped to step away from the typical, press junket talking points to explore the content and significance of the movie. Head’s up, O’Reilly. If you see David Rasche in the Green Room, run. Trust me, the actor’s armed to the teeth.

IN THE LOOP, co-starring Anna Chlumsky, Tom Hollander, Steve Coogan, Zach Woods and Mimi Kennedy, opens in Seattle on Friday, July 31st at the Harvard Exit.