Cheeta the Chimp: It’s out in the UK already and due to hit America on February 17th. I was a fly on the wall with some of the biggest stars in Hollywood. All the sordid details are there and I don’t mince words. Talk about artistic license. If only even a bit of it was true. People are already sending me soap. I guess they think I should wash my mouth out with it. Well, give me a break. I should be able to get away with a lot more because I’m not human. And now everybody’s coming out of the concrete jungle to get a piece of me. Suncoast Primate Sanctuary in Florida for instance claims that there is another Cheeta that was given to them by Johnny Weissmuller. While there were many other Cheetas (maybe this is one of them), they didn’t get him from the Weissmuller estate and that’s according to Diane Weissmuller herself. So, people are stretching the truth now that my life is under a microscope. I’m sure this is only the beginning.
Jonathan: So how much is true in your autobiography?
Cheeta the Chimp: Okay. The book says that I hate bananas for instance. Well, British writer and journalist Damian Barr was over to my place during Election day to see if this bit of information on my diet was true for his piece in the London Times. He smuggled in a dozen bananas, and Dan would only allow me to have one. Well, once this writer turned on that tape recorder, I dashed for the kitchen and found the stash of bananas, brought them out to the piano and wolfed them all down in minutes to the jaw-dropping astonishment of Mr. Barr. And from what I understand, it takes a lot to shock Mr. Barr who is known to wear stripped jammies in public. I think I’m his first celebrity interview in the raw. Well, he’ll get over it I hope.
Jonathan: I also heard you are going to be in one last movie. What’s the story with that?
Cheeta the Chimp: Film Director Glen Coburn and producer Kay Bay pitched me this neo noir project “Hollywood Deadbeat” and I couldn’t turn him down. It’s very European, shot in black and white with all the characters based on real people from the 1980s. I play myself opposite a character based on LA horrormesiter Jerry Feifer who is still making money off his movies 25 years later. Delightful and gorgeous Jane Abbott is also in the scene thanks to the persuasive powers of Joe Spotts who seems to know everybody who was anybody in Palm Springs. Such a big fuss over me returning to the silver screen for a raspberry but Glen and the producers had to convince Dan Westfall to let me out of the Casa to go on location to Casablanca Studios in Desert Hot Springs. He finally gave in so I could do my big scene. My only issue was they wanted me to wear pants and I wanted to go au natural. Kim Dillinger Davis was watching the clock on set and thought I was going to be a no show……well I showed her.
Jonathan: Do you still go out cruising from time to time?
Cheeta the Chimp: Not like in the old days….and now I’ve got minders and everyone making sure I behave. Don’t get me wrong. I love Dan Westfall and he’s been a dream to look after me. I owe him my life since originally I was destine for the gas chamber until Dan stepped in and saved me. But, I’d like to carouse around the neighborhood if I could. Hollywood Deadbeat was the closest thing I got to it. So, I’m ready for my next role.
Jonathan: When you do cruise, what music do you like to listen to? Any favorite tunes?
Cheeta the Chimp: Monkees and more Monkees. NYC PR Whiz Sal Cataldi hooked me up with my favorite band last year to try and get them a star on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but no go for them as well. But, I’m really looking forward to my music video with Immergent records. John Trickett and Michael Lee Jackson have been out to visit me on several occasions. Michael Lee’s not only my Lawyer but a musician himself and helping me put this together. He wants his dog Eugene it, but I’m against that but who knows. I’m doing my voice tracks at the beginning of the year and my grandson Jeeters is ooh oohing in with me as well. It’s all in the family. There is talk of me joining forces with the Cheeky Girls. How crazy is that? Maybe we should have remade “Touch my Bum.” instead of “Convoy”.
Jonathan: Do you have any road trip stories? If so, what’s the most memorable?
Cheeta the Chimp: Well there was this time I hitched a ride with Howard Hughes when I escaped from Jungleland, but I’m saving that for my next book….
