“BachelorMan” is an extremely funny independently made film. After making its rounds at the various festivals, it was picked up for North American distribution by Newmark/Echelon Entertainment Group. The movie will make it theatrical splash on September 10th, 2004.

Creator and co-writer Rodney Lee Conover spoke with me about his creation and the road to theatrical release. “BachelorMan” is a romantic comedy loosely based on characters from comedian Conover’s stand-up act. The film stars David DeLuise (son of Dom DeLuise) and Missi Pyle and tells the story of Ted Davis, a ladies man programming executive working for a wacky sports cable network (featuring hilarious programs like senior women’s hockey) who becomes smitten with his sexy next door neighbor. When the sex talking flat out tough neighbor rejects Ted he does everything in his considerable power to land the chick and comedy ensues.

In the EI interview, Conover talks about sex and the single man and what it takes to avoid tying the knot without going blind in the process. Oh, yeah, and we talk about “BachelorMan” the movie.

EI: What's good about being a bachelor?

Rodney Lee Conover: You mean besides fabulous babes, right? Something other than fabulous babes? Okay, first we still retain visiting rights to our genitals. Also, unlimited beer consumption is pretty cool.

The best thing about being a Bachelor is that you still get to masturbate. Everyone knows that once a man gets married he does not have to and will likely never masturbate again...

EI: It took you a long time to get "BachelorMan" to the screen. What were some of the problems?

RLC: They didn't want to shoot it in color and I insisted--made it a deal breaker.

EI: "BachelorMan" is an independently financed film, why? I mean the story is one that should be perfect big studio material. Did being independent help craft the story according to your vision?

RLC: Fortunately, we lucked out and were able to get Sundance almuni John Putch (“Valerie Flake,” “Pursuit if Happiness”) to direct “BachelorMan.” He supplied the vision and was able to take the script and make a great film. He deserves all the credit for the great story-telling here.

EI: You are a stand-up comedian and some of "BachelorMan" is taken from your act. What did you learn when the screenwriters took your characters and put them into a script?

RLC: I learned to never befriend screenwriters, ever again.

EI: Does getting a girlfriend (or wife) hurt your hipness (not to mention your golf handicap)? How can a married or attached man safely retain some of the good things about being a bachelor?

RLC: Sorry, once you're married, it's over. Go look in the crisper for your penis if you ever need it for anything.

EI: David DeLuise seemed like he was a perfect choice for the role of Ted.

RLC: The studio wanted Nicole Kidman but fortunately, we ended up making it independently and got the charming and perfect Mr. DeLuise, who is Dom's youngest son, by the way.

EI: Any advice you can give to bachelors or bachelorettes out there? And the popular bachelor shows, are they a sign of the decay of American culture or what?

RLC: I, in fact, invented the entire concept of decaying culture. Everytime someone gets lucky with the opposite sex, I get a small commission check.

EI: What's next?

RLC:A political feature film about lesbian Eskimos getting ripped off by the man. They pull together and get the word, "igloo" written into the Constitution. They call it a "Dramedy" here in Hollywood.

Look for “BachelorMan” at a theater near you this fall. For more about the film, visit the website: www.bachelorman.com.

Jonathan W. Hickman