My Interview with Ben Tebbe: The Comcast Guy

As I was getting ready to watch Big Brother the other day, I was stopped in my tracks by a commercial that came on for Comcast. I immediately sat up in bed, and with my mouth agape, I began swearing to Becky that I knew that guy in the ad.

"I know him, I swear...I went to school with that guy," I kept repeating. I ran down and grabbed my yearbook and flipped it open to the Senior pictures...



Becky took one look and agreed. It was Ben Tebbe. I made a quick search of the internet and quickly found that it wasn't a Ben Tebbe look alike, but rather, the real deal. I was stoked!! I actually knew and graduated with a guy who was in a commercial!! Soon after, I emailed him through MySpace and congratulated him for the ads. I threw a handful of questions his way, and he was very quick and generous with his answers. The below interview blossomed...enjoy!!

Let's start with the now famous Comcast ads. How did Comcast approach you to be the face for their service?



Ben Tebbe: "I actually got the gig through my agent, Helen Wells. She called me in for the audition. This particular audition was a bit strange, because typically the client (the ad agency or whoever) isn't there...it's just me and a camera. But this time there were two guys from Asher Agency in the room. I read the copy, and then they gave me a little direction and had me do it again, and then I left. I was actually pretty sure when I left the office that I didn't get the job. But then a couple of days later my agent called me and said they wanted me for a 2 day shoot."

Are these purely localized ads, or are the commercials televised all over the country?

Tebbe: "They are regional spots. They are playing in the Indianapolis and Ft. Wayne markets."

I've seen several variations of the commercial...one with a cheerleader, one with a dude playing some sort of odd guitar type instrument, etc...How many adds did you make?

Tebbe: "In that first 2 day shoot we filmed 5 separate commercials. All of them on the same 'factory/conveyor belt' set."

I've heard a rumor about a billboard and possible voice work on radio ads, can you confirm this??

Tebbe: "It is true. There are billboards all over the Indianapolis, and I assume Ft. Wayne too. Maybe other places, I don't know! They don't tell me. I'm everywhere. I'm so sorry the drivers of this fair city have to put up with my mug. And yes, I've done 5 radio commercials for them, too. There are also mailers now and ads in newspapers." (Editor's note: If anyone has a picture of said billboards, or any of the mailer ads, please let me know, I would love to post pictures!!)

While I'm sure it's awesome getting free internet and phone service from Comcast, I bet it would be even sweeter to get to keep that bitchin' shirt you are wearing in the ad.

Tebbe: "HA! I wish."

Did you get to keep that shirt?

Tebbe: "No! Can you believe it?? Although I had one college "so called" friend, tell me mechanic blue wasn't my color. Bitch."

Whoa! Easy there fella!! Why doesn't your name tag say Ben? It says Steve or something...

Tebbe: "Yea, my name is Mike in the ads."

That seems kinda strange...What are you suppose to be in the ad? A comcast guy? An everyday working Joe? Just plain Steve...ahem, Mike?

Tebbe: "Good question! I don't know. Nah, just an everyday working 'Mike'".

Was that really your niece in the commercial?

Tebbe: "Nope. That sweet little girl is actually the daughter of one of the ad guys. But it's funny....in the original copy (script for the commercial that they had me read at the audition) it was a nephew in Minnesota. And I really have a nephew in Minnesota. Maybe that's why I got the part."

I bet it made your read through more believable!! You just downloaded, what sounds like, some sweet bluegrass or folk music...did the directors ask you for input on your music preference, or did you get stuck with bluegrass/folk?

Tebbe: "They did not ask me. Although I do like some bluegrass music...and this guy was really good! He's playing what's called a bouzouki. It's kind of like a mandolin."

Bouzouki

If that is your musical preference, who are your fav folkies? If not, please hit my readers) up with some of your fav. musicians.

Tebbe: "My radio is usually tuned to either 92.3 WTTS or 90.1 WFYI. Yep, I'm a big NPR geek. Doesn't really jive with the Comcast guy image maybe, but. Some of my favorite musicians...hmm...Van Morrison, Beatles, Buffet, U2...gosh, I don't know. I'm not that picky really...But I do love show tunes :-)"

You looked way excited about that explosion happening on the tv behind you. You asked: "did you see that?" Then you proceeded to get us all psyched up for a replay, because you have DVR...then, you never showed us a replay, only the Comcast specials...What's the deal with teasing us like that??



Tebbe: "You want to talk about a tease...I didn't even get to see it during the filming! I'm looking at a f*#@ing green screen! Don't talk to me about being teased."

Sorry!! Don't go all Incredible Hulk on me there, Ben!! Ha ha. Being that we both graduated from Greensburg Community High School, home of the Pirates (GO BIG BLUE!!), couldn't you have talked the directors into putting blue and white on that cheerleader, instead of red, white and blue?? That's, like, South Decatur colors or something, isn't it?!?



Tebbe: "North Decatur actually. Their like dictators these art directors. They want no input from the talent."

I've spoken briefly with some of our old classmates...Kristy Schwendenmann said it was "crazy" to see you on tv. Cory Sullivan called and asked me if it was really you, and Chris Johnson said, "I've been seeing Tebbe, like, 10 times a week. Everytime I yell "BEN TEBBE!" and Jaime tells me to stop it." (Consequently, I now also yell, "BEN TEBBE!" when your commercial comes on...it's great fun...)

Anyhoo, my question is, how have you been received by your peers so far? How about on the streets? Anyone stopped you yet, asked for autographs, stalked you...any interesting stories?

Tebbe: "It's been fun. I've been getting back in touch and receiving emails and messages from a lot of people from HS and college. That's been really cool. I don't think people just recognize me on the streets....But, I am on a social networking site, and I received a friend request from some girl I didn't know who wrote in the message along with the request that she had seen my commercials and wanted to know if I was single. Not sure how I feel about that yet."

Television stars do get the ladies, Ben...some are crazy, but what can you do??

In high school, I was the Yearbook editor and look at me now!! I'm writing a blog with the readership of at least 5 people...You were involved in several extra curricular activities in school (Student Council, National Honors Society, Silhouettes and Shadows), you co-founded GTV (a television new program featured at our school), you performed in many plays (Fiddler on the Roof, Christmas Carol, etc.),you were the co-salutatorian of our class (remember who the other co-salutatorian was??) and now you are in Comcast ads and are the co-founder of a theatre company called Heartland Actors Repertory Theatre. Obviously, the moral of this for the kids is...GET INVOLVED IN MORE EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES!!



But seriously, can you tell us a bit about your theatre company?

Tebbe: "Absolutely! my favorite subject. My theatre company is called Heartland Actors' Repertory Theatre (www.heartlandactors.org). A couple of other professional actors and I formed the group back in the fall of 2006. We are currently homeless, which is common for newer groups. But we have a world premiere of a really funny play coming up. MIDWESTERN HEMISPHERE by Lou Harry and Eric Pfeffinger opens at the Indianapolis Artsgarden March 28 and runs through April 13. This is the first full theatrical production ever in the Artsgarden. Check out our website for more details or friend us at www.myspace.com/heartlandactors"

What has been your most memorable performance success wise...most memorable personally?

Tebbe: "Depends on who you talk to. One of my favorites has been Gorey Stories with ShadowApe Theatre Company. We've done it three times. What a blast."

What's better...having a smaller crowd and getting a standing ovation, or having a larger crowd who is relatively uninterested?

Tebbe: "I'd much rather have a small engaged crowd. Don't care about standing ovations....just want them to be engaged and care about what's happening on stage. If they aren't....probably means I'm not doing my job."

Has anyone ever really "broken their leg" at a performance? Man, I bet that would be awkward!!

Tebbe: "I've not been in a show where that has happened...but close. During a couple month long performance of TWELFTH NIGHT, a fellow cast member twisted his ankle during a show. His understudy went on for about a week. Another time, during a run of ROMEO AND JULIET, I'm playing Benvolio and I'm in a scene with the actor playing Montague (Romeo's dad, for those who have slept since freshman English class). We are about three lines from finishing the scene, when he stops his line short. He just stops talking and looks at me. So, after a short pause, I say my next line and he exits stage. I do the next scene with Romeo, and as we finish and are about to exit, the stage manager comes over the 'god' mic and says "Hold, please." We have to stop the show. Turns out, Montague immediately started yacking the second he got off stage. Had some bad fish the night before. So we had to stall the show about 15 minutes until an understudy could get there to take over."

Who do you think is more famous...Ben Tebbe, the Comcast Guy...or that Delivery dude from the Goodwill commercials? (Did you know he's really a delivery guy for Goodwill? Weird, eh?)

Tebbe: "I did not know he was really a delivery guy. Good for him! He's totally more famous. Although, you're about the fifteenth person to draw a parallel between me and the Goodwill guy. My mom being the first. I've always thought I was a little cooler than that guy....maybe I need to reassess my life."

No, I think you are doing just fine.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for graciously answering all my questions. It has been my pleasure to interview you. Continued success!! Oh, crap...I mean "Break a leg!!"

(FYI, the co-salutatorian was Julie Brinson...do you know what ever happened to her? I wonder if she's making Dish Network commercials somewhere...)

Tebbe: "I know she went to Rose Hulman....but haven't talked to her or heard from her in years. Have no idea where she is."

So, Julie Brinson, if you are out there, Googling your name somewhere and come across this page, hit me up. I would love to interview you next!!

I encourage you all check out the following:

Heartland Actors' Repertory Theatre presents the world premiere of
Midwestern Hemisphere: a suburban metaphysical comedy
by: Lou Harry and Eric Pfeffinger
March 28, April 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 @ 8 pm
At the Indianapolis Artsgarden
Tickets can be purchased at www.heartlandactors.org
or by calling 317-796-2222.
www.myspace.com/heartlandactors