Joel McHale Doesn't Just Play a (Mostly) Nice Guy On "Community." He is One.

Joel McHale

When I answer the phone the very first words out of Joel McHale's mouth are "I am so sorry I'm late."

Indeed, the start of NBC's Community is fifteen minutes late in calling for our interview, but in Hollywood time that's nothing. In fact, there are many actors who wouldn't acknowledge being late at all.

But McHale isn't one of those celebrities by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, he apologizes again for being tardy. And did I mention he's calling me from his personal number, no publicist running interference? He's on his way to one of his kids' activities and is more than happy to chat as long as I want. And don't think he's going to badmouth the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for again overlooking both himself and his show when it comes to Emmy nominations. In fact, he's got nothing but good things to say about them, both for having put him on the cover of their magazine and having asked him to announce this year's Emmy nominations along with Modern Family's Sofia Vergara.

McHale and Sofia Vergara announcing this year's Emmy nominees

And at the end of our phone call, he asks for my email so he can send me a clip from The Soup — his other gig — that he thinks I should see. Then he wants to know when I'll be in L.A. next and invites me to do a set visit and have lunch with him.

Trust me, there aren't a whole of actors who make that kind of effort. Yes, it's possible McHale isn't really as nice as he seems. Maybe he's just an incredibly smart self-promoter and schmoozer. But I've met a lot of actors and Hollywood types, and he sure doesn't come off that way. He seems genuinely nice and I'm going to take that at face value.

AfterElton: So, Joel, what are your plans for the Emmy’s Sunday night? Are you going to be TPing Ryan Murphy’s house?
Joel McHale: Well, I don’t even know what I’m allowed to say, but I’ll be doing something with the Emmys.

AE: I figured you must be.
JM: I am involved with them. Obviously, I mean me and the show are not nominated. Nice driving. I’m driving to my kid’s baseball, just so you know. I don’t think I can say so just say I’ll be involved somehow.

AE: I’m guessing this will be something funny.
JM: No, I’m going to be doing a dramatic reading.

AE: [laughs]
JM: From the play ‘night, Mother. It’s going to be really different.

AE: Hey, I’ve got to fish. I’ve got to do what I can so the readers know I tried to get some info out of you.
JM: I don’t know if I can tell you anything.

AE: I don’t want to get you in trouble. Seriously though, it seems like a lot of the Emmy voters don’t quite get your show. Do you think it’s too outside the box with the high concept episodes and the fact that it’s trying to do something different? Or do you think maybe you’re just the next The Office and people haven’t discovered you yet?
JM: That’s a really good question. I don’t know, I think that… Do you mean as far as award recognition or ratings-wise?

AE: Award recognition since we’re talking about the Emmys.
JM: Obviously the goal is not to get awards for a show. Obviously it helps, but that was never my motivation or the show’s motivation for being on the air. The Emmy committee has been really good to us. They have really treated us well and they put me on the cover of their magazine... people just like other shows I guess.

I think I’d be the first to tell you that if I didn’t like it [the show]. I’d probably say something, I usually do. I’m really happy with the show and I really think it’s a good quality show. It’s hard, you know, I can’t put my finger on any of it. There are a lot of shows that got nominated that definitely deserved to be. Louie is a fantastic program and should be recognized every year it’s on.

AE: It’s funny because I was going to ask you, with your insane schedule and being a dad, you probably don’t have time to watch much TV. What do you watch when you have time?
JM: It is hard for me, but I TiVo everything. I catch up when I can. As far as comedies go I watch Children’s Hospital, Louie and I have parts of The Office and 30 Rock all saved. I watch Falling Skies with Noah Wylie, I really like that. I really love Game of Thrones.

AE: That's a great show.
JM: It’s really great. And you know, this sounds like such a cliché, I don’t really have as much time as I used to. I don’t really watch reality shows. I do, when I can, watch The Ultimate Fighter. It's the reality show that’s like the most honest reality show to me.

AE: You like to watch them kick each other, huh?
JM: Well, it’s like on American Idol, you sing a little off key they yell at you a little bit and you feel bad. On [Ultimate Fighter] if you make a wrong move your face is broken open.

AE: [laughs]
JM: It’s no joke. I bet if you win the fight you get $5000. It’s not like you get a million dollar recording contract. You win $5000. The $5000 wouldn’t even cover the emergency room visit.