CH Interviews: Kirk Fogg

If you are anything like me, you grew up watching Nickelodeon gameshows. Double Dare, Guts, Nick Arcade, and of course Legends of the Hidden Temple. It is without any hint of sarcasm that I say that this interview with Legends of the Hidden Temple host, Kirk Fogg marks one of the highest points in my life.

How many migraines did you get per day, on average? My head held up pretty good, it was my back that killed me. Standing on a cement floor 14 hours a day will do that- Oh wait, I forgot. Once I smacked my head going into the swamp on the day I made my attempt to get through the temple (I made it by the way.)

What made you decide to go with khaki shorts verses jeans on a given day of shooting? Well, I thought everyone could tell that the khaki shorts were the first season. After that they put pants on me. I think they were frightened by my large calves.

Why did you give away trips to Universal Studios Florida? Weren’t you all already there? TALK TO THE PRODUCERS. I HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THAT!

What happened to kids after the temple guard got them? There was only one disembowelment that I know of. Otherwise they all were sent back to their mothers, some crying harder than others.

Some of the kids must have misbehaved or been a pain otherwise. Any memorable horror stories? Let me think… Everyone was cool. I think the toughest thing was that we shot 4 shows a day doing all the moat crossings first, then the steps, then the games, then, finally, after 12 hours- the temple run. Kids were generally wiped out so keeping their energy levels up was difficult especially after lunch where they were always given pizza. I believe that slowed them down. Only one real horror story, Olmec got pissed one day and ate part of the ledges.

Originally, you explained the rules for the temple games. However, in seasons 2 or 3 Olmec took over. Were you ever jealous? Jealous? Jealous?! JEALOUS?! Truth is that Olmec got all weird and demanded more air time. I was happy to give it to him. It made my life easier.

In your opinion, what’s the trickiest room in the temple? I think the Jesters court was hard- trying to get your hands and feet on those buttons. But of course Shrine was a close second. I don’t know, sometimes they were all impossible, depending on fatigue/confusion levels .

Why can’t anyone ever get the Silver Monkey together? It’s feet-belly-head. Come on! Right? Why? Because the damn thing was hard to put together. Feet-belly-head sounds easy but putting them facing out was kind of difficult when the clock is ticking, your about to throw up, and there are psychotic temple guards on the loose.

Did you ever think that 10 years later, there would be a channel like Nick GAS re-running Legends of theHidden Temple for 6 hours every day? Talk to my ex-agent.

Some people believe that once a team loses the first challenge, they should lay down and forfeit the next two challenges allowing the other team two pendants of life and the best chance at recovering the temple’s treasures. Do you think that’s fair? Yeah, I think it’s fair, unfortunately the producers would have screamed at them for doing it and made them cry. Especially the little ones.

James Cook discovered Australia, New Zealand and what other previously unknown island chain? A) The Bahamas B) The Azores C) The Hawaiian Islands C! These two teams will meet and play for a chance to go to Olmec’s temple right after this!

Did you have a favorite team? It changes year to year but I’d have to say this year is the year of the Barracuda.

Any good stories about you and Olmec? Are you talking about drinking stories or… Oh, he once dragged the trees from the dark forest into the “Pit of Despair” and had his way with them.

Aside from your own, what is your favorite Nickelodeon game show? “Figure it “out because Summer Sanders is hot. I was jealous of “Guts” because Mike O’Malley has had a better career than me.

Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth in Ford’s Theater. That same evening, the people responsible for Lincoln’s death tried to kill someone else in Lincoln’s cabinet. Name him. I still can’t believe Lincoln is dead.

Do you admire any other Nickelodeon game show host? Mark Summers. He is the best they ever had, and now does a damn fine job on his “candy show.”

Who is the biggest Nick star that you got to meet? Spongebob.

What is next for Kirk Fogg? I made my first feature film called DISTORTION which is coming out on DVD June 5th. It’s kind of like, “LOTHT gone wrong” or “Look what happened to the host of the LOTHT”. Actually, it’s kind of a cool thriller. Check out the Website and trailer at www.distortionthemovie.com and then send me an email and let me know what you think. It’ll freak you out- maybe. Also getting ready to make another film this summer in L.A. A kid crime drama.

Thanks Kirk! Thanks for having me and please don’t let me go home empty handed.