Rapaport talked to Page 2 about the country's often unhealthy fixation on sports, his take on Michael Vick, and why New Yorkers and Philadelphians aren't so different after all.
You're a New Yorker playing a Philadelphia fan. Is that constitutionally legal? I thought there was an amendment banning that kind of thing.
There's a part of me that says it's not right. Internally, it caused a lot of strife for me. I definitely gave it a second thought. But we're fundamentally the same type of people when you think about it. Working class. Very, very passionate about where we come from and who we are. Very passionate about our teams. We have a similar sensibility. It's just a different backdrop. I like Philly fans. You guys are totally crazy.
Nah. We're really just a bunch of misunderstood pussycats. Did you do any research for your role? What did you learn about Philly fans?
I've been to lots of games down there. My most memorable moment at a Philly sporting event: I went to the NBA All-Star Game and they started booing Kobe Bryant. That sealed the deal for me about how crazy Philly fans are. I've never heard any booing at any all-star event. For them to boo him so vehemently after the game was really nuts.
You know why that was, right? He's from here, but when the Sixers played the Lakers in the NBA Finals, he said he wanted to cut our hearts out.
Oh, I know. I totally get it. And I liked it. I respected it. Philly fans are the real deal. I've watched you through the years. I know how you guys operate.
Your character, Philadelphia Phil, argues with Patton Oswalt's character on the radio. Do you listen much to sports talk radio?
I like sports radio. I've always gotten a kick out of it. Sometimes it can be a little much, though.
Sometimes there's civil debate and discourse. Other times it's closer to vomiting emotion into the phone.
