Terry Gross's interview with Tracy Morgan on Fresh Air today is something of a must-listen (download it here) for anyone who counts themselves a fan of the R2D2-bepenised 30 Rock star. Gross starts the interview guardedly, scared even, of what clothes-shedding antics or uncensored non sequiturs would come tumbling out of Morgan's mind. Instead, Morgan comes in mildly miffed, grinding his axe over the recent media attention paid to swipes he made against former SNL co-stars Chris Kattan and Cheri Oteri in his new memoir I Am the New Black.
Gross, a deft conversationalist, responded by poking cautiously at her erratic subject, quickly shifting the topic to Morgan's troubled past. The results shocked even her, as Morgan literally breaks down on the air talking about his relationship with his estranged mother, and then again a little bit later in describing being caretaker for his father as he succumbed to AIDS.
After expressing surprise at how easily and sincerely he connected with his emotions, Morgan then credits Gross: "You're seeing the other side. Because you're interested. I love you for that, Terry. I love you just for that." Before she gets too swollen a head, however, it's worth pointing out Morgan similarly broke down in the current issue of Playboy when describing his relationship with Lorne Michaels. He then lightened the mood by talking about how much he loves assholes: "I like fucking ass! Ain't nothin' like the butthole. The ass is a delicacy, goddamn it. I'd put hot sauce on it."
The Fresh Air clips: