Q 6

PLAYBOY: As a Canadian, did you weep when Wayne Gretzky left Edmonton?

John Candy: No. Are you kidding? I jumped up and down. I thought it was hysterical. It was one of those moments when you always remember where you were when you heard the news. I was getting onto a plane to go to Vancouver and someone said, "Congratulations! You've got Gretzky playing for you now." I thought he was joking. I had almost given up my L.A. Kings season tickets, because I'm there so seldom that I could buy them on a per-diem basis. One of the first calls I made was to make sure that I had not, in fact, canceled my season tickets. The Kings' ticket office said, "Don't worry, you're covered." The people at the Forum have been so nice. Kings owner Bruce McNall's people are fabulous. They have a winning attitude. Gretzky brings a lot of class and expertise.

Q 7

PLAYBOY: What other Canadian sports figures would you like to see move to L.A.?

John Candy: Ben Johnson. Of course, Canadians are now saying he's Jamaican. At first, he was closely related to Sir Johnny Macdonald, the first prime minister of Canada. They were tracing his roots back that far. The moment he was disqualified, he came from Jamaica. It is pretty disgraceful. For his own safety, he should come to Los Angeles.

Q 8

PLAYBOY: Whose fingerprints are on the scripts that come your way?

John Candy: There aren't too many fingerprints now. I've been very selective and very fortunate. I have a good relationship with John Hughes. If we can work together over the years, I'll be very happy with that. I enjoy working with Paul Flaherty; I did Who's Harry Crumb? with him. We also worked together a number of years at SCTV. My agent probably has more fingerprints on scripts than anyone else. I know in Hollywood they have a star wheel in the executives' offices. They spin the wheel and it lands on a picture of an actor. Wherever it lands, they make a deal with him. It's scary. Eddie Murphy would probably be on top. Or Bill Murray. Or Chevy Chase. Dan Aykroyd would be right up there. Tom Hanks. Steve Martin. Danny DeVito. Michael Keaton. John Cleese. Michael Palin. Kevin Kline. There are so many.

Q 9

PLAYBOY: What is it like to be the funniest part of an unfunny movie?

John Candy: I'm a very hard judge, so its difficult to think of myself as funny at all. I usually look at everyone else on the screen and mentally block myself right out. It's like an instant matte camera--I can put anyone else's face in there or I can put a tree where I'm standing. I'm always in awe of everyone else's work--my God, I'm lucky to be here with these people.

There have been times that a movie hasn't done so well and I, personally, have done well in the reviews. We refer to that as "skating," from our old SCTV days. It doesn't happen that often. It's up to the individual critic. It's based on his taste. There have been other cases when the movie has gotten great reviews and I've gotten killed. They just haven't liked me. So it works both ways.

Q 10

PLAYBOY: Explain the snack.

John Candy: Snacks are important. I'm a healthy-snack fiend now. Your body needs fuel all day. We're taught that candy bars are a great snack and that they'll get you through to dinner. I think you should graze all day. Celery, carrots, fruits, vegetables. Then blow out every now and then on Ding Dongs. I can't do that anymore. I'm reading more labels than I ever did before. I know that some of the things put in there sure don't belong. No more edible oil products for me.

Q 11

PLAYBOY: For what food product would you consider being a spokesman?

John Candy: Brussels sprouts. Sure, they give you gas, but they're good for you. Nobody pushes Brussels sprouts. They're forgotten. They're cute little guys on your plate. There's not a lot you can do with them. Brussels-sprouts pie. Brussels-sprouts tarts. Brussels-sprouts pudding. Stuffed Brussels sprouts. Lima beans don't get much publicity, either. Nobody pushes summer squash. Jicama. Who deals with Jicama? A lot of forgotten vegetables out there. It's sad. John Candy for Jicama--"You know, when I wake up in the morning, there's nothing like a nice fresh slice of Jicama. It goes down well in the morning, afternoon or evening. Heck, we can't keep enough Jicama in our house. Eat Jicama once a day."

Q 12

PLAYBOY: How does one become a man of stature?

John Candy: By stepping on people, climbing that ladder as ruthlessly as possible. Having no feeling toward people whatsoever. Planting the tip of your boot firmly in someone's eye socket and then kicking up. Clawing, begging, stealing.