“The Soup” is a reincarnation of “Talk Soup,” the show that ran on E! from 1991 to 2002 and made its first host, Greg Kinnear, a star. Whereas “Talk Soup” focused on poking fun at various talk shows (think “The Jerry Springer Show”), the main purpose of “The Soup” is to lampoon the new American obsessions: reality TV and pop culture.
INTERVIEW. Joel McHale is host of the E! network’s hilarious show “The Soup,” an irreverent recap of each week’s pop culture and reality show moments. He is also the father to a 1-month-old and 3-year-old. And although he jokes that he is “the most popular basic cable talk show host in the world,” he still can’t seem to find a babysitter, as his youngest, Isaac, made it known during our interview about all things entertainment.
As the host, how much writing do you do on “The Soup?”
It depends on the week. I do a lot of writing, but we also have an incredible staff of writers. Now that the show has gotten more popular, we’ve hired a lot more people.
[Baby crying.]
[Whispering to baby] Hey buddy, I’m trying to give an interview here.
Since you rehash a whole week of reality TV on air, do you still watch the stuff when you aren’t working?
My wife and I watch “American Idol” and “Dancing with the Stars.” Oh, and then there is my favorite: Dateline NBC’s “To Catch a Predator.” So really, it goes between ballroom dancing and pedophilia.
Are you really friends with the other famous host on E!, Ryan Seacrest?
Well, I’m as much friends as you can be with the half deity that is Ryan Seacrest. Really, he’s busier than the president. I have had a couple of conversations with him in the hallway that are longer than three minutes and everyone is like, “Wow, you two are best friends.” He’s really funny and he’s a good sport about us making fun of him on the show. [Baby shrieking]
Um, what are you doing to that baby?
[Laughs] I think I’m squeezing him too hard. But really, he might be hungry for some boob.
Has your status changed in the four years you have been on the show?
Oh, definitely. I can’t as easily pee on a golf course like I used to, you know? But [“The Soup” has] been like the little engine that could. For a while, it was really hard for our voice to be heard, but I think we’ve really made something. It is just my hope that I am so famous and so successful one day that my kids can start getting hammered and wrapping their cars around trees without getting into trouble. [Coos to baby.] Right, Isaac?
‘The Soup’ airs Fridays at 10 p.m. on E!