Spring 2026

106 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S P R I N G 2 0 2 6 Self-effacing describes McHale perfectly. He takes his work very seriously, and feels beyond lucky to do it all, but he doesn’t think he’s anything special. “I can’t believe they pay me to do any of it,” he says. And it’s said with obvious sincerity. Photo: Randy Shropshire/Contributor and I’ll probably burst out crying at some point. But then I’ll go back to my questionable jokes,” he quips. Workaholism, OCD, ADD—McHale makes it all work for himself, his loved ones and fans. To keep balanced he stays active, including weight lifting daily and lots of sports, especially tennis.“I have that golden retriever part of me that just has to run after any sort of sports ball I can.” He collects swords and knives, which he acknowl- edges is a bit odd. But he places the most weight on quality time with family, friends and his dogs. “The ‘Community’ cast, we’ve all become so close, so seeing those guys [is great]. Just getting face time with friends is really impor- tant. And the rest of the time is going to Seahawks games or Mariners games because I love sports so much. I just like watching men or women with some kind of inflated round object to throw back and forth. Or, cuz I’m gone so much, I walk in the house, I lie on the ground and the dogs jump on top of me and we will stay there for an hour…then my wife says one word and they follow her away.” McHale’s time in the Carmel area will be short and sweet. Come March and April, his work schedule will intensify. After the Comics for Kids event, it’s back to Canada, where season three of his hit show “Animal Control” is shot.“I feel like I’m still riding a bike down a hill, and my arms are folded and I’m trying not to grab the handlebars all the time. People are like, ‘Joel, are you always in this panic and anxiety mode?’ And I’m like, ‘Yes, I am. I’ve been in it since I was 11.’ That’s the way I operate.”With his talent, charm, good looks and self-effacing humor, Joel McHale will be around for a long time, and we’re all along for the wild, downhill ride. The 33rd Annual Comic for Kids takes place Saturday, April 18, at The Inn at Spanish Bay. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.bgcmc.org .