In town for a Netflix movie, David Spade brings older, wiser perspective to Honolulu

One didn’t have to go too far to track down David Spade recently for an interview in advance of his stand-up show Sunday at The Republik.

The slight, pale-haired actor and comedian was sighted at Hawaiian Brian’s in Honolulu on March 2. He already was on Oahu, in the midst of filming a movie for Netflix, “The Wrong Missy.”

“I’m doing something on the island,” the actor-comedian said in a coy, playful tone during a phone call patched in by a publicist in Beverly Hills on March 5. “I was out on the party scene.”

In reality, Spade said that one night out was the first time he’s had a break in his filming schedule since he’s been on location.

“I’ve been on the island for a couple of weeks,” he revealed. “We started in the Kahala area. … We’re somewhere else now. I don’t really know where.”

One can assume that Spade, known for his trademark sarcasm, is being, well, sarcastic. But he’s not joking — that much — about finding the pace of filming movies grueling.

“Why would you ever do a movie?” he asked rhetorically. “Movies are the hardest. Anyone who knows me knows what a baby I am. I’ve been filming seven days a week. Not one day off.”

It’s not so much a complaint as it is a fact.

WHEN HE’S not in pre- production, Spade, who has been to Hawaii before, has been taking it easy, catching up on and tearing down “The Bachelor” and his favorite show “Hoarders.”

“I just make fun of the insanity on ‘The Bachelor,’” he said. “And with ‘Hoarders,’ I talk back to the TV.”

The filming of “The Wrong Missy,” in which Spade’s character, Tim Morris, invites the wrong woman to his work retreat, comes on the heels of the 2018 release of his comedy “Father of the Year” on Netflix.

“It did better than they thought it would — to put it one way,” he said with some mirth. “But it’s the same team, same director.”

Spade has been in a range of movies, from voiceover work in the animated “The Emperor’s New Groove” (2000) to “The Grown-Ups” movies (2010 and 2013) with friends like Adam Sandler and Chris Rock. The films are among his pet projects.

“I did ‘Emperor’s New Clothes’ years ago, but I still get good feedback after all these years,” said Spade, who has been in more than 70 projects. “And with ‘Grown-Ups,’ I like the family-friendly stuff.”

SPADE DID pencil in time for at least one other activity while in Hawaii: his stand-up show on Sunday.

“I practiced a lot before I left,” he said. “Those Hawaii audiences are good,” meaning that Hawaii audiences pay attention and expect a funny show.

“My show relates to my life. It’s about me getting older, gaining weight. …”

Spade has appeared on stage in Hawaii with Adam Sandler and with Bill Maher. “I’ll definitely take the time to perform when I’m someplace,” he said.

He does about seven stand-up shows a month, both on the road and at The Comedy Store, which is located less than a mile from his home in Los Angeles County. He said he enjoys watching the acts of Bill Burr and Ali Wong there, in addition to performing.

“You don’t want to do crummy jokes,” he said of the comic talent. “They’re at the back of the room.”

In high school in Scottsdale, Ariz., Spade couldn’t have imagined going into stand-up comedy.

“It wasn’t until senior year that I had the confidence to be a stand-up,” he said.

But he did dream of getting onto sitcoms, and that has indeed come true with the likes of such TV comedies as “Just Shoot Me” (1997-2003), “8 Simple Rules” (2004-2005) and “Rules of Engagement” (2007-2013).

SPADE’S SARCASTIC, self-deprecating image dates back to “Just Shoot Me,” in which he starred as womanizing secretary Dennis Finch, along with heavyweight actors such as Laura San Giacomo, Wendie Malick and George Segal.

“I’m a little less smart- aleck-y in real life,” said Spade, who comes across as down-to-Earth. “I’m more toned down in real life. Everyone is known for something. I don’t mind. Whatever.”

But some might say Spade’s penchant for flippant roles dates further back, to “Saturday Night Live” (1990-1996), where he starred with castmates such as Mike Myers, Dana Carvey, Phil Hartman, Rob Schneider, Chris Farley, Rock and Sandler. Hired as a writer before becoming a cast member, Spade is best known for characters such as a superficial Gap girl, a snarky flight attendant and the even snarkier Hollywood Minute reporter.

“‘SNL’ is like Vietnam,” he said. “No, I’m changing it to summer camp. It has its highs and lows when you’re in it, but looking back, you’d kill for another chance at rehearsals. When you leave, you think everyone is great.”

He said of his then-castmates, “Adam, I see the most. Chris Rock, I talk with over the phone. He’s the only person who does phone calls. There’s Molly Shannon. Anyone from ‘SNL,’ I will talk with.”

Meeting up with Sandler and Rock unexpectedly keeps Spade on his toes.

“If you go to dinner with Chris Rock and Adam Sandler, you know you have to do three jokes — and the third one has to deliver. It’s like high school in its own way.”