King of Queens Star Patton Oswalt on His Favorite Trip and Being the New Bob Saget
It's been a very difficult year for Patton Oswalt — the comic-actor's wife, Michelle McNamara passed away in April and he's raising their seven-year-old daughter alone. Here, Oswalt, who co-starred in "The King of Queens" and is the narrator of "The Goldbergs," reminisces about his favorite vacation and why it was important to move up alongside funny friends on the LA comedy scene.
What's the best trip you've ever taken?
I went to Prague a few years ago. It was at the beginning of the millennium. I wasn't married. It was before I became a father. I had no schedule. It was so nice. That seems like an eternity ago. I love being a father. I'm all about spending time with my daughter, but I can't help but look back at that time in Prague and think about how great it was.
What's the best trip you've taken recently?
I went back home with my daughter for Thanksgiving in Virginia. It was good to see everybody. We had a great time. It was something I definitely needed.
Any travel horror stories?
I try to blank those out. When you travel as much as I do, you're going to have some bad experiences. The delays on trips are terrible. Having to make connections is no fun.
What's your favorite weekend getaway?
I like being close to home. I have my daughter. The great thing about being in Los Angeles is that there is so much to do around here. It's nice to have the beach nearby.
How are you keeping it together?
By taking one step at a time. We have to keep going. I'm picking up the pieces and doing what I love, which is stand-up. Everything I do pays the bills so I can do comedy.
So, you're basically the new Bob Saget since you're providing the narration for "The Goldbergs."
It's fine being the new Bob Saget (who narrated the sitcom, "How I Met Your Mother"). 'The Goldbergs' is a very special show. The scripts are amazing and I just love the little scenes. He (creator Adam Goldberg) makes it feel very universal and accessible. I'm a big fan of the cast with Jeff Garlin and Wendy McLendon-Covey. It's a classic comedy.
You cut your comedic teeth with an amazing group of comedians in Los Angeles. How competitive was it and how much did that help you in terms of raising your personal bar?
We're all friends. The great thing about them is that they are so funny. They inspired me to work harder because I was never the funniest guy in my peer group. The good thing about that is that I never stagnated. Being the funniest guy equals death. Fortunately, I'm not the funniest, but I work hard to be as funny as I can be.