Comedians embrace bromance

“I Love You, Man” premieres Friday nationwide and explores the phenomenon that is bromance. Peter (Paul Rudd) is engaged to Zooey (Rashida Jones) and goes on several man-dates to find a best man for his wedding. He forms a friendship with Sidney (Jason Segel) through these dates that begins to put his wedding in jeopardy. Rudd and Segel had a vast amount of chemistry in “Forgetting Sarah Marshall”-their latest effort seems to be no exception as they joke their way through a conference call to promote their new movie.

Associated College Journalists: Both (of you) have done screenwriting, how do you think that affects your performances?

Paul Rudd: I think it enhanced my performance because . I understand the character better. I write it so it makes me understand a character motivations and all that other actor bull**** stuff more.

Jason Segel: I agree with Paul, it is very easy given that you know every character-you know why your character was doing everything it did because you made those decisions. I found on “I Love You, Man,” – which I did right after “Sarah Marshall” and did not write – that I had a new respect for the writers and how difficult their job is . not to be so frivolous with their words.

ACJ: The movie (is) about you guys being romantic. How did Rashida Jones fit in the dynamics of the film?

Rudd: I’ve known Rashida for a long time . and it seemed very natural. Jason how long have you known Rashida, do you know her very well?

Segel: I’ve known her since I was 18 so, 11 years.

Rudd: Yeah right, so it was really actually quite easy. Rashida is very much . one of the guys-hilarious, cool and easy to hang out with.

ACJ: Where did the inspiration come to form (a bromance) relationship?

Segel: I think it’s a long time coming that you’ve seen a good male platonic comedy. That’s what we’re going for and we got as close to the homoerotic line as possible without crossing it. Which I think we both found comedically satisfying.

Rudd: But it just seems to be the word of the moment, bromantic, because there have really been films throughout the decade that have fallen into that category, but we are never called bromantic.

Segel: Oh, because it rhymes with romantic.

Rudd: Exactly.

Rudd: What are some of your favorite bromantic films Jason from the 80s?

Segel: Well I don’t know if this is from the 80s, but I think my favorite bromantic comedy is “Midnight Cowboy.”

Rudd: Oh, very good. I like “Twins.”

Segel: “Twins” is pretty great, that’s a great buddy movie. Also, not (as) bad as the follow-up is “Junior.”

Rudd: Another great bromantic comedy.

Segel: “Dumb and Dumber.”

Rudd: “Schindler’s List.”

ACJ: What was your favorite part of the whole (production) process?

Segel: My favorite part was . a day when Paul Rudd and I had our first … man date. They took us to the best fish taco restaurant in Venice and the director told us, “Look, the goal is just to look like you guys are slowly starting to like each other. Don’t really worry about a script.” They . gave us four hours of fish tacos and beer and we just had to talk and be funny and enjoy each others company-it was very easy and . fun.

ACJ: (Jason) will we get to see you sing . in (“I Love You, Man,”)?

Segel: I don’t believe I sing.

Rudd: Well, not necessarily.

Segel: Do I?

Rudd: Yeah.

Segel: Oh, I do. I . sing a song that I did not write. A song written by …

Rudd: Some of your countrymen.

Segel: Yup, that’s right. “The Whole Eternity” (by) Rush. I’ve always enjoyed writing songs, especially when I was out of work it made me feel like I was at least doing something, you know?

ACJ: How do you go out with a girl knowing she has seen you naked in “Forgetting Sarah Marshall?”

Segel: It actually makes things more comfortable because the girls know what they are going to get, so there is not any mystery or awkward moment where it’s like, “Yeah, this is what I’m working with.” If they want to go out on a date, they’ve already checked out the goods and on the big screen too, which is only more helpful.