Joey was interviewed by The Life of Dad Show in 2017. Here is the interview:
Here is a text interview as well:
If you are my age then you remember a band called New Kids on the Block. My older sisters loved them. They would blast their cassette tapes from The New Kids in the house. One of the members, Joey McIntyre has branched out in a solo singing career and has done some acting as well.
Just like the New Kids on the Block are back and out on tour, Joey is back with a new show called Return of the Mac. It airs on Pop TV. Pop’s original scripted comedy series has Joey as a version of himself alongside his real-life family—wife Barrett and their three children, Griffin (8), Rhys (6) and Kira (5).
As he embarks on a hilarious quest to be taken seriously as a legit actor, Joey is thrown into the reluctant role of a talk-show host at a fledgling cable network called the Comfy Channel. He is joined by his often misguided manager and team played by a hysterical cast, including Adam Ray, Jamie Denbo, Katie Wee, Punam Patel and Jordan Black.
Return of the Mac airs Wednesdays at 8:30/7:30c only on Pop. I sat down with Joey to talk about the show, fatherhood and more.
Art Eddy: You are starring in a new show on Pop TV called Return of the Mac. From what I gather there is a mix of real life and scripted material in this show. Tell me what we can expect from this show?
Joey McIntyre: Well my wife plays my wife. My real kids play my kids. It is scripted. We have a great cast full of great actors. It was fun to do. I guess I play an exaggerated form of myself. I like to think that I am not this desperate. It was a lot of fun. It was the first TV show that I produced. I learned a lot on that side of it as well.
AE: You are no stranger to being in the limelight. Did you approach this project different from other roles you have done in the past?
JM: I did. I learned that if you want to get something done you have to ask for help. You can’t do it alone. Especially when you are dealing with a network and CBS studios. These are serious players. I felt like that was new to me. Over the years I have been able to do my own thing and do it my way. It was cool to kind of learn how to compromise and see this thing through and make a project bigger and better with as much help as you can get. It was challenging at times because there are a lot of opinions and people get paid to have opinions. I am happy with the way it has turned out.
AE: The show looks really funny. There are a ton of cool cameo and co-stars. When you were approached to do this show I am guessing it was an easy choice correct?
JM: Well I created the show. It came from the seed of an idea that I had. I was talking with Donnie Wahlberg. He has a ton of experience. He and Jenny McCarthy introduced me to Paul Greenberg. The two of us created the show. It wasn’t really presented to me, but I guess since I have a certain sense of humor and the writers do too it was kind of nice to see that we were able to bring it to the screen.
AE: I love watching the trailer and seeing the behind the scenes of what goes on in the entertainment industry. It seems that you guys just have to roll with the punches sometimes.
JM: Yeah you have to. I hope that people can relate no matter what their line of work is. The fact that sometimes you have to say yes when you want to say no and still take the gig that is in front of you. You hope it leads to bigger and better things.
AE: What were some of the first few thoughts that popped into your mind when you found out that you were going to be a dad?
JM: Just grateful. It is not always easy. You might plan and think having a family is easy, but getting pregnant is not always easy. So that first time you are kind of relieved because having a family was important to me. My wife and I were excited to get our family started. The fact that we have three healthy kids now and we get to see them grow and go through the ups and downs is really a gift.
As anybody knows it is not easy. It is challenging, but there are plenty moments in a day where you feel like the luckiest guy in the world.
AE: What do your kids think of your time in New Kids on the Block and now your career?
JM: They think it is cool. I don’t think they give it too much thought. They just figured out that is what I like to do. Kids are busy with what they want to do, what they are going after and their activities. They don’t spend too much time on my stuff.
AE: What are some of the core values you look to instill in your kids as they grow up?
JM: I think it is just honesty. It is pretty simple. I have never really been cynical. I have never been a cynical guy, but I think everyone runs into someone who wants to take a short cut. They feel like if they can get away with something then it is okay. I think you want to live a life where when you put your head on the pillow at night you feel secure that you are a good person. You did the best you could. You thought about everybody and not just yourself.
AE: What advice do you have for new dads?
JM: I am still learning every day. The biggest advice is probably to have a sense of humor. As much as I might want to get fed up because my kids aren’t listening to me I know that if I can say something funny or relate to them on their level, it kind of breaks the ice if things are getting too stressful. I think a sense of humor is important.
Life of Dad Quick Five
AE: Do you guys have a favorite family movie that you all love to watch together?
JM: Big Hero 6.
AE: Do you guys have a favorite song that you all like to sing to or dance to as a family?
JM: My kids know all the words to these songs. My wife play the radio more in the car than I do. We are still kind of obsessed with the Hamilton soundtrack.
AE: Describe the perfect family vacation.
JM: We have been getting into camping. Camping is fun because you don’t need anything besides the gear. You can go anywhere. We live in California. There are so many great National Parks that you can just rent a space at. It is a great way to get away from it all, keep it simple and just try and do something different.
AE: In your opinion what is the number one song the fans of New Kids on the Block?
JM: We are lucky enough to have a bunch of hits, but I would say Step By Step, The Right Stuff and I Will Be Loving You Forever. Please Don’t Go Girl, I am partial to that one because I get to sing that. It has meant a lot over the years.
AE: What was your first album you remember buying?
JM: Twisted Sister. I Want To Rock.
Follow Joey on Twitter at @joeymcintyre and go to his site at joeymcintyre.com. Also follow Joey’s show on Twitter at @ReturnOfTheMac
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