Via Zoom: Bobcat Goldthwait New Film Takes a ‘Joy Ride,’ Part Three

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CHICAGO – The career of comedian Bobcat Goldthwait is a wild roller coaster of hilarity and passion, so it stands to reason that his latest film is called “Joy Ride.” The film, one of the funniest stand up docs you’ll ever see, also features Bobcat’s comedy partner Dana Gould on a stand up tour right before the pandemic. It’s available through VOD and iTunes, click JOY RIDE for details.

“Joy Ride” is essentially a stand-up comedy tour documentary, because it is rooted in the career overviews of Bobcat and Dana. Both men have had trials and tribulations in show business, based on backgrounds that included difficulties in their youth. These situations become their comedy in the film, with Gould especially opening up on a complete meltdown in the 1990s. The Bobcat past highlights are especially telling, and has precipitated a long running feud between the comic and his fellow traveler Jerry Seinfeld. “Joy Ride” is an ironic title, but it is also life, because in all of the journey’s messiness we have to find joy to survive. Bobcat and Dana are survivors.

’Joy Ride,’ Directed by Bobcat Goldthwait
Photo credit: Gravitas Ventures

Dana Gould began his stand up career at age 17, eventually moving to San Francisco to found the San Francisco Comedy Condo. After gigs as a writer on “The Ben Stiller Show” and roles on TV came amidst his difficulties in the ‘90s, but he bounced back to write for “The Simpsons,” and executive produced the show from 2002-07.

Bobcat Goldthwait is a comic treasure from the glory days of 1980s comedy, starting early in the decade in the act Bobcat and Tomcat (Kenny, later the voice of SpongeBob SquarePants). Bobcat went solo soon thereafter, and developed his surreal persona of distinctive voice and Andy Kaufman-esque comic ramblings … with a lot of attention but mixed results. After getting into directing, notably for TV’s Jimmy Kimmel in 2004, he dropped the persona and altered his stage act. Along the way he has also become a well-reviewed indie film director, including “Shakes the Clown” (the “Citizen Kane of alcoholic clown movies”), “World’s Greatest Dad” (with best friend Robin Williams) and his recent documentary “Call Me Lucky,” about comic Barry Crimmins.

In Part Three of an interview via Zoom by Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, Bobcat Goldthwait talks about Robin Williams, the road ahead and a BONUS post interview chat …

PART TWO WITH BOBCAT AVAILABLE! The “Joy Ride” continues by clicking BOBCAT PART TWO.

By PATRICK McDONALD Editor, Film Writer HollywoodChicago.com pat@hollywoodchicago.com