How does English Teacher stand out in this endless ocean of TV content?
It’s really about making fun of all of the divisiveness going on in the world right now. Everybody’s right and everybody’s wrong, and we’re making fun of all of you — and everything that’s going on culturally. It becomes more ironic than anything . . . It’s Seinfeld-esque in that [Seinfeld is] a show about nothing, and this show is about making fun of everything . . . The last time I had this much fun was probably on Just Shoot Me!.
Looking back at Veronica Mars, that relationship between Keith and Veronica [Kristen Bell] is one of the most singular father-daughter bonds in TV history, but it was a very complex one . . .
[Laughs] You look back and you’re like, “He wasn’t a very good dad.” He did love her and he was ready to back her up, but to let her do what she ends up doing and just turning a blind eye to it . . . it’s like, “Alright, you’re my daughter. I’m not going to try to change you.” People loved that element. I let her be exactly who she was. In this day and age, people like to see that. I really respected her more than anything as a human being, not as an offspring.
Veronica Mars was underwatched. So too was Galaxy Quest. But that also found its audience, and you’re a key component as this sweet, silly alien . . .
I give that film 100 per cent credit for my longevity because, jokingly and seriously, I say playing that role in that movie with those people legitimized myself as an actor. It allowed me to bring something different, and a lot of actors don’t get the opportunity to do that. I was a little disappointed that people didn’t go out to see it, but talk about being redeemed in the long term. [Some] people consider it — their words, not mine — ”the best Star Trek movie.” Alright, I’ll take that! . . . I know one of the streaming networks wanted to do it as a television show and then Alan [Rickman] passed away, so that put the kibosh on that. Everybody was coming back to do it, but not without Alan.
You jump back and forth a lot from American productions to Canadian productions. How different are they?
I think it’s not so much about Canadian vs. American. I think it’s more about money. Money allows you time and locations and sets and all that stuff. What we do in Canada is wonderful work, which is limited by how much money we have to spend. That’s the primary difference. Veronica Mars was very much like that; we were operating on a very low budget by American standards. There was no laying back and enjoying the fruits of our labour. But it just becomes about money and the success of the show. I know in Canada with Flashpoint, we hit the ceiling with that show because it just got more and more expensive. I don’t know if Canadian producers couldn’t sustain that just based on the way the money is situated, and who actually pays to make a show in Canada. Flashpoint, in America, might still be going on. We might be in our 20th season . . .
You’re on so many shows right now. Do you have that common actor’s mindset of “I can never turn anything down, because this could all go away?”
There is a part of me that looks at it like that. I think I was just raised to push a wheelbarrow up a hill — and it’s fun at the same time. It’s really hard for me to say no . . . I’m the son of two working-class parents. I don’t understand “no.” Just say yes.
The season finale of English Teacher airs Monday, October 14, on FX Canada
MEMORABLE ROLES:
The Toronto native is among the most prolific and versatile character actors working today, best known as private eye/world’s best dad Keith Mars in cultishly adored teen noir Veronica Mars, as well as Lothario fashion-mag photographer Elliot in sitcom Just Shoot Me!. Meanwhile, on this side of the 49th, Colantoni anchored S.W.A.T. team drama Flashpoint from 2008-2012, and is now co-starring as salty old refinery worker Jimi on Crave’s The Trades and grizzled Surrey patrolman Vince on CBC cop drama Allegiance.
CURRENT GIG:
FX comedy English Teacher, which wraps season one this week, casts Mr. Colantoni as Principal Grant Moretti — a put-upon administrator who struggles to keep the peace amidst a swirl of political, educational and philosophical turmoil in Texas.