"When we were younger, Huggy Bear was basically the coolest guy on TV," says Phillips. "You didn’t see a lot of characters like that on television. Snoop seemed to me to be the logical choice because he is the coolest guy, so we went to him first. He brings a sense of reality to the role and I always feel like comedy plays best in reality."
SNOOP DOGG (‘Huggy Bear’):
How cool is it to wear the 70s fashions?
It’s beautiful, you know what I’m saying, to be able to step back in time. You’ve got to always go back in time if you want to move forward and that’s what the 70s was all about. It was about having fun, love, peace and happiness.
What was your favorite part of filming? Did you get a lot of freedom with the script, or was it really tight?
I went crazy. I did me. I brought flavor to Huggy and they let me do it. I want to thank the director for letting me be me. I’m looking forward to seeing the movie. I haven’t seen it yet so I’m anxious to see it.
Did you have the best time making this movie?
Oh yeah, baby, it was fun. I got to be a character that I loved being as a kid. Working with great actors like Ben and Owen, working with a great director, and I met Fred Williamson on the cast. Vince Vaughn – it’s a great situation. Not to mention the beautiful girls Carmen Electra and Amy Smart.
Can you ever have too much bling on the red carpet?
It’s not really about that. It’s about a statement that I’m making that Huggy Bear is here to stay, and the 70s are here to stay. That’s the whole point of me stepping out in this tonight, to let everybody know that. Everybody wants to wear throwback jerseys and I’m with the throwback attire – the real outfit. This thing right here symbolizes real honor and power and respect, and Huggy Bear is here to stay on that note.
You’ve done a lot of red carpets in your time. What’s the worst behavior you’ve seen?
I’ve yet to see any. The red carpet is a beautiful situation for people. I think everybody appreciates it and loves it and honors it. Nobody really acts a fool because they know this is a one-time thing.
INTERVIEW WITH AMY SMART (‘Holly’):
Amy Smart's building an impressive resume, with starring turns in such movies as "Road Trip," "Scotland, PA" and "The Battle of Shaker Heights." In "Starsky and Hutch," Smart plays a Bay City cheerleader who, along with Carmen Electra, falls for the detectives.
This is the second time you’ve worked with Todd Phillips. What is it that he brings to the set?
He definitely is just more confident as a director now and he brings a level of calmness and focus. He just knows what he wants comedically. It’s great to work with somebody confident in that way.
Is he real loose on the set?
He’s flexible but at the same time he’s a good director because he knows what he’s looking for. And, to me, I don’t particularly like directors who don’t have a clear vision – and he does. He just keeps getting better and better as a director.
Were you able to do a lot of improv?
Some. I thought it was more left up to Starsky and Hutch’s characters.
MORE FROM THE PREMIERE OF "STARSKY & HUTCH:"
Ben Stiller and Todd Phillips Interviews
Fred Williamson and Brande Roderick Interviews
"Starsky & Hutch" Premiere Photos
ADDITIONAL "STARSKY & HUTCH" RESOURCES:
"Starsky & Hutch" Production Photos
"Starsky & Hutch" Trailer
"Starsky & Hutch" Credits, Movie News and Websites
