By Elyse Weingarten

MEET BUCK. HE WILL SOON SOON BE FAMOUS. High art meets the low shelf life of celebrity tabloids in Michael Buckley’s You Tube show, What the Buck?! Borrowing the format of ubiquitous celebrity reportage, What the Buck ?! offers the snappiest cultural commentary you will find anywhere. On OJ Simpson: soy milk made him gay. On Paula Abdul: she’s mean to people, but she loves animals, so it is ohkay. On Paris, Britney and Lindsay…..well, just tune into the weekly ‘skank’ edition. What the Buck?! is currently the most watched entertainment show on You Tube, and Buckley is also frequently on FoxNews, DirectTV, and Leeza Gibbons’ radio program, Hollywood Confidential. Here, Buck talks to EGO magazine about his show, dressing up like the ladies from the view, and America’s Next Top Model.

Q1 EGO:I just want to say that I love your show, What the Buck?! I am a huge fan. How did the show come about? What inspired it?

I do a show on my local public access [station] and one of the segments is called WHAT THE BUCK?! My name is Michael Buckley and people call me “Buck”- so it’s like I am saying “What the F*ck is up with this??!!!” I wanted to develop a show for myself and I knew I enjoyed picking on celebrities… so it all just came about as I went.

Q2 EGO: Now, Buck, you are very openly gay. In the past, you’ve talked about receiving some negative reactions because of this. How do you think being gay has affected your relationship with your viewers?

Now that I am perceived as “popular” on YouTube, [the negativity] has gone away a bit. People are used to it now. I talk about my husband all the time on the show. I get lots of emails from straight men in the middle of the country who say they used to hate gay people until they started watching my show. I still do get a lot of homophobic comments, but they don’t really bother me, so much as amuse me.

Q3 EGO: With Chris Crocker’s ‘leave Britney alone’ video recently receiving national attention, and the popularity of Andrew Keen’s book, The Cult of the Amateur: How Today’s Internet is Killing our Culture, You Tube and other sites that allow individuals to share videos and information have become a hot cultural topic. What advantages or opportunities do you think that the emergence of this new technology provides for people like you, who are trying to break into the entertainment field, in one way or another?

You Tube is a great way to get exposure! It is a great place to have your own channel. Many users have gotten some cool jobs from being seen on You Tube. For me, it is better than wasting time going on auditions for things I am wrong for and sending out demos. Also, It’s nice not to have to answer to anyone. And, it has really been nice to connect with other users who are also passionate about making videos.

Q4 EGO: Do you have a favorite segment or particular joke that you’ve have told on What the Buck?

Wow! I’ve loved so many of my jokes, I’ve lost track—I make so many! I like when I said Britney Spears went to college. That was funny! My favorite segment is probably when I dressed up like the View ladies just because that was so different and fun. I also liked my Jennifer Hudson Vs. Beyonce video. I like all my videos! Haha!

Q5 EGO: Who is your favorite celebrity to make fun of and why?

I like to make fun of Lindsay Lohan’s parents because they suck. I like to make fun of Oprah because everyone can relate. I try to pick on the big guns- there is no joy in making fun of obscure celebrities. There is no one I would “never make fun of” – I make fun of myself too- no one is off limits.

Q6 EGO: Which celebrities do you actually like?

I like many celebs- I especially like ones who enjoy [what they do]. I hate when some complain about being famous- those are the biggest A-holes-- such as Paula Abdul. I like Kate Winslett, Meryl Streep, Matt Damon, The Cast of 90210, Jackie Smith. Truthfully, I am big fans of most people I make fun of. I do not like Denise Richards- is she even famous? I hate Donald Trump….he is the biggest twat.

Q7 EGO: What other current projects are you currently working on?

I am working on the launch of my personal website. I also do a weekly spot for Fox News and Leeza Gibbons’ radio show, Hollywood Confidential. And, I am always writing WTB.

Q8 EGO: Where do you hope your career will eventually lead you?

I am having the time of my life making videos! It would be great to make a living doing this, but I try not to stress too much about it. If more comes, great; if not, it’s ok. It would be nice to have some more TV gigs, but I am happy to have it online. As long as am enjoying it, I believe things will continue to happen.

Q9 EGO: Even though we are still fairly early in the season of America’s Next Top Model’s cycle 9, what is your reaction to this season? Do you have any early observations or predictions?

It’s my favorite show, but it really has nothing to do with modeling. If Tyra really wanted to find a top model, she would cast young girls who were models, not troubled girls with back stories and hips! I think Tyra has tried to do too much this season- going green, no smoking and casting a girl with mild autism. I have no problem with the girl and hope she wins- I just wish Tyra would just stop making it a topic. Save it for the talk show Tyra! Lisa, Heather, Chantel, Jenah- one of those 4 will win.

Q10 EGO: I love to ask this next question to all working comics. It is a common cliché that all comics are tragically serious at heart. What do you make of this?

Well, I don’t fancy myself a comic. [But] I am definitely not very serious. I have always been a silly – fun loving- drama-free person. No deep wounds here! Ha-ha! But if I find any- I will let you know!

Q11 EGO: Thanks so much, Buck. Before we go, is there anything else you would like to add?

I whip it out whenever I can! I don’t know what that means! WHAT THE BUCK?!

Images courtesy buckhollywood.com.