Jerry Lawler interviews David Arquette

Jerry Lawler interviews David Arquette

For the fifth installment of WWE.com's Superstar to Superstar, the one and only Jerry "The King" Lawler took a few minutes to catch up with standout acting star and former WCW World Heavyweight Champion David Arquette. The former Scream star is also appearing in the new ABC comedy, In Case of Emergency. Check out a transcript of their conversation.   

Jerry "The King" Lawler: Everybody has their ups and downs in life, including The King and the rest of the WWE Superstars. Tell us how that makes for good comedy in your new series, In Case of Emergency, and with your character, Jason.

David Arquette: He's a guy who's caught up in an Enron-type scandal and facing a lot of jail time. He's kind of suicidal, but can't go through with it, and instead shoots himself in the foot. He ends up in the hospital, where he meets Lori Loughlin's character. He eventually becomes a volunteer nurse so he can be near her and try to steal her away from her fiancé. As far as life's ups and downs… life is just crazy and nuts, what do you think, Jerry?

King: It definitely is, my friend. At WWE, I try my best to stay under the radar to keep things moving along nice and smooth. Getting involved in too many things can only come back to haunt you.

Arquette: You guys definitely have a crazy thing going on over there. I know exactly what you mean. I love the wrestling business, King. I've been a fan for a long time. I remember going to the Los Angeles Sports Arena and seeing Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant fight. It's just such an amazing world, and there are so many great people involved.

King: I know you're a big fan, and we're going get into that in a minute, but let's get back to Hollywood for a second. You and your wife Courteney Cox are the executive producers of the new FX show, Dirt, which she also stars in. Tell us what goes into that.

Arquette: We started our production company, Coquette, a few years ago, but this is our first hour-long scripted show. We came up with the original concept and pitched it to FX. We picked a writer, we read the shows and outlines, give notes, and provide feedback. We handle everything with the network, help with the publicity. It's like our baby.
 
King: You're part of a long line of entertainers. People don't realize that, going back as far as your grandfather Cliff Arquette, your dad, and you are the youngest of five acting Superstars. One of my sons grew up in the wrestling business and became a wrestler, and it seems like your family is the same way…

Arquette: I guess so King. We all are carnies at heart. We're all characters and we're all entertainers. It's so much fun to be able to do this as a living.

King: Actually, what we don't tell people is that this beats having to get a real job.

Arquette: Yeah of course, but it opens the door to a lot of other things you don't normally have to put up with in other jobs, like having to watch your wife do a love scene with someone else.

King: What's that like? How do you separate seeing the love scenes from real life? Do you even watch them?

Arquette: I try not to watch. It used to be a lot harder for me. I used to be super-jealous so it was pretty hard, but things have changed since we had our baby. It's not quite as difficult as it used to be. It does gnaw at you though, so you have to keep it all in perspective.

King: Okay, let's talk about wrestling. I know you've been a fan all your life and you're actually a former WCW Champion.

Arquette: Yeah, even though the fans didn't like it. [laughs] I know the fans weren't crazy about how that all went down, but it was a lot of fun. I have a lot of respect for all the wrestlers and the business, and it was a blast to just be a part of it.

King: I remember that you once sat behind JR and I at the front row of a Raw show, and you had a sign that said "Former WCW Champion." What was that all about?

Arquette: That was a lot of fun. It wasn't meant to be serious. I was just trying to joke around with it. I still have my belt, and I love holding it and showing it off. Some people take things a little too seriously, though. I remember one little kid saw it and gave me the finger on the spot! I do have to say that the K-Fed stuff has been pretty entertaining, and for the record, I went on TRL and called him out!

King: Speaking of calling people out, I was one of the first wrestlers to be involved in that kind of cross-over promotion. I once fought and beat the hell out of a funny-man named Andy Kaufman.

Arquette: That was hilarious.

King: How do you think you'd fare against The King?

Arquette: Well, I don't know about that. I think Hollywood has learned its lesson.

King: How about a tag team - Arquette and The King?

Arquette: That's more like it.

King: All right, we'll have to see what we can do. Let me ask you a little something about your personal hobbies. I love to draw and I collect Coca-Cola memorabilia, and I'm a huge Cleveland Browns fan. What are you some of your outside interests?

Arquette: I love art as well. I also like to paint and draw. I try to find things that I can do, and can also be part of my business.

King: What kind of art do you do?

Arquette: Acryilic paint mostly; I'm too messy for oils. I like to paint figures, stuff like that. A lot of the time nowadays is art that I do for charities. They send me stuff to paint, and I do it and send it back.

I also love collecting stuff as well, King. I have tons of wild costumes, but the one thing I'm missing from my collection is a Ric Flair robe. That was one of my favorite things about wrestling… getting drunk with Ric Flair. What a memory that was.

King: That's definitely the ultimate right there. You're talking about getting drunk with one of the best of all time.

Arquette: No kidding. A lot of people were upset with me by the second time I was there after I got the title and everything. But Ric was really cool with me, and he was impressed because I could handle my drinks. A few times, though, I ended up under the table.

King: I don't doubt it. I have one final question: Whether I'm doing color commentary or wrestling, I always say it's good to be The King. So what's it like being David Arquette these days?

Arquette: It's pretty good right now. I can't complain. Having a baby, and being able to wake up and see her dancing around every morning, you can't beat that. I have a beautiful wife and a great job, and great friends, so I'm doing okay right now. I'm very grateful for that.

King: Sounds good David. Thanks for participating in Superstar to Superstar.

Arquette: My pleasure.

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