Kevin James wasn’t the only one whose life was changed by an iconic 2000s sitcom.
Created by Michael J. Weithorn and David Litt, The King of Queens was a dysfunctional family sitcom led by James as parcel delivery driver Doug who, along with his legal secretary wife Carrie (Leah Remini), try to keep their heads afloat with everything from Carrie’s widowed father Arthur (Jerry) living with them to helping with their friends’ chaotic lives. Also starring Patton Oswalt, Gary Valentine and Nicole Sullivan, the series ran for nine seasons on CBS.
Now, in an interview with ScreenRant’s Ash Crossan for his new film GOAT, Patton Oswalt has reflected on his time with The King of Queens. When asked if there was a moment in his life in which he realized he was becoming recognized more by the public, the two-time Emmy winner pointed to the time around “the fifth or sixth season of King of Queens,” which he says “really holds up,” as being the period in which he started to feel this recognition.
Acknowledging that it’s “shown two or three times a day now” through its syndication, which he feels is “because it’s just pure funny,” he further shared that “whenever I would go in someplace, people were just like, ‘Spence!'” Warmly recognizing that he “was a part of their day in what felt like a very positive day,” Oswalt felt it to be “very, very surreal” to suddenly have that level of success and recognizability:
Patton Oswalt: “I’ve had a day, I want to come home and see some absurdity, give me a little smile, give me a little breather.” To get to be a part of that felt very, very surreal. “Oh, when I walk into places, there’s a good chance now.” I don’t think that I’m like a Tom Hanks, but I’m one of those faces that’s like, “Oh, I’ve seen you in things.” And listen, that’s the exact kind of career I want – that character-actor career. I want the Paul Giamatti career or the Tracy Walter career of like, “Oh, there’s that guy!”
Having been with the series from the start, albeit briefly becoming a recurring player in season 3, Oswalt starred in The King of Queens cast as Spence, Doug’s nerdier friend going all the way back to childhood, who often finds himself conflicting with the rest of the group, both due to his interests and being the voice of reason. Oswalt was also able to infuse much of his own personality into the character, particularly his love of pop culture.
Patton Oswalt’s Spence sitting next to Jerry Stiller’s Arthur on the couch and smiling in The King of Queens
As Oswalt alludes to, The King of Queens served as the star’s first major breakout into stardom. Prior to the sitcom, he was primarily known both for his stand-up comedy and as a writer on the ’90s run of MADtv. The show’s successful run ended up catapulting Oswalt into further success in film, TV and beyond, ranging from leading Pixar’s Ratatouille as aspiring rat chef Remy to co-leading the cult favorite comedy A.P. Bio with Glenn Howerton and co-starring in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.
While known now as one of the more successful sitcoms of the late ’90s and early 2000s, there was once a time in which King of Queens was more of an underdog show in the genre. The series began in the midst of other dysfunctional family comedies dominating the field, particularly the sci-fi-leaning 3rd Rock from the Sun, Tim Allen’s Home Improvement and Everybody Loves Raymond, with which it would cross over four different times.
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Additionally, The King of Queens got off on an uneven keel with critics, as season 1 of the series garnered generally negative reviews. However, reception began to grow warmer toward the show as it continued its run, building to its final two seasons garnering generally favorable reviews, and its season 8 premiere, “Pole Lox,” netting James a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.
With it also garnering strong ratings for the majority of its run, apart from its dip in season, it’s clear why The King of Queens still means so much to Oswalt all these years later. And while he may feel he’s not quite to the level of Tom Hanks, there’s no denying that the Emmy winner has been one of the most notable character actors of the past 20 years, thanks both to his on-screen comedic presence and unique voice being tapped for both live-action and animated hits.
Release Date
1998 – 2007-00-00
Showrunner
Rob Schiller
Kevin James
Doug Heffernan
Leah Remini
Carrie Heffernan