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If we all work together and buy tickets, we can stop Bobcat Goldthwait from appearing on reality TV.
All it will take is flocks of people buying tickets to his weekend comedy shows at West Valley City's WiseGuys.
"The one I thought about was 'Celebrity Fit Club,' " the 48-year-old comic joked. "I could make some money and lose some pounds."
Of course, in his first career as a comedian in the 1980s, Goldthwait was known for appearances in the "Police Academy" movies. Then there were his eccentric, dark comedy routines, which he delivered under a mop of long, unkempt hair, employing a brusque voice that would frequently devolve into a high-pitched squeal.
Most recently, he's become an unlikely critical darling for writing and directing films. His 2006 film, "Sleeping Dogs Lie," was selected for the Sundance Film Festival, a curious achievement for a comedy based on the relationship struggles a woman goes through after committing bestiality with her dog.
In 2009, he wrote and directed another edgy Sundance film, "World's Greatest Dad," about an exploitative father (played by Robin Williams) who used his son's autoerotic asphyxiation accident for personal gain.
Both films were well-received. "I'm very shocked that I've become a Sundance director," Goldthwait said.
His directing career was launched in 1992, when he wrote, directed and starred in "Shakes the Clown," an account of an alcoholic, depressed clown. The film drew widely varying reviews (and eventually became a cult classic), and Goldthwait was hooked by the thrill of filmmaking.
He continued performing stand-up, though, until he "retired" from it in 2005 to concentrate full time on making movies. That retirement, of course, was short-lived.
But if you remember the comedian from the 1980s and 1990s, you should expect that his contemporary act is much less manic. "I can't do that character anymore," he said. "A 48-year-old guy can't do what I did when I was 20 years old."
Next year, Goldthwait will start production on a new film musical based on The Kinks' 1976 concept album, "Schoolboys in Disgrace." "I know the first thing people think of when they think of me is a musical," he quipped.
It's a dream project for him to be working with former Kinks frontman Ray Davies on the film. He was an avid fan of the Kinks as a kid, when "Schoolboys in Disgrace" was his favorite album. "I feel like a rich guy who goes to a fantasy baseball camp for a week," Goldthwait said.
Early on, when they first met, Davies asked Goldthwait who the audience would be for the film. "I said it was for people who f——— hated 'High School Musical.' "
If the film ends up doing poorly, Goldthwait said he will return to comedy. "Stand-up is better than sharing a room with Dr. Drew," he said.
From 'Police Academy' to Sundance
P Comedian Bobcat Goldthwait performs four shows.
When • Tonight and Saturday, Sept. 18, at 8 and 10
Where • WiseGuys West Valley City, 2194 W. 3500 South, West Valley City
Tickets • $20 at wiseguyscomedy.com