DALLAS — In a Zoom call to promote his new movie "Vengeance," it was obvious that B.J. Novak, the 42-year-old Boston guy best known for his role on "The Office," had done his homework.
It started decades earlier, during his time at Harvard University. His freshman roommate was a Texan. And his name was Chess Stetson. Really.
“I thought, oh man, I’m in for a different world,” Novak said. “I called him up and he made a point to say, ‘I’m only bringing one trunk.’ I thought, what a weird thing to bring up. You gotta be macho about how you’re packing? Sure enough, he’s this 6-foot-3 strapping, handsome, athletic dude with one of the best hearts I’ve ever known. He definitely got me started on the right foot. He definitely sees himself as my Texas brother from another mother.”
"Vengeance," which opened in theaters Friday, is a quirky fish-out-of-water tale set in West Texas.
In making the movie, Novak got a crash-course in Texas stereotypes and specialties. We caught up with him on some key points about the state. The interview has been edited for clarity.
Q. Having spent so much time on "The Office," do you think Michael Scott (Steve Carell) would work in Texas?
A. He would. He’s an enthusiastic guy. He leads with his heart and he loves people. I think he’d actually do great in Texas.
Q: Your mentor, Greg Daniels, was one of the creators of "King of the Hill." What KOTH character are you?
A. Bobby Hill! I can be naive and wide-eyed sometimes.
Q. What’s your go-to order at Whataburger?
A. I love the sauces and the spicy ketchup. But the fact that you have the best accouterments to put on your Whataburger — you have the jalapenos and the spicy ketchup — you still need to start with the burger that you love. To me, everything but the burger, personally, is what makes Whataburger. But my favorite order is the honey butter biscuit.
Q. What about Frito pie? And hot Cheetos?
A. I love Frito pie. I can’t eat it too much because it didn’t seem too good for you. But how could that not be delicious? And then I learned about hot Cheetos, too. A lot of rodeos I visited had the hot Cheetos mixed with nacho cheese. That’s a little worse because you can taste how bad that is for you.
Q. Would you consider opening a Whataburger in Boston?
A. I don’t think it works. There’s a Dunkin’ Donuts in L.A., and it doesn’t feel the same. I know you guys don’t want In-N-Out over here, so you know it may be good to have some regional differences.
Q. You filmed much of the movie in Artesia, New Mexico, for tax reasons. Artesia should be part of Texas anyway, right?
A. You don’t think your state’s big enough? You need more territory?
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