From Public Access To Mtv, Jake Fogelnest Is On His Way
Jake Fogelnest has taken TV by storm, starting in “Wayne’s World” style by doing his own public access show from his Manhattan bedroom and then graduating to his own slice of the MTV pie with “SQUiRT TV (on MTV).”
Probably too cocky for his own good, the 17-year-old offers his take on pop culture, success and his notso-secret crush on Janeane Garofalo, who stars in the new film “The Truth About Cats and Dogs.”
1. Why are you obsessed with Janeane Garofalo?
Jake: I wouldn’t say obsessed. But I’d say if I wasn’t in the industry, it would be considered stalking. No, I didn’t even stalk her. It’s not like I followed her around; I basically wanted to meet her. So I sort of tried to contact her - trying to meet people who she knew so I could talk to her and say hello and let her see SQUiRT TV, and I got to do that (by having her as a guest on the show).
2. In “The Truth About Cats and Dogs,” Janeane’s character says if Uma Thurman’s character burped, guys would think it’s cute. If Janeane burped, would you think it was cute?
Jake: I’m generally not a bodily functions kind of guy, know what I’m saying? I don’t know, it depends on how she burped. If she, like, burped the alphabet or something or the “Jeopardy” theme, I would consider that, like, amusing. I don’t know about cute. But let me tell you this, I wouldn’t think it was cute if Uma Thurman burped anyway.
3. Say Janeane calls you up to go out, what do you do?
Jake: Go out, obviously. That hasn’t happened yet, but I’m waiting still. I’d definitely go out with Janeane. I think she’s weirded out by that, though. You know what I’m saying? She thinks I’m a little weirdo.
4. What’s the best or worst advice anyone’s ever given you?
Jake: I don’t know. I don’t get a lot of advice. I don’t think I listen very much. I should, but I don’t. The worst advice given to me was not to do a stupid public access show.
5. Has success has gone to your head?
Jake: No, I think it was already in my head. I was already this arrogant before the show. Actually, I don’t think so, because I’m very aware that this is all a big goof and it could all go away tomorrow and I could just . . .
5-1/2: Go back to being Jake Fogelnest?
Jake: Yeah, well that’s a challenge within itself.