Stars of “Hot Tub Time Machine” Talk About the Film

Craig Robinson ("The Office") and Clark Duke ("Sex Drive") talk about time traveling with Chevy Chase in their new comedy "Hot Tub Time Machine."

How much input did you have on the 80's feel?

Craig Robinson: There were definitely a lot of discussions about what was before or after '86. Songs, things like that. Everyone got to input and brainstorm, really whatever people came up with.

Was there a lot of improvisation?

Robinson: Probably every scene called for some improv, we had a lot of fun. Steve [Pink] was really encouraging us to improv and to just have fun with it. I would say the majority of the movie is improv [laughs].

Clark Duke: It was the most I had ever been apart of for a movie. Doesn't mean I was good at it [laughs].

Craig, what were you like in the 80's. Who were your heroes?

Robinson: I was huge Morris Day & the Time fan. Even in grammar school. I modeled myself after Morris Day [laughs]. That was one of my big 80's things.

What do you think is the most viable medium for comedy?

Duke: I guess it depends on what you're trying to do. TV is more of a writer's medium, films are more rewarding for an actor especially if you want to do a lot of improv or comedy.

Robinson: We do a lot improv on "The Office." We use to do a lot more, but as the writers captured the voices, it's not called for. Living in this ADD society, online is becoming more and more viable.

Do you think the internet format is changing comedy at all?

Robinson: With sites like funnyordie.com and YouTube, it's raising the stakes. People pass videos around, [and] it is defiantly changing the scene of comedy.

What inspired you to work in this film?

Duke: Funny script, funny idea. Cool people involved.

Robinson: They were interested in me, and once I read the script I was excited about it. [Rob] Corddry and I signed on first. Then Clark Duke came on. I saw Clark in "Sex Drive" and thought he was cool. Then we heard [John] Cusack was coming, it just changed the whole thing.

Duke: And they paid us to be in this film [laughs].

Would people have trouble getting it if they aren't familiar with the 80's?

Duke: I don't think you're going to have any problems keeping up.

Robinson: They are a couple of gags that Mr. Duke himself portrays, so that makes it accessible.

Duke: I love a good fall.

Robinson: A good slap [laughs].

Duke: I get a lot of that from Chevy Chase. They made him this guy that just mumbled obscenities at me, and that became really funny to me.

What were your inspirations for your characters?

Duke: My role didn't really require a lot of deep method acting [laughs]. Just research.

Robinson: I used this guy who was whipped by his wife, because that's who my character was. When I'm trying to find out who my character is, I look around and try to figure it out. I used this one guy, who is kind of wimpy and does whatever his wife says, and that's who my character turns out to be. Until the end [laughs].

Is your character in the movie anything like Darryl (Craig's character from "The Office")?

Robinson: No. Nick is a musician, hanging out with buddies. There is one moment where I have an "Office" moment and look at the camera [laughs].

It seems like the characters in this film are based around stereotypes, what do you think this movie says about the 21st century man?

Duke: I think the characters are more deep than the little blurb about the movie, they aren't that one dimensional at all.

Robinson: It's all real people, it's the human condition.

Would you rather live through the 80's or live now?

Robinson: That's a good question. I'm going to pick now, but I do miss Cameo [laughs].

Duke: I would also say now.

How was working with Chevy Chase?

Duke: It was amazing and surreal. It was a treat I'll never forget.

Robinson: I have been watching since the 70's. Just the anticipation of him coming, then to watch him work was phenomenal. He hung out, we shot pool, he is a great jazz pianist. He sat in on drums with Miles Davis one time, and he is as silly as they come. It was really special to be chosen to be a part of this movie and work with Chevy Chase.

If you could go back to a specific time, where would you go and why?

Robinson: I would go back to this girl I met, and unmeet her [laughs].

Look for "Hot Tub Time Machine" in theaters March 26, 2010 or head over to eventful.com to find an advanced screening near you!