Rob Huebel is comedic actor currently playing the role of Dr. Owen Maestro on “Children’s Hospital”. The show just started its third season on Adult Swim. He is also known for his roles in the TV series “Human Giant” and the movie “I Love You, Man”. Movie Mikes had a chance to chat with Rob about his role on “Children’s Hospital” as well as his upcoming projects.
Mike Gencarelli: What do you like most about playing Dr. Owen Maestro on “Children’s Hospital”?
Rob Huebel: The cool thing about doing stuff on that show is you are really surrounded by some very funny people. The cast is just super funny. We shoot the show extremely fast. I think it takes about a month to shoot a season. We aren’t together very long so when we are shooting it’s a really intense and fun activity. We also are very lucky in that we get to do pretty much whatever we want. It’s kind of rare that you can think up a crazy idea, film it and then put it on television. A lot of times you can’t do stuff like that because there are large corporations limiting what you can and can’t do. With Adult Swim we are able to get away with a lot more.
MG: How do you feel that season three differs from the previous seasons?
RH: I think season 3 is different because we are starting to spread our wings more. Early on in the
show we all knew that the show was only 15 minutes long so we could shape it in a variety of ways. We knew we didn’t always have to be in the hospital even though a majority of the show takes place there. I think this season there are 4 episodes that are totally different from everything which is weird but funny. I think people will go along for the ride especially since it is only 15 minutes long. We really like to just have fun with the characters and make fun of this world and season three will show that.
MG: Since the show is only 15 minutes, do you ever feel limited in each episode?
RH: I think for us it’s a good thing. We have always thought that we don’t really want to over stay our welcome at the party. I think if the show was even just 1 minute longer people would be like “fuck it! I’m not watching this”. (Laughs) There is something great about the show being only 15 minutes long. People will buy into something for that short amount of time. 30 minutes would be just too much and we would have to come up with actual plot lines instead of just talking about boners.
MG: Tell us about the episode this season that you wrote as well as starred?
RH: Myself and Paul Shearer wrote that episode and it’s about our buddy Rob Riggle who guest stars on the show. He plays this really handsome Dr. that everyone likes and all the girls want to sleep with. Well he gets killed within the first 30 seconds of the show. The rest of the show is basically all of the other doctors trying to death with that. Henry Winkler decides he is going to offer 
therapy and everyone is mandated to attend. You get to see a lot of everyone’s inner problems.
MG: Can you tell us about any crazy moments from behind the scenes?
RH: We had a bunch of porn stars on set one day which is always great to have on a children’s show. I’m sure we won’t get into any trouble with that. I gave Rob Corddry Chlamydia. (Laughs) he thinks it’s just the flu but I told him it’s Chlamydia. I’m a doctor I should know. We also found out I am married with a child and I die. (Laughs) I really want to stress the Chlamydia though.
MG: What can you tell us about your upcoming show on Fox called “Family Album”?
RH: That was a really fun thing that might be picked up mid-season. It didn’t get picked up for the fall but we still might get to see it. Shawn Levy who directed “Night at the Museum” and “Date Night” directed the pilot. Myself, Mike O’Malley and Rachel Harris are in it and it’s more of a family comedy. I play the weird uncle that is completely inappropriate at all times which is right up my alley. It would be really cool if it becomes a show. I don’t know who makes those decisions but that should be a show!
MG: Tell us about working with George Clooney & Alexander Payne in the upcoming film “The Descendants”?
RH: That was amazing. I have a very small part in that movie but I was really lucky to get to do
that. It was a dream job being in Hawaii for 3 weeks and getting to work with George Clooney and Alexander Payne. I wasn’t sure if I was getting paid or I should be paying those guys. It is upsetting how much of a great guy and how funny George is. It almost makes you want to hate him. Alexander Payne is one of my favorite directors, so it was really great.
MG: You are re-teaming with Rob Corddry and the gangs for “Rapturepalooza”, what can you tell us about that?
RH: We just shot some of that up in Vancouver with Craig Robinson from “The Office”. John Francis Daily who was on “Freaks and Geeks” and who is now on “Bones” is a part of the project as well as Anna Kendrick from “Up in the Air”. The film is basically a comedy about the end of the world. The rapture has already happened with a bunch of people being sucked up to heaven leaving all the lame people here on earth. Craig Robinson plays the anti-Christ and Rob and I work for him. It’s pretty funny!
